Like many of its recent fruit-branded brethren, Apple's next generation Mac Pro sold out within hours of going on sale Thursday morning.
But unlike when iPhones and iPads sell out, this shortage might last more than a few weeks. The original ship date for the new desktop was Dec. 30. But if you place an order now, you likely won't see the $3,000 cylinder until sometime in February. (Via Apple)
In fact, 9to5Mac is reporting some customers are getting shipping quotes as late as March.
This may remind some of the 2012 iMac shortage when Apple was unable to meet demand for the desktop until the end of the first quarter — four months after the machine went on sale. (Via Ars Technica)
During the shortage, Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed regret over releasing the product before supply could meet demand, saying, "We felt our customers had to wait too long for that specific product." (Via Forbes)
But regret from the CEO wouldn't stop a similar shortage just one year later.
ComputerWorld reports low production volume of the new Mac Pro may be more responsible for the shortage than high levels of demand because this line of Macs is being assembled at a new factory in Austin, Texas.
Where Tim Cook tweeted a photo from the assembly line Wednesday to say: "We have begun manufacturing the Mac Pro in Austin. It's the most powerful Mac ever. Orders start tomorrow."
Apple reported selling 4.6 million Macs in the fourth quarter of 2013, a 7 percent decrease in unit sales from last year.
Apple has not released a statement on the shortage, but it looks like customers may be stuck with their current desktops and trash cans, at least for a while. (Via Kotaku)
