Yields of 27-Inch iMac Displays Expected to Improve Next Month

Apple's 27-inch iMac continues to be in short supply, with Apple quoting 3-4 week shipping estimates for new online orders, compared to shorter but still substantial 7-10 day estimates for the smaller 21.5-inch models. Even before launch, the new iMac was projected to be in short supply into 2013, due in large part to issues with Apple's new display assembly process that includes laminating the display directly to the machine's cover glass.

imac 27 display 2012
Digitimes now reports that the display lamination issue is still a problem for Apple supplier LG Display, with the larger 27-inch panels seeing lower yields than the 21.5 inch displays.

LG Display has reportedly been facing full lamination issues while producing the panels, slowing down shipments of the 27-inch device to 100,000 units a month, added the sources.

LG Display, however, has secured strong yields for Apple's new 21.5-inch model, which currently has reached monthly shipments of 300,000-400,000 units, noted the sources.

The report does claim, however, that LG is moving toward better yields of the larger displays, with greater availability set to come next month. The improved yields should reduce what appears to be the main bottleneck in iMac production, thus leading to greater availability and shorter shipping estimates for new orders.

Apple's redesigned iMac is considerably thinner than its predecessor and contains 40% less volume, changes that have been enabled by a number of technological advancements such as the lamination to create thinner and more vibrant displays and the use of advanced welding techniques. Those advancements have not come without challenges, however, as seen with the displays holding back production on the larger iMac models.

Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iMac

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Top Rated Comments

TMar Avatar
160 months ago
Or they could have made it only slightly thicker and avoided this problem. The race to make the thinnest things possible is ignorant especially in the desktop market.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
autrefois Avatar
160 months ago
It's not just a race to the bottom in thickness.

The smaller and lighter an item is, the easier and cheaper it is to pack and transport. And with a smaller array of hardware to include (goodbye, CD), the power footprint is smaller too. It all ends up saving money for all involved.
I must have missed the memo about the iMac price drop...
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D.T. Avatar
160 months ago
Hopefully with the supply of 27" displays improving, we'll soon see a 27" Thunderbolt monitor with this new display tech (and physical design), coupled with USB 3.0 ports.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleInMyBlood Avatar
160 months ago
This is 2013, you'd think they would have figured out these amateur manufacturing supply/demand issues by now...

An iMac is a complicated piece of kit, especially the new ones. To call issues such as these "amateur," whatever you mean by that, is ludicrous.

I mean, this is 2013, you'd think ignorant people would have stopped disrupting forum discussions by now... :rolleyes:
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JHankwitz Avatar
160 months ago
This is 2013, you'd think they would have figured out these amateur manufacturing supply/demand issues by now...

Amature? Amature? AMATURE? You obviously have no clue as to how far out on the bleeding edge of technology Apple operates.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
seble Avatar
160 months ago
Well anyone that orders one will find it's worth the wait ;)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)