500MHz G4 Cube buyers and Apple dealers are being told their orders are backlogged, with dealers being told by Apple the reason is due to delays in getting GeForce2 MX video cards from Nvidia.
Apple dealers who spoke to MacCentral confirm the delays and report being told by Apple representatives the reason is due to a backlog of the Nvidia graphics card. “Apple told us they are trickling in and that Nvidia is having trouble meeting target dates they promised in January,” one Florida-based dealer who asked not to be identified, told MacCentral.
MacCentral readers awaiting their Cube are also being notified via e-mail of further delays. Teri D. of Denver received this e-mail correspondence Wednesday:
To Our Valued Apple Customer:
Thank you for your recent order.
We are continuing to experience a greater backlog delay than originally anticipated on the Power Mac G4 Cube with an NVIDIA GeForce2 MX video card. Our goal is still to ship your order as soon as possible, and we expect to ship your order by March 17th. Please contact us within 10 days if you would like us to continue working to fill your order.
Although the e-mail to users who purchased through the online Apple Store did not specifically state a reason for the delay, Apple is confirming through dealers it is related to availability of the Nvidia product.
Teri D. confirms she purchased the product the same day it was announced on February 21. Originally told she would have the high-end Cube in five days, the order has now been backed up twice, each time with additional days added.
“It’s frustrating that they set a date and can’t keep it,” she said.
Nvidia is the developer of the graphics chip, but out sources the production of the graphics cards to a third party. Despite this manufacturing process, sources have confirmed Nvidia is ultimately responsible to Apple for delivery and production of the graphics cards.
For customers and dealers buying today directly from Apple, the anticipated, minimum shipping period is 14 days.
An Apple spokesperson was not immediately available for comment to MacCentral.