Two Random Data Points Regarding Apple -- Absolutely Nothing To Do With the Bakken

First, the bad news: component delays are complicating Apple's timed roll-out schedule. A speed bump.

Second data point: Apple's desktop computer penetration is probably about six (6) percent -- I've long lost the bubble on that. But in the mobile device market, Apple is king. So it was shocking (at least to me) to see that shortages of 27-inch iMacs are hitting Apple retail stores.

Our survey of Apple's retail stores shows that 120 out of the 249 U.S. locations are currently out of stock of the base 27-inch iMac model, with 135 locations being out of stock of the high-end configuration. Most of the stores are quoting a pickup date in the range of September 4-7, indicating that Apple will be able to deliver new orders for pickup fairly quickly, although some locations are quoting availability for as far out as September 11.

As with the shortages seen so far at resellers, Apple's shortages appear to be limited to the 27-inch models, with the 21.5-inch iMac continuing to be widely available at the company's retail stores. In our survey, we found only seven Apple retail store locations currently out of stock of the base 21.5-inch iMac model, all of which could offer pickup in the range of September 4-7. 

It's possible that Apple is holding back on production, pending an update of this desktop computer.  Be that as it may, this is why I find it interesting: everything I read suggests the economy is doing poorly. I disagree: compared to what?

I've argued that the gap between the haves and the have-nots is widening. I've also argued that many analysts have not adjusted to the "new" economy. the economy is doing poorly for some; not so poorly for others.

The desktop iMac comes in two sizes, the 21.5-inch and the 27-inch.  The 21.5 inch is very, very inexpensive at just $1200, which the "haves" will pay off in less than six months, many paying in full the day they buy it. But Apple retail stores do not have any shortage of these less expensive models.

The 27-inch is significantly more important, and doesn't offer much more than the lower-priced iMacs except for the hugely insane bigger screen. The "haves" are willing to pay almost double for the larger screen, at $2,000.

That surely is not evidence that the economy is doing poorly, at least for Apple.