21.5-inch iMac supply dwindles amid chip shortages, possible refresh

• The front of the 2020 27-inch iMac. [credit: Samuel Axon ]

Apple's low-end, 21.5-inch iMac appears to be in short supply at Apple Stores and in Apple's online storefront in the United States. The shortage could be a hint of an imminent change to the iMac lineup just a few days before Apple hosts a product launch event on April 20.

In particular, the cheapest, 1080p iMac (the rest of the 21.5-inch models have 4K displays) is seeing ship dates slipping back several days into late April or early May, which is usually a sign of low supply. This Mac in particular is also increasingly unavailable for pickup at physical Apple Stores around the US.

Meanwhile, the more expensive 27-inch iMac is shipping within a normal window, and it is showing as available at more retail stores.