Dina Bader: Apple could become the best-selling all-in-one brand with its new iMac

Apple could dethrone the long-running all-in-one king.

What you need to know

The new iMac could overtake HP as the best-selling all-in-one desktop.
Orders for the new iMac are expected to begin shipping later this month.

The new iMac could propel Apple past HP in a critical area.

As reported by Digitimes (via MacRumors, Apple's new 24-inch iMac could help the company overtake HP as the leading all-in-one computer brand in the world.

The prediction is based on evidence suggesting that more affordable all-in-one PC brands are being impacted much harder by the global chip shortage as suppliers prioritize their shipments to support more premium products in the AIO market.

The sources pointed out that high-end AIO PCs such as the iMac are only seeing limited impact from component shortages, but entry-level to mid-range products priced between NT$15,000 (US$536.51) and NT$30,000 have been hit much harder. Several ODMs have already halted their production for many AIO PCs because of component shortage, but iMac production remains unaffected, the sources said.

According to Digitimes Research, HP was the largest AIO PC brand in the fourth quarter of 2020, shipping 925,000 units, followed by Apple with 860,000 units, and Lenovo with 731,000 units. However, Apple's shipments are estimated to have surpassed HP in the first quarter of 2021.

We'll have to wait and see how Apple's new iMac fares when it releases to customers. There will be three separate pricing tiers of the new iMac starting at $1299, $1499, and $1699. Preorders for the iMac went live last week and the first shipments are expected to go out to customers starting on May 21.

The new iMac features an all-new design, the M1 processor, updated cameras and speakers, and comes in seven vibrant colors. It is already considered one of the Best Macs of 2021.