True though don't didn't they initiate the trend in Just In Time manufacturing. Not sure to what scale they do these days having previous read about them buying up mountins of flash memory few years back. I dare suspect that customised models like the macbook pro which are built to your spec from the choices you get a more accomodating item for building to order. Few standard configs will be in the shops and if you want something different they can get it for you. Items ike iPads they can bulk build as little variance/permutations as its just how much memory in them for storage. But yet there has been many a time they have sold out. No supplier realy wants that, but also at the same time it does help with free news and in a way help promote your product as it does have your advantage as long as those who miss out initialy can wait and not purchase a alternative in frustration.
Apple products are shipped the same day, unless they are Build-To-Order or in high demand.
Apple is a completely different business than DELL. Apple sells in its own retail stores, through big box retailers, through Apple Service Providers, and via its own web site.
The high-demand products must be experiencing some kind of limit in manufacturing. It could be the factory producing the screens can only make so many. Acquiring the components is not a trivial thing with products that aren't cookie cutter.
Example: retina MacBook Pro was launched on June 11. If you order one at the Apple Store online now, it still takes 1-2 weeks.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macboo...