Construction difficulties could delay the release of Apple's 5mm-thin, all-in-one iMac system until early 2013.
The desktop's 'friction-stir welding' technique delivers the seamless edges to the new iMac. However, according to a commercial source, it's the sole reason that could be causing delays in the manufacturing process.
The insider states that Apple had scheduled a November 27 launch for the new 21-inch model, but has now been forced to delay it until the opening stages of 2013.
Previously used to assemble airplane wings, the friction-stir welding technique utilizes thousands of pounds of pressure and heat to fuse two pieces of aluminum together -- it's the first time the technology has been used for computer manufacturing.
Meanwhile, Apple has yet to adjust its launch schedule for forthcoming iMac models. The company's online store lists the 21.5-inch iMac for a November release, with the 27-inch model is still scheduled for a December debut.
