iFans who are thinking of buying the 27-inch iMac may be disappointed to know that the shipping for the device has been delayed till Jan. 2013.

Apple launched the 27-inch iMac in September this year along with the smaller 21-inch iMac and the iPhone 5. At the launch, the company indicated that the 27-inch iMac will start shipping before Christmas and the booking went live at the end of November.

However, it seems that apart from a few lucky customers, who may have placed the order just when the booking started, others will have to wait till January next year to get their hands of the bigger iMac.

Per Apple's Web site the 21.5-inch iMac is available within "7-10 days" and the 27-inch model now have shipping in "January."

The 27-inch iMac is available with a 2.9 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost, which speeds the device to up to 3.6 GHz, and has NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M. The model has a suggested retail price of $1799. A 3.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor version is also available with Turbo Boost speeds of up to 3.6 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX. The version has a suggested price tag of $1999.

"Redesigned from the inside out, the new iMac packs high performance technology into an aluminum and glass enclosure that measures just 5 mm thin at its edge and features a reengineered display that reduces reflection by 75 percent," stated Apple's press release.

The 27-inch Mac delay news may not come as surprise as high demand of other Apple products like iPad mini and iPhone 5 weighed down the company which pushed back the delivery deadlines.

"Apple is expected to reach its shipment targets for both the iPad mini and 21.5- and 27-inch iMacs during the first quarter of 2013, as parts providers in its supply chain are expected to increase their yields by then, added the sources," reported Digitimes (via International Digital Times).

If you have ordered the bigger 27-inch iMac are you disappointed about the wait or are you excited for the product nonetheless?