Customer complaints taint US iMac debut

Retail Connectivity issues spark flood of messages to support site.

Apple's US online support site has been flooded with complaints and queries since its iMac consumer system was launched a week ago.

According to various US reports, users are unable to connect to some ISPs because of a disparity over the V.90 standard for 56K modems.

The messages included problems with Epson printers, the universal serial bus and machine upgrades. Some users reported difficulties logging on to their ISPs, while others failed to keep steady connections.

However, Steve Jobs, Apple interim chief executive, maintained the connection problem was not down to Apple. He insisted the vendor had investigated the problem and found some ISPs had not yet installed 56K modems or had used pre-V.90 standard modems.

But ISPs hit back at Apple, claiming they had not experienced any difficulties with V.90 for at least six months with its non-Macintosh users.

Apple was unavailable to comment on any connection issues.

The iMac is due to be launched this week in Europe. Apple said it would spend $100 million advertising and promoting the machine between now and Christmas.

US retailers have claimed they are experiencing good sales. Paul Ramirez, vice president of marketing for retailer Computer Ware, said: 'We sold more iMacs on Saturday than all desktop PCs combined in the month of July.'

Jobs has promised to re-stock empty shelves within two days, but there are lingering doubts that the vendor will once again underestimate demand and not have enough product available.

UK resellers are concerned they will suffer from product shortages, although they said the launch will kick-start sluggish summer sales.

Investors in Apple are reaping the benefits of its share price, hovering around $40, almost its highest level for three years.