It's baaaaack... The rumor of forthcoming iMac color choices seems to have more lives than Chucky. (The evil doll from the Child's Play movies, not the Rugrat.) Ever since the Bondi Blue Wonder was first revealed to the public way back in May, a common response has been, "Cool. Can I get that in red?" Or purple, or royal blue, or magenta, or tie-dyed and swirly-psychedelic, or any other color that happens to tickle one's fancy or match one's decor. And time and time again, whispers surface that Apple's just about to unveil new iMac cases available in a variety of translucent candy-like hues. Remember the rumors of different iMac configurations designated by different-colored cases? Or the one that foretold custom school-colored iMacs for the education channel?

Well, now Apple Insider is claiming that iMacs in certain other approved non-Bondi hues will be available "sooner than previously expected." Apparently sources who work for several computing accessories companies have been let in on the plan, and are awaiting color swatches from Apple this very minute so that they can make matching peripherals for the new iMacs. In addition, someone claims to be privy to the details of new iMac television commercials, which reportedly plays up the "choose your favorite color" angle. With several people guessing at a January 17th date for the introduction of the new "revision C" iMacs, is anyone here thinking "Superbowl commercial"?

The logistics of offering iMacs in several hues are tricky, though-- if the different colors become available via retail, Apple will be looking at an inventory disaster of biblical proportions. Forecasting shipments of computer components based on what you think are the public's favorite colors is just begging for trouble. Personally, we at AtAT tend to think that if the rumors of non-Bondi iMacs ever come true, the only reasonable way to pull it off is to make additional colors a build-to-order option only. That way, consumers who really want a specific color can place a custom order at the Apple Store, or buy from a dealer who can have one built-to-order from Apple. Otherwise, we're going to see warehouses full of unsold Bondi Blue iMacs as consumers clamor for the hard-to-find Tangerine Orange models. Riots reminiscent of those spawned by Cabbage Patch Kid sightings of days past and "Tickle Me Elmo" dolls in more recent times will break out in CompUSAs and Best Buys across the land. Entertaining, yes-- and probably good for business, if it weren't for all those components depreciating wildly in the unsold less-popularly-colored models... Whatever. All we know is, we still haven't heard anything about "Mood iMacs," and that's what we're waiting for.