A check of eight Apple independent dealers in the east and central U.S. by MacMinute reveals that advanced orders for the high-end, US$1,799 iMac are exceeding expectations. Dealers in Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Nashville, and Washington, DC, all report having already taken between 20 and 60 orders for the new flat-panel iMac, which is slated begin shipping by the end of the month. “The interest has been absolutely overwhelming,” said Rafael Gonzalez, Regional Sales Manager at MacCenter in Ft. Lauderdale. “We have about 60 orders. It looks great and has great functionality. It’s a big grand slam. We can’t wait to get it.”