Speaking at a press demonstration of the company's new iMac and other products, Lenior said Apple's Australian channel and customers should benefit from Apple's global decision to increase iPod production capacity, but that demand is so strong it may outstrip supply.
"You can find an iPod Mini at the moment," he said."And the 20GB and 40GB iPods are coming back. But if you really want one for Christmas, you should go out and put a deposit on one."
Lenior said the orders placed by Apple Australia anticipate a market for "hundreds of thousands" of iPods this holiday season, but that demand could reach "millions."
The admission comes after at least one retailer, Bing Lee, recently said it will not advertise iPods for fear of disappointing shoppers.
ZDNet Australia's conversations with would-be iPod owners have also yielded tales of two-week waits, or long cross-town drives to the few retailers that manage to keep the stylish MP3 players in stock.
Demand for Apple's new IMac models is also expected to be strong, and the company is confident its first shipments will satisfy current demands.
Great, can't wait to legally download music from an Australian store with iPOD.
Oh wait, I can't!