Only 300,000 iPads available by the end of March

6th March, 2010 by adina
Tags: Apple, iPad, News

Apple seems to reach low supplies of the iPad if sales go as planned, according to analyst Peter Misek from Canaccord Adams. The Hon Hai Precision (Foxconn) has allegedly experienced a production problem that lets just 300,000 tablets in stock by the end of March. Apple is believed to have counted on at least one million iPads for the above mentioned period.

As a result, the shortage could create an undesired effect and affect Apple’s predictions for April, estimated at 800,000 devices. Speculations are that the company could push back the launch by a whole month to be sure it has enough stock, but this is only an alternative.

Glass strength problems may have forced Apple to produce fewer devices than planned and it is not known if these technical issues are included in Peter Misek’s predictions. Apple has given some obvious signs about having a series of production issues as the iPad’s release was scheduled from the beginning to take place in April, or sufficient time to provide the missing units. The company, however, did not make any comment on the accuracy of these assertions.

The embarrassing situation Apple is now facing is not new at all for many e-book makers it counts to compete against. The first two holidays of Amazon’s Kindle were marked by severe shortages that are considered to directly originate in supply issues not cleared up until 2009. On the other hand, Barnes & Noble has also experienced similar problems, as it promised to release the Nook in October, but failed to have ready the Android e-reader for the retail stores until mid-February. In all these cases, the main cause has been the display technology, whether it was the e-paper or the 9.7-inch multi-touch LCD of Apple in discussion.

Readers Comments