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iPad 'slightly cannibalizing' Apple's own low-end MacBooks - report

Strong sales of the iPad are expected to have a "slight" negative impact on Mac sales, particularly on the low-end notebook models from Apple, supply chain sources have indicated.

Analyst Shaw Wu with Kaufman Bros. said in a note to investors Monday morning that checks with suppliers have revealed that the iPad availability is better than expected. This boost in supplies is said to be due to improved availability of screens.

However, he said overseas suppliers have also indicated that the iPad appears to be "slightly cannibalizing" low-end MacBook sales. Otherwise, Apple is poised for a strong quarter in Mac sales, with numbers indicating the company could sell a record 3.8 million in the September quarter.

Wu has adjusted his sales figures accordingly, and now expects iPad sales to blow past the Mac. He has forecast Apple to sell 5.7 million iPads in the September quarter, up from his previous prediction of 3.6 million. And he has also slightly reduced his expected Mac sales to 3.8 million, down from 3.9 million, due to the apparent cannibalization of low-end MacBooks.

Last week, Morgan Stanley said it believes the iPad has consumed as much as 25 percent of notebook PC sales since Apple's touchscreen tablet was introduced in April. Year-over-year sales of notebooks have seen a sharp decline in recent months.

But previous reports suggested that the iPad was not cannibalizing Apple's own Mac sales, as shipments continue to grow. And even with Wu's reduced prediction for September Mac sales, Apple is still on pace for a record quarter, even with supposed "cannibalization." This as notebook sales in the rest of the market have declined.

Wu also expects Apple to sell a record 11.5 million iPhones in the quarter, along with 9.5 million iPods. He also increased his gross margin prediction to 37.5 percent, up from 37.2 percent, due to favorable component costs.

Kaufman Bros. has increased its 12-month price target for AAPL stock to $374, up from $350.



100 Comments

maccherry 14 Years · 924 comments

I believe that Apple is making OSX 100% finger friendly and that it will soon discontinue the wifi only ipad. Next I believe that Apple will release ipads that are as technically strong as the macbook. It is inevitable IMHO. Apple will turn the macbook into a slate. I can feel it. Then the pro models will get skated. IMHO!!! But what the hell do I know?

quadra 610 16 Years · 6685 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by maccherry

I believe that Apple is making OSX 100% finger friendly and that it will soon discontinue the wifi only ipad. Next I believe that Apple will release ipads that are as technically strong as the macbook. It is inevitable IMHO. Apple will turn the macbook into a slate. I can feel it. Then the pro models will get skated. IMHO!!! But what the hell do I know?

You're getting warmer. Very warm, actually.

newtron 14 Years · 704 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by maccherry

But what the hell do I know?

You know that you like the iPad. DELETED

nkhm 14 Years · 928 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by maccherry

I believe that Apple is making OSX 100% finger friendly and that it will soon discontinue the wifi only ipad. Next I believe that Apple will release ipads that are as technically strong as the macbook. It is inevitable IMHO. Apple will turn the macbook into a slate. I can feel it. Then the pro models will get skated. IMHO!!! But what the hell do I know?

You're talking very, very long term. Apple aren't planning to drop OSX like it's some evil scheme. Most traditional computing processes need a full operating system with precise and tactile input - maybe OS XI will start to show a fusion of touch and traditional OS, but it's all in the realms of the future, not short term plans.

I think some sort of touch capability may be introduced to the laptop range, this would be extremely useful for some limited tasks, but it's not ready to replace the keyboard and trackpad/mouse just yet...

Until full tactile feedback is somehow created on a touch screen keyboard, the keyboard is essential for any serious data input/typing. That's quite a way off just yet...

newtron 14 Years · 704 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by nkhm I think some sort of touch capability may be introduced to the laptop range, this would be extremely useful for some limited tasks, but it's not ready to replace the keyboard and trackpad/mouse just yet...

What is your opinion of using an iPad with a dock and keyboard?

It always struck me that without a mouse for positioning a cursor, it would be a total PITA. It is bad enough moving your entire arm a couple of inches to grab the mouse on a regular computer. Keyboard shortcuts are available for many common tasks on real computers, making this unnecessary for users who know what they are doing.

But with the iPad, you need to move your entire arm, lifting it up into the air, reaching forward to touch the elevated (hopefully, eye level) screen. I can't imagine that is anything other than a horrible user experience.