The report, issued Friday, claims that two Taiwanese companies are supplying parts: AVY Precision Technology will begin production of the aluminum casings in February, while TPK Solutions is manufacturing the touchscreen panels. Three anonymous sources were cited in the report.
"Production of the cases will begin in February, so everything points to a second-quarter launch right now," one of the sources reportedly said. "It doesn't take that long for the company to assemble the PC together, but a second-quarter shipment date is what we're looking at now."
The alleged leaked information comes as a number of companies at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas are hoping to ride the wave of tablet hype that has built for months as rumors have swirled about Apple's still-unconfirmed device. Microsoft and HP introduced what was dubbed as a slate PC, Dell previewed a 5-inch tablet concept akin to an iPod touch, and Nvidia boasted that its Tegra 2 chip would be featured in numerous tablets due to arrive in 2010.
Countless hardware makers have seen CES as an opportunity to land a preemptive strike against Apple, which is expected to announce its own touchscreen device, sized between 10 inches and 11 inches, at an event on Jan. 27. Sources this week told The Wall Street Journal that Apple would unveil the product this month and ship it to customers in March.
The Journal also alleged that Apple was experimenting with "two different material finishes" for the hardware. Friday's report, if true, would suggest that Apple settled on an aluminum backing for the device.
As Apple prepares to officially announce its tablet, reports from supposed suppliers have continued to leak. In December, it was alleged that the Cupertino, Calif., company had been seeking solutions to strengthen the glass of the 10-inch tablet displays it outsourced, which was said to delay the product's launch.
116 Comments
Well, well, well. Guess we'll eventually find out who we can believe (for the moment).
Wonder if the tablet will follow the same progression as the iPhone: aluminum case 1st gen -> plastic case 2nd gen...
BTW, did teckstud get banned - haven't heard from him in a while? Kinda miss his acerbity.
This observation isn't overly original or thought-provoking, but what if the January 27 event is used to introduce a super new iPhone?
Just a thought.
... BTW, did teckstud get banned - haven't heard from him in a while? Kinda miss his acerbity.
If by acerbity you mean in the sense of "acerbic wit" then you must be joking. One needs to be both very insightful, very intelligent, and have a good sense of humour for that.
If you mean in the sense of just being "sour or bitter" then I think you've nailed his style of comments perfectly.
Personally, I don't miss him at all. If I feel the need I can just suck a lemon or drop a hammer on my toe or something similar.
Personally, I don't miss him at all. If I feel the need I can just suck a lemon or drop a hammer on my toe or something similar.