Katie MarsalIf true, that number would be significantly higher than the 4 million per quarter produced for the current iPad, according to DigiTimes. Overseas sources indicated that Apple added two additional touch panel makers, Chimei Innolux and Cando, for production of the "iPad 2."
The two new suppliers are in addition to current suppliers Wintek, Sintek Photronics, and TPK Touch Solutions. The expanded number of partners will reportedly allow Apple to produce even more iPads per month, reaching the 6 million target.
Sources indicated that suppliers will begin shipments to Apple in January or February. That's consistent with previous reports that the device would begin shipping within 100 days to allow Apple to stock up for a launch by April.
Suppliers also indicated that Apple has no interest in producing a 7-inch iPad, smaller and lighter than the current 9.7-inch model. The news is noteworthy because it was DigiTimes that repeatedly reported for months that Apple was set to release a 7-inch iPad.
Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs poured water on those rumors in October during his company's fourth-quarter conference call. He said that he believes competing products, like the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab, have chosen a smaller size to reduce costs rather than usability.
"When we make decisions on 7-inch tablets, it's not about cost," Jobs said. "It's about the value of the product when you factor in the software."
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82 Comments
Wow, that sounds awfully optimistic - if anywhere near true. 6 million a month? There would have to be some purdy fancy new bells and whistles and much less weight on the iPad2 to create that kind of demand, but then ONLY Apple really knows how many units are actually being sold right now and how desirable the new model (probably) will be . . .
As a shareholder, sounds good to me.
Wow, that sounds awfully optimistic - if anywhere near true. 6 million a month? There would have to be some purdy fancy new bells and whistles and much less weight on the iPad2 to create that kind of demand, but then ONLY Apple really knows how many units are actually being sold right now and how desirable the new model (probably) will be . . .
As a shareholder, sounds good to me.
I hope it is true.
As a share holder I had to run to the bathroom
Wow, that sounds awfully optimistic - if anywhere near true. 6 million a month? There would have to be some purdy fancy new bells and whistles and much less weight on the iPad2 to create that kind of demand, but then ONLY Apple really knows how many units are actually being sold right now and how desirable the new model (probably) will be . . .
As a shareholder, sounds good to me.
If one thinks of global demand, six million units per month is not that far-fetched. I'd bet money that Apple will once again find itself unable to meet demand. That is one part that seems to be common with Apple.
Apple has me waiting two buy two of those!
I'd like to know who these people are actually talking to. Six months ago we were told that Apple raised their production to two million a month, but last quarter's sales were 4.19 million in total, and we then read that Apple could have sold more if their production was up to it.
Then we read that Apple's production was three million a month. Why? If it was two million a month, and they only sold four million because they couldn't make more, then something was screwy. If they don't sell nine million this quarter, and it isn't expected they will, then why ramp to six million next year? That would be an absurd 72 million tablets sold next year. That's crazy!
As much as I would like to see Apple sell as many of these as possible, I can't believe numbers like that.
So they won't make a 7 inch ipad, but they will probably make a 7 inch ipod touch Hey, they made a netbook when they said they would not.