Sam OliverA "conservative estimate" of iPad 2 supply going forward sees Apple taking delivery of 4 million to 4.5 million iPad units a month, totaling more than 12 million units in the second quarter of 2011, supply chain sources told DigiTimes. Upstream touch panel makers reportedly indicated that sales of the iPad 2 are running at a faster rate than the first-generation device released in April of 2010.
Those sources also reportedly indicated that the "key" for Apple and other tablet makers will be the supply of "cover lenses for touch panel modules." For Apple to meet its goals in building iPad 2 units in 2011, it will need a steady supply of components from touch panel makers.
In January, Apple revealed that it had invested $3.9 billion into secret long-term component contracts. Though the company would not reveal which components it had inked a deal to secure, it has been speculated that constrained hardware like the glass capacitive touch panels found on the iPad could play a part.
Given regular stock-outs of the iPad 2 in March, Apple presumably sold through the entirety of shipments it received. That would mean Apple sold at least 2.4 million units, if component suppliers' estimates are accurate.
For comparison, the first-generation iPad took 28 days to reach its first million sales. Initially, only the Wi-Fi model was on sale for the first month in the U.S., while both the Wi-Fi-only and 3G-capable iPad 2 models went on sale at the same time in 2011. In addition, Apple began international sales of the iPad 2 in 25 countries in late March, faster than the rollout of the first-generation iPad.
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Marko Zivkovic
Amber Neely
Andrew Orr
Christine McKee
26 Comments
Given regular stock-outs of the iPad 2 in March, Apple presumably sold through the entirety of shipments it received. That would mean Apple sold at least 2.4 million units, if component suppliers' estimates are accurate.
If Apple was delivered 2.4 M in March, even with the sell out, they have some
amount of channel inventory - i.e. it takes some time for stock to make it from the back door of Foxconn to the shelves of the stores. So realistically, I would say that most likely they sold about 2M or a little more.
We know exactly how many they sold: as many as they could make. Good luck, competition.
We know exactly how many they sold: as many as they could make. Good luck, competition.
first, how many could they make? second... what competition?
what competition?
Windows 9 tablet with dual styluses.
That info might explain some of the "crushing demand" that AI has mentioned. Just way too few units available, somewhat validating rumors that Apple did not have sufficient stock of some components to meet initial launch needs. Also tends to support other mentions that Apple rushed out the iPad2 launch before it was originally planned to make sure they beat competitors to market. Obviously much fewer than the 5-8 million units sold to date that I've seen bandied about by various pundits and analysts including Fortune Magazine. http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/...id-apple-sell/
All this if the reports are true of course. With nothing official from Apple, it's still all speculation, tho with Apple all too happy, even anxious, to announce launch sales with last years original iPad, I find it odd for them to be so quiet this year.
EDIT: Another read of the Fortune article shows that analysts surveyed were including both the original and v2 iPads in their estimates. The lower range may not be so far off then IMO.