AppleInsider Staff
Supply of Apple's iPad mini appears to be finally catching up with demand as the company's online store is now showing one-week ship-by dates for all models in the U.S.
The change comes just days after Apple announced it would be releasing the 7.9-inch iPad in China on Dec. 14, suggesting that supply is somewhat stable after Apple Stores saw complete stockouts of the device over its launch weekend.
While shipment quotes are still not at "in stock" availability on Apple's digital storefront, the shipping improvement could mean that the iPad mini supply chain is now in full swing. Stock at brick-and-mortar Apple Stores are unknown, but the ship times are similar to those seen by the iPhone 5.
According to one analyst, and independent checks by AppleInsider, as of last week customers have been able to walk in and purchase an iPhone 5 at a number of Apple Store locations.
For those readers not able to wait the week for an iPad mini to ship from Apple, a number of Authorized Apple Resellers have supply on-hand and ready to ship.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
Andrew Orr
11 Comments
One week, versus one step into your local Best Buy, which probably has plenty in stock if it's anything like my two local stores. Why is it Apple can keep it's 3rd party partners better stocked than it's own online store?
Hopefully where I am the shipping time comes down from 2 weeks! Even tho my mini will arrive before Xmas, I don't want to wait!
I'm sure this news will cause another sell off in the stock. :lol:
[quote name="Cash907" url="/t/154833/ipad-mini-us-shipment-dates-improve-to-one-week-for-first-time-since-launch#post_2242080"]One week, versus one step into your local Best Buy, which probably has plenty in stock if it's anything like my two local stores. Why is it Apple can keep it's 3rd party partners better stocked than it's own online store? [/quote] Because nobody in their right mind would buy hardware from Best Buy. Seriously why exposé yourself to their business model? In many ways walking into Best Buy is like walking through the red light district in any big city. They only difference being the hookers are making an honest living. Seriously the minute you walk into one of those stores you have people trying to sell you stuff you don't want or need. Best Buy isn't a good experience from the standpoint of the consumer.
App[quote name="Rogifan" url="/t/154833/ipad-mini-us-shipment-dates-improve-to-one-week-for-first-time-since-launch#post_2242087"]I'm sure this news will cause another sell off in the stock. :lol:[/quote] Apple was significantly overpriced so I don't see cause and effect here. More interesting here is the volumes Apple is seeing, that is have they caught up with demand or is demand lighter than expected. It would be bad news of course if demand was weak already. On the other hand it would be very good news to hear that all of the rumored production problems have been ironed out.