Apple reportedly ups orders for new Retina MacBook Pros, Sharp blamed for Retina iPad mini shortages
Cupertino has maxed out capacity at its Taiwanese component suppliers thanks to strong projected sales of the new Haswell-powered MacBook Pros, while low display yields from Sharp may cause launch shortages of the Retina-equipped iPad mini, according to twin reports out of Taiwan.
Hit-and-miss Taiwanese trade publication Digitimes says that Apple's MacBook Pro suppliers in the Asian country are hesitant to increase their ability to manufacture parts for the laptops, despite capacity problems, because they are wary of a sudden downward shift in order volume.
The publication notes that "most of the suppliers are unwilling to expand capacities on concerns that Apple may stop taking its ordered shipments suddenly like it did in the fourth quarter of 2012."
The MacBook Pro update, unveiled last week, is headlined by a move to Intel's new Haswell architecture, including the company's Iris graphics chips. The new models boast significantly improved battery life over their predecessors, while the 13-inch variant slimmed down to match its larger sibling.
Meanwhile, Digitimes also reports that the second-generation iPad mini may face supply constraints due to low yields of its Retina display panels from secondary supplier Sharp. LG, reportedly the tablets's primary display supplier with 60 percent of the orders, is said not to face the same issues.
The report adds to a pile of mounting evidence pointing to limited availability of the Retina iPad mini when it launches later in November. Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the company's fourth quarter earnings call that it was "unclear" whether they would have enough units of the tablet for the holiday quarter, while several analysts earlier predicted similar constraints.
Hit-and-miss Taiwanese trade publication Digitimes says that Apple's MacBook Pro suppliers in the Asian country are hesitant to increase their ability to manufacture parts for the laptops, despite capacity problems, because they are wary of a sudden downward shift in order volume.
The publication notes that "most of the suppliers are unwilling to expand capacities on concerns that Apple may stop taking its ordered shipments suddenly like it did in the fourth quarter of 2012."
The MacBook Pro update, unveiled last week, is headlined by a move to Intel's new Haswell architecture, including the company's Iris graphics chips. The new models boast significantly improved battery life over their predecessors, while the 13-inch variant slimmed down to match its larger sibling.
Meanwhile, Digitimes also reports that the second-generation iPad mini may face supply constraints due to low yields of its Retina display panels from secondary supplier Sharp. LG, reportedly the tablets's primary display supplier with 60 percent of the orders, is said not to face the same issues.
The report adds to a pile of mounting evidence pointing to limited availability of the Retina iPad mini when it launches later in November. Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the company's fourth quarter earnings call that it was "unclear" whether they would have enough units of the tablet for the holiday quarter, while several analysts earlier predicted similar constraints.
Comments
Third time: call for no more “supply” articles.
Third time: call for no more “supply” articles.
Fifth
"Sharp blamed for Retina iPad mini shortages"
On a product that isn't even on sale yet. Dumb sensationalist headline.
Hold it! Isn't this just a ploy by Cook to increase demand?
Need to work out the quirks in the new MBP. Either it's Mavericks or it's the new hardware or some inter-connected facet. But the freezes and random reboot is not a good thing.
"Sharp blamed for Retina iPad mini shortages"
On a product that isn't even on sale yet. Dumb sensationalist headline.
If there are no manufacturing bottlenecks, why is the Mini with RD available after the iPad Air?
It is about time for Apple to ask Samsung for help with supply of retina display panels, and apologize past arrogant behaviour...
I actually spit out my coffee laughing at your comment. Good one!!
I'm not seventh-ing, because this is a supply article with more detail. Of course, you could say it could be Taiwan bias making up stories about Japan incompetence, but LG is Korean, so there goes that theory. The point is we have a searchable reason given for a shortage this time. And it's not Apple trying to make a shortage for marketing reasons, surely one of the stupidest things said around here.
Oh yeah, good idea. And in the same vein BMW should ask Mercedes Benz for forgiveness for competing against them all these years, and humbly ask Mercedes to build the engines for the next BMW 3-Series, right?
" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" /> I mean .... you were joking ... right? 
STOP RIGHT THERE!
No need to read any further. This whole article is not worth the time it took to write it.
Anything that starts with Digitimes is a waste of time.
Third time: call for no more “supply” articles.
Absolutely. Oh and Eighth
Hit-and-miss Taiwanese trade publication Digitimes
A capital S is missing from the beginning of that.
If there are no manufacturing bottlenecks, why is the Mini with RD available after the iPad Air?
Because they know it will be more popular than the iPad air so they don't want initial sales encroaching on their larger iPad plus they need a bit longer to make more to keep up with demand.
Why? Are you saying that Apple are going to stop production of the iPad air for 2 weeks to knock out a quick 30 million iPad minis and then maybe flip between the 2 manufacturing processes to keep the stocks up of each type?
Apple hasn't strained the manufacturers to breaking point, they don't have to choose which one they make at any one time.
A capital S is missing from the beginning of that.
Because they know it will be more popular than the iPad air so they don't want initial sales encroaching on their larger iPad plus they need a bit longer to make more to keep up with demand.
You're just making this up. What's the point?
Why? Are you saying that Apple are going to stop production of the iPad air for 2 weeks to knock out a quick 30 million iPad minis and then maybe flip between the 2 manufacturing processes to keep the stocks up of each type?
I didn't say that. Didn't imply it.
Apple hasn't strained the manufacturers to breaking point, they don't have to choose which one they make at any one time.
Tim Cook himself explicitly stated that he couldn't be sure they could meet demand. Are you questioning him?