Apple expected to ship 6.5M iPads in first quarter, 40 million in 2011
Shipments of the iPad, including the second-generation model to be announced by Apple today, are expected to be between 6 million and 6.5 million in the first quarter of 2011, on their way to 40 million for the calendar year.
The numbers from DigiTimes on Wednesday show that Apple expects to significantly ramp up production of the iPad as 2011 wears on. For the initial launch of the iPad 2, Apple is expected to have between 300,000 and 400,000 units available.
Apple reportedly ordered between 1.7 million and 2 million iPads in January and February. Order volumes for March, including the to-be-announced iPad 2, are expected to top 2 million.
Citing industry sources, the report said there were between 1 million and 1.5 million units of iPad inventory in the channel in January. It added that Apple is "already set to phase out the first-generation iPad and let iPad 2 take its place."
In a separate report, DigiTimes also reported that gallium arsenide (GaAs) power amplifer suppliers, including TriQuint Semiconductor and Skyworks Solutions, are expected to benefit from the iPad 2 launch. Visual Photonics Epitaxy Company and Advanced Wireless Semiconductor Company of Taiwan are also said to be GaAs foundry suppliers for the iPad 2.
In February, it was said that more than 60 percent of Apple's initial iPad 2 production would be 3G-capable models. The company is expected to produce three versions of the new iPad: a Wi-Fi-only model, a GSM/UMTS version, and a CDMA/EVDO model.
Apple's official unveiling of its second-generation iPad will take place Wednesday at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern. AppleInsider will have full, extensive coverage.
The numbers from DigiTimes on Wednesday show that Apple expects to significantly ramp up production of the iPad as 2011 wears on. For the initial launch of the iPad 2, Apple is expected to have between 300,000 and 400,000 units available.
Apple reportedly ordered between 1.7 million and 2 million iPads in January and February. Order volumes for March, including the to-be-announced iPad 2, are expected to top 2 million.
Citing industry sources, the report said there were between 1 million and 1.5 million units of iPad inventory in the channel in January. It added that Apple is "already set to phase out the first-generation iPad and let iPad 2 take its place."
In a separate report, DigiTimes also reported that gallium arsenide (GaAs) power amplifer suppliers, including TriQuint Semiconductor and Skyworks Solutions, are expected to benefit from the iPad 2 launch. Visual Photonics Epitaxy Company and Advanced Wireless Semiconductor Company of Taiwan are also said to be GaAs foundry suppliers for the iPad 2.
In February, it was said that more than 60 percent of Apple's initial iPad 2 production would be 3G-capable models. The company is expected to produce three versions of the new iPad: a Wi-Fi-only model, a GSM/UMTS version, and a CDMA/EVDO model.
Apple's official unveiling of its second-generation iPad will take place Wednesday at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern. AppleInsider will have full, extensive coverage.
Comments
I don't know how they can make this prediction before seeing it. They must be assuming it won't be very different to the current one.
I'm assuming that. Why wouldn't you? It pays to be pessimistic with Apple, that way you're surprised by anything they do that's actually radical change.
Apple is expected to have between 300,000 and 400,000 units available.
This seems absurdly low. I think there were a lot of people that held out for iPad 2 for whatever reason. I really don't think it matters much what Apple shows today. People already want it.
I think there were a lot of people that held out for iPad 2 for whatever reason. I really don't think it matters much what Apple shows today. People already want it.
Thats spot on (from my point of view). For various reasons (mainly financial) I held off, then when i was in a position to get one, decided to wait until G2. Hoping for a slightly increased CPU/GPU and memory. I dont expect any real change in screen performance. I *think* (nothing to back up this up) that they may be going with an increase in battery size to keep the battery life up, rather than any real unit size decreases.
All I know for certain is that I want one ASAP. Low Expectations mean i won't be dissapointed
I'm assuming that. Why wouldn't you? It pays to be pessimistic with Apple, that way you're surprised by anything they do that's actually radical change.
There have been so few rumors this time around I don't know what to expect.
It would also be great for Facebook to announce a native verson for the iPad.
This seems absurdly low. I think there were a lot of people that held out for iPad 2 for whatever reason. I really don't think it matters much what Apple shows today. People already want it.
I think that estimate of 400,000 units is a day one available for purchase today number - with tens of thousands (or more) to be rolling off the assembly line each day going forward.
In these days of just in time manufacturing it pays to have a relatively small stockpile of anything - so that changes in demand can be made at the beginning of the production line and work their way through in a matter of days rather than weeks or months.
It would be great if it added multiple user support, so that it could be shared for email, facebook, etc when on the coffee table.
It would also be great for Facebook to announce a native verson for the iPad.
But why? I find a smartphone is best for what I need to do on FB. After all, most people are simply checking out pictures, and writing or reading on walls. That does not require anything larger than a 3.5"-4" screen.
There have been so few rumors this time around I don't know what to expect.
Was that sarcasm? We've had just about every single rumor possible! 'Course, we always do.
1.2Ghz processor, double RAM, dual cameras, double capacity, new design, Thunderbolt, SD card, USB port (ALREADY HAS IT), CDMA model, LTE model, 7" version (*snort*)...
I think the point anymore is to shoot a Tomahawk missile at the dartboard and see what sticks.
Dual boot w/ Android!
Hey, I plan to put Honeycomb on my first-gen once it's out. Already have iOS 4.2 and Android 2.2 on my iPhone 2G.
So much for glass production problems limiting supply.
Was that sarcasm? We've had just about every single rumor possible! 'Course, we always do.
1.2Ghz processor, double RAM, dual cameras, double capacity, new design, Thunderbolt, SD card, USB port (ALREADY HAS IT), CDMA model, LTE model, 7" version (*snort*)...
It will apparently will come with a new glass, which is perfect for snorting .... Of course, there's an app for that. Apple gets 30% if you buy the white stuff from inside the app.
Dual boot w/ Android!
I agree. Steve J. saw the light and capitulated to the rising onslaught that is Android. Soon iOS will be no more.
Maybe the iPad 2 will merely offer a processor speed-bump, added cameras and hopefully the same battery life as the iPad 1 in a thinner case. If the display quality is kept high, consumers should still take to it. I hope they're already starting to camp out in front of Apple retail stores. I'd like to see these Android tablet dominance rumors squashed as quickly as possible.
I think that estimate of 400,000 units is a day one available for purchase today number - with tens of thousands (or more) to be rolling off the assembly line each day going forward.
In these days of just in time manufacturing it pays to have a relatively small stockpile of anything - so that changes in demand can be made at the beginning of the production line and work their way through in a matter of days rather than weeks or months.
400k is not a small stockpile. Think about it. If you manufacture 4M instead, that would indeed meet the immediate demand. But storage incurs cost. Furthermore, this also means they wait a few months for 4M units to be built before they release the product. Either that, or they overbuild production capacity (which may not be available). Does either make sense?
The way Apple does it is not much too different than what most companies do. The main difference is that Apple works in numbers that are far greater. It's not truly a matter of limiting supply to create a sense of demand. It is a balance between manufacturing capacity, storage, delivery and prediction of demand. A very fine game - and another one Apple has mastered.
Somewhat limited supply is far better than excess inventory or unused manufacturing capacity.
Dual boot w/ Android!
That would be an awesome step towards tablet OS commoditization.
That would be an awesome step towards tablet OS commoditization.
Odd. "Commodity" and "awesome" in the same sentence!
C.
It will apparently will come with a new glass, which is perfect for snorting .... Of course, there's an app for that. Apple gets 30% if you buy the white stuff from inside the app.
LOL, I never knew that was a selling point for tablets!
Odd. "Commodity" and "awesome" in the same sentence!
C.
I only speak from the point of view of the consumer.