Apple inventory snapshot suggests new MacBook Pros imminent, non-Retina iPad mini may live on
A near last minute snapshot of Apple's indirect channel inventory ahead of Tuesday's media event supports expectations of new Retina MacBook Pros, 9.7-inch fifth-gen iPads, and a redesigned Mac Pro, but shows surprisingly large stock of Apple TV and the most popular iPad minis.
An overview of the inventory data has been summarized in the table below. It should be noted that the data behind the chart comes from one of Apple's indirect channels that support big-box retailers and resellers, and not those channels that serve the company own online and retails stores. It therefore should b.e used only to supplement existing information surrounding the company's upcoming product launches on Oct 22, as it does not offer conclusive evidence in all cases.
For instance, while the data from the channel -- and AppleInsider's own Mac Price Guide -- clearly points to revised 13- and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pros, new 9.7-inch iPad Retinas, and near term availability of the Mac Pro, it paints a less definitive picture of plans for the iPad mini and Apple TV product lines.
According to one person familiar with the data, inventory levels of Apple's $329 16-gigabyte iPad mini Wi-Fi and $429 32-gigabyte iPad mini Wi-Fi remain "shockingly" high, with the remainder of the existing iPad mini line being in average-to-constrained supply. This could suggest that Apple may be planning to keep at least some of the non-Retina iPad mini models on the market at a lower price point than the new Retina iPad minis the company is widely expected to introduce on Tuesday.
Alternatively, Apple may have just recently dumped its remain inventory of iPad minis from its direct channels into its indirect channels ahead of next week's introductions, a practice that is not uncommon for the Cupertino-based company when it needs to clear out its channel for new stock.
Similarly, those familiar with the matter added that inventory of Apple's current Apple TV model is "the highest its been in months."
An overview of the inventory data has been summarized in the table below. It should be noted that the data behind the chart comes from one of Apple's indirect channels that support big-box retailers and resellers, and not those channels that serve the company own online and retails stores. It therefore should b.e used only to supplement existing information surrounding the company's upcoming product launches on Oct 22, as it does not offer conclusive evidence in all cases.
For instance, while the data from the channel -- and AppleInsider's own Mac Price Guide -- clearly points to revised 13- and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pros, new 9.7-inch iPad Retinas, and near term availability of the Mac Pro, it paints a less definitive picture of plans for the iPad mini and Apple TV product lines.
According to one person familiar with the data, inventory levels of Apple's $329 16-gigabyte iPad mini Wi-Fi and $429 32-gigabyte iPad mini Wi-Fi remain "shockingly" high, with the remainder of the existing iPad mini line being in average-to-constrained supply. This could suggest that Apple may be planning to keep at least some of the non-Retina iPad mini models on the market at a lower price point than the new Retina iPad minis the company is widely expected to introduce on Tuesday.
Alternatively, Apple may have just recently dumped its remain inventory of iPad minis from its direct channels into its indirect channels ahead of next week's introductions, a practice that is not uncommon for the Cupertino-based company when it needs to clear out its channel for new stock.
Similarly, those familiar with the matter added that inventory of Apple's current Apple TV model is "the highest its been in months."
Comments
Citation?
Doesn't the iPad mini have the same pixel count as the iPad 2?
If Apple were to introduce a Retina iPad mini, I assume it would have the same pixel count as the bigger Retina iPad. This means a higher resolution screen for the mini. I wonder if such screens are available and what they would cost Apple.
Anybody have any knowledge about this? Please share.
New Retina Macbook Pros are pretty much given. Haswell will certainly boost battery life. Plus PCIe flash and faster WiFi to make them current with the technologies employed in the Macbook Air.
What I wonder is whether Apple will rationalize the product line. Will they drop at least some of the old Macbook Pros even if they keep the low-end 13? Will they add Fusion drive? The Mac mini and the iMac have the Fusion drive, but the Macbook Pro does not. Would love to see more storage at lower price points even if it is not all flash.
I wonder if such screens are available and what they would cost Apple.
Anybody have any knowledge about this? Please share.
There are phones that have 1080 screens, and they are smaller than an iPad Mini, so yes, such screens do exist.
But can they perform to Apple's specifications?
True, it is a big shortcoming of the retina MBPs. Even if Apple implements higher tech "drives" I'd like to see them support two blade slots in each retina MBP. It simply makes the machines feasible for a wider array of users.
But can they perform to Apple's specifications?
I suppose that we'll know the answer to that on tuesday, when we find out if there is a retina iPad Mini or not.
And let's be honest, the current iPad Mini screen is not all that great. It's totally acceptable and usable, but pales in comparison to the full size iPad screen. I have both, so it's pretty easy to see the difference, and I'm not just talking about the obvious difference in resolution, but the colors etc.
It should not be a problem for Apple to get a hold of a decent retina screen that is 7.9", IMO.
The iPad Mini is analogous to the Macbook Air - ultraportable, battery weight being a primary concern, and Retina would eat more battery.
I think Apple still regards Retina as a pro feature for this year at least. The Macbook Pro has it, The Mac Pro will in a few days (Phil spoke about 4K monitors at WWDC), but the iMac and Macbook Air were both recently updated without it.
It will be the step to choke out all but the cheapest of tablets, as the various iPod models did.
The iPad Mini is analogous to the Macbook Air - ultraportable, battery weight being a primary concern, and Retina would eat more battery.
I think Apple still regards Retina as a pro feature for this year at least. The Macbook Pro has it, The Mac Pro will in a few days (Phil spoke about 4K monitors at WWDC), but the iMac and Macbook Air were both recently updated without it.
You make a good argument for no RMini....still?
iPad mini is only iOS devices without retina. iOS 7 is pretty crappy on non-retina screens. If iPod touch and every iPhone has retina why is it so hard to get retina into a mini? I don't think it's fair to compare the MacBook Air and Pro. To me the non retina mini is akin to doing a 15" rMBP but not a 13" inch. In terms of functionality there really isn't anything the full size iPad has that the mini doesn't. Apple can leave the mini non retina but a lot of people will be unhappy and I do think it will negatively impact iPad sales. This isn't a case of trying to upsell people, because some people just want the more portable device. Why should people who prefer the smaller form factor be penalized?
It's a good point about iOS 7, I didn't think of that, because in one of his interviews Jony Ive said iOS 7 was the first iOS designed with Retina in mind from the beginning. But I still think the iPad Mini is more like the Macbook Air than the 13" Macbook Pro, so I stick with my prediction that it won't have Retina. Anyway we will know in only 3 days, and if I'm wrong you can reply to this post with "Haha."
iPad mini is only iOS devices without retina. iOS 7 is pretty crappy on non-retina screens. If iPod touch and every iPhone has retina why is it so hard to get retina into a mini? I don't think it's fair to compare the MacBook Air and Pro. To me the non retina mini is akin to doing a 15" rMBP but not a 13" inch. In terms of functionality there really isn't anything the full size iPad has that the mini doesn't. Apple can leave the mini non retina but a lot of people will be unhappy and I do think it will negatively impact iPad sales. This isn't a case of trying to upsell people, because some people just want the more portable device. Why should people who prefer the smaller form factor be penalized?
iOA 7 is not only crappy on non-retina screens it will be equally crappy on retina. It will still have the same UI deficiencies and until someone gets rid of Mr Ive it is not likely we will get relief from this.
To say nothing of the fact that iCal and Reminders are not reliable in their function.