Apple suppliers ramping up 10.5-inch iPad Pro production to hit 5-6M target for 2017
Apple's manufacturing partners are reportedly stepping up production of a 10.5-inch iPad Pro from 500,000 units a month to 600,000 units by July, and should ultimately churn out 5 million to 6 million units for the whole of 2017.
Mass production of the tablet started around March or April, DigiTimes reported on Friday. The 5 million to 6 million target is consistent with a recent estimate by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who also claimed that Apple is likely to debut the product at its WWDC 2017 keynote on June 5.
Production schedules for a refreshed 12.9-inch iPad Pro are less clear, but "market watchers" cited by Friday's report anticipate mass production starting in June -- which could mean that if Apple announces the product on June 5, it might only ship weeks later in limited quantities. "Stable" shipments will probably happen in the September quarter, the people said.
Demand for the 9.7-inch "budget" iPad is expected pick up at the end of the June quarter and peak in the third quarter. The product's success will likely accelerate Apple's move towards phasing out the iPad mini 4, additional DigiTimes sources commented. The company is thought to be ending the iPad mini line due to shrinking sales.
Features of the new 10.5- and 12.9-inch Pros are largely unknown, although they should include faster processors, a revised Apple Pencil, and/or slimmer bezels, possibly limited to the 10.5-inch model.
Mass production of the tablet started around March or April, DigiTimes reported on Friday. The 5 million to 6 million target is consistent with a recent estimate by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who also claimed that Apple is likely to debut the product at its WWDC 2017 keynote on June 5.
Production schedules for a refreshed 12.9-inch iPad Pro are less clear, but "market watchers" cited by Friday's report anticipate mass production starting in June -- which could mean that if Apple announces the product on June 5, it might only ship weeks later in limited quantities. "Stable" shipments will probably happen in the September quarter, the people said.
Demand for the 9.7-inch "budget" iPad is expected pick up at the end of the June quarter and peak in the third quarter. The product's success will likely accelerate Apple's move towards phasing out the iPad mini 4, additional DigiTimes sources commented. The company is thought to be ending the iPad mini line due to shrinking sales.
Features of the new 10.5- and 12.9-inch Pros are largely unknown, although they should include faster processors, a revised Apple Pencil, and/or slimmer bezels, possibly limited to the 10.5-inch model.
Comments
They way they have the iPad Pro designed and positioned right now is correct. Including the way the Smart Keyboard works. It folds out of the way so that an iPad can be an iPad most of the time. When necessary, you can type better, using the Smart Keyboard. And then put it away, to keep using the iPad.
I know exactly what you're talking about, because I have attempted to use an iPad Pro for things I would normally use a Mac for. I get frustrated and decide "I can't do this without a mouse". But the solution is not add mouse support to iPad. It is far more complicated than that. The truth is, I need a Mac. I can't get away with doing all my work on iPad. BUT THATS OK. iPads replace Macs for people who don't need Macs. But some people do still need Macs.
I expect we'll see this with this Fall's iPhones.
Cue the (same old, same old) lame comments along the lines of, "but, but... it makes it a 2-in-1" (me: so f'in what?!) or "buy a Mac" (me: you know what you can do with your condescending advice).
After using 3D Touch on an iPhone, it's painful to not have it on an iPad.
Because of all those USB-C chargers out there? LOL. Why do some people think that because the Mac has something, that this relates to iPhone in any way? Do you people know anything about the iPhone market at all?
Most likely the same new chip as going in the 10.5" model and thats it. Possibly Tru Tone display.
Apple providing API's for iPad Pro's as input (like a Wacom) for, or a second screen to, the Mac Book/Mac Book Pro, would be the only reason for USB type C commonality, and I doubt that it will happen.
I think that at some point Apple is just going to have to suck it up and figure out how to do a 2-in-1.
btw, the whole "toaster plus refrigerator" analogy is silly. It's more like "toaster plus small oven", and guess what -- those exist and they make sense, they're called "toaster ovens".
"all those USB-C chargers out there LOL" You'll buy new USB-C chargers just like you bought Lightning peripherals. "LMAO"
Having said that... one idea that occurs to me is to have the device change personalities depending on usage mode. Activate a mouse/trackpad and it goes into Mac mode. Deactivate the mouse/trackpad and it goes into iPad mode. This would require an ARM version of macOS, but that's feasible.