Apple Stops Placing Mac Component Orders After Overestimating Demand [Rumor]

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Apple has reportedly stopped placing Mac component orders after overestimating demand and placing “aggressive” orders at the end of 2012. DigiTimes reports that suppliers haven’t received any information from the Cupertino company to indicate when orders may resume.

“The suppliers originally expected to finish digesting their Mac inventories in April, but are now stranded waiting for further instructions from Apple,” the report claims, citing sources in Apple’s supply chain.

Apple reportedly placed massive orders during the end of 2012, anticipating good demand going into this year. But sources claim that sales haven’t been anywhere near what Apple was hoping for. The company is now “badly affected by the decision,” DigiTimes reports.

“Since Apple hardly mis-estimates its shipment forecasts, the sharp order drop may imply that Apple has underestimated the PC industry’s weak status and its iPad products are affecting the PC industry more seriously than it expected.”

Apple has traditionally given its suppliers shipment forecasts for upcoming quarters, but the company reportedly didn’t provide one at all for the second quarter of 2013. Some suppliers are now concerned that orders won’t resume again until late May.

DigiTimes has a pretty poor track record when it comes to Apple rumors, so it’s best to take this one with a pinch of salt for now. Apple’s actual Mac sales figures will become clearer when the company announces its latest financials later this month.

Source: DigiTimes

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