Apple Suppliers Benefit from Higher iPad 2 Demand

By

ipad2

Apple appears to be doing its part to revive the U.S. economy. Taiwan-based chipmaker Samsung reportedly will hired 300 new technicians in its Austin, Tex. plant to fill a growing number of orders for the iPad 2. Meanwhile, the Cupertino, Calif. tech giant is paying a little-known company three to four times the going price for LCD screens destined for the new tablet.

Samsung Austin Semiconductor plans to hire 300 more engineers, with most of the plant’s chip production reportedly going to Apple. The new workers follow more than 600 hired in 2010, brining the plant’s total payroll to around 1,700. Although rumor suggested Apple may have used its own A5 chip in the iPad 2, closer x-ray examination found Samsung still powering the next-generation device. Apple is expected to spend $7.8 billion with Samsung this year, purchasing processors, flash memory and LCDs.


As for LCDs, in an uncharacteristic move for the usually tight-fisted Apple, the iPad 2 maker reportedly has ordered the panels for three to four times the regular price from AU Optronics. Although the company is the No. 4 LCD manufacturer, this would be the first time Apple is a customer and the order could comprise half of AU’s production capacity. The action has prompted skepticism about the Economic Daily News‘ report which sent the company stock six percent higher Thursday.

Although this is the first time Apple has dealt with AU Optronics directly, in 2010, the Cupertino, Calif. firm used Cando, an AU subsidiary, to produce panels for the original iPad. Some observers speculate a rash of complaints of light problems with the iPad 2’s display may have prompted Apple to order a rush LCD production, making the higher costs acceptable.

[AppleInsider, 9to5Mac]

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.