The iPad’s launch could be delayed a month due to an unspecified bottleneck slowing the device’s production. The slowdown could push initial sales into April and trim the hoped 1 million units in March to just 300,000, an analyst told investors Monday.
“The upcoming iPad launch may be somewhat limited as a manufacturing bottleneck has impacted production of Apple’s newest device,” writes Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek. The problems with iPad manufacturer Hon Hai Precision, could limit initial shipments to the US.
Because of the lower production figure, Misek said it is “possible” the iPad’s launch would be delayed a month. However, the problems should greatly effect sales.
“We believe the only material impact from the iPad delay could come in the form of frustrated consumers and some modest loss of lustre for the company’s product launch,” the analyst said.
Apple should sell 550,000 iPads in the third quarter ending in June, 1.2 million in fiscal 2010 and 3.5 million in 2011, the analyst forecasts.
[via All Things Digital]
Ed Sutherland is a veteran technology journalist who first heard of Apple when they grew on trees, Yahoo was run out of a Stanford dorm and Google was an unknown upstart. Since then, Sutherland has covered the whole technology landscape, concentrating on tracking the trends and figuring out the finances of large (and small) technology companies.
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