By Matt Phillips March 4, 2010
Analysts over at Think Equity have a bit of a iPad scooplet Thursday, writing in a research note that checks with Taiwan indicate some slight delays in the gearing up in production of the iPad tablet device:
Our checks in Taiwan indicate some minor delays on the iPad. The manufacturing of the iPads was supposed to pick up in February, but volumes even in March are still low. Current volumes are much lower than the market expected but most checks are indicating minor delays. The delays do not appear to be a glass or manufacturing process delays.
Think Equity’s call echoes something we spotted in a March 1 note from Canaccord Adams:
We have also heard that the upcoming iPad launch may be somewhat limited as a manufacturing bottleneck has impacted production of Apple’s newest device. An unspecified production problem at the iPad’s manufacturer, Hon Hai Precision, will likely limit the launch region to the US and the number of units available to roughly 300K in the month of March, far lower than the company’s initial estimate of 1,000K units. The delay in production ramp will likely impact Apple’s April unit estimate of 800K as well. It is also possible that, given the limited number of units available in March, the launch will be delayed for a month.
Barron’s Tech Trader Daily spotlights some that dispute some of the delay rumors. The iPad’s launch is expected sometime in late March. MacRumors reports that it’s hearing that it may be Friday March 26.
