iPad may launch only in U.S.
John Paczkowski reports on his Digital Daily blog that iPad availability could be constrained initially due to "production delays." A research note published this morning by Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek says that production issues at Apple’s manufacturing partners may limit iPad inventory when it first goes on sale.
“We have…heard that the upcoming iPad launch may be somewhat limited as a manufacturing bottleneck has impacted production of Apple’s newest device,” Misek writes. “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.
In addition to initial iPad inventory being chopped by two-thirds, the production delay could also limit the iPad to a U.S. only launch -- which is sure to put off international customers.
Misek estimates that Apple will sell 1.2 million iPads in fiscal year 2010 and 3.5 million in 2011.
Paczkowski warns that the rumor should be taken with a grain of salt, especially given analyst's track record on Apple rumors and Misek’s earlier prediction that Apple would release a new iPhone on Verizon at its January special event – which obviously didn't pan out.
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