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MacBook Pro demand outstripping inventory

A Piper Jaffray research analyst is worried that limited MacBook Pro availability could pose a problem for Apple's second-quarter Mac sales estimates. Gene Munster continues to maintain an "outperform" rating and $103 price target on Apple Computer, despite the constrained availability of the popular MacBook Pro.
Written by Jason D. O'Grady, Contributor
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A Piper Jaffray research analyst is worried that limited MacBook Pro availability could pose a problem for Apple's second-quarter Mac sales estimates. Gene Munster continues to maintain an "outperform" rating and $103 price target on Apple Computer, despite the constrained availability of the popular MacBook Pro.
The analyst's checks also indicated that there is pent-up demand for the MacBook Pro -- 70% of the stores have a waiting list of MacBook Pro customers. "The good news is that demand for the MacBook Pro is clearly not an issue," said the analyst. "The bad news is that Apple can't sell what it doesn't have."
The Apple online store this morning is quoting 2-3 week lead times on both the 1.83 and the 2.0GHz MacBook Pro configurations. The CTO 2.16GHz model is also quoting "2-3 weeks" which is down from the 4-6 weeks originally estimated when the new high-end model was announced.
When I called the King of Prussia, PA Apple retail store this morning they were out of MacBook Pros and weren't sure when the next shipment was going to arrive. A rep told me that the store received merchandise "every day except Sunday" and that it was best to check back after 2pm.  Another retail store in Newark, DE had 2.0GHz MacBook Pros in stock, but didn't have the 1.83GHz configurations.
An Apple authorized dealer in Philadelphia, Springboard Media had "ample inventory of both (MacBook Pro models) ready to go." So it looks like MacBook Pros can be found if you're willing to shop around a bit.
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