planet iPad

Apple reportedly increases build rates for iPads

Posted on 29. Mar, 2010 by planetMitch in iPad blog

In this new report from Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech blog, Apple has asked their iPad suppliers to increase their build rates.

“Build rates have increased, according to a report by Morgan Stanley’s chief Apple watcher

In a report to clients issued Monday — six days before the iPad goes on sale — Morgan Stanley’s Katy Huberty says Apple’s (AAPL) Asian suppliers have revised their shipping forecasts for the tablet computer, suggesting strong initial demand.”

Katy’s report continues with:

• “iPad suppliers now forecast shipments of 8-10 million iPads in calendar 2010, up from their previous estimate of 5+ million.
• Suppliers now expect to ship 2.5 million in the first three months alone (March to May), considerably ahead of Huberty’s estimate of 750,000 by the end of June.
• Shipments are not sales, however, and Huberty is sticking with her sales estimate of 6+ million iPads in 2010. The Street’s consensus, she says, is closer to 3-4 million”

So if indeed Apple sold out of their initial build for the iPad (see our worldwide first report from Saturday), and if they’re increasing build rates, then Apple is anticipating a higher demand than even they initially forecast. And that’s good news for those of us believing the iPad will do some amazing things because if there’s a lot of demand, then the developers will write more software and we’ll have a lot of cool things to try out!

planetMitch
photo credit: Apple Inc.

Related Posts:

• Apps for iPad now appearing in the iTunes store
• Apple posts large number of iPad guided tour videos
• Pre-ordering now won’t get you an iPad by April 3rd
• How to stand your iPad on your desk the ‘stabile’ way
• The ugliest most comfortable way to hold your iPad – the HandStand

Tags: apple, build, increase, ipad, manufacturing, rate