Apple’s much fabled iPad Mini could be in short supply this Christmas. One analyst reckons suppliers are finding the specs for Apple’s tiny tablet to be “challenging” and will struggle to meet demand.
The analyst in question is Brian White from Topeka Capital Markets. He says yields on production of the diddy device have been “frustrating”, and reckons it would have launched back in September, if it hadn’t been for these complications in the supply chain.
The good news is he predicts the iPad Mini will be with us in the next month.
“Despite continued yield challenges, the supply chain feels the much anticipated iPad Mini is on track to reach acceptable volume levels for a launch over the next month,” White wrote in a note to investors.
“That said, we believe that supply constraints will initially hold back the full sales potential during the first month or so of the launch.”
The iPhone 5 is no stranger to delays itself, with shipping times currently standing at three to four weeks.
White expects the iPad Mini will cost somewhere between $250 and $300, so expect it to be a straight switch from dollars to sterling. That would make it pricier than the Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire, but cheaper than a full blown iPad. There could well be a 32GB Nexus 7 on the way to charge head-on at the iPad Mini as well, if Carphone Warehouse’s inventory is to be believed.
But White predicts being more expensive than its rivals won’t hurt the tiny tablet’s chances. “Despite the low price point, we expect Apple to maintain the iconic aesthetics of the current iPad and blow away what competitors are offering in this smaller form-factor tablet market.”
He predicts Apple will sell between 5 million and 7 million iPad Minis in the last three months of the year.
Expect demand to be through the roof, if Apple does launch a smaller iPad Mini tablet. Let’s hope shoppers are able to keep their cool come Christmas shopping time.
Link: Apple Insider
