Will Production Problems Delay the iPad?

Posted 03/03/2010 at 12:58pm | by Paul Lilly

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Back before it was called the iPad, the Apple Tablet was delayed more times than Amy Winehouse has been in rehab. Are those days behind us? It all depends on who you ask.

According to Peter Misek, an analyst with Canaccord Adams, there's a "manufacturing bottleneck" that's throwing a wrench into production, and could ultimately delay the iPad's release.

"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," he writes, "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."

Misek's report has been receiving a ton of media attention, but according to Apple, it's all hogwash.

"The iPad will be available in late March," an Apple spokeswoman reiterated to Wired's Gadget Labs.

According to news and rumor site DigiTimes, you have nothing to worry about if you're hoping to get your hands on an iPad this month. That's because Foxconn's component suppliers have said their supplies are right on schedule and that Foxcon (also known as Hon Hai Precision) will be able to ship 600,000 to 700,000 iPads in March, and up to one million units by April.