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DigiTimes reports that Apple's suppliers are targeting production of 10-12 million iPad 2 units during the second quarter of 2011. That production would come on top of 2-3 million second-generation iPads being pushed out before the end of this quarter, putting total iPad 2 shipments in the first four months of availability at as high as 15 million units, a figure that would match total sales of the original iPad over its first nine months of availability. Altogether, Apple is said to be currently planning for shipments of 40 million iPads in 2011.
Apple's target to take delivery of 40 million iPads from Taiwan suppliers in 2011 remains unchanged with shipment volume expected to top 6-6.5 million units, including over three million iPad 2 models, in the first quarter and to further expand to 10-12 million units in the second.
After producing 1.7-2 million units of the first-generation iPad in January, Apple began to phase out production of the old model in February, while beginning to roll out the iPad 2, according to component suppliers in Taiwan. Shipments of iPad 2 are expected to top 2-3 million units in March, the sources added.
The report contrasts significantly with an earlier one issued just over a week ago by DigiTimes stating that Apple had reduced first-quarter production of the iPad 2 to just 300,000-400,000 units due to low touch panel yields. DigiTimes has a mixed track record, and it is consequently difficult to pinpoint the accuracy of any single claim, but the latest reports from within Apple's supply chains and an aggressive rollout schedule do suggest that Apple is moving forward with confidence in its production capacity.
