iPad 3 Display Supply Constraints to Result in Early Shortages?

DigiTimes reports that Apple's suppliers for the new 2048x1536 display expected to appear in the iPad 3 have been slow in ramping up their production of the component, with low supplies potentially hindering Apple's ability to move into high gear on device assembly until the second quarter of the year.

Apple may not unable to ramp up the supply of its next-generation iPads (iPad 3), which are expected to be launched at a company event on March 7, due to insufficient supply of high resolution displays, according to industry sources in the supply chain.

Although Apple has chosen Sharp to replace Chimei Innolux (CMI) as one of its three suppliers for the high resolution (QXGA) panels – in addition to LG Display and Samsung Electronics, the whole supply chain has failed to substantially ramp up the supply of QXGA panels, the sources revealed.

Early shortages have become par for the course for Apple's iOS device launches, with shipping estimates for new orders generally extending out weeks for up to several months after the products' debuts. Shipping estimates for the iPad 2 quickly ballooned to 4-5 weeks just as the device launched, taking over four months to become free available for immediate shipping.