During today's fourth quarter earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook commented on the Retina iPad mini, noting that it is unclear whether Apple will have enough supplies to meet demand for the tablet.
According to Cook, while Apple is aware of how many Retina iPad minis the company can produce, it is unclear how much demand will exist for the tablet. As noted by Apple during the Retina mini's second-generation introduction, a Retina display has been one of the most requested features for the tablet.
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Multiple sources have suggested that the Retina iPad mini will be in short supply throughout 2013, which has been all but confirmed by Apple's nebulous November release date. According to a report from last week, following its November debut, Retina iPad mini supplies could be "ridiculously tight" until 2014. Cook did not offer any further information on a prospective launch date.
While supplies of the Retina iPad mini will be constrained, supplies of the iPad Air are expected to be more plentiful. When the iPad Air goes on sale on November 1, the company is expected to offer same day in-store pickup for orders. On account of high quantities of the iPad Air, Cook was positive about overall iPad sales during the quarter, stating "I think it's going to be an iPad Christmas."
Cook also confirmed that Apple has had a significant backlog on iPhone 5s supplies, but is working to build up stock each week. He remains confident that Apple will be able to continue to build up its iPhone 5s supplies as it launches in additional countries around the world in the coming weeks. Currently, iPhone 5s shipping times in the United States and multiple other countries remain at 2 to 3 weeks.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)I call BS.
Well, based on the fact that it's happened to Apple dozens of times in the past, yeah, I do believe it.Do we really think a company as huge as Apple with all their resources would allow that to happen before Christmas?
It's clever advertising and ensures that people join those queues for a product that will be in plentiful supply believing that if they don;t get one there and then, they won't manage to get one under the tree this year.
Clever.
But if you want to ignore history again, and again, and again, and again…well you go right ahead.
(And this includes the fingerprint scanner shortage that's holding up 5s phones at the moment, in case you don't like history.)
So the retina enabled iPad air will be ready to rock but not the retina mini because, um.... This is total bs.
You do understand that the Mini screens are higher density displays, yes? (Both the Air and the Mini have the same resolution, you see, but one is smaller.)The makers of the retina displays can make the big ones but not the small ones. Really? Who is buying the bullish**!
And you do understand that this makes them harder to manufacture with lower yields, yes?
Of course you do. But then that makes your comment a little confusing since it sure acts like you didn't know these things.
I call BS.
Apparently you don't understand the complexities of supply chain management, even for a company with the resources of Apple. But go ahead and believe what you want...Do we really think a company as huge as Apple with all their resources would allow that to happen before Christmas?
It's clever advertising and ensures that people join those queues for a product that will be in plentiful supply believing that if they don;t get one there and then, they won't manage to get one under the tree this year.
Clever.