Apple may be a lot more confident in the iPad than we thought. According to DigiTimes, the house of Jobs has ordered 65 million 9.7-inch iPad screens for 2011. If true, this means Apple is confident that 2011 will be a banner year for the iPad. Most estimates put iPad sales in the neighborhood of 45-48 million units for 2011.
In November alone, Apple reportedly bought 1.5 million screens from LG and 1.2 million from Samsung. Estimates for 2010 put iPad sales at 16.75 million since its debut in April. ”LG Display is estimated to land orders for 35 million iPad panels in 2011, and Samsung and Chimei Innolux (CMI), who is scheduled to join Apple’s iPad supply chain in the first quarter of 2011, will each receive orders for 15 million units,” writes DigiTimes.
The massive number of orders should help Apple save money on economy of scale as well, since all screens will be 9.7-inch. In an October conference call, Steve Jobs noted Apple’s efficiency at production: “Our potential competitors are having a tough time coming close to iPad’s pricing. iPad incorporates everything we’ve learned about building high value products. We create our own A4 chip, software, battery chemistry, enclosure, everything. This results in an incredible product at a great price. The proof will be in the pricing of our competitors’ products, which will offer less for more,” said Jobs.
While 65 million units is a lot to sell, perhaps Apple executives believe the CDMA version of the iPad and further pushes into the business market will help propel sales. The increase in competition may ultimately help the iPad as well, validating the existence of tablets and raising the iPad’s stature as the top tablet, much like Android competition seems to have helped the iPhone 4, which has exceeded all sales expectations since its debut in June.
Or perhaps the iPad 2′s design alone will move the units. Rumor has it that the device will feature a wide-range speaker and flat-back design as well as a smudge-proof screen and other improvements when it debuts in a few months.
Price tells us Resolution, so @ what price?
Volume & Price => est. Resolution in this market
High volume on so early deal, likely because
1. optimism inherent in market-best resulution and
2. such touch screen pixel density over that area brings significant mfg challenges!
Please estimate price.
Put 2 and 2 together. China holds the majority of rare earth minerals and has been reducing production. You need these minerals to make touch screens.
Even if they don't plan to sell 65 million units in the immediate future, it's a good hedge bet to lock in your materials before the price shoots up.
We should be making these in the US…all 65 million will be bought and manufactured outside the US
As if the apple tax isn't high enough, if these screens are made by yanks, the quality is bound to go down and the price up.
Good article, unbearable web page. Pop up ads on hover links, the clumsy sponsorship animation, etc. I don't ever want to return.
I am sick and tired of this whole Apple Crap! Come on Man Who cares about Steve Jobs farted or not?
He farted! Oh my, I guess I read a different article! BTW Apple no like you too… DB
Your first sentence, I think, should refer to iPad, not iPhone.
Thanks for the correction! Fixed it.