iPad 2 Production Shortages Due to LCD and Speaker Issues?

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Dow Jones Newswires reports on comments from research firm IHS iSuppli noting that Apple's surprisingly low iPad shipments for the first quarter of 2011 were in fact due to production issues, primarily related to display and speaker production problems.

Apple's first-quarter supply of the iPad 2 fell far short of demand, according to the researcher, saying production faced manufacturing difficulties, which combined with strong demand, led to short supplies of the device. The issues, according to sources, include quality concerns with liquid crystal display panels and production shortages of the new speaker.

The report plays down any potential impact from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, noting that Apple executives were quickly on-site in Japan to secure the necessary components. Shortages do still exist, however, and Apple may be continuing to experience some tightness in its production lines even as it has agreed to increase the prices it pays to suppliers in order to ensure a steady flow of parts.

Based on the light first quarter iPad sales and lingering production capacity issues, IHS iSuppli has lowered its 2011 iPad shipment forecast by nearly 10%, from 43.7 million units to 39.7 million units. The firm had boosted its projection to that 43.7 million figure back in October 2010 as it responded to booming demand for the first-generation models.

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Top Rated Comments

ThunderSkunk Avatar
193 months ago
Car tires move in circles, as do jet engines, but they bring us hundreds of miles ;) Adam Smith and John Nash were smart guys on capitalism, and I like it :)

Yeah, it's easy to love when you're on the forward edge of it.
Just hope to hell you never experience the other side...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Piggie Avatar
193 months ago
I noticed a speaker issue on my ipad 2 - it's installed facing back of unit.

:mad:

I'm sorry, but you need to understand it's your ears that are situated incorrectly.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Al Coholic Avatar
193 months ago
Still the same 7 iPad 2's (Black) at my local Wal-Mart that were there last Wednesday. :D

But I suppose living in the arsehole of the world has something to do with it. The hicks here in possum holler aren't big on high-tech gizmos. (unless you count 8-track tape decks :eek:)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kenliles Avatar
193 months ago
The demand was short because so many people wanted it. That's the only reason. If nobody wanted it the demand would not have been short no matter how many production faults there were, I can guarantee. :rolleyes:

+1
don't see any 'part shortages' being reported for Playbooks or Xooms

ken
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Piggie Avatar
193 months ago
T
None of the 1000 I've used so far have had anything like that, no bleeds or 'nothin! They seem just like the 1's screens in all colors and brightnesses. It sounds like I may be very lucky :P

You have used 1000 iPad2's and none of them have had any screen bleed issues.

OMG...... LOL
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coder12 Avatar
193 months ago
The demand was short because so many people wanted it. That's the only reason. If nobody wanted it the demand would not have been short no matter how many production faults there were, I can guarantee. :rolleyes:

edit:
Well I have seen that most iPad2's do have a glow in the dark screen problem.
Radiation?
None of the 1000 I've used so far have had anything like that, no bleeds or 'nothin! They seem just like the 1's screens in all colors and brightnesses. It sounds like I may be very lucky :P


Or in circles anyway.
Car tires move in circles, as do jet engines, but they bring us hundreds of miles ;) Adam Smith and John Nash were smart guys on capitalism, and I like it :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)