Apple iPad lauch may be delayed

iPad a laughing stock?

Why are so many people ready to poke fun at Apple's latest creation, the iPad?

Apple may delay or limit the size of the launch of its anticipated iPad tablet computer because of an "unspecified production problem", Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek wrote in a research note this week.

Misek said Apple's Taiwan-based supplier Hon Hai Precision could be facing a production bottleneck or a shortage of components.

"An unspecified production problem at the iPad's manufacturer, Hon Hai Precision, will likely limit the launch region to the U.S. and the number of units available to roughly 300,000 in the month of March, far lower than the company's initial estimate of 1 million units. The delay in production ramp will likely impact Apple's April unit estimate of 800,000 as well," Misek wrote.

Apple has not publicly stated an official release date or how many models it is expecting to put on sale. It has said that Wi-Fi models will ship in "late March," while 3G models will ship in April in the U.S. and selected countries, including Australia.

Canaccord still expects Apple to sell 550,000 iPads in the third quarter ending in June, and 1.2 million iPads in the 2010 fiscal year.

"The only material impact from the iPad delay could come in the form of frustrated consumers and some modest loss of luster for the company's product launch," Misek said.

Messages left for Apple were not immediately returned.

However, in a statement to Wired, Apple said "the iPad will be available in late March".
 
It did not comment on the claimed production issues or Misek's claims that they may lead to the launch region initially being limited to the US.