Apple Said to be Launching iPad 3 Before the end of 2011 at Same Price as iPad 2

[Maura]

Yet another report surfaces today about a possible iPad 3 launch before the end of the year, according to Boy Genius Report. The latest rumour comes via the Taiwan Economic News, which says that Apple plans to launch the iPad 3 “by Thanksgiving or next year.†While it has to be said that “next year†doesn’t exactly narrow it down, this is the second time in the past few days that sources in Apple’s supply chain have mentioned Thanksgiving as a possible release date (which means the end of November, 2011). The Taiwan Economic News also says that according to its anonymous industry executive sources the iPad 3 will launch at the same price point as the iPad 2, and the remaining iPad 2s will then be heavily discounted in order to move any back stock.

BGR mentions in its report the recent rumours that the iPad 3 will have a Retina Display, but the Taiwan Economic News report does not appear to have any new information on this. The reason for Apple releasing another iPad so quickly after the launch of the iPad 2 is said to be so that it can keep one step ahead of the next wave of rival tablets that are due to hit the market towards the end of 2011.

Source: Apple iPad 3 to launch at current price points as iPad 2 is discounted, discontinued

 

[donka]

I really can't see this happening. My guess why these stories are surfacing is that they will be readying an iPad 3 towards the end of this year so they can ramp up production ready for a spring 2012 release and avoid the supply issues seen this year with the iPad 2.

 

[thewitt]

I agree. Highly unlikely we will see a production ramp in the next 30 days - which is what would be necessary to support a November release date...

Remember they sell at a rate of approximately 50,000 iPads a day based on 2010 sales of 15,000,000 units in 9 months...

What these guys are most likely reporting is a lock in of parts commitments for suppliers so they can begin production before the end of the year for a Spring release.

-t

 

[katalyst45]

I've been following a lot of these iPad 3 rumors and i cant see another iPad releasing this year either... component manufacturers are being confirmed like thewitt said which may be fueling them. My best bet is on March like usual, and is probably how long i will have to wait to upgrade from my original iPad :/

 

[HKWrite12]

I know apple has more cash than the government but that's because they have more brains than the government. iPad 2 iPhone 5 and iPad 3 in one year is heavily unlikely. Along with already premiered MacBook pros and iMacs and Mac airs. NO WAYYYYY. NOTICE MY SIG!

Sent from my iPad 2 using iPF