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iPads in short supply as tablets take off

Empty shelves vindicate Apple's vision

IDC reckons 7.6 million tablets will be sold during 2010, rising to 46 million come 2014, which explains why the Apple stores seem to be bereft of iPads these days.

That's devices in the tablet form factor: no keyboard and no Windows OS and a stylus-or-finger-driven interface, which could include Apple's iPad and its imitators. Not that punters can buy iPads right now - though the shelves might not be as empty as they first appear.

Shortages of Apple products are standard practice these days; manufacturing enough to meet demand would be akin to failure these days, but the cynic in us all wonders how engineered such shortages are. US research firm Piper Jaffray called up 50 US Apple stores to ask what stock they had, and found only 13 had a single iPad on the shelves, and none could offer the 3G version.

Apple has been talking up sales figures, but generally includes devices shopped to stores regardless if anyone has bought them. If the shops are selling out, though, then those figures should be taken seriously.

However, when iPadNewsDaily decided to check its local store, in Scottsdale, there were more than a dozen iPads out and being played with by customers despite the fact that the store reported having none available for sale.

Even if stores are keeping a few for display purposes, the iPad is selling very well and Apple has certainly reignited interest in consumption-orientated form factors. ®

Wait for it...

...cue the mac-haters, and a serious case of sour grapes.

Oh wait...they couldn't get in any quicker - they got right in there with the first post. Kudos.

And no, I'm strictly a fence sitter - it's just a device FFS - leave them alone for buying one (and secretly, a fair percent of the haters are probably jealous); and conversely it's not like someone's taken a shit in your koolaid cornflakes to suggesting it's less than perfect. I mean, really. Everyone just chill out.

Probably means I'll get down-voted by both camps now. One for daring to suggest it's just a device, and the other for not suggesting enough shit in the Koolaid cornflakes.

Can't we all just get along...think of the children... etc etc

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Cretins in short supply?

Nah, there's always plenty around to throw the first post.

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Anonymous Coward

Fwiw

Historically, Apple has only counted product sold not product shipped, so it is highly likely that the numbers are very real and not marketing spiel.

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Underestimating demand is better than overestimating it

Companies that build too much product such that supply outstrips demand don't commit that same mistake many times again.

This is by design, and it's pragmatic. It's just good business behaviour.

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Demo iPads

All the Apple Stores I went into actually had special demo models of ipads with 'not for sale, demo only' or some such verbiage inscribed on the back. I presume Apple are make an effort to make it less rewarding for people to steal the things.

Regardless, there's no cross-over at all between for-sale stock and demo models. Your store's issued 6 or 8 demo ipads can't be sold.

On the subect of the Apple tablet, the laptop-with-a-touch-screen has been on sale (And failing to sell meaningful amounts) for well over 15 years. It's cheering that Apple has finally figured a middle ground of price and utility that will drive sensible tablet like devices in the future. If you don't like Apple, buy one of the other things that will appear in the niche Apple just created in the next 2 quarters.

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