ThinkPads thin on the ground

IBM has racked up a hefty backlog of orders for its new ThinkPad range, with 79 of the 108 configurations available through dealers backed-up until well into August. The company denies it is having any problems because of CD-RW shortages and is attributing the delays to its recent promotion of the new
machines.

The company could have a point, since it is suffering far wider and longer backlogs than its competitors, according to analysts, but to deny any link to component shortages beggars belief.

Dataquest analyst Mike McGuire told CNET: "I think they're victims of their own success and/or they continue not to get the forecasting thing right. You've got to wonder at some point if they're underselling their own products in their own minds."

In a statement, IBM said: "Starkly growing market demand for some IBM products like the new NetVista line exceeded supply. The situation is addressed by the Greenock Site Director, together with other IBM functions and our Partners, and already shows signs of improvement. We expect most T20 orders to ship in the next two weeks, and most A40 orders to ship in the next four weeks. Most iSeries models are available immediately." ®

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