Apple Already Sold Out of Initial White iPad Mini Pre-Order Stock

smiddlehurst said:

Seriously? You don't know why Apple can't magically manufacture enough units to meet initial launch demand? Leaving aside all the practical problems (component supply, overall production capacity of the manufacturer(s), massive amount of inventory sitting in boxes rather than being sold, initial production / process issues etc) they'd likely have to ramp up to a higher production level than they'd need going forward which is incredibly wasteful (not to mention stupid).

Oh and your example has a slight flaw: it assumes that your customers wouldn't pay more for one of the 10" iPads. Certainly your typical best buy employee would be more likely to try and push them to the more expensive purchase...

Someone mentioned it's not as big a launch as the iPhone 5 but surely that's to be expected. This is a new product after all and you just don't launch a new product with the sort of production volumes you do for an established product that dominates its market.

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What could be more "incredibly...stupid" than to not meet demand of a hot product when there are a plethora of competitors also vying for a share in the market?

The new 10" iPad was also updated, and if Apple keeps an October cycle for it, the next redesign or new component(not in iPhone already) will cause a similar shortage, so the analogy stands.

rei101 said:

Apple never ran out of anything while Steve was there.

On the other hand, they have changed the size of every product already. Now, where is the innovation again?

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I hope you're kidding. If not, God help you.

rei101 said:

Apple never ran out of anything while Steve was there.

On the other hand, they have changed the size of every product already. Now, where is the innovation again?

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iPhone 3G supply was constrained, as were the iPhone 4 and 4s. You are talking nonsense. This all also happened during Steve's management.

With regards to Innovation. Apple introduced several innovations or new functions in the event. They might not be the innovations that you specifically would like but nevertheless they are innovations / new functionalities. Which ones you might ask? The following:

• Bonded touchscreen and LCD panel
• Fusion drive
• USB3 in mac mini
• Better built Retina MBP (repairability)

rei101 said:

Apple never ran out of anything while Steve was there.

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Yes they did. It was incredibly difficult to find any iPad after the launch weekend. The iPhone 4 and the unibody MacBook Pro saw weeks of shipping delays as well.

I ordered iPad Mini - White 16GB Wi-Fi only this morning at about 9.45 local time (Paris). The site said delivery 2 weeks then, but I went ahead. When I received the confirmation email, I followed the instructions to check the status of the order, and expected delivery date, which then informed me that I should expect delivery on the 20th November!! Thats a lot longer than 2 weeks!!

Anyway, cancelled that order and switched to a Black 16GB Wi-Fi only and now have expected delivery of 2 Nov

rei101 said:

Apple never ran out of anything while Steve was there.

On the other hand, they have changed the size of every product already. Now, where is the innovation again?

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I disagree with Apples attitude on a few matters, however big leaps in innovation cannot happen every year, changing just for the sake of changing a design does not always make sense. Some years are going to be spec jumps, this year seems to be doing well in the sense they updated just about everything.

People really do expect a lot from Apple at all times.

appleguy123 said:

I don't know why they can never make enough. Secrecy is already out the window, so there's presumably no disadvantage to ramping up production early to make enough.

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I think production capacity is a real issue for Apple. They are still ramping up production of 10" iPads, iPhone 5s and now also 7" ipad. These devices are all competing for the same type of production lines of which there are a limited amount on the planet. They are probably building more, but cannot keep up.

appleguy123 said:

What could be more "incredibly...stupid" than to not meet demand of a hot product when there are a plethora of competitors also vying for a share in the market?

The new 10" iPad was also updated, and if Apple keeps an October cycle for it, the next redesign or new component(not in iPhone already) will cause a similar shortage, so the analogy stands.

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Guess what, product shortages are a pretty desirable thing. Tons of companies fabricate fake sellouts to make their product seem hot (Apple surely has done it on occasion). First of all, they have no inventory, and can sell as quick as they can produce them. Second, it drives demand higher. Hence the high resale prices for new Apple product launches.

If demand exceeds supply because they simply suck at manufacturing, that's a different thing. But when Apple is able to manufacture millions on day one for a brand new product with a new manufacturing process, that hardly signals incompetence in their supply chain.

Your logic fails in almost every regard. You think someone will just give up immediately because they couldn't walk into a store the first time and buy one. If its a kid, it will just make him want one even more. If its an adult, most adults have patience and will simply wait. I highly doubt a person who is lusting for an iPad, will immediately give up and just say "eh let's get a kindle instead." The public has already become accustomed to Apple products being hot items that sell out quick. This happens every year, which is why you will see lines on launch day. You're acting like the public will be completely oblivious and expect stores to be packed with them.

LOL @ people spinning it being sold out as bad for apple.

But then, I knew they would, I just wanted to see how they were going to try and do it!

The real controversy is this: How is it possible that white sold out before black?

I think Apple must make much fewer white ones, because everyone prefers the black ones, right? I mean, it goes without saying that they're more styling.

As of 6:48 p.m. here in Japan (2:48 a.m. in Cupertino), the 64GB white iPad mini is still available for delivery on Nov. 2. However, the 16GB and 32GB are now two weeks out.

srchurchill said:

I ordered iPad Mini - White 16GB Wi-Fi only this morning at about 9.45 local time (Paris). The site said delivery 2 weeks then, but I went ahead. When I received the confirmation email, I followed the instructions to check the status of the order, and expected delivery date, which then informed me that I should expect delivery on the 20th November!! Thats a lot longer than 2 weeks!!

Anyway, cancelled that order and switched to a Black 16GB Wi-Fi only and now have expected delivery of 2 Nov

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The 16GB Wifi (Black) is already delayed 2 weeks here (UK). I ordered it and it stated expected delivery 16 November, so I cancelled my order. I figure I'll walk into a store somewhere in the London area and find one before the 16th.

nfl46 said:

This is what Apple is thinking: We didn't even have to price it at lower than $300 for it to sell out in 17 minutes. We win!

Lol. I sold my iPad 3 and got one in black. This screen better not be too pixelated. ��

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Damn are u going to be disappointed losing the retina screen. And you can spin it all you want but you just downgraded

peterdevries said:

iPhone 3G supply was constrained, as were the iPhone 4 and 4s. You are talking nonsense. This all also happened during Steve's management.

With regards to Innovation. Apple introduced several innovations or new functions in the event. They might not be the innovations that you specifically would like but nevertheless they are innovations / new functionalities. Which ones you might ask? The following:

• Bonded touchscreen and LCD panel
• Fusion drive
• USB3 in mac mini
• Better built Retina MBP (repairability)

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Function is not innovation.

The screen are greats, but seriously adding USB3.0 to the mini is not innovation? Fusion is not an Apple innovation. It's rebranded hybrid drive. The only thing fancy is the hedious logo they are using.

rei101 said:

Apple never ran out of anything while Steve was there.

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iPad 2 comes to mind impossible to get the first month also iphone4 .

danielowenuk said:

Order 2 white in the uk 9 minutes after pre-order started (8:09am), 2 weeks delivery.

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Ordered mine at 7:32am. Do I win?

Still two weeks though - including the Lightning/SD lead I also ordered.

MMOTotal said:

What happened to "this is too expensive, buying a Nexus 7 instead"

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Goes to show some people will buy anything apple releases.

cambookpro said:

Seems like there are plenty of black ones left though. Definitely not as big a launch as the iP5, even if they have more stock.

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I don't think anyone expected anything like an iPhone launch. No other product that Apple sells will have that type of launch.

MMOTotal said:

What happened to "this is too expensive, buying a Nexus 7 instead"

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They checked out the apps available for the Nexus compared to the iPad. That was one of the biggest reason I got rid of my Android tablet and vowed to never go back. Very few true tablet applications and way too may phone applications that suck and look ridiculous on the bigger screen. Then again, that was 8 months ago. Maybe things changed.

...

Much as I prefer the Slate finish, I wouldn't want to have to constantly worry about scratching the back. It's bad enough having to be so overprotective of my iPhone 5.

No doubt the next gen iPad will follow the same form factor, albeit larger of course.

I wonder why white is so popular now. Black used to be more popular not long ago.

Mustafa said:

Ordered mine at 7:32am. Do I win?

Still two weeks though - including the Lightning/SD lead I also ordered.

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You should have bought a new watch at the same time!

ordered 2 white in the UK 2 minutes after pre-orders started (08:02)... two weeks delivery also!

Guess apple kept all the stock of white ones in the US for now

Never in doubt that we get conspiracy theories that Apple is purposely constraining supply so they can show it "sold out" on their website. I suppose these people think Microsoft did the same with the 32GB Surface?

Either way its raining men

Buh?

The black one looks better.

Usb 3

peterdevries said:

iPhone 3G supply was constrained, as were the iPhone 4 and 4s. You are talking nonsense. This all also happened during Steve's management.

With regards to Innovation. Apple introduced several innovations or new functions in the event. They might not be the innovations that you specifically would like but nevertheless they are innovations / new functionalities. Which ones you might ask? The following:

• Bonded touchscreen and LCD panel
• Fusion drive
• USB3 in mac mini
• Better built Retina MBP (repairability)

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I hope this is not where we are going - counting an USB3 port an innovation in late 2012.