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Apple Tablet Set for Second Quarter Launch With Aluminum Casing?

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Apr 12, 2001
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Reuters reports on information from Apple's supply chain indicating that touchscreens for the company's long-rumored tablet device are in manufacturing and that production of the device's casing, which is reportedly aluminum, will begin next month. The beginning of mass production of components for the device suggests that it is likely to launch in the second quarter of this year.
Suppliers for Apple Inc's new tablet computer have begun shipping touchscreen panels and will start delivering aluminum casings for it next month, sources said, implying a second-quarter product launch.

AVY Precision Technology Inc, a Taiwanese manufacturer of covers for electronic products, will begin production of the cases in February, two sources familiar with the situation said on Friday.

TPK Solutions, an unlisted touch screen panel maker also based in Taiwan will also supply panels for the product, a third source said, on top of those already being manufactured by another Taiwan company, Wintek Corp.
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The claims follow recent relatively reports that Apple will begin mass production of the tablet next month with availability scheduled for March or April. Another report just days ago from The Wall Street Journal pointed to a March launch for the tablet, with two different material casings reportedly under consideration. The latest report, however, suggests that Apple has settled on an aluminum case for the device.

Claims of touchscreen suppliers for the tablet have been muddled over the past few months, with early reports that Wintek had been awarded the contract called into question that Foxconn subsidiary Innolux could be tapped for the screens.

Article Link: Apple Tablet Set for Second Quarter Launch With Aluminum Casing?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/08/apple-tablet-set-for-second-quarter-launch-with-aluminum-casing/
Oops, what happened?

They were said to demo it this month with shipping it from March... What happened? I suppose, other tablets happened.

And the iSlate goes back to the drawing board...
 
kernkraft said:
They were said to demo it this month with shipping it from March... What happened? I suppose, other tablets happened.

And the iSlate goes back to the drawing board...
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Seriously? Apple said nothing of it shipping in March. Apple has said nothing. According to them there is no tablet. So for this Slate going back to the drawing board, let's get real here. :rolleyes:
 
kernkraft said:
They were said to demo it this month with shipping it from March... What happened? I suppose, other tablets happened.

And the iSlate goes back to the drawing board...
Click to expand...

They will use a prototype at the event. Apple hasn't yet set a shipping date and two months should be enough time to produce enough tablets for an initial US launch.
 
Apple makes its own cases

Why would they outsource the Aluminium casing? Makes no sense to me. I would discard this rumour.
 
str1f3 said:
They will use a prototype at the event. Apple hasn't yet set a shipping date and two months should be enough time to produce enough tablets for an initial US launch.
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But is two months enough time to get all the FCC filings, etc. taken care of? I can't remember the exact timeframe, but the iPhone was announced several months before it actually went on sale so that the "surprise" wouldn't be ruined by someone posting the FCC paperwork ahead of launch.

Of course, it is possible that the rumored tablet will not have a cell chip, making this a moot point.
 
I feel like Cartman waiting for the Wii to go on sale!

"Come onnnnn... Come onnnnn..."

:) Can't wait to see the reality of what's to come! At least there was nothing at CES so earth shattering that Apple shouldn't be able to outshine.

BTW... thinking that the MB Air is the testing ground for "how small can we make these things?" Now merge laptop with iPhone and you have the tablet. Of course... with something cool we haven't speculated on yet.
 
spice weasel said:
But is two months enough time to get all the FCC filings, etc. taken care of? I can't remember the exact timeframe, but the iPhone was announced several months before it actually went on sale so that the "surprise" wouldn't be ruined by someone posting the FCC paperwork ahead of launch.

Of course, it is possible that the rumored tablet will not have a cell chip, making this a moot point.
Click to expand...

From what I understand the FCC approval process has become much faster than at the time the iPhone was launched in 2207.
 
Peace said:
What are you talking about ? It's always been scheduled to ship in March with an event this month.
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Of course Apple has never said anything at all about shipping a tablet in March, or even that they are holding an event in January. Although it certainly looks like they will (and nothing in this article contradicts that other than that "second quarter" is a few weeks later).
 
PaulSorensen said:
Of course Apple has never said anything at all about shipping a tablet in March, or even that they are holding an event in January. Although it certainly looks like they will (and nothing in this article contradicts that other than that "second quarter" is a few weeks later).
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March is in Apple's second quarter.
 
I'll get excited when I see what this thing actually is, and determine whether or not it will be of any use to me.

I'm amazed at the number of posts in these threads by people with their credit cards at the ready, when for all we know this product might not fulfill any of their needs whatsoever.

I love Apple, but everything they make is not suited to everyone. Different people have different needs after all.
 
I was hoping these would be ALU Unibody. Hopefully the next iPhone will also have this case design, and maybe use a magic antenna like the one in that recent patent?
 
Peace said:
What are you talking about ? It's always been scheduled to ship in March with an event this month.
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I struggle to see that in what sense your statement is different from what I wrote.

So what are YOU talking about?
 
kernkraft said:
I struggle to see that in what sense your statement is different from what I wrote.

So what are YOU talking about?
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I was replying to your statement that Apple is somehow pushing back or not making it?

"They were said to demo it this month with shipping it from March... What happened? I suppose, other tablets happened.

And the iSlate goes back to the drawing board..."
 
Aluminum eh? Maybe this thing will be more Macbook like. Has anyone seen a 100% aluminum case in a mock up? I don't remember one. It's sounding more and more like this thing will be a bit of a surprise.
 
str1f3 said:
They will use a prototype at the event. Apple hasn't yet set a shipping date and two months should be enough time to produce enough tablets for an initial US launch.
Click to expand...

hope they do think global, and give the other markets it's shares
 
Is it me or is Apple's tablet unveiling starting to feel more anti-climactic amidst all the recent tablet announcements at CES?

Don't get me wrong though, I haven't a doubt that the islate will be the best of the breed and offer something game changing from the rest of the pack, but it just feels like we need to get on with Apple's show already.
 
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