Retina iPad Mini Launch Supplies Set to Be 'Ridiculously Tight' Until Early 2014

[xofruitcake]

Name one other company that can have prepared enough supply to sell millions and millions of product using brand new technology and production processes, and still be in "short supply."

Agreed. It is more a case for someone who has never worked in high tech industry and don't understand the complexity of running a business nor bringing out a new high tech equipment at all.

As a consumer, we want the newest technology at the cheapest price in the earliest possible time. And the problem is that we can only pick two out of the 3 parameters. And they get mad because they don't get their wish. And that is what is great about competition. If competitor has a better tablet, then we will go buy it. If not, we just have to wait. Apple sales figure and marketing position will reflect consumer's choice and the competition.

 

[Locoboof]

Presumably, Apple won't have the decency to inform customers that stock will be limited, instead advising them to try our stores on a first come, first served basis.

That really upsets me when they do that.

 

[dwarnecke11]

Where is the gold version?

Where is the A7X?

Where is Touch ID?

Where is A7X? How about what is A7X? It does not exist, nor does it need to. Have you seen the A7 GPU benchmarks?

 

[Scarpad]

gonna get an Air, I think the reduced weight will make it a lot easier to hold, wouldn't want to chance getting a bad mini panel, I'll wait until they are being produced in a good enough amount next year.

 

[D.T.]

So perhaps Apple is starting a trend of not needing "X" chips?

There’s also been some speculation that the iPad flavors might be an “X” variant (like it might have more GPU cores), Apple is simply not creating the extra differentiation in sales/marketing materials.

 

[bkribbs]

Agreed. It is more a case for someone who has never worked in high tech industry and don't understand the complexity of running a business nor bringing out a new high tech equipment at all.

As a consumer, we want the newest technology at the cheapest price in the earliest possible time. And the problem is that we can only pick two out of the 3 parameters. And they get mad because they don't get their wish. And that is what is great about competition. If competitor has a better tablet, then we will go buy it. If not, we just have to wait. Apple sales figure and marketing position will reflect consumer's choice and the competition.

I would argue we only get new tech. Not the other two

 

[vmachiel]

Where is the gold version?

Where is the A7X?

Where is Touch ID?

I agree with one and three but the X isn't necessary. The A7 triple core GPU is powerful enough for the revolution by far.

 

[MrXiro]

Well I don't think the demand for the retina will be as high as the original launch. The $299 version will sell like hotcakes this holiday season, however. (IMO)

I agree with you. Retina display is only a MUST HAVE for techies like the ones that frequent this page. The $299 "Apple iPad Mini" is what people want. All the other stuff (Retina, A7, M7, RAM, iOS7) is gibberish to the general consumer. My wife has heard me talk about all of those things before and I'm sure she will only understand "Retina" and that's only a maybe. She knows what an iOS is but not which is the most recent version. She's still wondering why there's no "Key Lime Pie" in Apple products.

She just doesn't care... she goes glassy eyed and zones out when I talk about tech... and in there world there are way more of her than there is of the tech savvy.

 

[Locoboof]

Retina iPad Mini Launch Supplies Set to Be 'Ridiculously Tight' Until Early 2014

Well...as long as they offer "in store pickup" on day one like they are on the iPad air,I'll be happy. I'll just set my alarm for midnight...well 11:52pst

 

[fertilized-egg]

The supply Vs demand game is always interesting. Porsche used to be very good at it too, limiting stock helped keep the residuals high, whilst demand for the product remained high. Thing is, over time, people get bored of waiting and will start seeking alternatives. It also allows time for competitors to up their game.

They're doing it on purpose lol

Its all a game they playing, they know exactly what their doing.

In this case it's been noted many times that the supply of the new Retina display just isn't high because of the yield issues. Which is probably why there was so much speculation that Apple won't release the Retina Mini until early next year. It seems they decided to just call it go to meet the holiday deadline.

Seems Apple would be better off just having announced a cut in the mini price & launched the retina mini in March.

Apple had two choices but either way they would've been chastisized :

1) Release new iPad Mini without Retina, plenty of supply: Terrible product. Apple is doomed.

2) Release new iPad Mini with Retina, low supply: Apple is creating artificial shortage. Apple is gaming us.

The iPad 3 was released without the A6x because the A6x simply wasn't ready by then. People now complain about the iPad 3. On the other hand if the iPad 3 didn't have the Retina display, so many would've complained about it at its release too.

I don't think Apple can win with some crowds until they release a product that is available in more than 10 million units at launch, sold at cost without any mark up, has every cutting edge components possible, thin as possible with no discernible heat generated, and come with 10+ hour battery life. Even then, some here would complain how sharp the edge is or the bezel size is either too big or too small.

 

[MrXiro]

I agree with one and three but the X isn't necessary. The A7 triple core GPU is powerful enough for the revolution by far.

Let's not forget that the M7 exists... while not taking the load like a gpu it DOES take a little bit of the load off the A7. Essentially they put in the X chip in but instead of handling a heavy load like graphics it takes care of the smaller jobs like tracking and motion so that the A7 can handle the big jobs.

 

[bigjnyc]

Relax everyone, I just got off the phone with Timothy. He told me this is a controlled leak orchestrated by Apple to get everyone rushing to buy one as soon as possible, thus inflating their initial sales numbers. slippery little weasel that Timothy.

 

[Locoboof]

Retina iPad Mini Launch Supplies Set to Be 'Ridiculously Tight' Until Early 2014

Relax everyone, I just got off the phone with Timothy. He told me this is a controlled leak orchestrated by Apple to get everyone rushing to buy one as soon as possible, thus inflating their initial sales numbers. slippery little weasel that Timothy.

Thanks for the heads up. I was getting ready to FaceTime him myself. I can sleep better now... Many thanks

Timy....that little rascal.

 

[Bokes]

Well...as long as they offer "in store pickup" on day one like they are on the iPad air,I'll be happy. I'll just set my alarm for midnight...well 11:52pst

Is this true?
Will the Air's be you be allowed to purchase online- early Friday AM and select "in store pick-up"? And they will hold one for you.

I'm in NYC.
This would be great since I can avoid the early AM line.
Just order online and then walk into store in the late afternoon.

 

[Locoboof]

Is this true?
Will the Air's be you be allowed to purchase online- early Friday AM and select "in store pick-up"? And they will hold one for you.

I'm in NYC.
This would be great since I can avoid the early AM line.
Just order online and then walk into store in the late afternoon.

True indeed

 

[Kobayagi]

IDK - they seem to come too often. It's a bit distracting when I'm trying to work.

Depends if you got them set to the front page, Mac blog and iOS blog. I just set it to the front page, so it's not too often.

 

[Haswell]

At $400 for the entry level model...no thank you. Nexus 7 FTW.

 

[milo]

Where is the A7X?

Doesn't even exist yet. Apple hasn't announced it, seems like something the "analysts" speculated about. And I don't see what's wrong with the A7 considering it's fairly new and blazing fast.

 

[CausticPuppy]

Guess I'll have to settle for an iPad Air.

 

[JAT]

Of course the negative nancies will keep spouting this "its intentional" nonsense without grasping a serious sense of reality.

Name one other company that can have prepared enough supply to sell millions and millions of product using brand new technology and production processes, and still be in "short supply."

The fact is that Apple is simply a marvel of very low tolerance, very complex manufacturing in VERY large numbers. No other company on Earth can manufacture products in numbers close to Apple that use the same assembly processes, the same aerospace-grade precision, with cutting edge components. And yet, of course its not good enough. Apples manufacturing abilities already defy logic, and yet people still accuse them of "marketing tactics." Sheesh, people are just so self-centered and entitled these days.

Excellent analysis. Too bad some can't understand it, anyway. They just throw the 'demand' side of the calculation away like it has no impact or meaning.

 

[ColdShadow]

Where is the gold version?

Where is the A7X?

Where is Touch ID?

gold while neat on iPhone 5S would have been ugly and tacky on larger iPad mini so I'm happy they didn't release it.

A7X wasn't necessary,for a small better performance,major battery life would have been sacrificed.

Touch ID on iPad would have been cool,but not as important as on iPhone.

 

[everything-i]

What would A7X have that A7 doesn't have?

Well it has an X and that makes all the difference to some people.

 

[ColdShadow]

I'm kinda fine with this shortage issue,since I wasn't expecting the price increase of mini.so I can do with a couple more months wait,until I can save some more

that being said,I really think the Retina Mini is the superior iPad experience.the size is just much more convenient and practical that the full size iPad for 90% of people.

I'm so glad they did the right thing and updated iPad mini's specification (not just screen) to match the iPad air,thus putting an end to the silly judgement of "smaller model is the low en model" that some people had here.the whole bigger is better mentality is so immature and silly imo.

now iPad Mini is also the high end model,and for most people the superior and ultimate iPad experience.

 

[everything-i]

Of course the negative nancies will keep spouting this "its intentional" nonsense without grasping a serious sense of reality.

Name one other company that can have prepared enough supply to sell millions and millions of product using brand new technology and production processes, and still be in "short supply."

The fact is that Apple is simply a marvel of very low tolerance, very complex manufacturing in VERY large numbers. No other company on Earth can manufacture products in numbers close to Apple that use the same assembly processes, the same aerospace-grade precision, with cutting edge components. And yet, of course its not good enough. Apples manufacturing abilities already defy logic, and yet people still accuse them of "marketing tactics." Sheesh, people are just so self-centered and entitled these days.

Well said, Apple push he envelope with each release so there are always going to be supply difficulties in the early days after a release. The sense of entitlement of many on this forum seems to be almost pathological.

 

[Notafanboyyet]

But the "iPad Mini Retina 2" will be released in April!

What can we expect? Touch ID? Gold? A7X? Nobody knows, and at the moment, nobody cares