Manufacturing issues at Apple led to a shortfall in iPad tablet shipments in the first quarter of the calendar year, prompting research firm IHS iSuppli to cut its forecast for the year, reports “Fox Business” (http://macte.ch/Yx5Fs).
IHS iSuppli now expects Apple to ship 39.7 million units for all models of the iPad this year, down from the February forecast of 43.7 million, a 9.1% reduction. Apple’s first-quarter supply of the iPad 2 fell short of demand; the company shipped 4.69 million iPads during the quarter.
IHS iSuppli says production faced manufacturing difficulties, which combined with strong demand, led to short supplies of the device, notes the research group. The issues, according to sources, include quality concerns with liquid crystal display panels and production shortages of the new speaker.