Apple CEO Tim Cook has admitted that the iPad mini 2 with Retina display will likely face supply constraints, and that there probably won’t be enough iPad Air units to go around either.
Cook was speaking at Apple’s latest earnings call when he made a status updates on the new generation of iPads, which were unveiled a week ago. With iPad sales stagnating in recent times, Apple needs a solid shot in the arm from its latest range.
Of most concern is the iPad mini 2 with Retina display, with rumour prior to its launch suggesting that there would be severe supply constraints. With Apple still to commit to a firm release date outside of “later in November,” such fears appear to have been well founded.
Indeed, when pressed on the point Apple’s Time Cook accepted that “it's unclear whether we will have enough for the quarter or not.”
He added that Apple knows how many it will have available, “but we really don't know the demand until we start shipping. We'll see how that goes.” Of course, with predictions of an “iPad Christmas” and expectations that the iPad range will sell “fairly well” over this next quarter, Cook is clearly expecting the worst (or best, depending on how you look at it).
That extends to the iPad Air as well. We know that the super-skinny 9.7-inch tablet will be released on November 1, at least, but that doesn’t mean that it will be in plentiful supply.
Cook is expecting a really good weekend opening weekend for the iPad Air, but revealed that “it's not clear that everyone who wants one will be able to find one.”
Better get queuing now if you really want one. Or, you know, just wait until there’s another shipment like normal people.
Read More: iPad mini 2 with Retina display - Missing features
