Apple iPad supplies may be impacted by earthquake, says research group
They seek 'em here; they seek 'em there. Now will the elusive iPad may be even more difficult to find because of events in Japan?
The iSuppli analysts said they had identified at least five parts that come from Japan: storage and memory from Toshiba and Elpida Memory, an electronic compass from AKM Semiconductor, touch-screen glass from Asahi and a battery from Apple Japan.
ISuppli said some of these suppliers have said their facilities were not damaged by the earthquake or tsunami. However, other problems in Japan, including electricity cuts and the transportation of raw materials, could affect the shipping out of products, according to iSuppli.
Apple can get components from alternative suppliers, the analysts said - including Samsung Electronics in South Korea and Micron Technology in the U.S - but it will be harder to find substitutes for the glass from Asahi, which has reported damage at several of its plants.
Apple, based in Cupertino, California, has made no comment but it has a Japanese earthquake donations button on its website.
Customers ordering online in the US are told they can expect delivery of their iPad in four to five weeks; stores across the US are receiving supplied on a daily basis and these go to the first customers in line at 9a.m. each day.
At one store in Burlington, Mass, the line starts forming around 7a.m. On Friday, there were 70 would-be buyers in line, "Far more than there were iPads," said a disappointed customer.