Apple Tablet Reportedly Delayed Until Late 2010

The launch of the Apple Tablet has reportedly been delayed from an original March date to the second half of 2010, claims a DigiTimes report.

According to sources from component makers, Apple has decided to switch some components and plans to launch a 9.7 inch OLED model using a panel form LG.

Quanta Computer and Pegatron Technology are expected to join Foxcomm Electronics as manufacturing partners for the device. Apple is said to working on two versions, one with a 10.6 inch TFT LCD panel and another with a 9.7 inch OLED panel.


Their source points out that LG's five year $500 million contract with Apply includes the supply of OLED panels which are currently being made using LG's 4.5G production line.

Since 9.7-inch OLED panels are currently priced at about US$500 and panel costs normally account for about 30% of the device's total cost, Apple's 9.7-inch OLED tablet PC is expected to have a cost of about US$1,500-1,700 (based on today's prices), the sources estimated. However, OLED panel prices are dropping rapidly and are expected to reach an acceptable level for notebook products by 2011, so the sources believe Apple's delayed schedule may include such considerations.

Estimates indicate the tablet cost will drop to around US$1,200-1,500 by the second half of 2010 with a retail price of about US$2,000. Meanwhile, the 10.6-inch LCD panel is expected to be priced at around US$800-1,000. These retail prices could be brought lower with subsidies from wireless network carriers.

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