Apple readying up to 5 million iPad 2s for launch
Though rumours of 2048x1536 pixel Retina display generated a fair amount of hype for iPad 2 earlier in January, those with a supposed inside line on Apple are now claiming the tablet will come with largely the same screen as its predecessor.
That's according to Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who reports iPad 2's sole manufacturer Foxconn has been instructed to ready 4.5 to 5 million units ready for the tablet's launch quarter.
Kuo quotes
Said units will come with a largely identical display to the original iPad, Kuo states, though the module will be 30-35 percent thinner and come with additional anti-reflection a factor that should make its screen more visible in sunlight.
"The most important reason why iPad 2 won't have retinal display is yield rate of panel making," Kuo says.
"At this point, making high resolution and bright IPS/FFS panel is not easy and the production volume and cost couldn't meet Apples requirements."
Two for one
Nevertheless, as well as two cameras a 0.3 MP front mounted camera for Facetime, and a 1 MP rear camera for video recording and augmented reality iPad 2 will come equipped with a ARM Cortex-A9 dual core processor.
Kuo also claims iPad 2 will have a GPU utilising Imaginations SGX543 dual core graphics technology as previously suggested - as well as increased 512MB of RAM.
Most importantly from a sales perspective, however, is the claim that Apple will launch both CDMA and GSM 3G equipped models - as well as the wi-fi only release - enabling the tablet to roll out on additional carriers.
[source: Apple Insider]