Latest Apple tablet rumor: Feb. 2010 launch for $800-$1,000
By Neil Hughes
Published: 07:35 AM EST (04:35 AM PST)
A new report on Apple's long-rumored tablet device cites Taiwanese suppliers with a number of alleged specifics, including price, launch window and parts.
Steve Chuang of
Taiwan Economic Times has cited "a couple of Taiwanese suppliers of PC parts and components" in a report that claims the device will debut in
February 2010 with a price between $799 and $999. The rumored device is alleged to have a 9.6-inch touchscreen, a chip from Apple-owned P.A. Semi, built-in 3G HSDPA, and a "long lasting battery pack."
"Outbidding its Taiwanese counterpart Simplo Technology Co., Ltd., DynaPack International Technology Corp. has been exclusively contracted to supply up to 300,000 units of long lasting battery packs a month for Apple`s newest tablet PCs," the report said. "Bearing higher gross profits than conventional models, the long lasting battery packs are expected to serve as a profit booster for the firm in the future."
The report said all of the suppliers have alleged that they will provide the necessary parts to Apple in December for assembly, paving the way for a February 2010 launch.
The inclusion of HSDPA would suggest that the device would work with the AT&T 3G network in the U.S., much like the current iPhone. If true, it would seem to debunk earlier speculation that the device would
run on Verizon's network.
In addition, Chuang states that Wanshih Electronic Co., Ltd., has won the contract to supply "mini coaxial cables" for about 70 percent of the tablet supply. The device's "power supply chokes" will come from Mag. Layers Scientific-Technics Co., Ltd., and Wintek Corp. will provide the touchscreens.
"Noteworthy is that Wintek's touch panels have been used in Apple's iPhones for awhile, while Mag. Layers has effectively squeezed into Apple's power (choke) supplier list," the report said.
Much of Chuang's report seems to corroborate with what sources have told
AppleInsider, namely that
the device would launch in 2010 and sport a custom processor from fabless chip designer P.A. Semi. People familiar with the matter have told
AppleInsider that the device will sport a 10-inch touchscreen, though the latest rumor has a relatively negligible difference of four-tenths of an inch.
