Due to demand that drove iPad sales in the US to more than 500,000 units, the company had to delay the launch of the product overseas until May 10. That does not seem to have curbed the enthusiasm for the product inside or outside America. App developers have rushed to build software for the tablet and reviews of its have been mostly excellent.
Apple now says that it will have to delay some US shipments. Bloomberg reports that Apple Inc.’s U.S. customers who order the 3G models of its iPad now won’t receive the tablet computer until May 7″
The ongoing question is whether the late deliveries help or hurt Apple’s image and sales. One school of thought is that by delivering the machine slowly that it creates pent-up demand which in turn makes those who want the machines even more “needy.” The Apple products are, therefore, more desirable because ownership cannot be easily obtained.
The other side of the debate is that Apple will lose customers because people expect that world’s greatest consumer electronics company to make its deliveries on time
Apple has retained its Teflon finish through options grant scandals and iPod shortages. None of it seems to have hurt the company at all, not with the public anyway. Analysts expect Apple to have another record quarter with Mac sales and iPhone sales expected to easily outpace predictions.
The iPad is likely to do well, and Apple is close to launching a 4G iPhone which means that the handset will keep pace with the latest technology. Some analysts expect that Apple does not have another rabbit in its hate. That may be true, but the current rabbit seem to suffice.
Douglas A. McIntyre
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