Japan earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis could further Apple's iPad 2 shortages

[Snoutport]

Source: LA TIMES

Apple pushed the delivery time for those ordering the iPad 2 online to 4 to 5 weeks Thursday, the same day that the research firm IHS iSuppli issued a report that said five key components of the tablet made in Japan will be in short supply because of factory shutdowns.

"The aftermath of the Japanese earthquake may cause logistical disruptions and supply shortages in Apple Inc.'s iPad 2, which employs several components manufactured in the disaster-stricken country -- including a hard-to-replace electronic compass, the battery and possibly the advanced technology glass in the display," IHS iSuppli said in a statement.

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/03/the-apple-ipad-2-has-been-selling-out-in-stores-nationwide-since-it-launch-last-friday-and-the-scarcity-of-the-device-is-li.html

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Um.... only in LA would this be a headline. Poor guys might be really inconvenienced to have to wait a few weeks for an iPAD.

[hlthe2b]

1. I can't help but be really bothered by the superficiality of this...

I suppose it is tech news, but geebus, LAT....

[Sherman A1]

7. While I agree with you

writers are looking for a different angle on the disaster story and how it affects segments of our lives. We have all seen the videos and photos of the disaster and get the magnitude. This is one story to simply put another look at things and how it affects those wanting this product. The disaster will also have a disruption on autos and other goods imported from Japan and I am sure we either have or will see those stories coming along. It's just one more piece of the puzzle of the short and long term effects of this unfolding news. We have seen stories on counties starting to review their own nuclear production plants and many of us cheered, we will see stories on increases in food costs and some of it will be due to the need for supplies being sent to Japan, We will see a variety of stories.

[hlthe2b]

9. True, but a more comprehensive story on the inter-related ways

that various fields and industries will be impacted by the situation in Japan would seem fine. I think it is the singling out of the IPad with all that that signifies... I guess we should prepare now for the dramatic breaking news that Iphone5 or the next few Droids or whatever will be delayed with predictable accompanying outcry (assuming that might be the case) :shrug:

[walldude]

19. Like the guy in NY said.. "I can't eat an iPad".

[tavalon]

2. Whatever.

Geez, fucked up priorities. Not yours, whoever thinks this matters in the scheme of things.

[Sherman A1]

8. How should this story be reported?

Lacking Parts (from Japan) GM will Close Plant

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/business/global/18auto.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha25

[tavalon]

11. I guess I just think the financial stuff like this just isn't important right now

Maybe it could be shelved until next week or the week after. With the toll in human lives and suffering happening there, I just can't see this as important or kind.

[Sherman A1]

16. It is important in that the disasters ripple

through the world economy creating job loss. So while the suffering is terrible (and I fully understand that) the people being laid off in the US due to lack of parts (GM truck plant in Louisiana) and even the distribution hiccup for something that some may perceive as frivolous such as the iPad2 does indeed make a very real difference.

[tavalon]

17. Yeah, I was just pitching from the gut there

Things like markets and manufacturing losses will also hurt the Japanese, albeit not as quickly or deadly. My bad.

[Snoutport]

18. that was my point in sharing the story.... with so much going on the LA Times chose this

to be an important story on the front of a section.

[tavalon]

20. I see

[lbrtbell]

14. Most people need cars. iPad2's are optional.

Not everyone can use mass transit, unfortunately. But iPad2's are pretty much a toy for those who can afford them. That's the difference between both stories. :)

[Sherman A1]

15. The iPad may seem optional and you may be correct

however, the sale of this product either creates or maintains jobs along it's distribution path in transportation, warehousing and retail, so to the people who rely upon those jobs the iPad2 is very important.

People can buy other trucks or cars or find other means of transportation, they can buy other tablet computing devices or do without one as their choose, yet the jobs that those sales create are very, very real to the people that have them. So I believe the stories are very much the same one. In that not only the Japanese people are suffering a cascade of terrible disasters (and my heart goes out to them) but the effect of these disasters ripple through the world's economy causing many more problems.

It may be easy to make light of the iPad2, the hype that surrounds it and to dismiss those elect to purchase it as buying "a toy for those who can afford it." Yet, those purchases produce employment.

[quakerboy]

3. First off, I second the "how superficial" view

second off... I guess if they were making them domestically, that wouldn't be an issue, would it? Might be something to think about in the future.

[neoralme]

4. Gosh, how important....

[bluestateguy]

5. Or, I don't know, maybe we could make them here

Plenty of American workers stand ready for the call.

[cliffordu]

6. Now the true panic in the US will ensue......

[Steerpike]

10. oh oh

There go the numbers on tech prices going down...

[lbrtbell]

12. Keith Olbermann was whining about this, too

Earlier this week, he kept complaining about not being able to get an iPad2 in Florida, where he's on vacation. And, although he has posted on his blog and Twitter that the U.S. needs to re-examine its position on nuclear power, I've yet to see him tweet anything directly expressing sympathy for the Japanese people, themselves. He's too busy tweeting about baseball and the players he's rubbing elbows with.

I know we all need our diversions from politics, and I agree with him on his anti-nuke position...but I'm still disappointed in him. There are bigger concerns in this world than squabbling with RW'ers on Twitter, non-stop talk about baseball, and the lack of iPad2's. :(

[Webster Green]

13. Bummer.

I'm ready to cut my wrists. :banghead:

[spin]

21. My five year old laptop is about to bite the dust ...

so I decided that because of all the problems in Japan it might be a wise idea to buy a computer now rather than wait.

I have fairly simple requirements for my personal computer so I bought an Asus laptop for $600 from Amazon on Thursday. On Friday, the price for the same computer was $640.