New iPad lead times shorten to 5-7 days

01600updated 09:50 am EDT, Fri April 20, 2012 New iPads close to matching demand

Shipping intervals for the new iPad on the online Apple Store shrunk to between five to seven days as of Friday. The shipping times apply to the US and Canada, and include both 4G and Wi-Fi models. Europe and other regions are still quoting one to two weeks.The reduced wait comes about a month after lead times were last reduced and show that Apple has still had to fight to keep up with demand. While better than in previous years, where it took up to four months before customers could expect same-day shipping, it has still implied shortages and that Apple is selling every unit it can make.

The change could show a significant uptick in shipments for the spring quarter. Apple is due to report its results for the first calendar quarter on April 24 and will have the new iPad as a factor, but only for two out of 13 weeks and with the worst of the shortage in effect. Demand may have been constrained primarily by the international scope, with 10 countries on launch day and another two dozen a week later.



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