Demand For The Second-Gen iPad mini Could Prove Too Much For Apple, Cook Warns

Tim Cook warned analysts and consumers that Apple may be unable to handle demand for its iPad mini with Retina display, in an announcement made by the chief executive officer during the Cupertino, Calif. company's recent financial results conference call. Though supplies of Apple's iPad Air, which launches on Nov. 1, are said to be "plentiful" (in-store pickup is even being offered as an option, this time around), the same can't be said of its second-generation iPad mini. So far, a firm release date hasn't even been announced, with consumers expecting the 7.9-inch tablet to launch "later in November." In addition, we're now hearing confirmation that rumors of "constrained" second-generation iPad mini supplies are indeed true. Tim Cook's original comment, which reached us from iDownloadBlog, reads:

It’s unclear whether we will have enough for the quarter or not. We know how many we will have, but you really don’t know the demand until you start shipping.

Of course, this doesn't bode well for those planning on ordering an iPad mini in time for Christmas, for example. Given that Apple Online Store orders for the iPhone 5s placed outside of the United States took several weeks longer to fulfil, it could be that a repeat situation is in the cards. Clearly, the later Apple leaves its second-generation iPad mini launch, the less time there is to ship orders out to customers in time for the holidays. Apple's third fiscal quarter results indicated that iPad sales had almost leveled out. Though once the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display hit Apple Store shelves, sales will surely pick up. In a press release, Cook said:

We’re excited to go into the holidays with our new iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, iOS 7, the new iPad mini with Retina Display and the incredibly thin and light iPad Air, new MacBook Pros, the radical new Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks and the next generation iWork and iLife apps for OS X and iOS.

Let's hope there are indeed enough second-generation iPad minis to go around! As mentioned above, the 9.7-inch iPad Air goes on sale on Nov. 1, and Apple Stores around the world are set to open at 8 a.m. local time. See also: Microsoft Gives Bing The iOS 7 Treatment Along With New Logo And Color Palette, Today's Best Apps: Grackles And Grenades, I Feel Brave And Tales Of Terror: Crimson Dawn, and AppAdvice App Of The Week For Oct. 28, 2013.

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