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iPad 3 Early Production Evidence: Q4 Builds Increasing

According to a financial analyst, Jeff Fidacaro, the iPad 3 has begun its first production run. Apple has been in the news nonstop as of late with the death of their beloved icon Steve Jobs, the release of iOS 5 (despite its headaches at the moment), iCloud, and today the releasing of the iPhone 4S.
Where has Fidacaro derived the information from that the iPad 3 has entered into production? After looking at Apple’s supply chain checks, iPad builds are up to 12 and 14-million compared to previous numbers at 11 and 13-million.

iPad 3 Production According to Fidacaro

“Since our last month supply chain checks we are now seeing 600,000 to 1-million iPad 3 builds showing up on the plan for the fourth quarter of calendar 2011,” said Fidacaro to AllThingsD. Fidacaro also went on to say that under his last estimates, his findings did not encompass any iPad 3 tablets being in production yet.
In our previous article we announced that components for the iPad 3 were entering the manufacturing stage and being distributed through the supply chain, however this news tells us that the full product is now being produced, or assembled.

Are These Numbers Really the iPad 3?

I think it’s safe to say that the iPad 3 is being produced in small numbers behind the scenes, especially with testing of various components and prototypes; however it needs to be asked whether or not Fidacaro actually has any evidence other than mere financial numbers.

The reason behind the skepticism is the fact that the holiday season is approaching. The sheer numbers that are proposed for Q4 may be largely attributed to making sure that supply can meet demand. The iPad 2 and iPhone 4S are already being labeled as the hot ticket items on people’s wanted lists. Apple’s iPad 3 may be within those numbers, but it’s uncertain at what extent given the reality of fourth quarter sales.