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Aug 07

Rumored Apple Tablet Will Sell 2 Million Units in 2010, Analyst Imagines

Posted in: Apple, Media Players, rumors, speculation, tablet, Today's Chili

An analyst claims he has learned additional information suggesting a 2010 launch of Apple’s rumored tablet device.

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said he has been in correspondence with an Asian component supplier working with Apple on its tablet.

“Last week we spoke with an Asian component supplier that has received orders from Apple for a touch-screen device to be fulfilled by late [calendar year] 09,” Munster wrote in a report. “This data point underscores our thesis that a tablet will likely launch in early [2010].”

Munster in May issued a detailed report summarizing his theories about Apple’s fabled tablet, about which little next to nothing is known beyond vague tips from anonymous sources. Today’s new report reinforces those theories and adds more speculation about the rumored device’s features:

The device will most likely be a larger format iPod Touch, measuring between 7 to 10 inches
The tablet will be used primarily for web surfing, e-mail and digital media
Pricing should be between $500 and $700, positioning the tablet between an iPhone and a MacBook
A carrier (either AT&T or Verizon) will likely subsidize the device, which will include a 3G cellular modem

Piper Jaffray produced a mock-up illustration (above) of what Munster believes the device will look like. Munster even proceeds to make an estimate of the number of tablets could ship: 2 million units at $600 each to generate $1.2 billion and add about 3 percent to Apple’s revenue stream in the calendar year of 2010. (A little early to be making such intricate projections about an unconfirmed product, isn’t it?)

Several rumor reports have recently surfaced citing anonymous sources who have come forward with purported details on Apple’s tablet. Some publications claim they’ve heard the tablet will hit stores as soon as this fall, while AppleInsider reported receiving a tip that the device will launch 2010.

Wired.com earlier speculated on what exactly an Apple tablet would do. We believe the device would have potential to be a major competitor against Amazon.com in the e-book market.

Wired.com also received a tip that other tech manufacturers, including Dell, Intel, HTC and Nokia are working on tablet devices as well. On top of that, TechCrunch is already working to rush out its Crunchpad touchscreen tablet. We believe 2010 is shaping up to be the year of the tablet.

Apple’s $1.2 billion tablet computer [Apple 2.0]

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Image: Piper Jaffray