Chimei may pitch in on iPad display production for 2011
updated 12:30 pm EDT, Fri November 5, 2010
Chimei said making iPad displays in 2011
Taiwan's Chimei Innolux may be giving Apple an increasing amount of help making iPad displays next year, CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets said on Friday. It claimed that just 10 percent of the touchscreens would be made by Chimei next year but that it would gradually play a more important role over the course of the year, taking up 15 percent of the load in the spring, 20 percent in the summer and 30 percent next fall. The analysts expected tablets like the iPad to account for six percent of Chimei's revenue in 2011 and 10 percent a year later.
Chimei makes its own TVs and other displays but is best known as a contractor for others' displays.
CLSA didn't mention any changes to the iPad, but the production is now more likely to be for a feature-updated sequel rather than a secondary model after Apple chief Steve Jobs' criticism of small tablets all but ruled out anything smaller than the 9.7-inch screen. Most unofficial rumors point to the next iPad getting front and back cameras as well as a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor.
Display production has been one of the limitations on iPad sales and has already led Apple to look beyond its main supplier, LG Display, for help. The electronics firm is believed to have brought on Samsung for help after runaway sales early on made it difficult to keep up.
