Apple availability

Apple's product availability continues to improve, with most products shipping on the same business day, according to a research note by Piper Jaffary. The research and investment firm, which often comments on Apple, says while critics of the company suggest greater product availability represents slowing demand, "we believe that demand for both Macs and iPods remains strong." Increased availability simply indicates that "Apple is becoming efficient at building products, and for the first time in a year, should have enough product to meet demand."

"As evidenced by strong overall results from Amazon.com's Top Seller Lists, we believe that demand for both Macs and iPods remains strong."

The number of Apple computers in the Top 10 remained flat
with the March 29 list at 4. The number of iPods in the Top 10 declined from 8 on March 29 to 4 late last week. Apple's OS X Tiger and OS X Tiger Family Pack operating system software (both to be released April 29) hold the top 2 spots respectively on the Electronics Top Seller list.

The estimated days to ship the Mac mini, 12" PowerBook, and 15" PowerBook, all dropped to "same business day."

On Friday, Synaptics (maker of iPod, iPod Photo and iPod mini scroll wheels) lowered its June quarter guidance slightly, citing softness in its portable music player business. While clearly "negative," Piper Jaffary points out that "it is reasonable to assume that due to seasonality, June quarter iPod unit shipments would fall from December and March quarter levels."

by MacNN Staff