Apple is apparently expecting high demand for its new iPad Pro with M1 processor, as the company has asked its main chip supplier TSMC to ramp up production of the processor.
Earlier this week, Apple launched a brand new 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro presented, which features Apple's M1 silicon chip. It's the same chip that powers the newly announced 24-inch iMac and the previously released Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro devices. The M1 chip first shipped in November. Amid an ongoing global chip shortage, demand for the processor is even more pronounced thanks to the new iPad Pro. DigiTimes reportedthat TSMC previously had a target of 120,000 chip wafers per month for the second half of the year.
iPad Pro with XDR display could reach 5 million deliveries
Thanks to a strong push from Apple, TSMC is now targeting 140,000 to 150,000 monthly chip wafers for the second to fourth quarters of the year. Although the new iPad Pro and 24-inch iMac were announced this week, they won't ship until the second half of May. The significant delay between announcement and shipment is likely due to strain on Apple's suppliers. Research cited by another DigiTimes report suggests that the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which features a new Liquid Retina XDR display, will reach 5 million shipments this year. The new iPad Pro and 24-inch iMac will be officially available for pre-order from Apple starting Friday, April 30. (Image: Apple)
