Constrained availability of iPads = imminent refresh?

[njek]

I work for a University, and we use Apple products a fair bit, alongside our Windows devices. Recently I've tried to purchase an iPad (128GB WiFi) using our normal supplier, but have been told that this product is in constraint with Apple with no current ETA. The natural assumption would be that this is being discontinued, with an imminent product refresh. This seems highly odd to me in the run up to Christmas! I also haven't heard any gossip about any imminent refreshes.

I checked direct with Apple, and I can purchase the same model online or in store with no delay whatsoever. This also strikes me as weird, when our supplier says they're being constrained.

Has anyone else seen any problems purchasing iPads recently? Any gossip I haven't heard about an imminent refresh?

 

[Sunshoopa]

I highly doubt that they’d do anything until April-June, most likely June. I’m sure they’re just having trouble getting them in for some reason, maybe due to weather and such.

 

[njek]

Upon further investigation it seems that the UK Higher Education distribution channel has these in constraint. This is a different distribution channel to retail, so perhaps they'll be back in full supply in Jan...fingers crossed!

 

[maflynn]

No, this probably the worst time to see a refresh. Its near the end of the holiday season and end of the calendar year. Consumers are nearly tapped out money wise and will not be looking to spend any more money so close to Christmas. Business are not eager to spend money at the end of the calendar year which is the the fiscal year for many of them.

I don't know when they'll refresh the models, but if I were to hazard a guess, I'd think around the time they updated them last year, which was March for the non-pro and June for the Pro. So anytime between that timeframe is possible.

 

[sracer]

"Channel Supply" has NOT been a leading indicator of a new model/refresh of iPads in quite a few years. (Jedi wave) move along, this isn't the refresh you're looking for. (/Jedi wave)

 

[David58117]

Is 128 still an option on the newer models?

I thought it’s 256 now.

 

[JPack]

This seems highly odd to me in the run up to Christmas! I also haven't heard any gossip about any imminent refreshes.

I checked direct with Apple, and I can purchase the same model online or in store with no delay whatsoever. This also strikes me as weird, when our supplier says they're being constrained.

Has anyone else seen any problems purchasing iPads recently? Any gossip I haven't heard about an imminent refresh?

It makes complete sense.

Your supplier probably only has access to tier 2 or sub-distributors.

Apple products are allocated during this time of the year. Unless your name is Ingram Micro, Synnex, or Tech Data, you're under allocation.

 

[sevvere]

It wouldn’t shock me if IPads aren’t refreshed at all until 2019.