Apple MacBook shipments may only see single-digit growth in 2013, as related upstream component suppliers still have not yet seen any major increases in orders, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.
The orders may increase slightly after Apple releases its new MacBook products at the end of the second quarter.
Apple was confident about its 13-inch MacBook Pro performance for 2013, but the device's actual sales turn out to be weaker than expected, leaving the company still digesting its inventories in the first quarter.
The sources pointed out that Apple's MacBook Pros have strong attraction to consumers, but the devices' high prices are instead pushing consumers away. In addition, shipment delays last year due to weak panel yield rates also impacted shipment performance. However, Apple claimed its Mac series' weak sales are due to the iPad.
Apple shipped 13.03 million MacBooks in 2012, up 7.98% on year. |