Barclays: iPad 2 On Track for Spring Launch, Not June

Apple manufacturing partner Hon Hai is not encountering iPad 2 production bottlenecks as previously reported, says Ben Reitzes, an analyst with Barclays Capital.

The shipments appear to be on track for April, Reitzes said, after doing his own research.

Apple is also poised to hold the recently ‘confirmed’ March event to launch the next generation of iPads, he said.

"Despite some concerns over the iPad 2 shipment timing, our colleagues suggest that the iPad 2 shipments are likely still on track for an April release with Apple having finalized the iPad 2 design and specifications in February,," said Ben Reitzes, of Barclays Capital.

"We continue to believe iPad sales will increase significantly in 2011, benefiting from a major upgrade that features a thinner and lighter design, along with cameras and FaceTime calling. We believe that Apple will hold an event in March to launch the new product," said Reitzes.

The International Business Times reports that Barclays Capital Asia ex-Japan analyst Kirk Yang found that Hon Hai set up its new production lines with assembly training and component sourcing in Chengdu for March.

The analyst expects iPad 2 shipments to start in early April.

The new timeframe is due to production line set up and training, Yang said, rather than any product re-design the media might have fans concerned over.

All Things D’s Kara Swisher recently went on record claiming to have heard from multiple sources that Apple will, indeed, hold an event on March 2.

The reporter said the tech giant “seems poised to unveil a new version of its hugely successful iPad” during said event.

It is believed that Apple will start sending invitations to its press event as soon as today.

This would leave enough time for journalists to make the proper arrangements to be on site at The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, where Apple is most likely to host the gathering.