IPad 2 Goes on Sale Abroad — Will There Be Enough? - Wall Street Journal (blog)

By Jennifer Valentino-DeVries

Apple fans in 25 more countries got their turn to line up for the iPad 2 on Friday, two weeks after it went on sale in the U.S.

Long lines were reported by bloggers and Wall Street analysts as the new iPad launched in Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand, plus 21 European countries.

The wait for Apple's latest tablet is a good sign for the gadget maker, Wall Street analysts say, but questions remain about the supply of parts for the device, especially considering the earthquake and related problems in Japan.

Online, Apple's Australian website initially showed that the iPad would be delivered in two to three weeks, but that shifted to three to four weeks within 24 hours, said PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster. U.S. retailers also continued to see long lines for iPads more than a week after launch; your Digits blogger has seen lines at New York stores, and Mr. Munster reported that morning shipments of the device often are sold out before 10 a.m.

The demand has raised concerns about whether Apple will be able to keep up, given that several components of the new iPad are made in Japan, which has been hit by an earthquake, tsunami and now a nuclear crisis. Working in Apple's favor: The company usually contracts with several manufacturers, analysts say, and has considerable buying power when it comes to securing parts.

"We appreciate everyone's patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a press release Friday.

Online, there may be signs that Apple isn't seeing supply problems related to Japan after all. The wait time for an iPad ordered online in the U.S. fell on Thursday by a week, and the device now ships in three to four weeks, according to Apple's website.

"IPad 2 demand is strong worldwide and while supply is limited, it is improving," Mr. Munster said.

The device will be available in Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore in April, Apple says. The tech giant was set to release the iPad 2 in Japan on Friday but delayed that launch indefinitely because of the crisis in that country.