NPD DisplaySearch have claimed that Apple underestimated the demand for their iPad Mini and the company initially asked their suppliers to supply 6 million of the 7.85 inch display panels.

NPD Displaysearch claim that the figure was not enough and Apple are now stepping up the orders to 12 million, in order to meet the demand for the Mini. We seem to hear this with almost every launch, and we wonder why Apple always underestimate demand?

The iPad Mini is still on a waiting list of a week, an improvement since the launch on November 2nd. The time was initially 2-3 weeks.

NPD's David Hsieh said “When Apple unveiled the iPad Mini in October many criticized its $329 price as too expensive for a 7[-inch] segment tablet PC, given competition from other 7-inch tablet PCs, including Amazon Kindle Fire, Google Nexus, ASUS and many private labels.”

“However, there is always a strong base of customers who only want Apple products; recently, the iPad Mini was voted one of the hottest consumer products of 2012 in Japan.”

Apple have placed orders for 70 million iPad display panels this year. 23 million were tied into the iPad 2, which is still selling well and 47 million for the iPad 3.

NPD say that the iPad Mini may outsell the retina iPad 3. “In 2013, it is likely that Apple will adjust its product portfolio to meet the strong demand for the iPad Mini,” noted Hsieh. “We believe that Apple is targeting total iPad shipments of 100 million in 2013, half accounted for by the iPad Mini, and 40 million new iPad and 10 million iPad 2, as production continues at least until the middle of 2013.”

Kitguru says: The iPad Mini may not be a bargain priced tablet, but according to NPD it is selling very well.

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