The quasi-reliable DigiTimes let out a rumor this weekend that RIM’s production of the BlackBerry Tablet has started in Taiwan. According to their sources the Quanta’s plant that is building the devices is ramped up to 150,000-200,000 units a month with devices ready to ship in February. The DigiTimes is also saying that:
RIM has required that all PlayBook tablets be built in Taiwan to avoid of being copied by white-box makers in China, while also protecting its security specifications, the sources added. Quanta declined to comment on orders for individual clients, but stated that it still maintains sufficient capacity in Taiwan to meet client needs, while the majority of its production lines are in China.
A production line of only 200,000 PlayBooks a month sounds really small for the launch RIM seems to have planned for the device. I cannot think of any of the parts other the the processor being in a shortage but at that rate we will only be seeing 1-2 million of these devices available in 2011. This has me thinking that these numbers might be a bit off or missing another plant working on the device but who knows. Here is to hoping RIM does not have a shortage on their hands when the device rolls out!
I know I cannot wait for a PlayBook so one of those first 200,000 better be coming to me! 
barrist ( View Profile) - Posts: 1186
Posted: January 31, 2011 at 8:53 AM EST
Us North Americans will likely be able to grab a playbook, but I’m thinking in other markets, they’re going to be scarce or pushed back to a later release date which is too bad.
Perhaps the reason its slow is because they’re not allowing production at any other facility except at Quanta’s Taiwan plant because of security reasons.
Nikolaus Not Registered
Posted: January 31, 2011 at 9:37 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9650 | OS 6.0.0.431
I want mine today!!
CraZy88 ( View Profile) - Posts: 61
Posted: January 31, 2011 at 9:37 AM EST
I simply can’t wait for this playbook. I was watching the the today show last week and they were saying it is the must-have gizmo of 2011! I’ve never had a must-have! Haha!
Happy Monday BerryReview!!
babisboi ( View Profile) - Posts: 416
Posted: January 31, 2011 at 10:31 AM EST
I honestly can’t to actually play with the thing. Its gonna be amazing.
Barracuda Bob Not Registered
Posted: January 31, 2011 at 11:25 AM EST
I hope there is another plant or two involved in production. Those numbers don’t see to be high enough to support the potential demand. Then again, maybe they want to create an “artificial” shortage to make it seem like they are in higher demand.
Terrence T ( View Profile) - Posts: 1820
Posted: January 31, 2011 at 11:44 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9800 | OS 6.0.0.450
Me too!! I want it!
But, why not the usual places – turkey/mexico/hungary/(brazil?)
Jay ( View Profile) - Posts: 1363
Posted: February 26, 2011 at 8:24 PM EST
200, 000 does seem way too low. I wonder why RIM doesn’t ramp it up. I hope they have a huge stockpile somewhere.
DavidB ( View Profile) - Posts: 1791
Posted: February 28, 2011 at 3:25 PM EST
No kidding. but I guess RIM is thinking low and hoping high, rather than thinking high and resulting in low, from a sales perspective. Such a low production number, if true, doesn’t show to ME at least that RIM has a lot of confidence in the unit being a commercial success.