Reuters: Aluminum iTablet/iSlate Set for Q2 Launch?

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

Hey, wow, look here -- more Apple iTablet/iSlate rumors, and this time they're bringing aluminum (unibody?) casing rumors along for the wild ride:

Suppliers for Apple Inc's new tablet computer have begun shipping touchscreen panels and will start delivering aluminum casings for it next month, sources said, implying a second-quarter product launch.

Does aluminum, which was removed from the iPhone with the 2nd gen iPhone 3G, make sense in an iTablet with an HSPA or CDMA radio? Or will that get the plastic finish, and the Wi-Fi only version get the aluminum? That would be two finishes like we heard rumored previously, and would mirror the iPhone/iPod touch model... What do you think?

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.