Apple Tablet delayed until late 2010?

The rumors just keep rolling in on Apple’s now legendary tablet. Sadly, they don’t always get better. The latest rumor from DigiTimes claims we’ll have to wait even longer to get our hands on that Apple Tablet we all want so badly. But don’t get too sad, the extended wait is said to bring some benefits, like a lower price and an OLED option.

The rumor states that Apple decided to postpone the launch of the tablet to allow time to have a second tablet model with a 9.7 inch OLED screen. This would be in addition to a 10.6 inch TFT LCD model. OLED would obviously cost more, but the delay may have an added benefit of lowering the price of said panel.

They go on to state that displays normally account for about 30% of the total cost of a device such as this, and with current 9.7 inch OLED panels going for around $500 that sets the total manufacturing price at $1500-$1700 and a retail price up to $2000.

What!? It was just a few months ago that this rumored Apple Tablet was going to hit the sweet spot between netbooks and laptops in terms of price. I know it’s not in Apple’s moral fiber to produce a machine with less than stellar parts, but come on! Two grand is simply too much for such a device. Of course, the rumor also states that the 10.6 inch LCD model should be a bit less than a grand. That’s a bit more manageable, but I’m not sure I’m convinced overall.

Wouldn’t it be easier and more appealing to consumers to have an LED LCD model, for say, $1000? I wouldn’t be happy paying this much for—based on all of the available rumors—what appears to be an overgrown iPod touch. But I think I would likely talk myself into the purchase anyway. Now, about this two grand option; not a chance. OLED may be amazing, but I’d have to see a much more significant price drop to justify an upgrade like that for a device like this. And honestly, it would likely happen in a year or so, which is also about the time I’d expect Apple to release a refreshed version anyway.

As much as I don’t want to wait any longer for Apple’s long rumored tablet, I’m convinced enough by this article to accept its timeline. I don’t find it hard to believe Apple would wait even longer to release a device—even with this much hype—until it’s exactly the way they want it. I just wish they’d get there quicker.

Via Gizmodo