iPad 3, an Exclusive Pegatron Affair?

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Today we’re getting one step closer to the iPad 3, although it may be a very long while until we see the device in stores, no matter what wishful rumors may claim. It seems that Apple has already secured a main iPad 3 manufacturer in China, and, despite what you may think, it’s not Foxconn, Apple’s traditional iDevice maker in the region.

The iPad 3 contract has been snatched up by Pegatron, and the company will be the exclusive third-gen iPad maker for Apple. This is the second major score for Pegatron, after the company secured an impressive similar Apple contract for making 15 million iPhone units.

When will Pegatron start the iPad 3 production? I can certainly speculate on it and concoct iPad 3 release dates for you based on the existing rumors out there, but at this time I happen to think that the iPad 3 will only be launched in 2012, although a new iPad 2 HD (a somewhat upgraded iPad 2 model) may be launched later this year.

While Apple decided to award the iPad 3 contract to Pegatron, the main iPad parts suppliers will remain the same: TPK Holdings Ltd. for touch panels, Simplo Technology Co. Ltd. and Dynapack International Technology Corp. for battery pack modules, Largan Precision Co. for camera lens modules and Foxconn Technology Co. Ltd. for PC housings.

As for us, the consumers, we should appreciate Pegatron for the lower bid it offered for producing the iPad 3. We have no financial details regarding this new Apple and Pegatron endeavor, but it’s pretty clear that a lower production costs will only help Apple maintain, or even lower the price of the third-gen iPad while upgrading the tablet’s main specs and features at the same time especially considering that everyone else in the business is very interested in building a similar device this year.

What do you think, will Apple launch the iPad 3 in time for Christmas this year?