Per AppleInsider, Apple has reportedly purchased a number of screens ranging from 4″ to 12″ over the last few years, as it explores its possible entry into the tablet and sub-notebook market, according to a financial analyst.
In a research note issued Tuesday, Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu revealed that Apple has bought screen sizes of 4″, 7″, 9″, 10″ and 12″ inches over the last two years. Some of the purchases were allegedly of such a large amount that the firm suspects they were for more than a simple sample, but a more significant small production run.
“We are under the impression that these screens could be used in new form factors including a sub-notebook and/or tablet, and would more likely launch in 2010 as opposed to 2009,” the note reads. “As usual, exact timing is always tough to pinpoint as Apple works on its own schedule.”
Wu stated that he expects the new form factor adopted by Apple to help carry the company’s stock higher. Kaufman Bros. has set a price target of US$184 for AAPL stock and recommends that investors buy.