Analyst: Apple tablet not coming until 2010

Despite reports around the Web that Apple will release a tablet computer in time for the holiday shopping season, one analyst says we shouldn’t expect to see the device until 2010.

Gene Munster, senior research analyst with Piper Jaffray, says he doesn’t expect the tablet computer until early in the new year. Munster basis his opinion on a conversation with an Asian component supplier who said that orders from Apple for the device will not be fulfilled until later this year.

Gene Munsters representation of the Apple Tablet

According to Munster’s research report, Apple could see sales of about 2 million in 2010. At $600 per device, Apple would generate about $1.2 billion in additional revenue from the tablet.

Like most other published reports, Munster believes the tablet will be similar to the iPod touch, only larger. He does expect the tablet to run a new version of the Mac OS X operating system that will allow it to run apps available for the iPhone, and also run a larger class of applications specific to the tablet.

Munster believes the tablet would cost between $500-$700 and fill the gap between the iPod touch and the MacBook. He also expects the device to be released at a special Apple event in the new year.

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[Via=Apple Official Site]