Apple (AAPL)’s 2012 growth target for MacBook sales is unlikely to be attained, according to a new report. Citing sources within Taiwan-based Apple supply chain makers, Digitimes on Wednesday reported that shipments of Apple’s new MacBook notebooks in the 4th quarter aren’t going to ramp up enough to reach the iPhone/iPad-maker’s 2012 goals.
Apple had targeted 30% growth in fiscal 2012, but actual growth is expected to reach just 7% on a year-over-year basis. Market research firm IDC estimated that Apple shipped 12.824 million MacBook notebooks in 2011.
Pushing a 30% annual growth rate would have to see Apple record a total shipment of 16.67 million MacBooks, but DigiTimes’ sources estimate that 2012 MacBook shipments will reach just 13.783 million units.
DigiTimes says that the main reason for the missed target, is the timing of Apple’s recent MacBook refresh, since the brand new line-up of iMac desktops and Macbook Pro laptops didn’t launch until late October.
Apple shares closed Wednesday down $22.20, or 3.83%, to $558 ; 147 points lower to the ticker’s all-time high of $705.07 back in September.
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