Asustek Computer on June 27 launched MeMO Pad HD 7, a 7-inch Android 4.2 tablet equipped with a MediaTek-developed quad-core processor, 1280 by 800 IPS touch screen, and 1.2-megapixel front camera and 5-megapixel rear camera, in the Taiwan market at a retail price of NT$5,990 (US$198), according to the company. Asustek aims to ship 12 million tablets in 2013.
Because Google has not yet given a firm launch schedule for its second-generation Nexus 7, which Asustek originally hoped would help pump up its shipment volume, the Taiwan-based vendor has decided to release the MeMO Pad HD 7 early to boost its shipment figures, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.
Asustek shipped 6.3 million tablets in 2012 with the first-generation Nexus 7 contributing most of the volume. The company shipped about three million units in the first quarter of 2013 and may only ship 2-2.3 million units in the second quarter. For the second half, Asustek hopes its MeMO Pad HD 7 and the second-generation Nexus 7 can together contribute about 5.5 million units and help it to achieve its 12 million unit shipment goal for 2013, the sources noted.
Article translated by Joseph Tsai
