Not anymore, they seem to be selling the new iPads and the old iPads, which will mean two display sizes. Still, your point holds.
The other issue is that Apple has enough money to invest in factories, not that it owns them, but it can put money up front to encourage building them. I would not be surprised if they had a 1 year hold on screens of this size, just as they did for the iphone 4 (although even today noone is using the same screens as the 4).
Yet, Im really interessted how Apple actually deals with its suppliers. My guess is that they are not really, well how should I put it, nice? to deal with. Judging from their enourmous growth AND their steady growing profits, Apple prouved an impressive upward flexibility. To manage that you have to be a pain the ass for your suppliers, yet you have to fair.
Pretty cool how they walk that razors edge. Guess Apple dominace is a major for the competition in more than one way.
The other issue is that Apple has enough money to invest in factories, not that it owns them, but it can put money up front to encourage building them. I would not be surprised if they had a 1 year hold on screens of this size, just as they did for the iphone 4 (although even today noone is using the same screens as the 4).