Rumor: Asus nabs iBook orders


An IGM source here in Taiwan reports that AsusTek has apparently inked a deal with Apple to produce iBook consumer portables. Although specifics aren't listed, this deal is likely a continuation of iBook production at a Taoyuan, Taiwan factory Asus recently purchased from Elitegroup Computer.

If in fact this news signal continuation of iBook production at the Taoyuan factory, Asus will only assemble the consumer portables. Other elements of this popular product's manufacture -- screens, mainboards, etc -- are produced under contract by still other makers.

In related news, the same source tells IGM that Hon Hai (Foxconn) has produced over 20,000 G5 PowerMacs in recent weeks. No word is available on what configurations have been manufactured.

With PowerMac production now centered in Taiwan, the future fate of Apple's Elk Grove, California factory would seem to be in question.

Editor's note: Vertically integrated computer makers are increasingly rare in this day and age. Apple's once worldwide manufacturing network has been heavily paired back over the last five years. Their plant Singapore (second paragraph) late last year was the most recent casualty.