The Apple iPad 3 will apparently being going into production late 2011, according to Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro.

It has been said that manufacturers will start its assembly line with its first million Apple iPad 3 tablets in the fourth quarter of 2011, Apple will announce its results October 18th and these will be very good indeed, especially after the iPhone 4S public release.

This means that the iPad will start production before the Christmas period, with 0.6 to 1-millions tablet units forecasted for 4Q production.

If Apple has ordered manufacturers to start the iPad 3 assembly line, does this mean the iPad mini will come before or after the iPad 3? According to BGR the iPad Mini will not be smaller in size but will be produced to compete with the new Amazon Kindle Fire.

Apple will do very well with the iPad 3 even if they do not make changes to the design, millions had doubts that the new iPhone 4S without its design change would not be favoured, but this was proven wrong with over 4 million units sold in one weekend.

As soon as we know more about the iPad 3, we will let you know. In the meantime please do let us know what features you would like to see on the new iPad 3 tablet PC.

Apple shares today closed up $6.24, or 1.6%, at $408.43.

Source — Barron’s