Apple is reportedly working, in conjunction with its suppliers and manufactures, on the trial production of the iPad 3 that should kick-off around October.

According to industry sources, the Cupertino-based firm has already placed with its Chinese and Taiwanese manufactures, orders for 1.5 million units that will probably start shipping in early 2012. Earlier today the Wall Street Journal reported:

Apple’s suppliers have already shipped small quantities of components for the sampling of the iPad 3. Suppliers said Apple has placed orders for a 9.7-inch screen device.
One component supplier to Apple said the company has already placed orders for parts for about 1.5 million iPad 3s in the fourth quarter.

As reported earlier last week, Apple has already started trial manufacturing its new A6 processor, which will be produced by the Taiwan-based foundry TSMC rather than its rival Samsung.  Apple’s new A6 chip is expected to power the next-generation iPad and possibly a 2012 iPhone as well as a future MacBook Air.

There have been issues with the new and improved HD display, which will likely feature a 2048 x 1536 resolution, and it seems that Apple may invest $1 billion on a new Sharp LCD plant, to secure displays for its iPhones and iPads while limiting its reliance upon any single supplier.