According to reports, the latest version of Apple's tablet computer, the iPad 3 is already under production in factories in China.

Sources from Apple's supply chain have said that the company's partner started production at the beginning of this month. They said that factories are running non stop in the country and churning out thousands of units.

The new version of the tablet will feature a more impressive screen and offer faster video graphics and Long Term Evolutionary (4G) capabilities and others. Pegatron Technology, which is one of the biggest manufacturers of the iPad, has reportedly started filing an order of iPad 3 units to be released in March.

The indications came after technology website iLounge has shown a new shell of the new iPad backstage at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas recently.

Sources said that iPad 3 is very similar to the earlier version except it is slightly thicker than iPad 2. Apple has not commented on reports about circulating a third generation tablet, Apple TV and an iPhone 5 that are circulating last year.