New iPad Launches to 'Record Weekend' in Sales

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During today's financial conference call, one analyst asked if Apple would be issuing a press release about last weekend's launch sales numbers for the iPad. Apple refocused the conversation back on their dividend announcement but did reveal that they had a "record weekend" and were "thrilled with it."

Apple launched the new iPad in 10 countries on Friday, March 16th. The iPad saw long lines in some areas, though Apple was able to retain stock in many U.S. locations. Apple has yet to release actual sales numbers for the initial launch. The initial iPad sold 300,000 units in the first day and went on to sell 1 million units by 28 days. The iPad 2 initial sales numbers were never released, though long lines and sales shortages were common in the weeks after its launch.

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Top Rated Comments

Caliber26 Avatar
178 months ago
Don't underestimate the power of Retina.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
soco Avatar
178 months ago
I think their supply being higher this year made it seem like it wasn't selling as well.

Clearly this isn't the case. Blockbuster release as usual. :D
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PhoneI Avatar
178 months ago
I would argue that Apple has kinda saturated the market and your average joe blow is not going to buy the ipad 3, if they have a 2.

I would argue that you are incorrect. There was no iPad 2 pre-orders. Therefore everybody had to wait in line.

We will know soon, but I bet the sales were in the millions.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gregintosh Avatar
178 months ago
Apple typically talks about units sold and not shipped, so I am sure they will have some statistics for that.

Maybe they are also waiting for the scalpers to return their hoards of units so that they can report how many actually went out to customers.

It would be kind of dubious to say that they sold 1,000,000 units on day 1 and call that a big success when in reality many scalpers got 10-20 units each and are returning them as the days move on.

My personal estimate is that they sold at least 1 or 2 million on launch day, with most of those being pre-orders.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JGowan Avatar
178 months ago
I've bought before (iPads 1 & 2) -- but this time I decided the wife and I didn't need to share anymore and got 2 of them on Saturday. We were prepared to leave the store disappointed with a "we're out of that model", but the Apple said "We have every model in stock". $2100 later we left the store.

2 - 64GB Black; Verizon 4G LTE; 1 blue smart cover; 1 red smart cover; 2 AppleCare+ Coverage; 1 huge credit card bill!

Fortunately, we're getting $2200 back from Uncle Sam on our taxes. Thanks, Sam!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dukeblue91 Avatar
178 months ago
No lines for the "new" ipad 2s/3!

There was no need for lines as they had pre orders and huge amount of stock at the beginning this time around.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)