Apple says iPad sales rate accelerating

Apple on Tuesday revealed that it had sold three million iPads as of the start of the week. The figure comes just 80 days after the US-only launch of the tablet and shows the sales rate accelerating, as it had already passed two million in two months. It reiterated that the international expansion was still on track as nine more countries are due to get the iPad next month.

The results nearly guarantee that the iPad will pass some analyst expectations, as Apple will have shipped over three million iPads by the time its fiscal quarter finishes at the end of this month. Predictions for the tablet category's results this year have ranged from as little as 3.5 million for the entire market to 10 million units just for Apple. iPad sales are now certain to match the lower estimate just in the spring quarter alone and could beat the high end given the historical upswing in sales towards the holidays.

By Electronista Staff