The story is not surprising, but the numbers may be. In less than 3 months, Apple sold 3 million iPads.
For those keeping tabs, that’s about 3 million in 80 days, with 1 million alone sold in the last 20 days. Apple said that the iPad had reaced the 2 million sales mark after 60 days. It took Apple almost a month to sell the first million.
Wall Street is undoubtedly surprised. Some analysts believe that it would sell 2 million in the first year alone. Like everyone else, Wall Street did not expect this to happen. But for now, Apple is enjoying its success. So can it continue with this level of interest? This may be a tough standard to maintain. The pizzaz may wear off, or other manufacturers may release their own version; in other words, the market place may catch up. But for now, will Apple be able to maintain the record breaking pace of 1 million iPads sold per month?
Recently Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that the iPad will be going on sale in nine more countries in the next month. Having a new market to sell your products will certainly help. But they have not indicated how many of its iPad sales are international. However, the sales, even if half of the domestic sales would be noteworthy.
The question is, why is there a surprise to the success of the iPad? Many writers are addressing this question from the snazzy look and feel of the iPad, to the convenience it provides, to the Apps that are on it, and to the alternative it offers to the regular user of a PC. As a business system, the PC is a long way from dead, but as a consumer and entertainment tool, it may be on its death throes. Specialized PC’s already exist that exist as better entertainment vehicles, like the gaming computers. The Xbox and similar devices are PC’s but whose functionality is restricted to one area.
