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Apr. 5, 2010

Earlier this morning, Apple has confirmed that it sold no less than 300,000 of its new iPad units in the U.S. alone on the first day the highly anticipated tablet computer was available in stores Saturday.

The electronic device maker added that the 300,000 number also includes deliveries of pre-ordered iPads, deliveries to channel partners and all sales at its many Apple retail stores located in the U.S.

Apple didn't provide sales numbers for Sunday, however, but some observers say they could top 50,000 more units.

The company also said iPad users downloaded about 1.1 million mobile apps from Apple's App Store and over 250,000 ebooks from its iBookstore during Saturday's launch of the iPad.

To be sure, overall expectations for the iPad's debut varied widely, with some forecasts calling for sales in the range of 650,000 to 720,000 in the first day.

However, wireless industry analysts said first-day sales do not necessarily reflect how the iPad will do over the longer term that it is offered to the public.

Shaw Wu, analyst at Kaufman Brothers wrote in a research report "we believe the new iPad has the potential to become a high volume device as it could revolutionize publishing and gaming markets, not to mention mobile computing itself."

"Our concern for now is that it may take several quarters to a few years before we really find out what the potential really is," added Wu.

He expects Apple to sell 10 million iPads over the next 12 months, with sales climbing as high as 20 million next year. Other analysts think Wu's projections are a bit optimistic, but not all agree.

While the iPad's first day wasn't as spectacular as some had anticipated, many Wall Street analysts still raised price targets for Apple stock closer to $300 a share.

We are now expecting fresh new sales numbers from Apple as the week progresses. We will keep you posted.

"The iPad connects users with their apps and content in a far more intimate and fun way than ever before. We can't wait for users to get their hands and fingers on it this weekend," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, in a statement.

The iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models Saturday in the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $499 for 16 GB, $599 for 32 GB and $699 for 64 GB.

The Wi-Fi + 3G models, with exclusive Internet connectivity only through AT&T, will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16 GB, $729 for 32 GB and $829 for 64 GB.

Apple began taking pre-orders for the iPad on March 12, promising to get the device to eager buyers by its store launch date of April 3rd.

iPad customers who placed pre-orders by March 27 will receive the device by that date, where Saturday delivery is available, but Apple said on Sunday that new pre-orders won't be shipped out until April 12, however.

Two years ago, it was the iPhone. Now Apple is doing it again with its new iPad. When Apple announced the launch of the iPad in late January, some skeptics made fun of its name. It looks now that Apple will have the last laugh, by laughing all the way to the bank with its new iPad device.

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Source: Apple.