Apple Sells Over 300,000 iPads on First Day

[BobVB]

Just a story...

I have an MIT friend who I IM with regularly - he and I agreed we wouldn't be getting an iPad, "what would we use it for". But his work asked him to pick one up for development purposes. He did. He used it all weekend. Now he is trying to decide if he should wait for the 3G model to buy for himself or get a wifi model and a mefi.

He loves it - consume media all over the house, watch movie streaming from Netflix on the couch, stream a recipe how to video in the kitchen, and it really does work over 9 hours on a charge.

If you don't think you want one don't get it, but don't think you know what you're talking about until you've had a chance to use one.

 

[Hal Itosis]

Your argument suggests that in the early iPod days consumers failed to see the functionality they would gain by dropping their CDs; whereas these days iPad adoption means the loss of a lot of the functionality a laptop brings. Skypers, to pull one example, don't want that functionality taken from them, and are therefore shunning this device.

Skypers what now?

 

[tdmac]

Besides from being bigger, how is this different than the Touch? Please list the ways. That's like saying a 13 inch MBP is totally different than a 17 inch MBP. Could they offer a different experience? Sure, but they're the same device.

Ok... so lets just say its the same but bigger. The ipod touch is ultra portable. But by no means a great device to use as a main source of consuming media, writing small articles, etc. The screen is too small on an everyday basis to make watching movies, reading books, surfing the web, writing articles or papers enjoyable. Yes you can play games on the touch but the iPad opens up that experience to play on a much larger screen and be more immersed into the game. Not to mention with the increased real estate, you can create apps that show more info to take advantage of the real estate.

For less than twice the price, of an equal memory size ipod touch you get a screen over 2.5 times the size and Better resoultion. Also, the speed is by far greater than the ipod touch. Who knows come the next iPod touch revision how this will fare but can only compare as of today. Also, the touch screen, with the size and number of touch sensors allows for a better control experience than the iPod touch. If you wanted to use apps where you have to type, then the larger (almost full size) keyboard will be a godsend.

Thus the iPad will let you do more visually than you can on a device like the ipod. Again I see nothing wrong with calling this even a larger iPod touch if you want to take that approach. I think there is a large demand for those that have been using iphones & ipod touches but wish that they could view all of the same content on larger screens for a better viewing experience. This is what you are buying.

Is a 13" MBP different than a 17" MBP? As you said it yourself they are a similar device but due to the screen size they offer a different experience. So does the iPad.

 

[zacman]

IPhone lost 10.2% marketshare in 2009, it lost 4.5% in Q4/2009 and another 3.2% in Feb '10.

http://www.cultofmac.com/android-marketshare-grows-while-iphone-market-shrinks/32402

 

[seedster2]

some really valid arguments made throughout this thread. Wish everyone wasn't so abusive to one another and didn't feel the need resort to rhetoric or make it OS X vs. W7.

I think it was a pure master plan. As we all agree upon, at least most of us (because the netbook lovers will never say anything good about this), it's a new product placement. So, the 'faithful' buy it. They show it of during Easter when the whole family is together. Apple knew they had to get this in the hand of people to understand how this product fit their lifestyle, as there isn't anything comparable. Pure genius to use a holiday for it. Plus they can use this extra day to reset the stores back to 'normal'...

I do think that apple's decision to release the iPad this weekend was two-fold. They likely had tempered expectations about its release numbers and also it does indeed give the word of mouth and media frenzy around the device to permeate the non-geeks. Keep in mind it is increasingly difficult to meet these extraordinary 1M sold release weekends. 300k is a great launch

Impressive numbers for such an expensive device, but otherwise, not really. I have never experienced such a media blitz for any other device. For God sakes, there were 4 difference stories running on CNN.com this weekend. Was this really news?

For an unknown comidity, I could see this picking up steam in the coming months. But, it's not. Everyone with an iPhone or an iPod Touch already know about this item. It's not like people are going to "discover" this in the coming month. Most people on planet Earth already know about this.

2nd, the price is too much. The average customer will compare these prices to netbooks and will be scared away. And remember, the iPhone didn't become super popular until it became subsidized (and affordable to the masses).

3rd, it offers no necessary function. The iPhone is a phone. Who doesn't have a cellphone? It's a necessity. Due the iPhone's phone part being a necessity, most people were/are able to easily justify it's purchase. Not so with the ipad, unless we see some drastic changes in the coming months.

I think these are all valid points that came into play when many consider the device. It's a lot easier to justify the iPhone when these considerations are factored.

The real reason there is no multitasking is that Apple has to castrate functions so it doesn't cannibalize the MacBook.

Indeed. SJ may say he doesnt fear internal cannibalization, but this product will evolve as adoption increases.

But it's ok. The iPad is a 'so-so' laptop replacement this year. It'll be an 'ok' laptop replacement next year and it'll be a 'pretty good' laptop replacement in 2012. The goal here is not to replace the laptop today. The iPad is going to squeeze the laptop over the next 10 years.

This first model is a good start for that plan. Nothing more. Nothing less.

I hope and agree that this is how the product will evolve. Apple is fortunate that they can update the OS to help mitigate some of the recognized shortcomings in order to spur sales of those sitting on the fence.

It's not (really) any different!

Man, I really wish Apple would have just called the darn thing the iPod Touch XL. Then most people on these forums wouldn't have their panties in a bunch about this being the second coming of the computer.

Regardless of what Steve said.....or what people think he said.....it's not a laptop. It's not a netbook. It's a big iPod Touch. Because of it's size, it can do "other" things that aren't possible or practical on the Touch.

Apple is going to market the thing however they can to sell it. If people are stupid enough to just believe whatever comes out of Steve's mouth....or the Apple marketing department, then you know what.....I have swampland in Florida to sell you....PM me for the details. Go to the Apple Store and try it. If you like it...and it does what you need it to....and (this part is important)....you have the money to spend on it, then viola! you can buy it!

BTW....if you don't like it....then please just don't buy it.....it really is that simple.

-Kevin

PS. Pepsi is better than Coke because I just saw a Pepsi ad on TV and they said so!

I think it would be better received as an iPod Touch XL as well. In many minds, it is competing with netbooks. As sales show, many are happy with their netbook's performance. It's all about framing.

Consumers DO what usability. But they have been programmed to also want features. Want proof? Look at how many consumers buy the latest megapixel camera when all they do is shoot to share pics online. Are you aware that a 3 megapixel camera shoots great images for 4x6 prints. There's little to no reason to get a 14 megapixel camera unless you're going to print billboards, murals or huge poster prints.

People buy the latest and great laptops and desktops because they are programmed to want more. A LOT of people have more storage space than they would even need. And many buy computers to just do things like Microsoft Office, email and surf the web a bit. The computers today are overpowered for MANY (not all or most) usage cases. But that doesn't stop people from buying them.

This is so true. Useability is important but consumers want to feel that their dollar is stretching in these times. You've seen it in the horsepower race, gas efficiency, megapixels, etc

 

[AwakenedLands]

Now do these "first day sales" numbers include all the pre-orders? Seems like it. If so, basically they are saying 300k units sold in a couple of weeks, but attribute them all to one day of sales.

Have to love marketing spin

 

[BigJimmyC]

So the big question is: will AAPL reach $300 per share by the end of the year?

Not bloody likely. A number of people on this forum were speculating that it could bump up by $10 today, but as of right now it's only up $1.26 (on a day when the NASDAQ and S&P are also up). I wouldn't count on any recently acquired AAPL stock to finance your new renovations.

 

[milo]

Now do these "first day sales" numbers include all the pre-orders? Seems like it. If so, basically they are saying 300k units sold in a couple of weeks, but attribute them all to one day of sales.

Have to love marketing spin

You should just read the release from Apple, it explains it.

It is the number of iPads that went into the hands of customers in the first day. So it includes units sold in stores as well as preorders that were received by customers on Saturday. Considering that 3G units don't ship for a few more weeks meaning it's only some of the preorders, whether you call it "spin" or not, getting 300k units into the hands of customers in one day is pretty damn impressive.

 

[ten-oak-druid]

Not bloody likely. A number of people on this forum were speculating that it could bump up by $10 today, but as of right now it's only up $1.26 (on a day when the NASDAQ and S&P are also up). I wouldn't count on any recently acquired AAPL stock to finance your new renovations.

I'm talking the end of the year. Not one day.

I purchased some a few months back. It's gone up by $30 a share since then.

I've seen several jumps of $4 in a day during that time. I expect steady increase through release of ipad/ipad 3G/ new apps and later when back to school and Yule roll around. I'm not an analyst but I'm thinking if it doesn't reach $300 a share it will be close by december.

If you wanted to buy stock to earn money on the ipad release the other day, the time to buy was several months ago, not last Friday.

As for AAPL vs. the market, as I've watched my investment grow these last few months, I've witnessed several days of AAPL growth when the markets as a whole were down. Occasionally the opposite occurs but its not the norm.

We'll see.

 

[Fran-tastic]

I remember a sale projection that estimated 6% iPad sold in the first week, out of the 4.1m projected for this year. I think is selling good already.

And people should stop compare this device with other just to see what it doesn't have. What about what you could do with it that you cannot with laptops or netbooks?

If dosn't fit your needs, get a joojoo, there you have all the flash you want.
Kindle is a good if you want just read eBooks even compare to the iPad.
Or wait for HP, but on this one are you sure that you will get what you expect without disappointment?

What about third party apps?

Another good alternative? A ModBook.

Has everything you wish: OSX, multitasking, camera, USB, CD-ROM and HHD. You have alternatives just pick yours.

 

[*LTD*]

The pre-orders include only units DELIVERED, that means, it doesn't count any of the iPads scheduled to arrive later nor the MASSIVE QUANTITIES of pre-ordered 3G iPads.

 

[ddarko]

IPhone lost 10.2% marketshare in 2009, it lost 4.5% in Q4/2009 and another 3.2% in Feb '10.

http://www.cultofmac.com/android-marketshare-grows-while-iphone-market-shrinks/32402

To quote Mark Twain: there are lies, damn lies and statistics. First of all, which nobody who posted this data pointed out, this purports to measure "mobile web consumption." What is that? The study doesn't say but most likely, page hits. It most certainly doesn't measure app usage or units sold. As Quantcast, the firm that produced the data itself pointed out:

While Apple’s market share continues to decline (remember they’re still gaining the most in absolute mobile web consumption), the competition have a long way to go before there’s a real fight on their hands.

http://blog.quantcast.com/quantcast/2010/03/mobile-os-share.html

Secondly, none of this is surprising. In fact, it would be surprising if there WASN'T a bump during this time period since Android introduced a new device while Apple's phone has been unchanged. New cool phone in users hands -> new usage. Staggering correlation, huh? Want to see a similar bump in Apple's share? Wait until June. So the data may be interesting but it's unremarkable and it certainly doesn't support the "iPhone is dying" distortion.

 

[skyehill]

Are you trolling from your vast experience of actually using an iPad ?

Vast? You mean the past 3 days? Sure. My wife bought one, and you know what? It's nothing more than a giant Touch. Right on down to the idiotic "feature" that only one person can configure it. So basically if more than one person in the household wants to configure the thing for their own use...they'll need to buy their own. Lame. Really frickin' lame.

 

[milo]

Vast? You mean the past 3 days? Sure. My wife bought one, and you know what? It's nothing more than a giant Touch. Right on down to the idiotic "feature" that only one person can configure it. So basically if more than one person in the household wants to configure the thing for their own use...they'll need to buy their own. Lame. Really frickin' lame.

So how does she like it?

And if you think so little of it, did you try and talk her out of getting it?

Hopefully the multiuser issue will be addressed with the upcoming OS 4.

 

[skyehill]

So the best feature of the iPad is that it sells well?

That's the only feature Apple fanboys give a damn about. Unless of course you point out how tiny their computing marketshare is...and then sales suddenly dont matter.

 

[Dooger]

Skypers what now?

Sweet, is it fully functional? What sort of picture quality do you get when video chatting?

 

[skyehill]

So how does she like it?

And if you think so little of it, did you try and talk her out of getting it?

Hopefully the multiuser issue will be addressed with the upcoming OS 4.

She's an Apple fangirl, so she loves it for the most part. She hated it when the ABC app kept crashing over and over. She hated that many of the app makers decided to rape everyone with updated versions of apps they already bought. ABC has since fixed their app this morning, so she's happily watching Dancing With the Stars. Our daughter thinks its cool, but hates that she can't visit her gaming websites (club penguin etc) because the stupid thing doesn't support Flash. I get that Apple thinks Flash is bad, but to not support the world standard is both egotistical and moronic.

The biggest gripe my wife has is how heavy the thing is and how unwieldy it is to simply hold and type with two hands on. In order to do so you will need a case of some kind.

 

[Dooger]

Vast? You mean the past 3 days? Sure. My wife bought one, and you know what? It's nothing more than a giant Touch. Right on down to the idiotic "feature" that only one person can configure it. So basically if more than one person in the household wants to configure the thing for their own use...they'll need to buy their own. Lame. Really frickin' lame.

ROFL
Dude, it might of cost you $500, but you've learned a very important lesson this weekend: Don't believe the hype.
Glad to have you on board!

 

[pdjudd]

I get that Apple thinks Flash is bad, but to not support the world standard is both egotistical and moronic.

Exactly what standardizing body has certified that? Last I checked Flash is a proprietary format.

 

[cmaier]

Exactly what standardizing body has certified that? Last I checked Flash is a proprietary format.

Standards come both in de jure and de facto varieties.

 

[MarcelV]

Now do these "first day sales" numbers include all the pre-orders? Seems like it. If so, basically they are saying 300k units sold in a couple of weeks, but attribute them all to one day of sales. Have to love marketing spin

Not just marketing spin. For accounting purposes, and therefore important for investors, you can't book the sales of products till you ship the items. So, technically, they sold them all on Saturday...

 

[pdjudd]

Standards come both in de jure and de facto varieties.

Yes, but they are not the same thing. Calling it a "world standard" sounded to me like they were implying that it was an official standard. Lot's of people would disagree. Heck the farthest I would go is that it's a popular format.

Anyway that was my interpretation of the posting.

 

[killerrobot]

I read the 700,000 predictions and almost laughed myself to death.

300,000 seems normal. It would be nice to know how many units Best Buy bought?

300k is a good start for an Apple product, but I do wonder how this will affect their laptop, iPod, and iPhone sales.

 

[cmaier]

Yes, but they are not the same thing. Calling it a "world standard" sounded to me like they were implying that it was an official standard. Lot's of people would disagree. Heck the farthest I would go is that it's a popular format.

Anyway that was my interpretation of the posting.

Sure. At best it's a de facto standard. But de facto standards are still important. Hence Microsoft's lock on office file formats, etc.

 

[diabolic]

Not just marketing spin. For accounting purposes, and therefore important for investors, you can't book the sales of products till you ship the items. So, technically, they sold them all on Saturday...

and this doesn't include any 3G pre-order either.