iPad Opening Weekend Pre-Orders Pegged at Roughly 150,000 Units

[peterdevries]

He is speculating the 1 million order figure on data consisting of only 120 orders and 137 iPad sales?

Ruahrc

I don't know if this has already been mentioned, but I can imagine that many people that ordered an iPad, also ordered a case and a keyboard, and maybe even a magic mouse. You can't just subtract the regular orders from the total orders of those days, because the iPad has a small "Halo effect" of its own... Therefore the actual iPad sales number is IMO a lot smaller.

 

[DaveSW]

I don't know if this has already been mentioned, but I can imagine that many people that ordered an iPad, also ordered a case and a keyboard, and maybe even a magic mouse. You can't just subtract the regular orders from the total orders of those days, because the iPad has a small "Halo effect" of its own... Therefore the actual iPad sales number is IMO a lot smaller.

the accessories are included in the order. they don't have a separate order no.

 

[pistolero]

Of course, short of Apple selling 300 million devices, one for each person in the US, some tech blogs would still call it a failure or only "fanbois" buying them.

It's ironic to me that the most derisive joke about the iPad ("so, it's just a big iPhone") may actually be its biggest selling point.

Agree. Many people are now familiar with finger based interfaces thanks to the iphone, and using this is extremely easy to transition to. Again, it is not a laptop replacement, just like an iphone/touch was never a laptop replacement either.

 

[Peter Harrison]

Interesting to see that Wifi-only is selling so well.

Looks like I might not be getting one after all... The fact that it is a bigger and faster iPhone/iPod Touch is perfect and it's exactly what I want. I use my iPhone for more computing than my MacbookPro. Now I can have a bigger screen and it's faster.

The problem is that I'm in the UK. Using the iPhone as my mobile phone is handy, and it saves carrying another device around with me, but primarly the iPhone is used for various apps and browsing the net etc. That's why I chose the iPhone over the iPod Touch... not for the phone part (which is good to have) but for the 3G data. I love being able to browse the net and use apps that require the internet where I go. If I get an iPad, it MUST be a 3G model. I'm glad they released a Wifi only model, because choice is better than no choice, and it seems so far the the Wifi model is very popular. The iPod Touch is very popular too, it's just not what I personally need. So, 3G iPad or no iPad.

The 3G deal you guys have in the US is fantastic. That's exactly what I want. I already pay a lot to use my iPhone 3G, so I'd like the OPTION to pay for the iPad to get online and I love that you can cancel and activate whenever you want to. Brilliant! But in the UK, there's been no news on that. And even worse, I just discovered there's a 3G page for the iPad: http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/3g

"To get 3G data service on your Wi-Fi + 3G iPad, you will need a Micro SIM card and a data plan. Check with your local wireless carrier for Micro SIM availability, data plan details and pricing."

That's the UK site. Note that it says that for 3G you should seek out carriers who use Micro SIMs. That's it. Go and find a deal yourself. I think the chances of us getting a US-like system here in the UK is unlikely. I think we're going to get O2 and Orange etc offering a contract over a year or two, where we pay monthly like we already do for the iPhone. This isn't what I want.

Without the 3G, the iPad loses a lot of fuction for me. I know it doesn't for most users, but it's an essential feature for what I do.

 

[OllyW]

That's the UK site. Note that it says that for 3G you should seek out carriers who use Micro SIMs. That's it. Go and find a deal yourself. I think the chances of us getting a US-like system here in the UK is unlikely. I think we're going to get O2 and Orange etc offering a contract over a year or two, where we pay monthly like we already do for the iPhone. This isn't what I want.

Without the 3G, the iPad loses a lot of fuction for me. I know it doesn't for most users, but it's an essential feature for what I do.

I think you are being a bit pessimistic, I would wait until your fears are confirmed before giving up hope. I'm expecting a range of 3G packages from the UK networks including non-contract deals.

Just be patient.

 

[Peter Harrison]

I think you are being a bit pessimistic, I would wait until your fears are confirmed before giving up hope. I'm expecting a range of 3G packages from the UK networks including non-contract deals.

Just be patient.

Oh, I am waiting. As I said, I "might" not be getting one anymore. For me, it comes down to the 3G deals. Wifi-only looks great, but isn't for me.

I am hoping they offer something similar. But if Apple isn't badgering them to do so, I'm sure the carriers would prefer people to sign up to a traditional contract. It does seem from that page that Apple aren't working to strike a deal with anyone over here, and that we're expected to rely on the carriers giving us whatever they want to give us. If it turns out that a contract is the only way to get 3G over here, this may actually boost sales of the Wifi-only model as people opt for the little Mifi things. I mean, if you're going to have to get a contract for 3G on the iPad, you may as well get a Mifi thing instead that will allow your cheaper Wifi-only iPad to get online, but things like Macbooks etc will get the advantage too. So save money on iPad and maybe get more use out of other devices. Though I assume Maps etc won't be able to use Current Location on the Wifi-only iPad... Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[vito]

AFAIK all UK carriers have various 3G data packages which can be used under a Pay and Go system so I wouldn't worry about it until there is an official announcement and + Wi-Fi for many SIM only deals (pay monthly - 30 day). You just need to combine the two together and remove any lengthy contracts for it to work well over here.

I'll be picking up 2!

 

[OllyW]

I am hoping they offer something similar. But if Apple isn't badgering them to do so, I'm sure the carriers would prefer people to sign up to a traditional contract. It does seem from that page that Apple aren't working to strike a deal with anyone over here, and that we're expected to rely on the carriers giving us whatever they want to give us.

How do you know that Apple, notorious as one of the most secretive companies in the tech world, isn't hard at work thrashing out deals with the UK networks?

 

[Peter Harrison]

How do you know that Apple, notorious as one of the most secretive companies in the tech world, isn't hard at work thrashing out deals with the UK networks?

I don't know. For the third time, I "might" not be getting one anymore. My reasoning comes from the official Apple website. For 3G, they suggest looking into carriers and inquiring about deals. At the start they had said they are going to be working on getting deals sorted with international carriers. Now, all the pages that made that claim are completely gone and the only page left on the site with similar information is the new one saying how great and useful 3G is and that if you want a data plan, go and find one. I hope Apple do have something up their sleeve, and it would be a huge selling point (in my opinion at least), but why make the 3G option look bad in the meantime? If they are planning something, I'd expect the website to be more mysterious, rather than simply informing us that 3G data plans are to be seeked out if we want them.

 

[Peter Harrison]

As for other carriers already offering Pay As You Go 3G, I'm just a bit worried about it being Micro SIM. It may work out in the long run, but the first companies to get Mico SIMs will be able to charge whatever they want for them seeing as they will be the only option besides mifi.

I just took a look at the pay as you go Mifi that 3 offers. Not too bad, but it's another thing to carry and another thing to worry about having charged. Knowing that my iPad can do it all without any extra modem would be better. But at least there's an option. Mifi + wifi-only iPad.

 

[fabulicious]

I LOVE the Huffington Post's headline to describe the flash-in-the-pan that IS the iPad:

"iPad sales plummet after first day"

 

[sanPietro98]

If HE is higher education, then it has been reported that there is no discount in edu apple store.

That may change when production catches up with demand in the future. That's likely to be quite a while though since will have to finish bulk of worldwide rollout for that to happen.

there don't seem to be any discounts on the iPad right now. My employer is in the Apple Employer Purchasing Program and we typically get roughly 7% off most products. There was no discount for the iPad.

 

[HyperZboy]

I'm not surprised by the high numbers of pre-orders.

However, I do think the disappointment level is going to be a bit high on this device when people realize it really doesn't replace their netbook or laptop and doesn't surf the web properly because of the lack of FLASH, not to mention the lack of a camera and multi-tasking and tethering capability.

I don't think many people realize that all of those capabilities are missing yet, especially with Apple mistakenly showing The NY Times w/ Flash support. I'm sure that confused some people.

I do think Apple will still sell quite a few, but probably not as much to match all the Apple hype.

I'm waiting for Revision B or C myself and I was a Day 1 iPhone buyer who waited in line at 2 different stores100 miles apart!

 

[ScottishDuck]

I'll wait for future revisions. Especially since my phone already has the same CPU/GPU as the iPad and fits in my pocket... and has longer battery life... and has a more open platform... and has flash...

 

[ugp]

I'll wait for future revisions. Especially since my phone already has the same CPU/GPU as the iPad and fits in my pocket... and has longer battery life... and has a more open platform... and has flash...

What phone do you have?

 

[BaldiMac]

What phone do you have?

It must be one on those iMaginary phones. It has all of the features that "should have been in the iPhone from day one" including the ability to ignore physics. It was also developed under time distortion.

 

[ugp]

It must be one on those iMaginary phones. It has all of the features that "should have been in the iPhone from day one" including the ability to ignore physics. It was also developed under time distortion.

Yeah because I am not aware of a phone out there with a 1GHz processor...and longer battery life than 10 hours of video playback as well...I would be interested in a phone like that!

 

[gwynne]

This article is now saying that the numbers are even higher than being guessed, but they're basing this off an anonymous 'analyst' who will not give specifics.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10703743/1/apple-ipad-sales-estimates-are-wrong.html

 

[Peter Harrison]

However, I do think the disappointment level is going to be a bit high on this device when people realize it really doesn't replace their netbook or laptop and doesn't surf the web properly because of the lack of FLASH, not to mention the lack of a camera and multi-tasking and tethering capability.

Well, I don't consider it a laptop replacement, I hate flash, I don't use the webcam and have no need to take photos on this thing, multi-tasking doesn't bother me in the slightest (as long as my music can play while I use apps like on the iPhone, that's enough for me). I do admit that tethering would be excellent, but it won't be a disappointment at all since I'm not expecting it.

So, everything you see wrong with the iPad simply isn't an issue for me. Not that it's the perfect device... (tethering is a great example of something that would improve it for me) I just feel you've listed non-reasons as far I'm personally concerned. You're obviously not wrong or anything, it's just not the product for you. But don't be surprised if it sells a lot more than you think. Just because you misunderstood what the product is supposed to do, don't assume others will. I think most people understand it isn't supposed to be a laptop replacement.

 

[HyperZboy]

Well, I don't consider it a laptop replacement, I hate flash, I don't use the webcam and have no need to take photos on this thing, multi-tasking doesn't bother me in the slightest (as long as my music can play while I use apps like on the iPhone, that's enough for me). I do admit that tethering would be excellent, but it won't be a disappointment at all since I'm not expecting it.

So, everything you see wrong with the iPad simply isn't an issue for me. Not that it's the perfect device... (tethering is a great example of something that would improve it for me) I just feel you've listed non-reasons as far I'm personally concerned. You're obviously not wrong or anything, it's just not the product for you. But don't be surprised if it sells a lot more than you think. Just because you misunderstood what the product is supposed to do, don't assume others will. I think most people understand it isn't supposed to be a laptop replacement.

Yes, it's true, I based my comments mostly on what I'd want such a device to do that the iPad obviously doesn't.

But also, Steve Jobs criticized run of the mill netbooks, and sort of said this device is better. So anyone going into the purchase with that idea in mind might very well be disappointed by all of the missing features I mentioned.

Because it really doesn't replace a netbook and except for the touchscreen, doesn't really offer many more capabilities. I intend to check one out for sure, but I think I'm waiting on this just because it doesn't do anything my iPhone doesn't now nor does it replace a netbook or laptop. If it had the features I mentioned, it would though, so I think Revision B or C on this might be a cool item to have.

The lack of FLASH doesn't bother me that much on my iPhone, but I think the iPad should have more of a computer OS, not a Phone OS and those missing features are more important to me for a device of this size than on the iPhone and I suspect might be also for other people.

But if you don't have an iPhone and don't need those capabilities when traveling, I'm sure there are plenty of people who will buy one given all the hype. I think they're satisfaction level might be a bit less though than the iPhone to anyone who already has an iPhone since this is basically a large version of it more so than a netbook replacement.

 

[BaldiMac]

To those who are in the "the iPad should have more of a computer OS, not a Phone OS" camp. Tablet PCs that have been around for more than 5 years running the desktop version of Windows. In 2009, estimates were that 1 million tablet and slate PCs combined were sold.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10442060-56.html?tag=mncol;title

The iPad could realistically pass that total in its first couple weeks of availability. Doesn't that indicate the possibility that Apple might possibly maybe have made the right decision in choosing the iPhone OS?

It's even conceivable that they could sell more iPads in one year than tablet PCs have sold in the last 5 years.

I'm not arguing with those people that would prefer the desktop version of OS X on a tablet. Just those that think Apple made a bad decision in using the iPhone OS.

 

[sanPietro98]

To those who are in the "the iPad should have more of a computer OS, not a Phone OS" camp. Tablet PCs that have been around for more than 5 years running the desktop version of Windows. In 2009, estimates were that 1 million tablet and slate PCs combined were sold.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10442060-56.html?tag=mncol;title

The iPad could realistically pass that total in its first couple weeks of availability. Doesn't that indicate the possibility that Apple might possibly maybe have made the right decision in choosing the iPhone OS?

It's even conceivable that they could sell more iPads in one year than tablet PCs have sold in the last 5 years.

I'm not arguing with those people that would prefer the desktop version of OS X on a tablet. Just those that think Apple made a bad decision in using the iPhone OS.

That was a logical, well-reasoned argument. What the hell are you doing here?!?

 

[HyperZboy]

That was a logical, well-reasoned argument. What the hell are you doing here?!?

Oh, I still think Apple will sell quite a few of them given the fact Jobs & Apple overhyped it a bit too much for what it does.

I just think more people will be disappointed that it really does almost nothing more than an iPhone on a bigger display and in some cases even less depending on which model you buy, at least so far.

That's why I'm waiting. It just doesn't replace anything I already own.

Anything is possible, but I don't think the sales won't hold up once people realize how crippled the device is.

For a screen that size, it should be able to do multiple windows/apps and properly surf the web. It does neither.

I hate to make a comparison to the Newton, but it is eerily similar since the hype on that device went way beyond its capabilities just like with the iPad.

 

[jragosta]

Interesting to see that Wifi-only is selling so well.

I think it's at least partially due to the fact that the 3G models won't ship for at least 6 weeks. Some people prefer to wait until closer to launch to order something.

I'm not surprised by the high numbers of pre-orders.

However, I do think the disappointment level is going to be a bit high on this device when people realize it really doesn't replace their netbook or laptop and doesn't surf the web properly because of the lack of FLASH, not to mention the lack of a camera and multi-tasking and tethering capability.

Do you think that there's a single iPad customer who doesn't realize that the iPad doesn't have Flash or multitasking for 3rd party apps?

Not to mention, of course, that in all the time since the iPad was announced, no one has explained why you need multitasking for non-Apple apps. Am I supposed to browse the web while I play games? Maybe send an email while shooting zombies? The kinds of things you're likely to do on the iPad don't benefit from multitasking. Fast app switching is more than sufficient 99.9% of the time.

Some of the critics of the iPad not being a "computer" remind me a little too much of the IBM mainframe salesmen who told their customers how these newfangled minicomputers couldn't do a fraction of what a "real" computer could do, and a couple decades later how the minicomputer salesmen told their customers that how these new PCs couldn't run any of the professional software you could only run on a "real" computer. A decade from now you may have to explain "Flash" to the younger ones the same way your uncle has to explain how cards with punch holes in them have anything to do with computers.

It's lack of vision. You'll find that more often than not, the people bashing Apple's products simply have no vision. They are inherently incapable of accepting something different from what they're already using.

 

[BaldiMac]

Oh, I still think Apple will sell quite a few of them given the fact Jobs & Apple overhyped it a bit too much for what it does.

Overhyped compared to what? Bill Gates has been telling people for years that Tablet PCs are the future. They've devoted multiple keynote presentations at major conferences to Tablet PCs. HP has run major ad campaigns around tablets.

Apple, on the other hand, has had one press conference and one commercial. And a history of success.

I just think more people will be disappointed that it really does almost nothing more than an iPhone on a bigger display and in some cases even less depending on which model you buy, at least so far.

It takes a real lack of imagination (or willful ignorance) to think that you won't be able to do more on a larger screen. The reasons for buying an iPad do not end at the included applications. The huge increase in the functionality of the third-party apps, not to mention iWork, that I have seen for the iPad is fantastic.

That's why I'm waiting. It just doesn't replace anything I already own.

Fair enough.

Anything is possible, but I don't think the sales won't hold up once people realize how crippled the device is.

Do you really think the limitations of the iPad haven't been played up enough in the media?

For a screen that size, it should be able to do multiple windows/apps and properly surf the web. It does neither.

Again, tablet and slate PCs with those features have been available for years. The iPad will likely dwarf their annual sales in a couple weeks. Products are about trade offs. Maybe Apple chose the right trade offs.