The launch of the iPad 2 is expected later today and is expected to bring with it a dramatically increased demand for the world’s most popular tablet. While the first generation iPad was phenomenally successful, the iPad 2.0 will no doubt build on this and maintain Apple’s huge market share. DigiTimes has spoken with sources on the Apple component supply chain about how many iPads Apple expects to ship this year, and the numbers are simply staggering.
In Quarter 1 of 2011, Apple will apparently take delivery of 6-6.5 million iPads (this apparently includes the iPad 2.0) but even more interesting is that Apple is expecting sales of the iPad to reach around 40 million units for 2011. That is an absolutely enormous volume of devices.
However, the first batch of iPad 2.0 orders will apparently be around 300,000 to 400,000 units. unfortunately, if these figures are correct then we will likely see shortages and extended shipping times for the new device, given the heavy demand seen with the first generation iPad. Apple sold 3 million iPads in the first 80 days of release last year and, while the second generation iPad probably won’t sell that many initially, it is more than likely that there is going to be a hell of a lot more than 400,000 people around the globe looking to get their hands on one, on or near launch time.
The iPad 2.0 will be announced later today and, given the media frenzy and popularity of the device, will likely experience massive demand when Apple starts taking pre-orders. If you want one soon after launch, get your pre-order in fast, as 400,000 second generation iPads are going to sell extraordinarily quickly.
Grab It While You Can And