Apple's iPad 3G estimated to have sold 300K on launch weekend
Checks with 50 Apple retail stores have led one prominent analyst to predict Apple sold about 300,000 iPad 3G units, including preorders, over the device's first weekend of sales.
Gene Munster with Piper Jaffray issued a note to investors Sunday, revealing the estimate based on checks with numerous stores, as well as in-person attendance of the iPad 3G launch in New York and Minneapolis. If correct, Munster's assumption would have the iPad 3G sell as many units in its first weekend as the Wi-Fi-only iPad sold on its first day in early April.
Munster said supply was limited on launch weekend, with 49 of 50 stores surveyed sold out of the iPad 3G by Sunday. The analyst said he now believes Apple has sold more than 1 million iPads, which suggests his previous estimate of 1.3 million sales in the June quarter may be conservative.
The launch of the 3G-compatible iPad also helped sales of Wi-Fi-only iPads, with those models sold out at most Apple retail locations as well. Munster said he believes the sellouts are due to stronger-than-expected demand and lower-than-intended supply.
"Near-term, this may put downward pressure on launch day/weekend statistics, but long-term we see it as a positive, as consumers are definitely interested in the iPad as a new category," Munster wrote. "In the first several quarters, we believe Apple will sell about 60% wi-fi only iPads and 40% 3G models."
Though he admitted his estimate of 1.3 million sales for the quarter is likely conservative, Munster has not revised his estimate, citing uncertainty surrounding the 3G and international launches. Strong demand and short supply forced Apple to delay the launch of the iPad overseas until late May.
Retail checks after the Wi-Fi-only iPad's first day of sales in early April inspired the analyst to increase his forecast of first-day sales to between 600,000 and 700,000. That estimate proved to be too aggressive, as Apple quickly announced it had sold 300,000 on the device's first day, and topped 500,000 by the end of its first week.
Munster later conceded that he was too optimistic in his estimates, and revised his total 2010 iPad sales forecast to 4.3 million. The analyst continues to believe that Apple's latest product will be a success with strong consumer demand.
Last week, one online advertising firm said it believed that Apple had sold more than a million iPads since it launched on April 3. That estimate suggested Apple crossed the milestone before the 3G-capable iPad debuted.
Customers who preordered Apple's iPad received theirs in the mail on Friday, while Apple's U.S. retail stores began selling the device at 5 p.m. on Friday. The 3G iPad models carry a $130 premium over their Wi-Fi-only counterparts, and offer no-contract data plans with the AT&T 3G network. The 16GB iPad 3G model starts at $629, the 32GB capacity is $729, and the high-end 64GB offering is $829.
Gene Munster with Piper Jaffray issued a note to investors Sunday, revealing the estimate based on checks with numerous stores, as well as in-person attendance of the iPad 3G launch in New York and Minneapolis. If correct, Munster's assumption would have the iPad 3G sell as many units in its first weekend as the Wi-Fi-only iPad sold on its first day in early April.
Munster said supply was limited on launch weekend, with 49 of 50 stores surveyed sold out of the iPad 3G by Sunday. The analyst said he now believes Apple has sold more than 1 million iPads, which suggests his previous estimate of 1.3 million sales in the June quarter may be conservative.
The launch of the 3G-compatible iPad also helped sales of Wi-Fi-only iPads, with those models sold out at most Apple retail locations as well. Munster said he believes the sellouts are due to stronger-than-expected demand and lower-than-intended supply.
"Near-term, this may put downward pressure on launch day/weekend statistics, but long-term we see it as a positive, as consumers are definitely interested in the iPad as a new category," Munster wrote. "In the first several quarters, we believe Apple will sell about 60% wi-fi only iPads and 40% 3G models."
Though he admitted his estimate of 1.3 million sales for the quarter is likely conservative, Munster has not revised his estimate, citing uncertainty surrounding the 3G and international launches. Strong demand and short supply forced Apple to delay the launch of the iPad overseas until late May.
Retail checks after the Wi-Fi-only iPad's first day of sales in early April inspired the analyst to increase his forecast of first-day sales to between 600,000 and 700,000. That estimate proved to be too aggressive, as Apple quickly announced it had sold 300,000 on the device's first day, and topped 500,000 by the end of its first week.
Munster later conceded that he was too optimistic in his estimates, and revised his total 2010 iPad sales forecast to 4.3 million. The analyst continues to believe that Apple's latest product will be a success with strong consumer demand.
Last week, one online advertising firm said it believed that Apple had sold more than a million iPads since it launched on April 3. That estimate suggested Apple crossed the milestone before the 3G-capable iPad debuted.
Customers who preordered Apple's iPad received theirs in the mail on Friday, while Apple's U.S. retail stores began selling the device at 5 p.m. on Friday. The 3G iPad models carry a $130 premium over their Wi-Fi-only counterparts, and offer no-contract data plans with the AT&T 3G network. The 16GB iPad 3G model starts at $629, the 32GB capacity is $729, and the high-end 64GB offering is $829.
Comments
I asked when they anticipated getting more in and they could only approximate. I was told to sign up for 'NOTIFY ME ' and they would email me when they received more
It?s very nice that you can pay for the plan only when you need it, though.
Went to 3 different APPLE stores on Sunday morning to buy a 3G IPAD and all3 stores were out of ALL WI-FI & 3G MODELS. Sounds crazy but seems like the demand is really strong.
I asked when they anticipated getting more in and they could only approximate. I was told to sign up for 'NOTIFY ME ' and they would email me when they received more
Same thing happened to me Saturday. I've called every Apple Store and Best Buy in my state. They all sold out of the iPad 3G. Only Apple Store have WiFi only iPads. I signed up for "Notify Me" and they have told me they will get a shipment Tuesday or Wednesday. Last week I made the same calls looking for Wifi iPad and even Apple stores were sold out.
Great to see it doing well, but I?m surprised: 3G seems like an important option to offer, but one few people would want. After all, WiFi is so ubiquitous (and fast, and free), and the iPhone is so much more portable (for those who want Internet ?any place, any time?).
It?s very nice that you can pay for the plan only when you need it, though.
I live in NY and wifi doesn't come easy. People have either learned to password protect their network or you have to pay a fee to use it similar to a situation like Starbucks. I think the future is eventually in using cellular data.
Two things that bother about the situation with AT&T is:
1. You have to have a separate plan with AT&T even if you already have an iPhone which is BS.
2. You're already paying for an unlimited data plan. While I'm sure that all of us US customers are used to getting screwed by carriers, I'm sure that it won't be the case in many places in the rest of the world.
I'd also like to know if it's AT&T or ABC that is limiting the ABC player to only wifi.
My main local store was sold out when I got off work at 7.30 friday night. I signed up for the list but nothing on Saturday.
I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of folks just ordered online.
I live in NY and wifi doesn't come easy. People have either learned to password protect their network or you have to pay a fee to use it similar to a situation like Starbucks.
1st two hours are free.
Great to see it doing well, but I?m surprised: 3G seems like an important option to offer, but one few people would want. After all, WiFi is so ubiquitous (and fast, and free), and the iPhone is so much more portable (for those who want Internet ?any place, any time?).
It?s very nice that you can pay for the plan only when you need it, though.
It is not ubiquitous in the car or many non-restaurant stores. For those of us without the smart phone, the 3G gives us data at a very nice price point without a contract.
I'd also like to know if it's AT&T or ABC that is limiting the ABC player to only wifi.
It is an ABC copyright issues not AT&T. NetFlex working fine as far as I know. I've read that the problem with video streaming through 3G is related to how they were originally down graded for the iPhones screen. When they are viewed on the iPads larger screen the downgrade effects are more visible and annoying.
1. You have to have a separate plan with AT&T even if you already have an iPhone which is BS.
That is why iPhone tethering would be so great... but once again, that falls in AT&Ts lap.
Anyone with an iPhone could get the iPad WiFi only and get 3G through the iPhone.
...althogh AT&T will likely charge an extra $30 a month for tethering... so it really wouldn't do much good in this case.
it's total BS that AT&T won't allow this. It's sad to see how device manufacturers are so crippled by the carriers.
Great to see it doing well, but I?m surprised: 3G seems like an important option to offer, but one few people would want. After all, WiFi is so ubiquitous (and fast, and free), and the iPhone is so much more portable (for those who want Internet ?any place, any time?).
It?s very nice that you can pay for the plan only when you need it, though.
One benefit of the 3G models is the GPS that's included in the same chipset. It would be interesting if someone made a cradle for it to hang on in vehicles. Add some augmented reality and that would be the ultimate GPS.
That is why iPhone tethering would be so great... but once again, that falls in AT&Ts lap.
Anyone with an iPhone could get the iPad WiFi only and get 3G through the iPhone.
...althogh AT&T will likely charge an extra $30 a month for tethering... so it really wouldn't do much good in this case.
it's total BS that AT&T won't allow this. It's sad to see how device manufacturers are so crippled by the carriers.
Why is it that AT&T isn't allowed to charge you for a service they provide without it being "BS"?? With that attitude I'm surprised you aren't complaining because AT&T doesn't let you use their towers for free. You sound awefully entitled. AT&T has spent and will spend MILLIONS upgrading and maintaining their network, they have every right to charge us to use it - IMHO.
That is why iPhone tethering would be so great... but once again, that falls in AT&Ts lap.
Anyone with an iPhone could get the iPad WiFi only and get 3G through the iPhone.
Jailbreak + MiWi = Problem solved. I use it when I am on the road with no wifi and it works like a charm and no video degradation because the iPad sees my iPhone as a wifi hotspot. I have yet to scratch the 5gb barrier and really don't see that happening. Basic email and surfing use very little data. Netflix hover around 400-500mb so I do not do that much and ABC is around 200-300mb per episode. Not too bad.
Jailbreak + MiWi = Problem solved. I use it when I am on the road with no wifi and it works like a charm and no video degradation because the iPad sees my iPhone as a wifi hotspot. I have yet to scratch the 5gb barrier and really don't see that happening. Basic email and surfing use very little data. Netflix hover around 400-500mb so I do not do that much and ABC is around 200-300mb per episode. Not too bad.
AT&T iPhones Data plan does not have the 5GB limit. So don't worry about exceeding any limit
To answer a posters question:
The apps are reportly downgrading (YouTube) or canceling (ABC) the video on iPad over 3G (over Wifi it works fine), not AT&T. Because the Netflix app runs normally.
Some simple logic:
ABC = Disney = Steve Jobs
YouTube = Google = Eric Schmidt
Eric + Steve = Best Buddies
Looks like Steve knows something is about to happen, Netflix is going to bare the brunt of the confrontation with AT&T over the excessive bandwidth issue. Eric has his ¨well we degraded the quality, we will degrade it some more¨ excuse already in place.
I tell you this as a Netflix using family, we soak that puppy so much that even Comcast high speed cable throttles us down.
AT&T iPhones Data plan does not have the 5GB limit. So don't worry about exceeding any limit
I know but I do not want to single handedly take down AT$T with my dastardly deeds
I tell you this as a Netflix using family, we soak that puppy so much.....
Quick question: Does Netflix have all the latest DVD releases for download/streaming (e.g., as @TV does), or just a small subset?
I have the impression from their website that it's the latter. Perhaps I am wrong. Could you clarify?
I
Two things that bother about the situation with AT&T is:
1. You have to have a separate plan with AT&T even if you already have an iPhone which is BS.
2. You're already paying for an unlimited data plan. While I'm sure that all of us US customers are used to getting screwed by carriers, I'm sure that it won't be the case in many places in the rest of the world.
Those two bother me less than the fact that ATT will not let us use VoIP with the 3G iPad. I can understand their reluctance to do that with the iPhone, but it is really inexcusable with the iPad -- it's not like it is a substitute for a mobile phone that can fit in a pocket.
I could even live with their charging me a couple of cents per minute for such use......
Stupid ATT.