The Apple iPad 2 is reportedly selling well in the early hours of its debut. Apple’s second generation tablet went on sale this morning at 1 am ET and sales were brisk. Within hours of the launch, availability of the iPad 2 dropped from 2-3 days to a longer 5-7 days. By the time the East Coast was rolling into work between 8 and 9 am, shipping dates jumped to 2-3 weeks. This long wait suggests the first production run of iPad 2 units has sold and Apple is now selling its second round of inventory. Retails sales do not begin until 5 pm, but lines are beginning to form at Apple stores around the country.
This fast pace of sales is not surprising to analysts who have been watching inventory levels and consumer demand. Analysts from the major players including Rodman & Renshaw LLC and Piper Jaffray & Co predict the iPad 2 will outsell the original iPad at launch. Estimates climbed as high as 600,000 for the first weekend of sales. If these early hours are any indication, sales may even exceed the analysts estimates. How many of you are going to buy an iPad 2 today? Did buy online or are you going to brave the crowds to snag one from a retail store?
[Via Business Week]