Will iPad 2’s Launch Outpace That Of The Original?

Less than 48 hours after going on sale, the iPad 2 is already sold out in much of the United States, and ever-growing shipping delays for online orders indicate high demand for the second-generation device.  Could the iPad 2 actually outsell the original? That depends. The iPad 2 Will Outsell Its Older Brother When the iPad arrived in April 2010, it was a great unknown joining a small (some would say, nonexistent) market. On Day One, it was available in just two locations: U.S. Apple Stores and select Best Buys. Plus, last year, the original launched with just three black Wi-Fi models. Wi-Fi + 3G models (black only) launched about one month later. On Friday, however, the iPad 2 launched with the advantage of a larger U.S. distribution footprint, and more models available for customers. The iPad 2 is available at Apple, Verizon and AT&T stores, Target, Walmart, and authorized resellers. And at all Best Buy stores. It also comes in eighteen different variations versus three for the original. On the first day, the iPad 2 was available as Wi-Fi and 3G units and in black and white. Better distribution channels and a larger number of available models aren’t the only iPad 2 advantages. Rather, Apple doesn’t need to worry about brand recognition this time around. The iPad is known worldwide, and it controls a large majority of the overall tablet market. And with its incredible price-point, the iPad 2 should have no problems attracting first-time buyers. Plus, Apple has added just enough improvements to the new model it will probably influence many iPad 1 buyers to upgrade. Nope, iPad 1 Will Remain King For all its advantages, the iPad 2 is definitely an evolutionary, not revolutionary device. Because of this, original iPad owners might forgo the latest model and wait until 2012, hoping the iPad 3 comes completely rebooted. If this happens in large numbers, the iPad 2 will definitely not overtake its big brother in terms of sales. Therefore, its success will depend a lot on how many new buyers enter the market. In addition, people are already growling about the iPad 2’s cameras, which are fast becoming its Achilles’ heel.  Honestly, neither of the two cameras are very good, especially for photo taking, although being able to make videos is actually quite cool. Plus, the iPad 2’s screen is no better than that of its predecessor. The device also comes with no Retina display or better screen resolution. Conclusion The iPad 2 is a magical device with a large distribution channel. I expect it to outsell the iPad 1 when the first numbers are announced, since it should easily surpass the 300,000 units sold on Day One for the original model. However, whether the iPad 2 will eclipse the 15 million units sold overall by the original remains to be seen. Personally, I think it will. I believe the tablet market will grow quickly over the next 12 months as new buyers join it for the first time. With would-be tablet competitors being unable to compete on price or quality, Apple will be the biggest benefactor of the expanding market. And the criticism about the cameras? Actually, it probably won’t mean much to the average buyer. Apple was long criticized for poor camera performance on the earlier iPhones, and it did nothing to slow sales of those handsets. The fact, the iPad coming with cameras is in itself, a big deal. Finally, don’t discount the popularity of the white iPad 2 model. We’ve heard much about Apple’s inability to perfect the white iPhone 4. The same problem doesn’t exist here. Watch them fly off the shelves, if for no other reason than they are something different. What do you think? Will the iPad 2 become bigger than the original? Leave your comments below.

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