The original iPad sold one million units in its first month of release. Its successor the iPad 2 topped that number in just a weekend. This year's model, simply called the new iPad, proved the third time's the charm. Apple announced this week that approximately three million units of the new tablet were snatched up by consumers since its March 16 debut.
To put that mind-boggling figure into perspective, consider that the original iPad didn't hit the three-million sold mark until nearly three months after its March 2010 launch. With each successive product launch, Apple's stranglehold on the tablet market has only tightened.
In a press release, Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Philip Schiller called the new iPad's colossal debut the strongest tablet launch to date.
"Customers are loving the incredible new features of iPad, including the stunning Retina display, and we can't wait to get it into the hands of even more customers around the world this Friday," said Schiller.
The new iPad will hit 24 more countries on March 23, including Ireland, Spain, The Netherlands, Sweden and Italy. Meanwhile, consumers looking to buy one in countries where the device has already launched should be prepared to hold their breath. Apple's estimated shipment time for the back-ordered third generation tablet is two-to-three weeks.
But getting the device into more hands could leave people literally burned. ConsumerReports found during testing that the new iPad can reach temperatures of up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit while playing certain games -- 12 degrees hotter than the iPad 2 at its hottest.
