We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THREE MILLION UNITS of Apple’s newly released iPad have sold since the new device was launched last Friday.
The device went on sale in 10 countries before the weekend – going on to become the “strongest iPad launch yet” according to the company. Apple CEO Tim Cook said he was “thrilled” with the result.
“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,” added Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
Apple has announced that it will begin paying a quarterly dividend of $2.65 per share starting this summer after years of resisting the idea. Its late former CEO, Steve Jobs, always thought the company could make better use of its cash.
The new iPad is due to be released in a further 25 countries on Friday 23 March.
Additional reporting by the AP
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Ah to be honest I don’t get it. Ive an iPad 2 and it’s great and all, but from what I can see the difference between the 2nd and 3rd iPad isn’t that great. Better display and faster chip (to service the display no doubt!). Slight case of ‘emperors new clothes’ here if you ask me. I think Apple are starting to loose their creative streak. This should have been a 2S release. I certainly won’t be upgrading.
264 dots per inch. That’s the same level of density you’d find in national geographic magazine, or vogue.
The iPad 2 has about 130, that’s why small text is blurry and fringed. There aren’t enough pixels to resolve fine detail.
As a broadcast designer used to, for ten years, CRT displays fixed at 72 dpi (!) I can’t overstate how insane it is that apple have produced a 264 dpi display (they say pixels per inch, but it amounts to the same thing).
Josh topolsky put it best: you’re holding a glowing page of print. Stuff like vanity fair and wired, NYT, they jut look surreal on the device. It’s unequivocally the best display ever created.
Unequivocally the best display ever created? You clearly are an Apple fan boy. There are several displays currently on sale (including the one on the Sony experia s) that have far higher pixel density. It’s a poor marketing gimmick. I expected more from Apple.
Brian, there is nothing on God’s green earth with ten inches of glass displaying two hundred and sixty four pixels per inch – bar that iPad.
Yup I feel it’s a total marketing gimmick. Just because the iPad3 has a gazillion pixels per square inch doesn’t make previous iPad displays completely unusable and unreadable. I really don’t think the human eye gives a crap to be honest at what’s happening at that level. :) Apple are just under pressure to keep the releases coming and hence grab at relatively ‘cheap’ wins. Don’t get me wrong, it IS technically amazing to be able to have such a high display on such a device, but it makes NO REAL difference to the vast majority of users. It’s not exciting. It doesn’t warrant a whole new release. Apple need some fresh creative thinking in there.
“I really don’t think the human eye gives a crap to be honest at what’s happening at that level.”
Sure look at it this way Brendan – think of a movie magazine you like say, they print at between 260-300 dpi – if you were to drop the mag down to where existing tablet displays are (110-130 dpi) it would be like the magazine turning into the old black and white Irish times – in terms of print resolution, not the colour stuff.
The iPad is primarily a reading and viewing device, the fact that it has pixel density equivalent to a coffee table art book is, coming from my background – mind bending, and really, as a viewing device, there actually is nothing more important on that device than the display. All the iPad is is a glass screen, a Battery, a bunch of radio antennas and some custom arm chip silicon.
thecrowd quoted in this article did a battery of tests on that display
http://techcrunch.com/2012/03/19/analysis-confirms-ipad-display-really-is-one-of-the-best-ever-made/
the other jaw dropping thing is that its clour registration is so near perfect, its gamut so spot on, that you could actually use the device as a broadcast reference monitor – and for the curious, actual broadcast monitors are unbelievably expensive pieces of kit.
That screen is just… insane.
Oh no doubt it is amazing. I agree.. but you’re obviously in the design industry so for you it’s even MORE impressive. I use my iPad a LOT and I use it primarily for media consumption. Obviously I find the current display on it to be superb.. and I’ve no problem reading anything or doing anything on it. The resolution looks fine, never have issues with ‘fuzzy text’. Everything is very sharp and picture perfect.
Forking out another 500 euro to just have a clearer display? For me? Why? How could it possibly be worth it? I’m a ‘normal’ user. I can definitely see how you would be VERY impressed by this as it’s based on a very strong professional impression, but for the vast majority of u, I’m afraid it really is a “so what” situation.
are sure yeah, and really the thing I’m not saying is that I’m typing this on the glass of an original ipad… I adore that screen, but this thing is less than two years old – there’s no way in hell I’m forking over again, no matter how much I love that screen. Unless I win a hefty scratch card that is.
All of the the apple non believers should be tagged and have their apple devices switched off. . . . For 2 days. . . . Then let’s see how they change their tunes . . . . . Without i-tunes!
A world without iTunes!! Bliss!! Don’t get me started on iTunes!! I’m not really an Apple fan for sure.. but I am a very big technology fan. I don’t have any brand loyalty. If I see something I like I’ll buy it. I liked the original iPhones and stuck with them until other companies started to outshine them. ( I converted to Samsung Galaxy II S from an iPhone after 3 years of iPhone usage, and I have to tell you, it’s a much more innovative and exciting product than the iPhone. I believe the same will happen in the tablet world too). If iPhone 5 or the NEXT version of the iPad, whatever they’re going to call it, is ground breaking I’m back on bard the Apple train, otherwise Android is looking mighty attractive. So much choice, and so much lovely competition.
Impressive sales
Posted from my new iPad
Waste of money for a rehashed model..
I want it now
Probably explains why you’re not getting it.
Baaaaa:……… lots of sheep around. If apple lauched the iturd some people would q up to get it. You have to hand it to Apple though there marketing gods
troll!
I am a troll because I dislike Apple products!? I think u need to re read the definition of troll !
“Baaaaa:……… lots of sheep around. If apple lauched the iturd some people would q up to get it.”
Aggresive, baiting, flamethrowing, crude language = Troll.
you sir, are a troll.
Its called humor. I think u need to get out more
no one would call that humour. well, barring yourself of course.
And 14 other green thumbs. I just read all your other comments . I apologize I did not relise u where a Apple fan boy . My mistake
no, i just really like the display. i’m not buying the thing. well done counting up your thumbs – its great validation that paudy, savour it – you’ll go far.
iPad 3 is cool but biggest laugh is their 4G – not supported by most EU operators due to different bandwidths than US (that’s what they used in them even those sold in EU). I know 4G is not even here as you can still use 3G in new iPad, but when 4G rolls out in Ireland you will be probably forking 600 euros again people :)
I think what Apple have done for tech development can’t be argued with. I have an ipad2 and it is great. But Apple’s constant stream of upgrades, with minor changes, is nothing more than corporate greed. I’d prefer if they waited and launched products with significant changes instead of taking advantage of people who fall for their marketing. Of course I’d prefer that, Apple’s shareholders mightn’t.
Yes but… They don’t force people into upgrades by for example restricting new software update only to new device or other bad techniques sometimes used in this business, so in all fairness they are rather honest company only with special marketing and selling policies which we all can see work very well :) Competition does the same though, what other companies do differently than just boosting their current products likes of HTC or Samsung… They release new phones or tablets annually too and they also bring minor improvements – faster CPU, higher resolution screens etc. Apple and them no difference in that area to be honest. There is not much technology at the moment that could be implemented, probably 1 or 2 years before another bigger thing happens and they will use it then I am sure.
In fairness that statement is a bit unfair on HTC. They have offered innovations over the past year such as new form factors and screen sizes, New manufacturing techniques audio partnerships and recently new dedicated camera hardware and revised camera software which effectively changes how cameras function on a phone… Some of these innovations were successful and some less so… At least HTC have taken risks and have attempted to move the market forward. Apple are reluctant to offer new innovations as they think it reflects poorly on their previous offerings. While they are good at evaluating other peoples products and improving on them in a very effective way (iphone 1 and ipad 1) they are not as good at innovating further, until pushed by the competition…
Pol: but it’s the Apple that leads them I remember the quote its better to chase than to be chased. Apple is in a difficult position and perhaps yeah, they are bit cautious releasing new technology. HTC and likes of them try everything to get custom from apple and attract customers with something new but when you look from perspective there is no such 1 serious and key feature that competition has and apple doesn’t – it’s just variation of existing technology and different operating system. I recently had a look at MacBook Air and it was the finest piece of laptop I ever seen. Even though other laptops of this type are probably cheaper and have more features too. I don’t work for apple don’t worry I just try to be neutral with the opinion and their products are awesome no doubt about it.
It isn’t actually called the iPad 3 though is it?
No – my mistake. Thanks Niall.
Yeh, but how long can they call it ‘The New iPad’? Gizmodo handed out the iPad2 to current owners and told them it was an iPad3. Needless to say they were amazed by the revolutionary display and the speed of the device… until they were told the truth.
I’m sure the screen is nice. but its not a deal breaker.
Kill the machines before they kill us!!!
more landfill
There’s an app for that!
Looking to buy either a new laptop or Pc or maybe a tablet. Any advice welcome. Old laptop is dying a slow death so need to upgrade. Are apple laptops really better?
If you can afford it get an Apple. Superior build quality to any other laptop I seen (maybe only some priciest models can match them) and system works fast and stable most times which you cannot say about windows really. If there isn’t specific need (software) that will make you want to purchase windows laptop and if you can afford apple (other windows laptop with same guts will be much cheaper) then yes choice is only one really :)
A tablet can’t replace a PC/laptop. If you need all the functionality of a laptop don’t wate your money on a tablet, you’ll be bitterly disappointed.
If I was buying a laptop tomorrow i’d go for a 2nd hand business model. I use a Dell Precision M6400 atm and it’s working great, despite the dogs abuse I give it.
@fizi_water
“system works fast and stable most times which you cannot say about windows”
So Apple is sometimes unstable??
I find windows very stable. Have XP at work & 7 at home and both work fine, I don’t have any stability issues.
No, Apple laptops aren’t better. They use the same parts you’ll find in any PC-compatible laptop. Some would argue that the operating system MacOS is better, but that really is a matter of preference.
I was just gonna buy the poor auld iPad 1 just to use for shopping etc….wonder if this will come down in price now, cos they don’t seem to have.
You will get an iPad two for a limited time, at a reasonable price…
have your say