Cites study showing 21 percent interest

Sales of the iPad could reach 6 million by the end of 2010, and 7 million within the first 12 months, says Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty. The figure is based on a new survey of 2,500 people, of whom 21 percent say they are interested in buying an iPad. 4.6 percent have expressed "extreme interest" in buying an iPad, while 16.4 percent say they are "somewhat interested."

The device is said to appeal mainly to younger people aged 25 to 34, but the 35 to 44 demographic accounts for 27 percent of interest, followed by the 45-54 group at 22 percent, and the 55+ range at 17 percent. Nearly half of the interested group, about 47 percent, are recorded to be relatively wealthy, making $90,000 or more a year.

The survey is not entirely good news for Apple, as a full 65 percent of respondents say they are "not interested at all" in the iPad. A smaller group, just 14 percent, are described as "somewhat not interested" in the device. Huberty also cautions that the iPad poses a risk of cannibalizing some Apple sales, potentially intruding into the realm of MacBooks and the iPod touch.

Apple should be comforted by data pointing to an average selling price of $625, or $675 after adding accessories. This is higher than an early estimate of $660, says Huberty. A model breakdown show the most interest, 34 percent, laying with the cheapest iPad, the $499, 16GB Wi-Fi version. 17 percent are interested in the costliest model, the $829 64GB 3G; 16 percent would like a 16GB 3G, while 12 percent prefer the 32GB Wi-Fi, 11 percent the 32GB 3G, and 10 percent the 64GB Wi-Fi.

by MacNN Staff