Stores out of stock in Australia, Japan, UK

Apple is likely to sell more iPads than Macs outside the US, at least in the company's third fiscal quarter, says RBC Capital Markets' Mike Abramsky. The analyst forecasts 600,000 to 700,000 iPads being sold internationally by the end of June, in contrast with about 500,000 Macs. The numbers are based on industry contacts, earlier surveys and media reports indicating high demand, such as stories of long store lineups. "iPads appear to be stocked out already at some stores and resellers, particularly in countries like Japan, Australia, and UK," Abramsky remarks.

Including the US Apple has sold over 2 million iPads to date. This number has yet to influence Abramsky's long-term estimates, which call for 2.5 million iPads worldwide in Q3, and 8.1 million by the end of 2010. "Early healthy sell-through and rampant PR buzz -- as it has been doing in North America -- is expected to further raise demand and accelerate sell-through beyond early adopters," the analyst says. "Over the upcoming months, we believe Apple will further ramp production to overcome initial supply shortages."

by MacNN Staff