iPad pre-orders top 120,000 in just 24 hours!

Although some may be having trouble positioning the iPad in the market and evaluating its potential for success, critics of Apple’s tablet were last week silenced as researchers at InvestorVillage confirmed that 120,000 iPads were purchased on the opening day of pre-orders at the Apple Store US. It also seems that users are snapping up the Wi-Fi version rather than the 3G model.

Even though no one has actually yet seen or held an iPad for themselves, it seems that the media frenzy it created is not to be the iPad’s only triumph. Apple’s tablet has been criticised for its lack technical functionality and unclear market position, hovering somewhere between an iPod Touch and a laptop. However, those doubting its potential for success have so far been proved wrong, as the iPad is definitely attracting consumers. It’s probably safe to say that those rushing to pre-order will be the brand’s die-hard followers, but according to an analyst at Valcent Financial Group interviewed by CNN, this initial success will have made Apple around 75 million dollars in just twenty-four hours.

A Home Tablet

The breakdown of sales so far shows that the Wi-Fi version is proving more popular (69%) than the 3G model. The split between the different capacity versions (16, 32 and 64 GB) is pretty much even.


The iPad Battery Replacement Scheme: use once then discard?

Apple has a history of making products with inaccessible batteries that are impossible for users to change themselves. That’s why Apple has come up with the iPad Battery Replacement Scheme. Basically, if the battery in your iPad turns out to be faulty or degrades in quality over the product’s lifespan, then Apple will replace your worn-out iPad with a brand new one. You’ll have to pay around $100 to cover the cost of the new battery plus shipping, and turnaround time is around one week. Just don’t forget to back up all your data before you send off your old model.

At first glance, this trade-in system seems fairly strange, especially at a time when most technology firms are proffering their green credentials. But whether it’s green or not, I’m sure plenty of customers will be thrilled at the thought of getting a brand new iPad as a replacement!

On the other hand, it can also be argued that it’s better for old batteries to be returned to the manufacturer and disposed of correctly (at least, that’s what we assume will happen) rather than being carelessly discarded in a kitchen bin or left out on the pavement. Let the debate commence …

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