iPad sales outpace Mac sales

According to one report, yearly iPad sales are likely to eclipse Mac sales due to high demand.

According to the report, Apple is said to be selling more than 200,000 iPads per week, almost double Mac sales. The analyst behind the report, Mike Abramsky, initially estimated that Apple would sell 5 million iPads in the first year, but has revised that number to 8 million.

The increased estimate comes due to the device’s upcoming international launch and as many US Apple retail stores face iPad stock shortages. With 74% of stores reporting that they do not have any iPads in stock, only 26% of stores have wi-fi only iPads in stock. The high consumer demand in the US will likely continue among international audiences as the iPad launches in select countries on May 28th, with more international launches in July.

If Apple is selling more than 200,000 iPads a week, that number is nearly double its weekly Mac sales, which are estimated to be 110,000. The iPad is also closing in on first quarter iPhone 3GS sales, which were at 246,000 per week.

The report also found that most iPad sales are accompanied by high accessory sales as most users opt to buy cases, docks and other iPad accessories. Abramsky estimated that iPad accessories add an additional 15 to 20% in incremental revenue for each unit sold. That number is significantly higher than the 6 to 10% estimates for iPhone and iPod accessories.