The iPad 2 Sells Out Over Weekend

If there was any doubt Apple's new iPad 2 tablet computer would be a hit with consumers, weekend sales figures should put them to rest.

After going on sale for the first time Friday, the iPad 2 sold an estimated half-million units over the weekend, according to Gene Minster, a technology analyst at Piper Jaffray. That compares to 300,000 who bought the original iPad last year during its inaugural weekend.

Analyst Scott Sutherland of Wedbush Securities put weekend iPad 2 sales at closer to 1 million units.

Munster also said he surveyed 236 potential buyers and found that 70 percent of those who said they were going to buy an iPad 2 were new to the product - they did not own an original iPad.

Besides direct sales, Apple is selling the new iPad through mass retailers like Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart.  The tablets are also being sold by wireless partners AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

The iPad 2 shares many of the characteristics and features of the original iPad. However, the upgrade is slightly smaller and slighter and has a flexible "smart cover." When the cover is in place, the tablet goes into sleep mode. When the cover is removed, it immediately wakes up.

The iPad 2 also comes with a pair of built in cameras: one on the front and one on the back. As on the latest Apple iPhone and Apple iPod touch, these cameras can shoot pictures, record video, and be used for FaceTime video conferencing.

As with the original iPad, you can get a version that connects with Wi-Fi or 3G. It has the same average battery life - 10 hours. And, it is debuting at the same price points at the original iPad - a Wi-Fi only version costs $499 - the 3G versions start at $629.