Apple shifts three million new iPads in 72 hours

Apple has sold three million new iPads in three days, despite the device only being made available in limited number of countries, including the US and UK.

The device debuted on 16 March, with a handful of key upgrades. These included the highly touted Retina display with 2048 x 1536 resolution, 4G connectivity (in the US and Canada) and a 5-megapixel camera with full HD capabilities.

Apple also bumped up the graphics capabilities of the device by including a A5X dual-core processor, with a clock speed of 1GHz and a quad-core graphics chip. Another stand-out feature that is likely to have attracted customers is the 10 hour battery life.

Philip Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple claimed that customers love these features of the iPad, in particular the Retina display, which he described as "stunning".

"The new iPad is a blockbuster with three million sold the strongest iPad launch yet. [We] can't wait to get it into the hands of even more customers around the world this Friday," Schiller said in a statement on the Apple website.

The third generation iPad will go on sale in another 25 countries from 23 March, so the sales figures are likely to continue their upward momentum.

IT Pro has been very impressed with the tablet and the device received the coveted 6-stars in our full new iPad review. Stand out features include the Retina display, which provides "astonishing clarity", as well as the improved 5-megapixel camera and excellent 10-hour battery life.