Apple iPad Likely to Outsell Mac Internationally, Too

After a false start, Apple’s iPad made its international debut Friday and by most accounts, it was a strong one. Indeed, some analysts are already saying the launch went better than expected.

Noting that the nine countries in which the iPad debuted today are among Apple’s strongest international markets, RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky said he expects the company to sell more iPads than Macs internationally–600,000 to 700,000 or more in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. Abramsky figures international Mac sales will come in at around 500,000.

Makes sense. As I noted here last week, iPad sales in the United States are believed to be outpacing those of the Mac and closing in on the iPhone 3GS.

“Industry contact feedback and previously published surveys point to strong International demand, supported by media reports of long lineups at Apple stores, and strong demand for iPads,” Abramsky wrote in a note to clients today. “iPads appear to be stocked out already at some stores and resellers, particularly in countries like Japan, Australia, and UK.”

With that in mind, Abramsky reiterates his earlier estimates for iPad sales. He believes Apple (AAPL) will sell 2.5 million iPads in Q3 and 8.1 million in calendar year 2010, adding, “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….Over the upcoming months, we believe Apple will further ramp production to overcome initial supply shortages.” (Click on table below to enlarge.)

[Image credit: Gizmodo commenter modestmouse and RBC Capital Markets]