Apple said today it sold over 300,000 iPads in the U.S. as of midnight Saturday, April 3, the first day of availability.

Apple said sales included deliveries of pre-ordered iPads to customers, deliveries to its channel partners and sales at Apple Retail Stores.

The company also said iPad users downloaded over one million apps from Apple’s App Store and over 250,000 ebooks for its iBookstore during the first day.

Barclays Capital analyst Ben Reitzes forecast Apple sold about 400,000 iPads in the launch weekend, while Kaufman Brothers analyst Shaw Wu pegged sales of 250,000-300,000 units.

JP Morgan analyst Mark Moskowizt estimates Apple to sell about 4.8 million iPads in the first 12 months.

"It feels great to have the iPad launched into the world — it’s going to be a game changer," said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

"iPad users, on average, downloaded more than three apps and close to one book within hours of unpacking their new iPad."
 

Image Courtesy of Apple