If iPads are Outselling Macs, is the Web the Real Winner?

It looks as if Apple’s iPad might be doing better than their traditional computers.  According to one analyst, iPads may be outselling Macs at a ratio of two iPads to every one Mac sold.  Based on his data, Mike Abramsky of RBC Capital Markets is saying that Apple is managing to sell  more than 200,000 iPads per week in the US {Mashable}.

That means the iPad is selling at a rate just a little lower than the iPhone 3GS.  That’s without the upcoming iPad international launch, which will mean even more sales.  While it may not be surprising to those who own or have spent time with the iPad, it does bode well for those looking for new, interesting apps for the device.  More devices in people’s hands means there are more opportunities to sell apps, and more competition to make better apps. And as publishers decide to push the boundaries, perhaps better websites.

Fashion models may be missing a nipple or two since publishers are self-censoring editorial content to avoid raising the ire of people on the other side of Apple’s sometimes unclear approval process {Shiny Shiny}; but the publications who have gone all in on iPad app development have added video and lots of integration to take full advantage of the new platform. And for app makers and publishers who prefer to go the unfiltered route, HTML5 websites are proving to be worthy – perhaps superior competitors.

At Google’s I/O technology conference, Sports Illustrated showed off an HTML5 version of the website that was strikingly similar to an app. {TechCrunch} The benefit, of course, being that there are far fewer restrictions on websites compared to apps. While apps that interact with the device (think games and touchscreen heavy apps) are unlikely to be affected, ones that are primarily content based could see heavier usage on all devices if the app experience can be replicated for the traditional computers that remain more prevalent than the iPad or any other tablet device.

What remains to be seen, however, is how the iPad will do a year or so after the release.  Once the initial wonder wears off and usage patterns start to emerge we’ll see if sales slow down.  Competitors who run tablets based on Google’s Android OS, or even WebOS could put a dent in sales as well, or prove to be a driving force in the adoption of web applications. Google is already hedging their bets on the last part with the creation of a web application repository.  For now, however, there are a lot of iPads out there and they’re still tough to get hold of, which is a good sign.