Apple to ship 20 million iPads this fall

The "Taiwan Economic Times" is reporting that Apple's iPad 2 assembler, Hon Hai Precision Industry, has upped its initial shipment projection of 14 million iPad 2 units for the third quarter to 20 million units.

If the report is accurate, that's a 42.8 percent increase in projected output. "Although declining to comment on the report, Hon Hai stressed that it is normal to forecast a shipment surge in the third quarter, a booming season for the electronic industry."

Obviously Apple is confident in high sales heading into the holiday season. The projected numbers would also debunk any possibility of an iPad 3 reveal before the holiday as had been previously speculated.

Apple sold more than 9 million iPad 2s in the second quarter causing many analysts to believe that Apple's original projection of 40 million iPad 2 units for the year would be easily surpassed.

"Considering the unparalleled popularity of iPad, the market researcher emphasized that Apple will surely continue to lead the market in the years to come, for the U.S.-based company has effectively solved supply shortages seen a few months ago. Therefore, Hon Hai is also expected to keep profiting from the product in the next few years."

When do you think an iPad 3 will surface? Let me know your prediction in the comments!