Considering the revelation that Google's Nexus One might have sold 135,000 units in its first 74 days, estimates claiming iPad notched up pre-orders of 120,000 in just 19.5 hours seem like a more than healthy return.

Not according to one analyst, however. As reported by TheStreet.com, one commentator believes that the 120,000 figure – provided by AAPL Sanity Board earlier in the week - is actually way off the mark.

In his or her view, Apple could well have sold substantially more than that.

"That number is low," the analyst, who asked not to be identified but is independently monitoring iPad sales, told the site.

Stab in the dark?

Though declining to offer a revised estimate, the analyst did comment that the current tally is 'conservative' and that iPad's one day total was 'significantly higher'.

Speculation regarding an official total - not just in terms of iPad's first day, but spanning its entire first year on sale - continues to mount.

Wall Street experts have predicted that anywhere between 2 million and 10 million could be sold within the device's first 12 months.
TheStreet.com also sources another unnamed analyst “not authorised to speak publicly about the Apple iPad” as stating that pent-up demand and enthusiasm for the device is 'strong'.

As a result, said analyst believes Apple could well announce that 1 million or 2 million could have been sold by the time iPad hits US shelves on April 3rd.