After three years, iPad sales are up again for Apple

Enlarge / The 10.5-inch iPad Pro. (credit: Andrew Cunningham)

Apple released its third-quarter financials today, reporting higher than expected numbers almost all-around. The company's total revenue reached $45.4 billion, up seven percent year over year. Apple shares increased five percent to hit above $157 after hours-the company's record intraday high was $156.56.

While iPhone sales have increased slightly year over year, the most interesting numbers are for iPad. For the first time in three years, iPad sales grew: the company sold 11.4 million iPads this quarter, gleaning $4.9 billion in revenue. That represents a 15-percent unit increase year-over-year and a two-percent revenue increase year over year. The growth is reportedly being attributed to strong educational and business sales, as school districts buy iPads in bulk for their students and faculty to use.

Apple released the 10.5-inch iPad Pro in June, so only a portion of those sales contribute to that number. But the Pro models and the $329 iPad apparently offered the right options to the right consumers this quarter.

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