“Just a big iPod touch” – the famous words of skeptics after Apple’s announcement of the iPad in January of this year. Ironically, 5 months later, Apple’s new tablet computer selling in it’s millions for that exact reason … and Apple isn’t slowing down production of the product.

According to Apple Insider, the Cupertino-based company has upped production of the iPad to 2 Million units a month, but indications show Apple would like to go further, manufacturing a staggering 3 Million units per month in the very near future.

The report comes as a result of analyst Katy Huberty of Morgan Stanley, who reports Apple’s iPad production saw an increase to 2 Million in the last few weeks, seeing an increase of double that from last month.

AI notes:

Apple allegedly indicated to its suppliers that it would like to produce 3 million a month starting in the fourth calendar quarter of 2010.

It’s likely not coincidental that less than a week ago, iPad shipping times for new orders from apple.com improved to 24 hours. For months, customers had to wait an estimated 7 to 10 days, as Apple was surprised by strong demand for the device when it launched in April.

Officials with the company admitted they were initially caught off guard by the demand for the iPad after it launched, and they were unsure when they would be able to satisfy that demand. Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook noted that the iPad is not taking a typical early adopter curve, and already has a “very big” market.

[via Apple Insider]