That is not to say that the iPad Pro is going to do too badly, given that it is just an super-sized version of last year's Surface Pro, which did not do well for Microsoft either.

Digitimes thinks Apple will flog 2.5 million of them in the fourth quarter.

But Digitimes thinks it is too expensive and going to get its clock cleaned by the Surface Pro 4 which is coming out at a similar price level and is actually value for money.

Apple is also facing supply shortages for the iPad Pro's panels so three million is the most they can physically make in the fourth quarter.

iPad Pro's IGZO panel is currently supplied by Sharp only and LG Display will only be able to supply a small volume starting November, while supply from Samsung will begin in 2016.

As a result, Apple is only able to start shipping the iPad Pro in November and its shipments will be between 2.5-3 million units in the fourth quarter of 2015, according to Digitimes Research.

By the time Apple gets its act together it will be old news and the Surface 4 will be out and much better.

We think that figure is wildly optimistic as tablet sales are already dropping and are expected to go further.