As cautious consumers are expected to tighten the purse strings on their holiday spending, it may mean lower sales than expected for Apple's iPad.

According to a Bloomberg report, some analysts might have overestimated fourth quarter predictions for the tablet. Last quarter, 4.19 million iPads were sold, and some analysts have reported that figure would hit six million this quarter, the story said.

However, that prediction could have missed the mark by as much as a million. According to Bloomberg, analyst Ashok Kumar has said that just five million iPads may sell in the fourth quarter.

Bloomberg said that tablet computers haven't quite caught on with consumers yet. However, according a Gartner analysis, tablet sales will reach 19.5 million by the end of 2010, and will soar to 54.8 million by the end of 2011.

But Samsung's Galaxy Tab went on sale went on sale last week and the company has already slashed the number it planned to produce by about half, Bloomberg said.

Apple has reached out to other retailers to sell the iPad. Verizon, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, and AT&T all sell the touch-screen tablet in their stores.

The iPad has been very popular since its launch last spring. Bloomberg cited a Strategy Analytics report that said the iPad had a hold on 95 percent of the tablet market last quarter, and according to research firm Changewave, four out of five tablet buyers plan to purchase an iPad.

But NPD has said said that consumers aren't willing to drop big bucks on holiday gifts this season. In its annual holiday consumer survey, one-third of consumers said that they would spend less this year. Furthermore, NPD reports that tech sales will be especially bleak this year.

Priced from $499 - $829, Apple's iPad might not be waiting under the tree for as many people as expected this year.