Confirming Friday’s report that new iPad preorder ship dates have slipped past this Friday’s launch date, Apple says that demand for the new tablet has been “off the charts” -- with many eager buyers already lining up outside Apple retail stores to make sure they get one on March 16.
USA Today is reporting that Apple has now confirmed selling out their preorder stock on the new iPad. After slipping to a March 19 ship date on Friday, Apple’s online store is now showing ship dates of two to three weeks for all models and colors of this year’s edition, with the iPad 2 models shipping in one to three business days.
"Customer response to the new iPad has been off the charts and the quantity available for pre-order has been purchased," Apple said in a statement. "Customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date."
With no more preorder units to sell, early adopters will now be forced to head to their latest Apple Store or authorized retailer come Friday, March 16 in the hopes of grabbing one. According to Cult of Mac, the new iPad is likely to once again have customers lined up around the block -- particularly since some lines have already started to form five days ahead of time.
“There’s still just under four days to go until the third-generation device goes on sale, but that hasn’t stopped the lines from forming,” the report reveals. “Ali and Zohaib are the first two people to set up camp outside of Apple’s Regent Street store in London.”
Those plum spots are already highly coveted, too: The pair claims they were approached by a passer-by on the street who offered to buy their place in line for the cost of an iPad!
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
(Image courtesy of CNBC)
PaparazziPaul
March 12, 2012 at 1:09pm
Apple continues to kick butt with amazing sales of their new or upgraded products. I for one would love to own the new generation of iPad! It's is on my wish list for sure. I particularly like the 4g version. That would be very useful in my video and photography event business, doing presentations to clients and in eCommerce for getting paid.
PaparazziPaul
March 12, 2012 at 1:09pm
Apple continues to kick butt with amazing sales of their new or upgraded products. I for one would love to own the new generation of iPad! It's is on my wish list for sure. I particularly like the 4g version. That would be very useful in my video and photography event business, doing presentations to clients and in eCommerce for getting paid.
frigmous
March 12, 2012 at 9:43am
I got an e-mail this morning from Apple stating that my third-gen iPad is shipping today with an estimated arrival of Friday. I ordered it last Friday before the ship dates started slipping to the 19th, but thought it was going to ship out on the 16th. Apparently I should have it in my hot little hands on the 16th instead!
Anyone else have a similar experience?
