Estimated shipping times for new iPad orders have slipped yet again, with all models now advertised to ship within two to three weeks. That applies to both black and white colors, all capacities, and even the 4G LTE models compatible with AT&T and Verizon.
Customers can still attempt to get their hands on a new iPad by waiting in line at an Apple retail store. The company will have additional units available for purchase at its brick-and-mortar locations for this Friday's official launch.
While demand for the new iPad has forced Apple to delay estimated shipping times, the wait for an iPad 2 remains unchanged. Both black and white 16GB Wi-Fi-only models, available for $399, ship in one to three days, while the 3G-capable models have an identical estimated shipping time.
Over the weekend, Apple issued an official comment on the strong demand it has seen for the new iPad, which led to the initial batch of preorders selling out in just two days.
"Customer response to the new iPad has been off the charts and the quantity available for pre-order has been purchased," a company spokesperson said. "Customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date."
Launch-day iPads sold out from Apple's online store last Friday, and Apple began to advertise that new orders would ship by March 19. But as of Monday, customers will have to wait up to three weeks to receive their new iPad.
Those who were among the first to preorder the third-generation iPad have already begun receiving notifications that their order has shipped, and many packages are being held at FedEx shipping centers in Nashville, Tenn., or UPS facilities in Louisville, Ken. However, the iPads are not scheduled to actually be delivered until Friday, the product's official launch day.
64 Comments
Just got shipping notification for Friday... Not bragging... Just saying
I suspect/estimate/guess that they are currently producing 75k per day and are ramping production. I say their onhand stockpile was 3-5 million which has been burnt through. Well, that's my guess anyways
Just hoping my first iPad is super terrific!
This is nice news for Apple shareholders. It will be interesting to see if they give actual numbers sold/ordered over the weekend.
It will also be interesting to see what the general public says about the new iPad when it actually gets into their hands.
I knew something like this was going to happen as the site was inaccessible right after the launch. I know at least 3 people who are buying them for the first time and at least a dozen others who jumped on the chance to buy the older iPad 2 at a discount.
Anyway, FedEx is holding mine in PA for Friday delivery. In the comments section is says "Future delivery requested"
Cue the Apple SLAMboys and Faux News...
Apple is delaying the iPad launch
No iPad on March 16
This is all a ploy to show demand
Pre-orders held back for weeks
Problems with high-res screens
A5X GPU melts down
China shut down iPad production because of trademark dispute
Any more? Just trying to save some posters here some time.
Remember the Kinect as "selling faster than the iPad"? How it's selling 2x faster than the iPad, breaking world records, etc etc... But guess how many Kinects have been sold ~all time~ ... 18 million. iPads? Over 50 million, and I suspect currently outpacing Kinect sales.
After I finish Mass Effect 3 for Xbox360 I'm going to trade that in along with Gears of War 3 and trade-in the Kinect too.