As noted by MacRumors, the Apple online ordering system for the iPad 2 opened at 1am in a number of countries. The order system shows that estimates for shipping times to Australia and New Zealand, where the ordering system is now open, are between 2-3 weeks, although this is expected to rise as other countries become eligible to order. The United States currently has a 4-5 week delay on shipping although we reported yesterday that some people are now scheduled to receive their order a lot sooner than the initial estimates.
Given the demand for the device in the US, it seems sensible that the best way to guarantee securing an iPad 2 relatively quickly is to order directly from Apple online as some buyers in the US are receiving theirs sooner than expected. Consumers can also cancel their Apple online order if they luck out at getting one at a retail provider.
We have received a little information from people with Apple retail contacts in the UK although it seems to be a pretty conflicted. One person reported that their local Apple Store had received a very large shipment of the iPad 2 whereas another was noted as being ‘very surprised’ at the limited numbers that they received. Given that this is all hearsay, we will know more once the device actually goes on sale at retail stores at 5pm on Friday. We are also hoping that scalping will not be so much of a problem with the international launch bringing availability of the iPad 2 to many countries.
Share your iPad 2 ordering experiences below, and good luck.
Worth The Wait…