I quickly wanted to write something up giving everyone a little information about tomorrow’s impending release of the iPad 2. Here’s the breakdown.
When and where can I get it?
The iPad 2 will go on sale Friday (March 11th) @ 5 PM at Apple Stores, Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless, Best Buy, Walmart, Sams Club and some Target stores will get a few. You can also pre-order the iPad2 on Apples website @ 1 AM *PST* tonight/tomorrow. Don’t expect it to show up Saturday morning though. Shipping is free, but I’d venture a guess that you won’t see it until later next week. Hopefully Monday or Tuesday, but no one really knows.
I heard about different colors and sizes, what are they?
16, yes sixteen versions of the iPad are available. 16, 32, 64 GB in black or white all offered as WiFi only, Verizon or AT&T flavors.
Why would I want a 3G iPad?
This question has been eating at me. The 3G iPad will allow you to use the internet on your iPad wherever 3G coverage is offered. It costs about $136 more for the 3G model. The only other plus that the 3G model gives you is GPS. The WiFi only iPad will still get your location, but it does it based on your WiFi connection, it’s not a signal coming from a satellite. The data plans differ on each carrier. Verizon gives you a little(??) more flexibility. Their data plans start at 1 GB for $20 a month, increasing $10 per GB staggering. No unlimited is offered, but you can get a month-to-month plan. AT&T on the other hand just offers you the current iPhone/iPad data plans. 250 MB for $15, $25 for 2 GB, etc.. They will not be offering month-to-month at this time. If I did opt for the 3G, I’d go AT&T with the 2 GB plan. I don’t think I’ve ever gone over a gig on my iPhone, I doubt I’d double it. That’s me though.
I’m paying $500+ for this thing, how do I make sure it stays protected?
Two words, smart cover. Smart covers will be available in five different colors for polyurethane (pink, orange, green, blue, gray) or leather (cream, tan, black, dark blue, red). Check them out if you have not seen them yet! They are not optimum protection, but don’t drop your shit and you’ll be fine! If you are going to travel with it a lot, pick up a cheap netbook sleeve until new fancy cases come out that take advantage of the magical magnets.
When and where is the best place to get an iPad on launch day?
Loaded question here, you’ll be mad if I send you to the wrong place. Thankfully Apple makes this one pretty easy. The Apple Store is your best bet. They will have the largest stock and the most employees to help expedite the wait. When you should show up is another story. I’ll be headed over to my local Apple Store after lunch and get in line. Some people predict that there won’t be big lines because Best Buy, Walmart and the cellular carriers will be carrying the iPads. There WILL be a wait at the Apple Store. Not sure on how big of a wait though.
What are you getting?
Me? I’m getting the 16 GB black WiFi. I have found that I never filled up my 8 GB iPhone 3G and have not even filled up half my 16 GB iPhone 4. I have two movies on it which I have never watched. I still prefer Netflix. I’ll be headed to the Apple store after lunch, as long as I can get out of work. I’ll case the Apple store and hopefully there won’t be a line. If there isn’t, I’ll be starting one. If there is a line, I’ll sigh and take my place at the end.
I can’t go tomorrow, will I be SOL for a month like the original iPad release?
I’d have to venture a guess that if you really wanted an iPad 2 and you can’t make it to the release tomorrow, you should be able to snag one up fairly easy Saturday morning. Don’t hold me to that! I just have a feeling that if you call around first thing in the morning, you’ll be able to find one out of all the different outlets that are carrying it.
