Apple iPad Rollout, Slightly Delayed, Scheduled for April 3

Pre-orders start March 12

By Jeremy Hsu Posted 03.05.2010 at 11:57 am 11 Comments

iPad Layout Will you be holding the precious soon? Apple

Apple aficionados and first-adopters will have to wait a bit longer than anticipated to get their hot hands on the iPad. The tablet computer's debut has been moved back to April 3 for the U.S., AP reports.

Apple originally gave a tentative "late March" rollout when it unveiled the iPad for the first time in late January. The company has not given reason regarding the delay, but at least one analyst suggested some production issues relating to possible component shortages for Hon Hai Precision, Apple's Taiwan-based supplier.

Initial iPad models that only connect to Wi-Fi networks will cost $499 - $699 depending on data storage options. Later versions that can connect to 3G cellular networks are slated to cost $629 - $829, and would go on sale in late April.

All models will hit shelves in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K. by late April, with later rollout dates for other nations. U.S. customers can begin preordering both models beginning on March 12.

Whether you really love the iPad's concept of next-gen computing or dislike its closed-platform model, you can be sure people will be talking about this post April Fool's. If you still don't know what all the hype is about, check out our hands-on impression.

[via AP]

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11 Comments

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tentacleTherapist

03/05/10 at 1:19 pm

oh wow a delay how unexpected

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Meshca

03/05/10 at 2:02 pm

component shortage: miniaturized invisible virtual padlock on every app downloaded.

Either that or they accidentally put an extra 'edit' in settings that gave you more control.

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beachboyjamr

03/05/10 at 3:10 pm

This is pretty unexpected for apple to do something like this. I looked up some information regarding what components has a shortage. They actually said that the Capacitive touch screen interface was short and only made 300,000 models to the expected 1 million models that should be coming out. This means it will just be like the wii gaming system when that came out. It will be pretty hard to fine.
The most expensive iPad is almost 900 dollars!!! Thats almost the price of a macbook for not even half of the capabilities that the macbook offers! It has the same platform as the iphone and not a smaller version of snow lepard. that is horrible why would you want that. Your better off just getting the iPhone its cheaper and even though you have to pay monthly fees on the iPhone you have to pay them on the 3G version of the iPad to! What a bummer, I would want alittle more out of it.

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bdhoro87

from coral gables, fl

03/05/10 at 4:12 pm

This is the first product that I really believe Steve Jobs and the development team must have been smoking crack to actually produce.
I mean really... who the hell wants a giant sized iPhone? The only reason iPhones and iPod touches and these multi-functional devices are good products is because they fit in your pocket, making them convenient to have everywhere. There's almost no difference between carrying this thing around and a full sized laptop - you essentially need to carry a bag.
And its much more expensive with less function than a standard netbook for a few hundred. The only way this kind of device would ever sell is if it fit in your pocket.

I'm sure, however, that there are enough mac fanboys out there who won't care that what they're buying is useless, and will leave their iPad sitting next to their home computer all day just so they can say "I got the new mac product, doesn't it look snazzy next to my iMac?"

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Meshca

03/05/10 at 8:18 pm

"This is the first product that I really believe Steve Jobs and the development team must have been smoking crack to actually produce."

This is very viable.

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