Good news for customers looking to snag an iPad 2 on Friday March 11. Lines should be minimal as the iPad will be available from a variety of online and brick and mortar retailers. Below is a run-down of each retailer, its prices on the iPad 2 and availability. This list will be updated as more retailers announce or list the iPad 2 for sale.
Now that you know where you can buy the iPad 2, the question remains whether you should buy this tablet or not. Is it better than the Motorola Xoom? If you own the original iPad, is the iPad 2 big enough of an upgrade to justify buying the second generation model? Let us know in the comments what you think of the iPad 2 and whether you plan to buy this second generation tablet.
Apple Store online
Apple stores will sell the iPad 2 for the same price as Apple’s retail stores. The entry level 16 GB WiFi model will retail for $499, while the premium 64 GB WiFi+3G iPad 2 will sell for $829. The pricing includes free, fast shipping which usually translates into overnight. Depending on your location, your iPad will arrive on Saturday or the following Monday. The iPad 2 will go on sale starting Friday, March 11th at 1 am Pacific Time.
Apple Retail Stores
Apple stores will sell the iPad 2 for the same price as Apple’s online storefront. The entry level 16 GB WiFi model will retail for $499, while the premium 64 GB WiFi+3G iPad 2 will sell for $829. The iPad 2 will go on sale starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 11th.
Best Buy
Best Buy is an authorized reseller of Apple products and carried the original iPad in its stores last year. As expected, the retailer will also sell the iPad 2 when it debuts on March 11th. The retailer will sell all WiFi models of the iPad 2 starting with the 16 GB model for $499. The electronics giant will also carry the AT&T 3G version starting with the 16 GB model for $629.
Walmart
Walmart also jumped on the iPad bandwagon last year and is continuing this tradition with the iPad 2. The tablet will be available both with WiFi and WiFi +3G. The 3G version is also available in black for AT&T and in white for Verizon Wireless. The retailer undercuts its competitors by $1 by offering the 16 GB WiFi version for $498 and the 16 GB WiFi + 3G version for $628.
Verizon Wireless
Verizon carried the original iPad last year and offered the WiFi-only version bundled with a MiFi device. The wireless carrier will sell a 3G version of the iPad that features EV-DO connectivity. The Verizon iPad will go on sale starting at 5 pm local time.
Target
Target is another big box retailer that began selling the iPad throughout its retail stores last year. A tweet from over the weekend and a banner on its website promises that the iPad 2 will be available on March 11th presumably starting at 5 p.m.
AT&T Wireless
AT&T announced the availability of the iPad 2 for March 11. The next generation tablet will be available in retail stores starting at 5 pm. Online sales will be available at http://www.att.com/iPad starting at 1 a.m. pacific time. AT&T currently sells the WiFi + 3G iPad without a contract and with a $25/2GB plan.
Sam’s Club (not confirmed)
Sam’s Club is a discount chain owned and operated by Wal-Mart. Along with its parent Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club also sold the iPad and is expected to sell the iPad 2 as well. The retailer has not confirmed that its shelves will be stocked with Apple’s next generation tablet on Friday so you may want to call ahead if you don’t want to visit one of the above confirmed retailers.
Amazon (not confirmed)
Amazon currently sells the WiFi iPad and the WiFi + 3G iPad for the same prices as the Apple store. Though the retailer has not announced the availability of the iPad 2 for March 11, it is interesting to note that inventory of the original iPad is dwindling. Check back periodically throughout the week to see if Amazon makes an announcement regarding the iPad 2. We will update this post accordingly.