The iPad 2 launch is upon us — or already here , depend on when you ’re reading this article . And if you ’re an aspiring iPad 2 owner , you in all probability ca n’t expect to get your hands on Apple ’s late and greatest tablet .
Of of course , to do that , you ’ll involve to acknowledge the IN and outs of tag down and bribe an iPad 2 . luckily , we ’re here to help .
Ever since Steve Jobs took the wrap off the iPad 2 last week , Macworldhas been on the case , covering everything from the tablet ’s Modern plan and feature to the nitty gritty on when and where it will go on sales agreement . Maybe you ’ve see some of those articles , maybe you ’ve overleap a few . But in the interests of making your iPad 2 launch experience run a petty bit more smoothly , we ’ve collected all the relevant article in one place for your reference .
How to get the iPad 2
The iPad 2 go on sales event in the U.S. on Friday , March 11 . ( If you ’re take this from Canada , Germany , the UK , or 23 other countries , you ’ll have to wait until March 25 for your crack at the iPad 2 . ) If you ’re a nighttime hooter — or an especially former riser on the East Coast — you’re able to place an order through Apple ’s online store starting at 1 a.m. PT on Friday . There ’s no password at this pointedness on when the tablet will make its way into your trembling helping hand , though Apple promises free transport for online orders .
To really lay your hands on an iPad 2 this Friday , you ’re go to have to make your way to a retail outlet — either an Apple Store or any one of the other retailer that we outlined in our guide on how and where to bribe the iPad 2 . ( Very briefly , Wal - Mart , Best Buy , Target will sell the iPad 2 on Friday . So will AT&T and Verizon , though those carriers will likely only see the 3G - equipped models supported on their networks . )
If you are waiting in line for an iPad 2 today , share your photos of the local setting in our Macworld iPad 2 LaunchFlickr pic pool .
What kind of iPad 2 models are available
As with the original iPad , the iPad 2 comes in three capacities—16 GB , 32 GB , and 64 GiB . The iPad is also uncommitted as a Wi - Fi - only gadget or one that offers 3 G connectivity — again , just like with the original iPad . But now there are freestanding Wi - Fi + 3 G iPads for both AT&T and Verizon . And no matter what capacity or connectivity your model offers , you also get to choose whether your iPad 2 come in black or white-hot . ( No white iPhone 4 antic , please . ) That ’s 18 different iPad 2 model , by our count .
The lily-white - vs.-black iPad question may get along down to your aesthetic tastes , but the question about which 3 G iPad to get is a much more complicated issue . That ’s because the 3G - enabled iPad 2 will work on Verizon ’s CDMA electronic internet or AT&T ’s GSM internet , but not both . Once you ’ve picked your good example , you ’re saddled to that 3 G supplier for as long as you have your iPad .
So which one to pick ? you could look at ourside - by - side equivalence of rate plans for AT&T and Verizonto see which one you find more appealing . If you ’re more interested in functioning than price , ourPCWorldcolleagues have painstakingly examined3 G wireless carrying out for assorted carriers . That should give you plenty of scan stuff while you wait in line Friday .
What we think about the iPad
If you ’re on the fencing about whether to buy an iPad 2,Macworld ’s drawn-out iPad 2 reviewshould be able-bodied to answer any lingering interrogative sentence about the pad , such as how is the iPad 2 dissimilar from the original iPad ? What ’s the operation like on the new model ? Should I raise from my current iPad ?
If you are picking up an iPad 2 on Friday , you ’re fit to want to turn over accessories . In addition to refresh the iPad 2 , we ’ve also ratedApple ’s Smart Cover cases . We also profiled some of the initial iPad 2 accessories herald in the wake of the lozenge ’s entry , whether it’scasesorother iPad add - ons .
If this is your first iPad , you ’re conk out to want to dilute it up with apps . Last twelvemonth , we profiled substantive iPad apps — both pay and free offerings , as well asgames . We surmise there ’s more than a few apps on those lists that will still vibrate your partiality . For even more app theme , check out ourAppstravaganza featurewhich suggests raw apps for iOS equipment newcomer .
