New iPad Shipping Dates Slip to 2-3 Weeks

Those looking to get Apple’s new iPad are going to have to deal with a little bit of a wait as shipping times for the new device have slipped even further. Those placing an order today on a new iPad should expect the device to arrive in the next two to three weeks. This comes shortly after the company sold out all of its pre-orders for the new iPad which launches on Friday in several markets around the world.

The pushed back shipping dates come shortly after Apple’s CEO Tim Cook said that demand for the new tablet has been ‘off the charts.’

It also comes shortly shipping times in the United States and Canada fell beyond the March 16th release date and shipping times in France, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK fell to three weeks.

Hong Kong is currently showing the iPad as being unavailable.

While Apple chose a similar release path to the iPad 2, releasing the new iPad nine days after it’s announcement, the company decided to sell it in 12 markets right from the get-go this time around.

And already, it appears that the bet has paid off.

The new iPad, at least on paper, is a substantial upgrade over the iPad 2.

It will be coming with an A5X dual-core processor that’s capable of quad-core gaming, a Retina Display that offers quadruple the screen resolution of the iPad 2, optional 4G LTE connectivity, and an upgraded camera.

All of that is included in a similar design to the previous iPad and the models cost exactly the same as their predecessors once did.

This means that Apple Stores and participating retail locations should draw some huge crowds on launch day.

Read: Ultimate Guide to Lining Up For the New iPad.

Be sure to read our guide on how best to prepare for Friday.