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iPad 3 Release Date and What to Expect From Apple

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Apple will announce the iPad 3 release date during the special iPad event on March 7th.

Because it is the third iPad, we think Apple will call it the iPad 3, but the new device could also be called the iPad HD because of the rumored high-resolution Retina Display. When you see us talk about the iPad 3 release date and the iPad HD release date, we’re talking about the same device.

The iPad HD is expected to bring a collection of new features including a faster processor, HD Retina Display and an improved camera.

(Update: New iPad Release Date Confirmed for March 16th)

Based on the prospect of a better display and a better camera most of the GottaBeMobile staff plan to purchase the iPad HD on release day. Many of us have already sold our old iPad 2 for top dollar, or made plans to pass it on to family members.

iPad 3 Release Date

iPad 3 Release Date iPad HD

March 16th is a potential iPad 3 Release Date.

Apple will announce the iPad 3 release date on March 7th, when Tim Cook and Apple executives take the stage at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco at 10 AM Pacific,/ 1PM Eastern.

Just because Apple hasn’t announced the iPad HD release date, doesn’t mean we don’t have a good idea of when the iPad HD will be available to purchase.

Apple prefers to launch products like the iPad on Fridays, but the first iPad was released on a Saturday, so we have a number of potential iPad 3 or iPad HD release dates in March. Apple typically allows 7 to 10 days between the announcement of a new iPad and the in store release.

We’ve heard from one source that claims Best Buy will receive the new iPad shipments on March 9th, allowing for a Saturday march 10th iPad 3 release date.

While that is a possible release day, it is much more likely that Apple will choose March 16th as the iPad 3 release date.

Apple moved the opening of the Highland Village Apple Store in Houston up a day, to March 16th. The thinking is that Apple doesn’t want to miss out on another store to sell the iPad 3 or iPad HD.

UPDATE: More evidence points to the March 16th iPad 3 release date with special events at local Apple stores.

March 16th is also a likely release date based on Apple history. In addition to a preference for Friday as an iPad release date, March 16th is 9 days after the iPad Event taking place on March 7th. The iPad 2 release date was 9 days after the iPad 2 event.

The 9 day lag between announcement and release day allows Apple to keep the iPad HD name and specs under wraps, and still move supplies into placement at Apple Stores and other retail locations for the iPad release day event.

If I had to put money on the exact time and date of the iPad 3 release, I would pick March 16th at 5 PM.

If you plan to buy an iPad HD on release day, you’ll want to arrive before noon local time to make sure that you get a place in line. When we interviewed people waiting for the iPad in line on release day we found that many had waited since early morning.

iPad 3 Price

iPad 3 PriceWe fully expect that Apple will keep the iPad 3 or iPad HD price the same as it currently is, with a starting price of $499. That’s good news for shoppers who want the basic 16GB WiFi only model.

There is no price difference between the black iPad and the white iPad, but if you plan to sell an iPad 3, the white models tend to fetch a higher price on the secondary market because fewer are available at launch.

If you don’t get an iPad 3 on release day, you will have to wait weeks to find one in stock or pay a premium for an iPad 3 on Craigslist or eBay.

Your best bet is to pay with a credit card because it can double your warranty. Call your credit card company to make sure your card has this benefit. I also suggest bringing a backup card or cash in case the card fails, so you don’t waste an entire day in line.

iPad 3 Pre Orders

Apple is not expected to offer iPad 3 or iPad HD pre orders before the release date. Apple offered pre orders for the first iPad, but not for the iPad 2.

If Apple does plan on iPad 3 preorders, we’ll find out when to order on March 7th. Typically Apple starts pre orders at midnight Pacific, which is 3 AM Eastern, so you’ll need to stay up late if they offer pre orders.

Update: Apple Store is Down – Will iPad 3 Preorders Start Today?

Assuming pre ordering the iPad HD is an option, Apple would likely pick Friday March 9th to start the pre order process.

When you pre order apple products you normally get the item on the official release day, but one or two always manage to arrive a day early.

Where Can I Buy an iPad 3 on Release Day?

The Apple Store will be the best place to go for an iPad 3 on release day, but there are other locations.

Read: Where to Buy an iPad 3 on Release Day

If you can’t drive to an Apple Store, Best Buy will be your best bet for a WiFi model, while AT&T and Verizon stores will likely have limited stock of 3G or 4G iPad 3 models.

iPad 3 Features

Right now, we expect that Apple will announce a Retina Display for the iPad 3 or iPad HD, with a 2048 X 1536 resolution. Teh video below, from iFixit, shows off a replacement Retina Display, which may be part of the new iPad HD.

Read: Retina Display Explained: Why the Retina Display Matters

It is also a given that Apple will include a processor bump, but we don’t know if it will be a new A6 quad-core processor or an upgraded A5 processor, similar to the one in the iPhone 4S and the iPad 2.

As for looks, the iPad 3 or iPad HD, may look very similar to the iPad 2. The video below shows off a partially assembled iPad, which M.I.C Gadget claims is the new iPad that Apple will unveil on March 7th at 10 AM Pacific. The iPad 3 hands on video shows off a home button, front and rear casing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MzxxqCy7hHQ

Stay tuned for the GottaBeMobile iPad coverage on Wednesday March 7th,

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Cool Music

    03/05/2012 at 8:41 pm

    I
    can’t wait to get the new iPad 3. The technology must be very
    impressive but I think Apple needs to do something about decreasing
    the price because Android tablets would eventually win the market.

    • Rockstar10121

      03/06/2012 at 7:54 pm

      yes i agree. but the market will see the true value in any apple products. in store service’s how to classes and many more. people have to realize all the free things that come with any apple products…

      not bias just the truth!

  2. Guest

    03/06/2012 at 2:18 am

    Android is about price point. iOS is about reliability. Different people will always need different things. Thats not to say that apple/google should not expand their markets, but for now they are both necessary to different people. (I used to use android, now I can afford iOS, android is a hinderance now)

    • Bhavin

      03/06/2012 at 6:53 am

      Most of the users don’t really know what do they exactly want to do with their tablets….so price is an important factor as android have caught up with the technology of apple over the years…And getting better every day…as nothing much have changed in apple IPADS since its first launch to the 3rd generation…!!!

    • VoteYES

      03/06/2012 at 7:48 am

      Reliability?  Tell that to those of us using original iPads with iOS5 that have Safari and many other apps crash to the desktop due to lack of memory all the time.

      • duh

        03/07/2012 at 6:26 pm

        then upgrade…..duh! thats like saying why can’t i use windows 8 on my 1992 computer… seriously dude….. 

        • VoteYES

          03/07/2012 at 7:13 pm

          Not a great analogy since the original iPad worked perfectly under iOS4 and only after 5 came out did these crashes from low memory start. And the iPad is only two years old, so acting like it’s unreasonable to expect it to continue to operate is silly.

  3. julialynch

    03/06/2012 at 9:45 am

    The iPad HD that is to be discussed tomorrow by Apple is a great fit for kikin Browser, an iPad-exclusive browser that is available for download in the App Store: https://bit.ly/kikinappstore.  kikin Browser is unlike any other browser currently on the market because it aims to provide users with a unique browsing experience through the use of touch-based features.  kikin Browser’s most notable feature is its focus on ‘touch to go,’ which encourages users to press and hold specific terms on a Web page so kikin Browser can pull up search and image results about those terms within that page.  This makes users’ browsing experience faster and easier, as they are no longer forced to venture to another page or tab to view search results.  Learn more about kikin Browser at: https://bit.ly/kikinsite.

  4. Guest

    03/06/2012 at 2:19 pm

    Go plug your app elsewhere…

  5. Ken

    09/03/2012 at 10:27 pm

    Due to constant upgrades – Mac products have a very short life and it’s Apple who is the winner in the end because they pocket YOUR money.

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