So we know that Apple’s iPad has started shipping, and this morning the company also confirmed that the device will be on sale in all 221 of its retail stores across the United States as well as “most Best Buy stores” this Saturday, beginning at 9 AM.
Apple also said its retail stores will offer a free Personal Setup service to every customer, helping them customize their new iPad by setting up their email, loading their favorite apps from the App Store, and more. Furthermore, all US Apple retail stores will host special iPad workshops to help customers learn more about the product.
iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models on April 3 in the States for a retail price of $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April at $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB.
Engadget over the weekend obtained and published pictures of an internal memo from Best Buy which essentially confirmed that the iPad would be available at selected stores at launch day. According to later reports by TUAW, each store will be limited to 15 iPads in stock, and WiFi-only iPads will be evenly distributed among the three price points.
Also according to TUAW and other reports, only Best Buy stores with badged Apple Solutions Consultants (ASC) and “Apple Shops” will be carrying the iPad devices, which equates to roughly 675 stores total.
Have you pre-ordered yours? Where do you plan to wait in line, if at all?
