New iPad goes on sale
Posted Mar 16, 2012 08:54:25 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Apple aficionados lined up, Friday, as the company’s newest tablet went on sale.
The new iPad, as it’s officially called, was available starting at 8 a.m. ET at Apple’s almost two dozen Canadian stores.
It’s now also available in the U.S. and five other countries.
The new iPad went on sale starting in Asia, Friday. Gadget fans lined up in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore so they could be among the first to get their hands on the device.
This third version of the popular tablet sports a faster processing chip and a sharper screen. It also works with a 4G cellular network.
Other retailers, including Future Shop, are also planning to open early to cater to the lines of Apple fans desperate to get their hands on the new tech toy.
The cheapest WiFi-only model goes for $519, while the most expensive version, which can access mobile networks and has 64 gigabytes of storage, sells for $849
Apple has already stopped taking advance orders for Friday and said customers should expect a two- to three-week wait for purchases made Wednesday through its online store.
That means those who have not ordered yet have to visit a retail store in person if they want it on Friday.
If previous first day sales of Apple products are any indication, lines are likely to form outside stores hours ahead of opening.
The company will still sell the previous model, the iPad 2, for $100 off the old price.
The iPad’s accomplishments have contributed to the company’s success on Wall Street. Apple’s stock touched $600 briefly for the first time on Thursday.
Apple is the world’s most valuable company, with a market capitalization of nearly $555-billion. It topped $500 billion for the first time in late February, a market value peak where few companies have ventured.
