iPad 2 Shipment Estimates for New Orders Extended to 2-3 Weeks

Just hours after online orders for the iPad 2 went live in the United States, Apple has already extended shipping estimates for new orders out to 2-3 weeks for all 18 models. Those estimates would put new orders on par or even after Apple's scheduled March 25th launch for the iPad 2 in over two dozen other countries.

Apple is likely offering conservative shipment estimates at this time as it seeks to balance its existing stocks and incoming shipments against the surge of orders, so customers may see new orders ship before that timeframe. Regardless, Apple is clearly seeing high demand relative to its launch supplies. Several analysts are predicting debut sales of 500,000-600,000 units, nearly double the 300,000 units sold in the first-day launch of the original iPad.