New iPad Demand is 'Off the Charts' with Initial Pre-Order Batch Sold Out - MacRumors
Skip to Content

New iPad Demand is 'Off the Charts' with Initial Pre-Order Batch Sold Out

ipad3
Apple told USA Today that demand for the newest iPad has been "off the charts" and that the initial batch had been sold out:

"Customer response to the new iPad has been off the charts and the quantity available for pre-order has been purchased," Apple said in a statement. "Customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date."

We previously reported that U.S. pre-orders had already been pushed past its March 16th launch date as of Friday morning, with shipping estimates now having been pushed out to 2-3 weeks in all countries included in the initial batch of launches.

The 3rd Generation iPad will still be available for purchase on March 16th at Apple retail stores, presumably to long lines. The new iPad was announced last week and introduced a Retina Display, A5X Chip, LTE and 5MP Rear Camera.

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Saturday May 9, 2026 6:03 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
General Apps Reddit Feature

Reddit Starts Blocking Mobile Website, Pushing Users to App Instead

Monday May 11, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Social network Reddit recently began blocking mobile visitors to its website while pushing them to download the official Reddit app, and it's fair to say that the move is not going down well with users. If you visit reddit.com on your iPhone today, you may see a new popup that can't be dismissed, asking you to "get the app to keep using Reddit." A Reddit spokesperson told Ars Technica...

Top Rated Comments

185 months ago
Finally something other than that ridiculous tether thing that u have to pay for.
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
koobcamuk Avatar
185 months ago
Dates slipped heavily here in Japan, too. Though Windows 8 looks interesting, there is nothing close to the iPad on the market right now.

At first glance there is, but then, try using one ;)
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Adidas Addict Avatar
185 months ago
Facepalm:

http://www.slashgear.com/new-ipad-lines-form-outside-apple-stores-10217846/
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gnasher729 Avatar
185 months ago
I wonder if apple are constraining supply deliberately to make it even more desirable?

Every time I hear someone claiming this kind of nonsense, it makes me wonder. Every company knows that if you miss an opportunity to sell, the opportunity might be gone. Everybody who has an iPad and wants to upgrade and can't buy will potentially stick with their iPad until the next model is released in a years time. Everybody who wants to buy their first iPad might decide to buy something else instead.

The added desirability (if there is any, some people just hate having to wait, so a "shipping in two weeks" notice make it highly undesirable for them), is far outweighed by the loss in actual sales.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eawmp1 Avatar
185 months ago
The naysayers were right. Apple fails again. :rolleyes:
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
185 months ago
It's a massive overgeneralisation, but you could split iPad owners into three groups:

Those who need the newest items and upgrade every year.

Those who like to keep fairly up to date, but don't necessarily buy every year, maybe every other year.

Those who will keep their iPad as long as they can before spending the money on a new one.

I suspect that the second group is quite a significant proportion. I am one myself, as I upgrade my stuff every other year. These people didn't buy an iPad2, but they are buying now.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)