How To Be First In Line To Pre-Order The iPad

With just a few weeks to go before the iPad hits stores, here’s the best way to ensure you’re at the head of the line to get one (or three).

If history is any indication, the iPad will be in short supply when it goes on sale April 3. Plus there are rumors of production delays that may further constrain supply.

The best way to get one is to place an advance order on Apple’s online store the minute Apple starts accepting them on Friday March 12.

Trouble is, no one knows what time Apple will update its online store. But there’s a way to get alerted.

Thanks to a bunch of nerds in Berlin, you can be pinged the minute the store is taken offline and, more importantly, when it comes back up.

AppleStoreCheck.com constantly monitors Apple’s online store for changes. Sign up, and the service will alert you by email, RSS or Twitter the minute Apple starts taking iPad pre-orders.

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As AppleStoreCheck says: “We’ll check the Apple Store for new products and changes – so you don’t have to.”

iPad pre-orders will initially be limited to US customers, but includes both iPad Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi+3G models, which will ship later. The iPad will be available to pick up from the Apple Retail stores on April 3, or delivery through the mail.

11 comments »

About the author

Leander Kahney is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac, and author of three books about technology culture: Inside Steve’s Brain, the New York Times bestseller about Steve Jobs; Cult of Mac; and Cult of iPod. Leander has written for Wired, MacWeek, Scientific American, and The Guardian in London. Follow Leander on Twitter @lkahney and Facebook.

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Posted in Apple, Apple Tablet, iPad, News, Top stories |

Gomi
Apple, on its iPad page, has a “Notify Me” button, that, when mashed, leads to Apple’s offer to send you the latest news on the iPad, if you’ll just provide your e-mail address.
Well, I provided that upon the iPad’s introduction.
To date, Apple’s sent not a peep on the ‘Pad.
If Apple seriously intended to keep us informed, someone there has dropped the ball. If Apple never intended to keep us informed, someone there made a very questionable decision.
CaryMG
Gomi speaks the truth ….
I signed up for it the day of the SteveNote.
They haven’t told me that preorders start on March 12th *or* that it’ll be available April 3rd.
I doubt they’ll even tell me preorders & availablity have started.
Apple fucked up BIG TIME with this one ….
MacRat
Or just wait a few months and get instant gratification buying one from a store.
http://www.toxicspark.com Andrew Macdonald
Still REALLY pissed off with Apple that they are rolling out to the US before the UK.
For a worldwide company like Apple, why not offer same shipment dates in all the major countries. Instead, I have to wait an extra four weeks before i can even place an order, let alone go to a store and buy one.
Very disappointed in Apple for this. :(
Charli
You know Andrew, the problem might not be Apple but local law. perhaps there’s an FCC like group in the UK that isn’t willing to give them a quick approval. Perhaps they don’t have some needed permission to import them into the UK yet.
There could be a hundred different reasons other than being asshats for why they aren’t doing a same day release.
RocketG
Re the “Notify Me” button, Apple may wish to brag that they’ve accumulated a database of several million iPad fans once they start releasing sales numbers.
One analyst forecast sales of 1.5 m units in the first ten days, with revenues as high as 1B. That requires the Apple Store to sell about 150 units per minute over the period (assuming $500/unit), and I would think must assume massive purchases of the Wi-Fi only model by international gray marketers.
bud
Yeah, I’m sure Apple will email regarding when pre-order is available, at worst, an hour or two after the online Apple Store has been updated, to those that signed up at announcement.
Do you really need to give your email to yet another third party?
http://www.cyclelogicpress.com Neil Anderson
Looking forward to hearing about the iPad from the folks on the bleeding edge.
http://www.toxicspark.com Andrew Macdonald
@Charli
Thank you for the clarification. Didn’t think about local laws or anything like that to be honest, though its still a bit of a disappointment as a long-time Apple fan.
Not to worry though, nothing i can do about it. Will be keeping my eye on eBay to see if any iPads show up within the first week or so, and will buy one that way. At least then I can pick up a US iPad which will work perfectly in my neck of the woods, several weeks before the release date.
Although im guessing their wont be many on eBay that quickly considering its a brand new product.
Jonathon
I’ve already set the alarm for 7AM central to preorder the 32GB WiFi model.We have already picked out some awesome books by Penguin for it and have already ordered the screen protector and skin. I honestly don’t think I have ever lusted after a product like this before LOL. Oh wait, same thing happened when I joined the iPhone cult.
Tom
Nice, this service works good.
btw – the store is down =)