In the UK it looks like the pre-order facility for the new iPad has been taken up massively - already on the Apple website, the estimated delivery is now vaguely at 2-3 weeks whereas it was saying the 16th yesterday.

Given I can't order mine until next week given pay and other reasons, I get the feeling I am looking at mid-April at the very earliest!!

I'm sure they'll have some stock at stores for March 16th. But that might require lining up and also not having your first choice of configuration (color, storage) available.

I'm thinking of buying in the US too, my first iPad, are the US 4G models locked to a particular carrier? Will I be able to use it on non 4G networks with a SIM from a network other than the two on the US website?

Spike

Edit: The answer to my own questions. http://asia.cnet.com/crave/what-you-...q-62213812.htm

no carrier will allow this. i don't know of anyone who has an unlimited plan on their tablets.
your best bet might be to tether with your phone.
at&t especially as their networks are under such a terrible load right now that any plan change whatsover leads them to try to rid you of your unlimited plan.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...ad/select_ipad

i don't know the 4G bands outside the US but i believe they are totally different than US bands. but this should be unlocked like previous ipads.
here are the bands:

Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth 4.0 technology
Wi-Fi + 4G for AT&T model: LTE (700, 2100 MHz)1 ; UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Wi-Fi + 4G for Verizon model: LTE (700 MHz1 ); CDMA EV-DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz); UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Data only6

I think the issue is that it only has support for US-bandwidths when it comes to LTE, something that is completely ridiculous unless this can be fixed via software means (firmware, etc.)...

This is the part that I am trying to confirm, but I believe the above means that both the US Verizon and AT&T versions can roam on 3G networks when traveling overseas (i.e. buying a separate sim card from an overseas operator).

What? Personally I wouldn't be caught dead in the predictable queue of Apple "Fanboys" camping out in front the Apple Stores.

I simply pre-ordered mine. Received my shipping notification early this morning.

I do have a dilemma. Given that the pre-orders for the New iPad have already sold out and there is a 2-3 week leadtime in the UK, I'm seriously considering putting my new iPad up on Ebay the moment it turns up next Friday. I should be able to make a decent profit. I can continue to use my Ipad 2 for the next couple of months and buy the new iPad when the early adopter hysteria dies down. ^

I'm seriously tempted.

Got an SMS to say its shipped last night. It says it could arrive on or before the 16th. If it arrives before, shame - as i will be traveling.

I doubt very much that it can be altered after sale. I think it will be just Verizon LTE for now. The other advantage is of course the display. I am still a bit on the fence about this. I do also have a Verizon LTE MiFi so if it looks like I can combine the functions I may go for this.

http://gigaom.com/apple/the-science-...ipads-display/

Interesting article behind the new display.

Ordered the new iPad 32g with Verizon the other day.

My first one.....glad I waited

I work in the LCD industry as a technical distributor for most of the LCD manufacturers, although we don't specialize on the consumer LCD's, we're focused more on industrila (medical / aviation / military / factory equipment etc) but even still, we have most of the roadmaps for the manufacturers consumer divisions so it's interesting to see how the LCD world is moving.

I am goinig to be interested to see how Samsung's new 7.7" tablet sells because as far as I know, this is the first tablet using an AMOLED. AMOLED is the next generation LCD technology and has advantages over TFT LCD such as:

- Low power consumption (important for mobile devices)
- Higher contrast ratio - typically around 10,000:1
- Wider viewing angles even than IPS LCD - typically about 89 degrees symetrical.
- Faster response time.

AMOLED is now widely being employed in cell phones but the real next step is TV's. Unfortunately the manufacturing costs are high and the yields are low so the end user / consumer pays the price. Right now, you can buy 55" AMOLED from LG or Samsung (shown at CES) but I believe they are around $6,000 each - so not realistic unless you really want them.

I think Sharp is providing the new iPad LCD and previous versions were supplied by LG / Samsung.

Apple do a nice job selling the same device over and over again. 'Ipad 'full'? Just buy a new one. Lol.

I'm waiting for the Windows 8 tablets personally. Windows Phone 7.5 is better than IOS and having Windows software, and standard hardware (SSDs, etc.) will make it a viable option for those of us who don't want to be an Apple slave.

Considering that the 64GB 3g Ipad is $829, that will buy a pretty nice PC that will run two decades of existing Windows software, and do everything the ipad can do but with what looks like being a slightly better interface.

Add a docking station/keyboard and it will double as a laptop, so you can use it for watching movies on the plane, then for writing a report when you get to your hotel room (insert your use case here).

That's if you want to run two decades of Windows software. You can get a keyboard with the iPad by the way. I sometimes carry one with me if I am expecting to do a lot of typing.