Apple stores to offer in-store pickup of iPad Air on Friday, suggesting strong supply
Availability of the new thin and light iPad Air may not be constrained for Friday's launch, as Apple is reportedly planning to offer in-store pickup options at its own retail outlets.
Apple's new iPad Air. | Photo: Daniel Eran Dilger
An Apple Retail source who spoke with MacRumors indicated that Apple is apparently planning to make its Personal Pickup option available to customers for Friday's launch. That would be an unusual move for the company, as new products are typically constrained at launch.
Apple is not accepting preorders for the iPad Air ahead of Friday's debut. Stores are set to open at 8 a.m. local time on Friday for the new iPad's launch, while the online store is expected to begin taking orders for home delivery at 12:01 a.m. Pacific on Friday.
Though Apple is not offering preorders, the fact that Personal Pickup will apparently be available on launch day could be a sign that the company is confident in its ability to meet demand through the launch weekend.
Strong availability is not, however, expected for Apple's iPad mini with Retina display when that device goes on sale later this month. Apple has not yet committed to a specific launch date for the second-generation iPad mini, but it's been suggested that supply issues may linger through early 2014, due to rumored yield issues with the device's high-resolution display.
Announced last week, the new iPad Air is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, weighing in at one pound and measuring just 7.5 millimeters thick. Apple has said it's the lightest full-size tablet in the world.
Apple's new iPad Air. | Photo: Daniel Eran Dilger
An Apple Retail source who spoke with MacRumors indicated that Apple is apparently planning to make its Personal Pickup option available to customers for Friday's launch. That would be an unusual move for the company, as new products are typically constrained at launch.
Apple is not accepting preorders for the iPad Air ahead of Friday's debut. Stores are set to open at 8 a.m. local time on Friday for the new iPad's launch, while the online store is expected to begin taking orders for home delivery at 12:01 a.m. Pacific on Friday.
Though Apple is not offering preorders, the fact that Personal Pickup will apparently be available on launch day could be a sign that the company is confident in its ability to meet demand through the launch weekend.
Strong availability is not, however, expected for Apple's iPad mini with Retina display when that device goes on sale later this month. Apple has not yet committed to a specific launch date for the second-generation iPad mini, but it's been suggested that supply issues may linger through early 2014, due to rumored yield issues with the device's high-resolution display.
Announced last week, the new iPad Air is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, weighing in at one pound and measuring just 7.5 millimeters thick. Apple has said it's the lightest full-size tablet in the world.
Comments
NO. REALLY.
Can we vote on whether or not “supply” articles should be written anymore?
Once Surface 2 has failed as miserably as Surface 1, you will quickly see Office released for iPad...so that Microsoft can begin to bring in some revenue from the worldwide tablet market.
And, allow me to purchase using AT&T Next, all through the Apple Store iOS app.
Is there any reason to believe that this won't be the case? Should I try att.com instead?
Sounds good to me. Plan on picking on up Friday afternoon if possible.
Quote:
Once Surface 2 has failed as miserably as Surface 1, you will quickly see Office released for iPad...so that Microsoft can begin to bring in some revenue from the worldwide tablet market.
However, they'll be too late because people will wonder what value Office would bring them when they have a full iWork suite available to them for free.
I like this kind though. It let's me know if I can sleep or need to get in a line.
From what I have been reading you can only do AT&T Next from them.
I found this on their website, "AT&T Next available only at AT&T owned retail stores & att.com."
If you find anything different let us know. Thanks!
Jeff
Cool I might pick up one, but on BLACK Friday, if the discount is good enough.
Hmm. It's a bit of a drive -- there are FOUR Apple stores in my area, but none of them are that close, which is irritating -- but I may very well try this. That way, I can send my old one into Gazelle, get my money soon, and not be without an iPad at all.
Plus, there are a couple pretty decent restaurants at the mall there. Get a new iPad Air, have a good meal. Sounds like a good day, all around.
Happy birthday Dad
Microsoft has been calling Apple's tablets as being "light" for business purposes. Perhaps they meant light in the weight sense.
No, they mean "light" in the feature sense.
I hope Best Buy has ample stock as well Friday morning. I've got $420 in Best Buy Reward certificates and $200 in Best Buy gift cards to cash in on a 32GB iPad Air WiFi
I asked about this on Friday, and the manager at my local store said they'd know on Wednesday what their stock would be like Friday morning. He figured it would be similar to the Mini launch last year, with a decent supply of every model and color for those who showed up before noon Friday. Depending on who is guaranteeing stock, I'll be going to BB or the Apple Store before work because I need a 32GB AT&T model, and I've noticed they both tend to stock 10 times as many wifi units as Wifi + Cellular.
With luck it will be on at midnight if not sooner so the stock can be pulled before doors open etc. Even better would be if you have to do it to get an iPad in store. So they can watch for repeaters and slow their roll
Unlikely. Apple never does decent Black Friday sales. It's generally just the education discounts for everyone. Which on iPads is only like $50 at most
On the 3rd gen and it's time for an upgrade. Would love to browse somewhat rich websites without it chugging. Also really want the slimmer lighter body style for reading. The current iPad's are weighty.
Subjective.
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