Apple iPad 2 arrives 5pm March 11 in-store; 1am PT online

Apple has confirmed launch details for the iPad 2, which will go on sale at Apple Stores – along with other select retailers – at 5pm local time in the US. The tablet – which we reviewed yesterday – will also go on sale online from 1am PT.

If you're not near one of Apple's 236 stores, you'll be able to pick up the new iPad 2 at AT&T, Best Buy, Target, Verizon Wireless, Walmart and select Apple Authorized Resellers as well. However, the included Personal Setup service will only be offered at official Apple Stores.

Pricing is $499 for the 16GB iPad 2 WiFi, $599 for the 32GB model and $699 for the 64GB model. As for the iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, that starts at $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model, and be available with either AT&T or Verizon 3G integrated.

Press Release:

iPad 2 Arrives Tomorrow

CUPERTINO, California—March 10, 2011—Apple® today announced that iPad™ 2, the next generation of its magical device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and much more, will be available tomorrow at 5 p.m. local time at all 236 Apple retail stores in the US and through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com) beginning at 1 a.m. PT. Every customer who buys an iPad 2 at an Apple retail store will be offered free Personal Setup service, helping them customize their iPad 2 by setting up email, loading new apps from the App Store℠ and more, so they'll be up and running with their new iPad 2 before they leave the store. iPad 2 will also be available beginning at 5 p.m. local time at AT&T, Best Buy, Target, Verizon Wireless, Walmart and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple's new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime® and Photo Booth®, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life* that users have come to expect. iPad 2 is available in black or white, features models that run on AT&T's and Verizon's 3G networks, and introduces the innovative iPad 2 Smart Cover in a range of vibrant polyurethane and rich leather colors.

Pricing & Availability

iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in the US on March 11 for a suggested retail price of $499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32GB model, $699 for the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G compatible with the Verizon network will be available in the US only for a suggested retail price of $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model.