As soon as the iPad 3G, blessing us with AT&T wireless service, hit Apple stores Friday, I needed to take the plunge. If you’re ready to buy one, my advice?
Reserve one.
I reserved a 3G 16GB late Saturday at two New York City Apple stores. Both outlets had sold out. The shipment arrived at the 5th Avenue store overnight, I guess, because an email popped into my Inbox at 9:28 a.m. Sunday. It said that I had to pick my iPad up by Monday. I walked to the 5th Avenue store (in Manhattan’s near-90-degree heat!) At 2 p.m. Sunday. My pickup and purchase took less than 10 minutes. Smooooth.
There must have been more than 500 people in the store, and 100 or so standing in line. “What are they waiting for,” I asked Hershey, the fellow who swiped my credit card and whisked me through. “To buy iPads,” he said. “They didn’t reserve.”