iPad 2 Announcement This Month, Shipping in March?

[Paul Daniel Ash]

The rumor mill is getting closer to settling on an announcement date for the iPad 2. According to a report from MacOkatara, which has occasionally provided accurate intel from the Asian supply chain, Apple will hold "a small event" to announce the next-generation tablet at the end of February. This report suggests the iPad 2 will be available - at least in the US - some time in March. A separate report states that more than half of the first run will be 3G devices.

During the Chinese New Year, from February 3rd to February 17th, "everybody goes home" from the cities where China's electronics manufacturers are located. As a result, MacOkatara notes, production has halted on the iPad 2, and is not expected to resume until after the holidays. According to supplier checks, five million second-generation iPads will ship in the first run of manufacturing, with most of those being 3G models. Ming-Chi Kuo told AppleInsider that 38% of the first production run will be WiFi iPads, with 46% UMTS (AT&T compatible) WiFi+3G units and the remaining 16% shipping with Verizon compatible CDMA 3G radios.

The source for MacOkatara's late-February announcement is unknown, but it's in line with other reports that indicate that production has already begun, and increasing numbers of accessories and replacement parts making their way to third parties. The second generation iPad is expected some time around the one-year anniversary of the original model on April 3, and it makes sense that Apple would move the released date up a bit to steal some of the thunder from tablets just now being released by competitors.

Source: MacRumors, iPad 2 mockup image via MIC Gadget

[iBwizzle]

Notion Ink > iPad 2

[iphone?3gs]

Notion Ink > iPad 2

Yes the tablet that hasn't shipped to all, and doesnt even start up for some people! Running on an old os... The notion in sucks

[mortopher]

3G models are that popular? I only know of one person with a 3G model and that was only bought bc he didn't know about tethering at the time.

[DeadGlory]

Il bite, I will finally pick up the first generation once they lower its price because of the iPad 2.

[StealthBravo]

Im so ready

[Simon]

Me too

[CX3NT3_713]

[QUOTE=mortopher;5796303]3G models are that popular?

Lol +1

[AKCHRIS]

Yeah I'll see if it's really worth it. If it is, it would be nice to see if they have some sort of trade-in although I doubt...but one can only hope.

[steve-z17]

Can't wait, iP2 is going to be awesome

[punjabi212]

I might actually buy one.

[manickbarry]

I just can't seem to get excited about this at the moment

[iLoveyuuuu2000]

wooow . so manny elllectronics they come out w / . imeaan soon there gonna have an iPAD 4 ! & peoplllle jus keep spending & spending !

[Cowboy]

Now only if i could afford one lol

Someone sell me there first gen ipad

[mjfurious]

I am ready to pre-order this, but I might have to take a look at the motorola xoom.

[red_zone]

Meh, I'm happy with my google CR-48.....

[mikerlx]

wooow . so manny elllectronics they come out w / . imeaan soon there gonna have an iPAD 4 ! & peoplllle jus keep spending & spending !

I'm staying with my iPhone 4 for at least 3-5 years and maybe the same for iPad & my white MacBook is from 2007. So, once u find ur tech comfort zone enjoy!

[landon418]

Il bite, I will finally pick up the first generation once they lower its price because of the iPad 2.

same here personaly, i think the ipad 1st gen looks better

[nomad707]

I cant wait !!

[Evilsaint]

Having skipped the first one I can't wait for the new one on te other hand honeycomb looks tempting as well :s