New 9.7-Inch iPad Now Available for Personal Pickup at Apple Stores

[MacRumors]

The new 9.7-inch iPad is now available for purchase at select Apple Retail Stores in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, according to the company's in-store pickup tool enabled today. A handful of stores may have had limited stock already, but supplies now appear ample for Apple to accept reservations.

Apple has yet to activate Personal Pickup in other countries where it operates Apple Retail Stores, including Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Macao, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

Nevertheless, in-store stock may be available as early as today in some of those countries as well. Apple said the new 9.7-inch iPad would be available to purchase at select Apple Retail Stores, authorized resellers, and carrier stores by the end of this week in more than 20 countries. Call ahead to check.

Availability of new 9.7-inch iPad in Los Angeles area Apple Stores today​

Apple began accepting online orders for the new 9.7-inch iPad on its website last week, with initial orders estimated for delivery between March 31 and April 5 in the United States. Orders placed today are estimated to ship between April 6 and April 14 depending on the shipping method selected.

Apple accepts iPad returns within 14 calendar days of receiving an online order, so some customers that still have a far out delivery date may elect to try their luck in stores, but your mileage may vary. Online orders can also be canceled on Apple's website if they have yet to be processed for shipment.

Apple unveiled the new 9.7-inch iPad last week as a low-cost successor to the iPad Air 2, which has been discontinued. The tablet features a faster A9 chip and brighter Retina display than the iPad Air 2, but it is somewhat thicker and heavier than the iPad Air 2 since it lacks a fully laminated display.

The tablet essentially packs an iPhone 6s chip with other iPad Air 2 components into an original iPad Air design. Read our new 9.7-inch iPad vs. iPad Air 2 article for a side-by-side comparison of complete tech specs.

The new 9.7-inch iPad starts at $329 for a 32GB model with Wi-Fi, making it the cheapest new tablet that Apple has ever sold. Apple also offers a 128GB model with Wi-Fi for $429, while cellular-capable 32GB and 128GB models are available for $459 and $559 respectively in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray.

Article Link: New 9.7-Inch iPad Now Available for Personal Pickup at Apple Stores

 

[BornAgainMac]

Those are really thick.

 

[1applerules1]

Great deal! Especially with a students discount!

 

[Reason077]

I'm tempted to buy the new iPad. It looks like great value, and it would be my first iPad since buying an iPad 2 many years ago, which still gets used fairly regularly in our household.

However: The inability to have multiple users (and thus individual email accounts, safari password keychains, etc) is really holding me back. It makes the iPad hugely less useful in a family/household setting. I really hope Apple will finally sort this out in iOS 11.

 

[JoEw]

I'm tempted to buy the new iPad. It looks like great value, and it would be my first iPad since buying an iPad 2 many years ago, which still gets used fairly regularly in our household.

However: The inability to have multiple users (and thus individual email accounts, safari password keychains, etc) is really holding me back. It makes the iPad hugely less useful in a family/household setting. I really hope Apple will finally sort this out in iOS 11.

Apples logic: buy more than one

 

[Sefstah]

So after all the Samsung hype, here is what Apple gives us. Boooooring!

 

[NinjaHERO]

Still hoping for an awesome update to the larger 12.9 Ipad.

 

[Zaft]

Those are really thick.

7.5mm is thick? Hold an original iPad.

 

[Sasparilla]

Well, if you have a iPad 3, 4 or even an initial Air this would be a good buy - nice to see they came out with a good priced version.

Don't think it'd be worth it over an Air 2 though. Should be called the iPad Air SE.

 

[PlayUltimate]

Waiting to see speed comparisons.

 

[coachgq]

I was thinking about getting these for my kids. They had iPad mini 2's. Then I saw the trade in on those through amazon was around $260 each. So instead I made the choice to trade in the aging iPad minis, spend $150 total on 2 fire HD 8's plus sd cards and use the rest for more UW boom 2's to place around the backyard pool. Kids still get to watch YouTube, play games, read books (kindle books of course since you can read on way more devices than iBooks) and purchased movies(always buy on amazon vs iTunes for same reason). Win win for everyone.

 

[macs4nw]

Good entry-level option for many less-demanding potential tablet users.

 

[Zaft]

I was thinking about getting these for my kids. They had iPad mini 2's. Then I saw the trade in on those through amazon was around $260 each. So instead I made the choice to trade in the aging iPad minis, spend $150 total on 2 fire HD 8's plus sd cards and use the rest for more UW boom 2's to place around the backyard pool. Kids still get to watch YouTube, play games, read books (kindle books of course since you can read on way more devices than iBooks) and purchased movies(always buy on amazon vs iTunes for same reason). Win win for everyone.

How is the screen on the fire hd? 1200 x 600 just seems so low res.

 

[0lf]

Those are really thick.

It is so thick you can't hide it behind a pencil ?

 

[B4U]

I am getting confused now...
The other front page news mentioned the "New" 9.7 iPad teardown confirms it's basically an original iPad air.
But here it says it is "new".

Given that the internals are actually updated, is it still considered as "new" or "basically an original iPad air"?

 

[Reason077]

Apples logic: buy more than one

No doubt! But even if I wanted to spent $329 each on several iPads, it doesn't fit the casual way we use them in our house. I don't want to waste time hunting around the house for "my" iPad. I want to pick up the one that's already sitting on the kitchen counter!

 

[dannyyankou]

So after all the Samsung hype, here is what Apple gives us. Boooooring!

You must have been missing the iPhone 8 rumors, it sounds impressive so far.

And by your own logic, Samsung must be boring for releasing a refurbished discontinued phone just to make up for lost profits.

 

[ackmondual]

So after all the Samsung hype, here is what Apple gives us. Boooooring!

I actually have not been keeping up much with Samsung either. IIRC on the tablet side of things, they have the Tab S3 in the works, but that's only going to be available in the 10" or so size. No 8.4-8.5" sizes.

Well, if you have a iPad 3, 4 or even an initial Air this would be a good buy - nice to see they came out with a good priced version.

Don't think it'd be worth it over an Air 2 though. Should be called the iPad Air SE.

I'm still rocking an Ipar Air (1) I got about 1.5 years ago. 128 GB, no cell, only $400, but used. I'll be sticking with that, as this doesn't look that great for me. Unfortunately, it's as I suspected... on one hand, it's great that new iPads with decent (or "decent enough"?) hardware are available at affordable prices (I still remember how Ipads would set you back $600+ for the 2nd tier storage capacities). OTOH, you don't get much, if at all of any of 'the latest and greatest'.

 

[jayducharme]

I predict they won't have any trouble keeping this one in stock.

 

[44267547]

So after all the Samsung hype, here is what Apple gives us. Boooooring!

You're comparing Samsungs new hardware to a budget iPad? The iPad 9.7 isn't even new hardware, its a revamp made for affordability. Perhaps a more appropriate comparison would be when Apple releases its new rumored iPad when it actually releases. That makes more sense.

 

[now i see it]

There will never be multi-user login on iOS devices ever. Never. Apple couldn't care less if it's inconvenient for you. Gotta remember, the only reason Apple makes these toys is to make money, regardless of the spin the captain puts out.

 

[Sefstah]

You're comparing Samsungs new hardware to a budget iPad? The iPad 9.7 isn't even new hardware, its a revamp made for affordability. Perhaps a more appropriate comparison would be when Apple releases its new rumored iPad when it actually releases. That makes more sense.

No, I'm comparing Samsungs innovation, drive and execution to Apples lack there of.

 

[44267547]

No, I'm comparing Samsungs innovation, drive and execution to Apples lack there of.

But you're in an iPad related Thread where you posted "This is what Apple gives us", Followed by "Booring." Point being, your first post doesn't express exactly what you're telling me now and they come off it's totally two different things when you're referring to the iPad as boring.

 

[Sefstah]

You must have been missing the iPhone 8 rumors, it sounds impressive so far.

And by your own logic, Samsung must be boring for releasing a refurbished discontinued phone just to make up for lost profits.

If all Samsung had was a refurb phone/tablet then yes. But unlike Apple, Samsung raises the bar with real innovation. The iPhone 8 rumors have been the most unbelievable ever. We will just have to wait and see what they do. Im hoping for something great, but given their recent efforts I'm not holding my breath.

 

[coachgq]

How is the screen on the fire hd? 1200 x 600 just seems so low res.

It truly is a bit lower. But for some pre-teens. It's perfect for $75.