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Apple Store goes down to get ready for pre-orders of the new iPads

The online Apple Store is down as Apple readies the site to take pre-orders of the new iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3.

The iPad Air 2 is 18% thinner than the original Air, adds Touch ID, M8 motion-sensing chip and an AX8 processor that Apple says is 40% faster than the previous model. It also has camera and wifi improvements, and is available in gold … 

The iPad mini 3 is essentially identical to its predecessor bar Touch ID and the gold color option.

Pre-orders for both devices begin today, with the iPads going on sale “late next week” – most likely on Friday.

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Comments

  1. 89p13 - 10 years ago

    It would be nice if Apple would post when they are Opening Up again – Transparency is NOT one of the “New Apples” strong points.

    • taoprophet420 - 10 years ago

      The down times always vary. They shouldn’t have much to update since they were down a very long time yestersay.

      I miss the store high,igniting which items are new or just received updates.

    • Martyn Drake - 10 years ago

      Apple seems to the only company I know of that can afford to keep an online store offline for several hours without taking a significant penalty is lost sales (because when it does come back up – *whoosh*, the cash comes a-rollin’ in).

      • taoprophet420 - 10 years ago

        These last 3 updates have taking forever, maybe they are being extra safe after iphone 6 preorders started 3 hours late for must people.

        With yesterday’s uodate today’s update should only took about 30 minutes. Not sure why Apple is having to keep the store down much longer then it has historically.

  2. taoprophet420 - 10 years ago

    I’m waiting for AT&T to start selling them. I just have to pay one more installment plan then I can upgrade via the next plan. The 12 month upgrade cycle they allowed was a good deal. To bad it ended in Febaury.

    iPads don’t have enough resale value so it’s pretty much a no brainier for me to update my Air to the Air 2. Much better screen and extra ram entice me.

    • OneOkami (@OneOkami) - 10 years ago

      Has anyone been able to confirm it has more RAM? Apple didn’t mention it in the keynote nor can I find any information on it on their website which is leading me to believe it didn’t. As of right now I’m actually holding on to my 3rd gen iPad because with no dual view multitasking and no memory bump I feel inclined to hold out and see if the iPad Pro rumors materialize.

      • taoprophet420 - 10 years ago

        The numbers leaked on the A8x indicated it had 2 GB of ram, but no it hasn’t been confirmed yet, since nobody has tore one down and Apple never releases the ram specs.

        I’m debating holding out for a iPad pro, but for having to pay the same price on my next plan it making me inclined to upgrade to the Air 2 and see what Apple does with the MacBook Air and iPad Pro.

      • taoprophet420 - 10 years ago

        I think I will wait for an IPad Pro until after Apple moves to quad core chips and ups the ram to 3 to 4 GB.

    • Joel Henson - 10 years ago

      I just sold an iPad 2 for $200. That’s what I would call the definition of resale value. Besides, the SIM card in the new Air 2 is not carrier specific. You can buy it from anyone.

      • taoprophet420 - 10 years ago

        I’m wondering if the installment plan versions will have the non locked sim or they will have carrier specific models.

        On resale value the resale sites don’t offer much for IPads compared to iPhones. I hate ducking ebay, so that a no go route for me.

        I can and have bought iPhones and traded them I. 2 yets later and got the full $300 back for the. Ice terror version. 2 years later I wouldn’t get close to the $729 for my iPad Air. So I chose installment plans for it.

      • Joel Henson - 10 years ago

        I avoid eBay like the plague. I actually sold mine through a local Facebook group. I’ve had great results with that.

  3. Computer_Whiz123 - 10 years ago

    So exciting…

  4. taoprophet420 - 10 years ago

    Ordered through AT&T. Apple Store is stil down.

  5. samuelsnay - 10 years ago

    Ordered mine just now!

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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