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Apple begins Apple Watch pre-orders & 12-inch MacBook sales, supplies limited

Update: Shipment dates are all over the place for the Apple Watch. Many models are already showing delivery dates in June, while the Edition shows an August arrival date. Some 12-inch MacBook models still ship in 1-3 business days.

As expected, the highly anticipated Apple Watch is now available for pre-order through Apple’s online store. Likewise, the new 12-inch MacBook is now available for purchase through the online store. Pre-orders of the Apple Watch and sales of the MacBook are also live in the Apple Store app on iOS devices. You can also now make appointments to try-on an Apple Watch at an Apple Store.

The Apple Watch starts at $349 for the Sport model, $549 for the Watch, and $10,000 for the Edition. Apple confirmed recently that Watch orders will only be taken online during the initial launch period. The company expects demand for the device to significantly outstrip supply, causing availability for many, if not all, models to be scattered. Some users who pre-order tonight will receive their units on launch day, which is April 24th. Many, however, will have to wait longer for their unit.

Reviews of the Apple Watch were posted earlier this week. Many reviewers claimed that while the device is the best smartwatch yet, it’s not an essential purchase for most customers.

As for the 12-inch MacBook, the laptop starts at $1,299 for the baseline model with a 1.1GHz processor and 256GB of storage. For $1,599 you can get the slightly faster 1.2GHz model with 512GB of storage. A built-to-order model with a 1.3GHz processor is also available for $1,549 including 256GB of SSD storage and $1,749 for 512GB. The MacBook ships with 8GB of RAM, as well.

Reviews of the 12-inch MacBook were also posted earlier this week, with users praising the device’s ultra thin design and sharp Retina display. Reviews also, however, pointed to the lack of ports and mediocre performance as reasons the MacBook may not be ready for everyone at this point.

Again, pre-orders for the Apple Watch are now live on Apple’s online store, as well as the Apple Store app on iOS. Sales of the 12-inch MacBook are also now live via both sources. As usual, however, your results may vary. Keep refreshing and don’t give up…

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Comments

  1. Done! placed an order and was pretty quick (based in UK, 42mm Sport)

  2. Greg Novotravel - 9 years ago

    still nothing available from france, on both /fr & /us…

    • فراس اللو - 9 years ago

      i just have a question regarding the extra band, is going to be the same color as the original band ?

      • Simon Pawlin - 9 years ago

        You don’t get an extra band. the band you get comes in two parts in the box. The watch is not put together in the box….

  3. Space Gray stainless steel already slipped to JUNE

  4. irockapple - 9 years ago

    My order was complete “1” minute after preorder began and it already says ships in 4-6 week!!!!

    • staywhatyouare2 - 9 years ago

      Same here! Clicked on the buy button when it said “ships 4/24-5/6” but confirmation says “4-6 weeks.” Space Grey Sport went quick.

    • Peter Vogel - 9 years ago

      Same. when I clicked select it was 4/24-5/8, by the time I finished the order 4-6 weeks :-( Stainless steel with black sport.

      • Peter Vogel - 9 years ago

        And I placed the order less than a minute after the site went live.

      • irockapple - 9 years ago

        I ordered the space grey sport

    • staywhatyouare2 - 9 years ago

      Could be worse! Now says June…

  5. Dáithí McMorgan - 9 years ago

    apple store is still not back online on the uk site nor the us and its 8:09am when it was supposed to start at 8:01…

  6. duepeak07 - 9 years ago

    Done. 2-4 week shipping, not surprising. Went pretty smooth using the iPhone app.

  7. garyconrad2014 - 9 years ago

    Placed an order 8 minutes in and the ship date is already May 13-May 27. What happened to April 24th? How is this possible?

    • irockapple - 9 years ago

      Look at my first comment 😑

    • Graham J - 9 years ago

      Ya it’s almost like millions of people were sitting there hitting refresh or something…

  8. Jake Coupland - 9 years ago

    My order went through by 8:04, I ordered the Space Grey 42mm Sport Watch and as quoted a delivery date of between the 24/4 and 08/5, however in my confirmation it now says 4-6 weeks! With a delivery between 12 May & 26 May! Its a birthday present for the 23rd of April too! I was fine getting it a few days late but this is a tad much!

  9. Dan Watkins - 9 years ago

    The Apple Store App on my iPad came back online first. I kept refreshing the browser on my iMac and it kept saying “We’ll be back” for a good 3 or 4 minutes after I had already placed the order on my iPad.

  10. darkenv2 - 9 years ago

    for real? 4-6 weeks? Apple really screwed this up

    • Josh Koterba - 9 years ago

      It was 4/24-5/8 when it opened up. Either stock was super limited, or it sold like crazy….

      • darkenv2 - 9 years ago

        I kept refreshing on my mac and it didn’t pop up until around 3:13 so I could order and by that time it said 4-6 weeks. I knew it would be one of the most popular configurations but sheesh

    • T.bias - 9 years ago

      I completely agree. For all the hype about creating a “special atmosphere” for the purchase of the watch, they missed their mark by a long shot.

  11. irockapple - 9 years ago

    All of the Edition watches are sold out until either may or June

  12. Dwight Mix - 9 years ago

    Just placed my order via iPhone app, got the space grey sport version (42 mm), says it will ship from 4/24 to 5/8.

  13. I got my 42mm space gray sport, ships 4/24-5/8… got it within the first few seconds.
    Glad I had my favorites favorited, ApplePay setup, and used the app.
    I was checked out in under 10 seconds of the store going live.

    Craziness.

    Noticed space gray steel has gone to JUNE. Not sure it was at initially…

  14. gymnastboatman - 9 years ago

    Any problems with 42mm White AWS availability yet?

  15. xprmntr - 9 years ago

    38 white sport, surprisingly easy, hope it arrives on launch day

  16. Graham J - 9 years ago

    Nope no one was waiting for such a notification; the Apple Store apps came up before the web store.

  17. Josh Koterba - 9 years ago

    I got my 42mm space gray sport, ships 4/24-5/8… got it within the first few seconds.
    Glad I had my favorites favorited, ApplePay setup, and used the app.
    I was checked out in under 10 seconds of the store going live.

    Craziness.

    Noticed space gray steel has gone to JUNE. Not sure it was at initially…

  18. darkenv2 - 9 years ago

    42mm Sport Space Gray Black band and Brown Leather Loop with extra charger. Charger set to arrive end of April, Band early May and Watch 4-6 weeks…

  19. bubffm - 9 years ago

    just ordered mine (42steel/black sportsband) here in Germany. Delivery Mid to End May….

  20. kjl3000 - 9 years ago

    42 mm Sport Spacegray slipped to June right now …

  21. Simon Pawlin - 9 years ago

    order completed at 0803 and delivery 4-6 weeks. don’t mind though……it was to be expected i suppose!

  22. Jeroen Prins - 9 years ago

    Ordered the MacBook 512GB 1.3 GHz Space Grey – delivery between 8-18 May

  23. That was very smooth, the iOS app came online quicker than the webpage. Ordered 2 x sports within 30 seconds of the app opening :) Very happy, very smooth procedure. Let’s hope they arrive on the 24th :)

  24. Hanley Leung - 9 years ago

    just ordered in Hong Kong
    Space Grey Apple Watch Sport – Available in June!
    Apple Watch with white sport band – Delivery 5/13 – 5/27

  25. Christian Higman - 9 years ago

    Ordered the Stainless Steel 42mm Milanese Loop at 12:06am and it says delivery is 4/24-5/8. Just checked the date again for those ordering now and it’s May 13th – May 27th. Crazy!

  26. dcsportsjunky - 9 years ago

    I ordered 3 mins into the store coming back online and the watch edition (black band) for 4-6 weeks shipping.

  27. gymnastboatman - 9 years ago

    Got my AWS 42mm White for 4/24-5/8,
    AWS 38mm White for unknown. Haven’t been able to check. I presume 4/24-5/8 as I got them simultaneously. I feel pretty lucky.

  28. xprmntr - 9 years ago

    Woah, people wanting the editions, some have to wait till August!

  29. Dáithí McMorgan - 9 years ago

    i see the macbook ships 3-4 weeks in europe when it is 1-3 days in the us… so unfair….

  30. Michael Paine - 9 years ago

    Macbook from Apple Australia online has 3-4 week delivery. Could be weeks before they are readily available in stores.

  31. staywhatyouare2 - 9 years ago

    Anyone able to schedule a try on appointment? It keeps saying “service not available.” Hopefully I purchased the right one because if I didn’t then I won’t be getting one until 2016 by the way the pre-orders are going.

    So the stores seriously aren’t going to have ANY when they launch on 4/24? Or will people be able to walk in an get one (obviously having to wait in line, assuming) and get one before the people that pre-ordered online?

    • staywhatyouare2 - 9 years ago

      Weird! Just got a confirmation email out of the blue. Never successfully got the page to load. Apple must be watching my comments.

    • Josh Puchall - 9 years ago

      No. Online only at launch.

    • Christian Higman - 9 years ago

      I tried to make an appointment but it gave me the same thing. Minutes later I got a confirmation email about my appointment. So looks like I’ve got an appointment at 3pm woohoo!

  32. gymnastboatman - 9 years ago

    Did ANYONE have option for in store pickup?
    That’s what I wanted but I couldn’t check it.

  33. David Bradford - 9 years ago

    Ordered a 38mm sport space grey and will have it by 4/24-5/8. I used the app and the whole process took like 10 seconds at most with apple pay.

  34. Jared Bell (@jaredlbell) - 9 years ago

    Ordered Space Grey 42mm. Used the Apple Store App as it came up before the website. Set to deliver 24/4 – 8/5. Glad I got in early. Apple now knows which model/colour is the most popular.

  35. galeksnyc - 9 years ago

    That was just ridiculous! “ships 4/24-5/6″ but confirmation says “4-6 weeks.” Space Grey Sport 42 within 1 minute of open sales??? I don’t think they even had it. Well bout another one to guarantee I’ll have it first, returning after the space gray arrives….Apple is doing a shitty job, they deserve it!

  36. jamesosborne99 - 9 years ago

    Placed an order for the Apple Watch 42mm Stainless Steel with Milanese loop, ordered within first minute on the Apple Store iPad app and so far delivery should be 24th April – 8th may, hopefully…

    • chocodiva52 - 9 years ago

      Did yoi receive the confirmation email fir your order?

      • jamesosborne99 - 9 years ago

        Yes I did, the estimated delivery date is the same.

  37. coachlos - 9 years ago

    What I’m wondering is: what happened to in-store reservations? My understanding was that we could reserve one in store, try on, then complete purchase. I thought it was going to be part of the check out process.

    Did anyone else have this same idea? Either way, I purchased 2 Apple Watches with classic loops and have the 24-8th shipping! I’m not complaining! I guess I’ll just set a separate appointment to try it on prior to opening the box.

  38. Maurice Cooley - 9 years ago

    Yesterday the Apple Store site read that the Watch would be available for In-Store Pickup (on 4/24) with online pre-order. Tonight I wasn’t able to select the In-Store Pickup option on any of the models I tried. I find this to me misleading. Did anyone else have this issue? Also, I was on the website as soon as it went live and placed my order within a minute and now I have to wait between May 13 – May 27th before it arrives!? What happened to a 4/24 delivery date? Was the stock really that low? I’m pretty disappointed with this launches process.

    • T.bias - 9 years ago

      “I’m pretty disappointed with this launches process.”

      Agreed. This is the first time that I actually have been, shall we say…”angry” with my purchase process with Apple. I as well got in to the web shop the second it was open and placed my order only to be prompted that I wouldn’t get my Watch Sport until well over a month after its official release date.

      I would have rather been a Line Lemming™ and waited for hours upon hours to get one on the 24th than deal with this @#$%. *cough*

  39. chocodiva52 - 9 years ago

    I placrd my order but have not received a confirmation email i only received the order number online hiw long did it take to receive your emsil?

  40. kingkunta - 9 years ago

    Preordered :)
    42mm Sport White Sport Band

  41. eddyvinci - 9 years ago

    Smooth sailing over here. Ordered via the IOS app at 11:03am Alaska time. Delivery date for a Sport Black 42mm is April 24 – May 8.

  42. bch4pm4n - 9 years ago

    I ordered mine and I have got Delivery: 24/4-8/5 by Standard Shipping

  43. GadgetBen - 9 years ago

    So what is the deal with the delivery dates? Delivery: 24/4-8/5

    Thats a big window for Apple. Ordered around 8:02 (UK time) so must have been the standard delivery date.

    Ordered 42mm Sport Stainless Steel White

  44. vandy75 - 9 years ago

    I was queued up on the app on my iPad, on the 800 number on my phone and on the web on my macbook pro 20 minutes in advance of trigger time. The web wasn’t up on time. It opened up about 15 mins late. I got through the app first then the 800 number. The clerk on the 800 number was having problems with the system so I actually got my orders through the app. The process dear Angela was a mess. Getting a “try on” appointment was a vigorous challenge as well. I said before and now there’s proof, Burberry is NOT Apple. I still say she will be to Apple what Ron Johnson was to J. C. Penney completely misunderstands the consumer.

    • Hanley Leung - 9 years ago

      you’re missing the part where they hired her for china growth

    • Jacopo (@zeven1) - 9 years ago

      I agree with you. Such a bad marketing and selling process by Angela. I think Apple should have said that since there are very short supplies the Watch will be released in June. And also to other markets altogether.

      Also Apple lied because besides the try-on appointments, they said there would be a purchase are called “landing zone” or something similar. But they realized 24h before the pre order time that they can’t do it due to short supplies.

  45. Managed to get a 42/4-8/5 order in for a 42mm Sport (with a blue band), using the Apple Store app in the UK. That said, my order confirmation e-mail is at 8:02:17, so I must have had the order placed within 20-30 seconds of pre-orders starting…

    Yeah, these things aren’t exactly failing to sell.

  46. bradleyza - 9 years ago

    Placed my order it says April 24th-May 8th, but when i try double checking it by logging in with my order number, it says the information is incorrect, is anyone else having the same issues?

  47. jerrycooke - 9 years ago

    I’m really glad I looked for pre-order advice before hand and had the app open on my iPad as well as a browser tab opening. I ordered a 42mm Sport in white at 8:01am, got the confirmation at 8:02am, so it must have been within the first 30s or so, though I had to amend a phone number, so it wasn’t as fast as it could have been.

    Was amazed at the fact that the app showed delivery times slipping to 4-6 weeks even before the website came out of maintenance and within half an hour they’d gone to June.

    It’s hard to tell if it’s demand or low stock, until sales figures are released, but it’s certainly not a flop by any definition of the world.

  48. Jason Hazelwood - 9 years ago

    I was lucky enough to preorder a 42mm SS Space Grey AW with matching link bracelet and a white sports band at 0803hrs British Summer Time. Unfortunately it’s a 4 week wait, but at least I got one

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com