( Mashable ) -- On Friday March 11 , Apple 's iPad 2 will become available for purchase online and in retail stores . Early trade-in activity surrounding the original iPad suggests that that the iPad 2 will be in high demand . As with last year 's original iPad and the iPhone 4 , we anticipate crowds and long lines at various Apple retail stores across the United States . Are you interested in buying an iPad 2 this weekend ? Here 's what you need to know . Online or in-store . With the original iPad and the iPhone 4 , Apple allowed individuals to place pre-orders online or to reserve a device for in-store pickup . With iPad 2 , Apple is eschewing the pre-order game . Instead , the iPad 2 will be available via Apple.com at some point early Friday , and in retail stores starting at 5:00pm . Online reports indicate that Apple.com sales will start at 12:01am PST on March 11 , 2011 . East coast buyers , set your clocks for 3am . At Apple.com , users can choose between white or black variants in Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + 3G . Users can select either Verizon or AT & T for their Wi-Fi + 3G unit . Apple promises `` fast , free shipping , '' which indicates they are using 2-day Fed Ex or UPS . Depending on when an order goes through , it 's possible users could get units on Monday March 14 , 2011 . We 'll be realistic and expect that most users who place an order on Friday will receive their packages on Tuesday March 15 , 2011 . Like Caesar , you 'll need to watch for the Ides of March . Apple retail stores will begin selling the iPad 2 at 5:00pm . Typically , Apple shuts down its stores for a few hours prior to launch in order to get signage , inventory and staff in place . Lines may start at some outdoor Apple stores as early as Friday morning ( if not Thursday night ) , but indoor mall locations may start later , depending on mall policies and general shopping traffic . Retail partners . In addition to the Apple retail stores , the iPad 2 will also be available at Best Buy , Target , Walmart and Sam 's Club . Verizon Wireless will also be selling the iPad 2 on Friday March 11 , 2011 . None of the retail launch partners have specified if sales will take place both in-store and online , but we expect that in-store sales will not begin until 5:00pm . It is n't clear if AT & T will be carrying the iPad 2 at launch ( we 've reached out to them for comment ) , but 3G variants from both carriers should be available at retail partners like Walmart and Best Buy . Neither AT & T nor Verizon will be carrying the Wi-Fi only models . Models , colors , carriers . There are eighteen different iPad 2 units : the nine listed below , available in either black or white . -- iPad 2 16GB Wi-Fi : $ 499.00 . -- iPad 2 32GB Wi-Fi : $ 599.00 . -- iPad 2 64GB Wi-Fi : $ 699.00 . -- iPad 2 16GB Wi-Fi+3G Verizon : $ 629.00 . -- iPad 2 32GB Wi-Fi+3G Verizon : $ 729.00 . -- iPad 2 64GB Wi-Fi+3G Verizon : $ 829.00 . -- iPad 2 16GB Wi-Fi+3G AT & T : $ 629.00 . -- iPad 2 32GB Wi-Fi+3G AT & T : $ 729.00 . -- iPad 2 64GB Wi-Fi+3G AT & T : $ 829.00 . Unlike the white iPhone 4 debacle , Apple promises that white iPad 2 units will be available on launch day . It 's really anyone 's guess as to the breakdown between color choices . Apple retail stores will likely have the most white units in-stock , with retailers like Best Buy , Target and Walmart carrying mostly black units . Tips from iLine veterans . Having covered -- and waited in -- numerous iLines in the past , these are my suggestions : . -- Best Buy , Target or Walmart stores near an Apple retail store are likely to be less crowded . Customers who want the fastest purchase experience should check the retail locations closest to the Apple Store . -- If you have a color/size preference , order online . Waiting in line for a few hours only to find out that the model you want is out of stock is no fun . If you want a specific color/capacity , reduce your stress level and order online . -- Plan for non-iPad 2 shoppers . Wireless stores get pretty busy on Friday nights even without the iPad 2 -- keep that in mind before heading to the local Verizon or AT & T store . -- Avoid the Austin-area Apple stores . South By Southwest coincides with the iPad 2 launch , meaning thousands of geeks will be in town and may descend on the store . Locals and visitors alike should steer clear . Just thinking about it makes me queasy . -- Check Twitter , Facebook and Foursquare for line reports and information on how busy particular locations are . -- Wait for Saturday . It is n't uncommon for stores like Best Buy and Walmart to get Friday deliveries . We imagine that at least some iPad 2 inventory will be delivered for the weekend , which means that Saturday mornings are a good time to try local stores -- and if you 're brave -- the Apple Store . © 2010 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
Apple 's iPad 2 will become available for purchase on March 11 online and in stores . With iPad 2 , Apple is eschewing the pre-order game . There are eighteen different iPad 2 units with varying GB sizes .