Hundreds queue for launch of iPad 2

Published on Friday 25 March 2011 17:01

HUNDREDS of customers queued outside Apple stores across the UK and around the globe as 25 countries welcomed the launch of the iPad 2.

The thinner, faster version of the tablet computer was rolled out across most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico. Japan has delayed its release.

Crowds of shoppers in Glasgow queued at the Buchanan Street store for the launch at 5pm yesterday.

Canadian backpacker Alex Lee, a veteran of Apple product launches, was the first to claim his iPad 2 at the Apple store in Sydney, where he had been in line for two nights.

Mr Lee, who bought an iPad 2 in the US, said: "If it wasn't for the iPad, I wouldn't be in Australia right now. It's like a habit. I've also lined up on Regent Street in London for the iPhone."

In London, 32-year-old financial adviser Jewels Lewis was at the head of the queue at Apple's Regent Street store, after being fourth in line for the original iPad a year ago.

He had been waiting since 7:30am on Thursday.

He said: "It's quite nice just to take the time out, chill out, reflect."

Some non-Apple outlets in New Zealand and London said they had only been allocated a dozen iPads apiece.

A source at one UK retail chain guessed the reason for the limit was likely to be a desire on Apple's part to be seen to sell out rather than any shortage of parts.

Tablet goes down well with the reviewers

REVIEWS of the new iPad 2 have been positive across the board, but mostly tell consumers they do not need to upgrade immediately.

One reviewer wrote: "The iPad 2 does everything that made the original such a revelation but does them better. Whichever model you choose, there's no reason to wait. "

Giving it five stars out of six, PC Pro concluded: "It's thinner, lighter and more powerful, with better battery life to boot - but the cameras are a big let down."

Techradar.com gave it four out of five stars, saying: "Overall, the new design is the major perk. It's fantastic."

Another review said it was hard to find any serious shortcomings. It added: "Owners of the original iPad should not feel too sore: you don't need to buy a new tablet."