Apple’s new iPad has taken another step toward overnight shipping. Shipping times have now fallen to 3-5 business days for all iPad models. That’s right, you can now get your iPad in less than a week if you order it directly from Apple’s website.
While most of Apple’s products are available for overnight shipping from their online store, a new product like the iPad often sees lengthy delays in online availability. When the new iPad was unveiled in early March, it was immediately available for pre-order. Those who moved quickly and pre-ordered their iPad in the first 48 hours or so were guaranteed to receive it by launch day, March 16th. Just a couple days after the unveiling, though, shipping times began to slip form March 16th to March 19th. When the iPad hit stores on the 16th, Apple’s physical retail stores had plenty in stock, but shipping times had slipped to 2-3 weeks.
Just a few days later, availability improved and shipping times shrank to 1-2 weeks. Two weeks ago, Apple adjusted the shipping estimates again, down to 5-7 days. As of today, they’ve adjusted them again. If you order an iPad from Apple’s online store today, it should ship within 3-5 business days
Though Tim Cook said during Apple’s latest earnings call that iPad supplies remain “constrained,” that appears to be improving fairly rapidly. It looks like the pace at which Apple lowers its shipping estimates is increasing, which suggests that supply is catching up with demand pretty quickly. With luck, the iPad will join the ranks of Apple products that ship overnight sooner rather than later.