According to an iLounge report on the recent Apple MacBook Pro and iPad 2 news, some questions have arisen regarding what Apple plans to show us at the iPad 2 launch event on March 2, preparations for which have already begun. One of the major questions that are being asked, is when will the true "second-generation" iPad be available? Read on below to find out more.
Two reliable sources are suggesting that next week's "iPad 2" event has some serious cliffhanger potential - as in, consumers may not see the real "iPad 2" for some time. There's apparently some truth to the reports of production problems with the new model, and as a result, no one is really sure at this point what Apple is going to be shipping as the "iPad 2," or when
So basically what this report does, is hint at a possible iPad 3 launch as far as September 2011, which John Gruber of Daring Fireball had predicted earlier. iLounge is of the view that Apple could be preparing to release what we could call the "iPad 1.5" with a camera and other tweaks while customers wait for a substantial, full upgrade to the iPad.
In any case, our sources aren't sure whether Apple is going to release the iPad 1.5 now and call it the iPad 2, hold off a few months and release something dramatically better, or hold off a few months and release the iPad 1.5. The sources strongly believe that Apple cannot possibly ship enough truly "new" iPads to meet a late March or early April release date. One expects that Apple will only preview the next iPad at next week's event, then release it widely around June. A price drop for the current model would keep sales flowing until then
However, iLounge admits that these claims are a bit hard to believe given the fact that the iPad 2 launch event has been confirmed for March 2, whereas we've seen earlier rumors predict an April launch of the iPad 2.
The report also says that the new MacBook Pro line due for release tomorrow is actually more of a refresh of Apple's existing MacBook Pro lines, whereas a complete redesign of the Apple MacBook Pros will happen in 2012.
Last but not the least, the report also says that Apple is going to launch the iPhone 5 in June as expected. "worldwide shipments" would start by August at the earliest.