Lining up in front of local Apple Stores.. Any ideas?

I am going to buy the iPad 2 on launch day.

I've never been to an apple store on launch date, and I am wondering how early I have to line up to actually get one..

If I come late, like at 5PM ( Which is the official launch hour ),

will they be sold out?

Do you think it will be better to order online?..

Thanks, any suggestions would be nice.

 

IMO I really don't think you'll need to worry. The first iPad launch was something to prepare for but you shouldn't have a problem waiting half the day before even going to an Apple store. I'm willing to bet you can walk right in and get one. Apple will have plenty of them. In fact I've never known Apple to really run out of any product including iPhones at launch. At worst, they may run out the first day but will get them in the next day. And yes, if you want to avoid the store crowds (and there will be crowds) you should order online.

 

It depends on where you live.
For my city, yes. I bet they will be sold out if you just walk in at 5:00 pm

 

I agree with yun, it depends where you live. Last time Apple had an online pre-order option where you could go pick it up at your local store, it doesn't look like they are doing that for the iPad 2 though. I thought that was the best option as I didn't have to worry, I knew my iPad was going to be there waiting for me no matter what.

I went to the Cincinnati store to pick up my iPad on launch day at 10:00 AM when the store first opened. I actually got there around 8:30 AM and the line was huge for the people who didn't pre-order. There were easily over 200 people there still 90 minutes from when the store was going to open. That line drastically increased by the time the doors opened. I had to run back to the store at 7:00 PM later that day as I forgot to pickup an accessory with my iPad whenever I was initially there. They still had a line outside of the store and, by that time, they were completely sold out of the 32GB wi-fi model. People either had to settle for the 16GB one or go all out for the 64GB iPad. So Apple didn't completely sell out of iPads but they did run out of certain models.

If I were you, I would just order it online. Apple only charges $15 to upgrade to 2-3 day shipping (at least that is what they charged for my 13" MacBook Pro) so it isn't bad at all. In fact, I would pay $15 extra just so I wouldn't have to wait in line. Not only will you get exactly what you want but you can easily add your accessories, you won't have to deal with the crowds, and you won't have to deal with the Apple Store employees that know less information about the product than you do.

 

Thanks for the inputs.

I attend a university in a not-so-crowded place in North Carolina,

and the only option of a store nearby is Southpoint.

I was hoping to get my hands on them before the weekends came, I might go there for a quick lunch at 12, and start lining up for about 4 hours ish.. I think a 4 hour wait would be worth it for an interesting weekend with the iPad 2..