iPad 2 Hits Stores Tomorrow at 5pm

Tomorrow the iPad 2 arrives at 5 p.m. (local time) at all 236 Apple retail stores in the US and through the Apple Store beginning at 1 a.m. PT. It will also be available at AT&T, Best Buy, Target, Verizon Wireless, Walmart and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

Apple wants to point out that if you purchase an iPad 2 at an Apple retail store, you can get free Personal Setup service, helping you set up email, load new apps from the App Store and more, so you can be up and running with your iPad 2 before leaving the store.

In case you didn’t already know, iPad 2 is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, and has the same 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for faster performance and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime and Photo Booth, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video.

iPad 2 is available in black or white and includes models that run on AT&T’s and Verizon’s 3G networks.

Pricing info:

• iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in the US on March 11 for $499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32GB model, $699 for the 64GB model.
• iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model.
• iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G compatible with the Verizon network will be available in the US only for $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model.

The new iMovie and GarageBand for iPad apps are available today for $4.99 each from the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore. The new Smart Cover is available in polyurethane for $39 or leather for $69.