May give more shoppers access

The pace of retail iPad 2 sales is finally beginning to slow somewhat, evidence suggests. In the Los Angeles area, workers at the Grove and Simi Valley Apple Stores say that for the first time on Tuesday, they had enough stock after lineups to briefly serve some walk-in customers. Retail stores across the US -- especially in major metropolitan areas -- have been frequently selling out of new iPad 2 shipments before more casual shoppers have access.

The situation remains tough for any potential iPad buyer. A San Francisco Apple Store explains that demand is extremely high, to the point that people were forming a line at 2:30PM on Tuesday for Wednesday's stock. The Apple online store continues to list shipping times between four and five weeks for all models.

Any easing of supply problems may be welcome news for people in the 25 countries slated to get the iPad 2 on Friday. It had been worried that American demand might push back an international launch, as it did with the iPad 1. Apple may be quickly ramping up production however, as it is already planning to bring the iPad 2 to Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea in April.

By Electronista Staff