• USAToday, Monday, March 12, 2012 12:34 PM

The holidays are long gone, but tablets are on everyone’s wish list. Thanks to pent up demand and a broad consumer embrace -- for which Apple is chiefly responsible -- the new iPad is a hot commodity. "Customer response to the new iPad has been off the charts and the quantity available for pre-order has been purchased," Apple tells USAToday in a statement. "Customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date." Apple is synonymous with exciting product debuts, and quickly selling out of its devices. Preorders for the iPhone 4S, USAToday recalls, sold out in less than a day after the 4S debut last fall.

As it stands, consumers hoping to order a new iPad online will now have to wait at least until March 19, while they can test their luck at stores beginning on March 16. “And if past is precedent, there could be long waits in line at some Apple Stores when sales begin at brick-and-mortar locations,” USA Today writes. The successor to the iPad 2, the latest iPad is all about better media presentation thanks to a superior Retina display, faster processor, and 4G wireless capability. Prices start at $499 for a Wi-Fi only model with 16 gigabytes of storage.

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