Start your engines, Apple fans! The iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 arrive in select Apple Stores

By Malarie Gokey October 23, 2014

ipad air 3 news version 1450181476 2 v2 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apple has been uncharacteristically quiet about the official in-store arrival date for the new iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3. It seems that Apple plans to forgo the long lines and chaos that typically accompany device launches by stealthily sneaking iPads into stores in waves. Currently, would-be buyers can stroll up to several Apple Stores on the East Coast and a few in other parts of he country to buy Wi-Fi only versions of the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3.

Those who pre-ordered the new iPads online should receive their new iPads any day now, with some arriving as early as Wednesday. If you haven’t ordered online and happen to live in New York, you can pick up the Wi-Fi only models of the iPad Air 2 and Mini 3 at any Manhattan location. Select Apple Stores in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. also have the new iPads in store. Meanwhile, West Coast cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle are expected to receive the new iPads in the near future.

If you’re hoping to pick up the LTE-enabled version of the new iPads, you’ll have to wait for yours to be delivered or pre-order one from Apple, carriers, or other retailers. For a complete list of retailers offering pre-orders, check out our handy guide.

This marks the first time that Apple won’t have an official in-store launch date and may reflect slowing iPad sales. Many tech pundits were disappointed by the limited improvements made on the new iPads. Apple’s recent financial report also signals a decline in iPad demand. Even so, CEO Tim Cook assured investors that it’s just a slight speed bump.

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