radioshack logo stackedRadioShack today announced that it has begun taking pre-orders for the new iPad, with availability set for Friday, March 16. RadioShack's pre-ordering method requires customers to purchase a $50 gift card that can then be applied to final purchase once the device launches.

Following yesterday’s exciting announcement of the new iPad, I’m writing to let you know RadioShack will start selling the hot new tablet on Friday, March 16.

Starting today, the new iPad will also be available for pre-order by purchasing a $50 RadioShack gift card that can be used toward the final purchase.

RadioShack is also touting its Trade & Save program, which will offer users store credit of up to $350 for an iPad 2 or up to $175 for an original iPad. The credit can be applied to the purchase of a new iPad or any other product. Customers applying the trade-in credit to the purchase of a third-generation iPad or iPad 2 will also receive an additional $50 mail-in rebate.

The company also notes that it is one of the few retailers that will offer AppleCare+ alongside the new iPad, simplifying the purchase and registration process for Apple's new extended warranty program with accidental damage coverage. According to RadioShack, it will join Apple, Target, and Apple's partner mobile phone carriers as the only U.S. retailers to offer AppleCare+ for iPad.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

KingFudd Avatar
171 months ago
I am a Radio Shack employee, and I will just tell some of my experiences with the 4S launch. This in no way indicates it will be the same with the this iPad launch. Everyone who preordered at my store (about 15-20) had one on launch day no matter what size/color they preordered. I'm sure not every store was this way. The $50 gift card was nonrefundable (most likely the same case here). There were no lines at all because RS stores tend to not be crowded. Yes you can get more by trading your previous generation on Craigslist/Ebay. However, you would be surprised how many people just put their old devices in the drawer and just let them sit there. (Don't bash me for being a RS employee; I'm just working my way through college).
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrXiro Avatar
171 months ago


Pre-ordering at Radio Shack = FAIL

Really. The only place to guarantee one is through Apple. RS & Best Buy have less than stellar reputations for Apple launches.
That's a bit fanatical in thinking... "Only Apple does it right" "BUY ONLY from the :apple:!!!"

I purchased my iPad from Best Buy release day with a small line and a lot of happy customers in Los Angeles, CA no less.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Thrilledge Avatar
171 months ago
Radio Shack is already out. Stopped doing the preorders.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
badmac78 Avatar
171 months ago
Wi-Fi Only available for pre-order at Radio Shack

Went to the local Radioshack after reading this. They only have the Wi-Fi models available for pre-order.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
k1121j Avatar
171 months ago
Dont do it you won't get one

I did this for the last 2 iPhones and it took 2 weeks after everyone else got there's. they won't give you a refund either. I had to protest the payment with my credit card to get my money back they don't show you the terms of the sale until the sales complete and you get the details on the back of the receipt that says no refunds. DON'T USE RADIO SHACK if u want one in a reaionable time
Score: 0 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ChristIsLORD Avatar
171 months ago
Be advised: I went to two stores to check this out and they only reserve the WiFi models, they don't have SKUs for the 4G
Score: 0 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
iphone 17 air dummy unbox therapy

iPhone 17 Air's Extreme Thinness Demoed in New Video

Tuesday April 22, 2025 10:22 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an all-new super thin iPhone this year, debuting it alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. We've seen pictures of dummy models, cases, and renders with the design, but Lewis Hilsenteger of Unbox Therapy today showed off newer dummy models that give us a better idea of just how thin the "iPhone 17 Air" will be. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be ...
ipad air windows 11 arm

M2 iPad Air Runs Windows 11 ARM via Emulation, Thanks to EU Rules

Tuesday April 22, 2025 5:01 am PDT by
A developer has demonstrated Windows 11 ARM running on an M2 iPad Air using emulation, which has become much easier since the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations came into effect. As spotted by Windows Latest, NTDev shared an instance of the emulation on social media and posted a video on YouTube (embedded below) demonstrating it in action. The achievement relies on new EU regulatory...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Includes Only a Few Changes So Far

Monday April 21, 2025 11:00 am PDT by
Apple seeded the third beta of iOS 18.5 to developers today, and so far the software update includes only a few minor changes. The changes are in the Mail and Settings apps. In the Mail app, you can now easily turn off contact photos directly within the app, by tapping on the circle with three dots in the top-right corner. In the Settings app, AppleCare+ coverage information is more...
iphone 17 pro majin bu sky blue

iPhone 17 Pro Allegedly Coming in Sky Blue Color Used for MacBook Air

Tuesday April 22, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 Pro in a new Sky Blue color, the same color that debuted on the latest M4 MacBook Air models Apple released in March. That's according to the leaker Majin Bu. Concept mockup from Majin Bu Writing on his website, Bu claims that "sources close to the supply chain confirm that several iPhone 17 Pro prototypes have been made in various colors, with Sky Blue...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 13 New Features

Wednesday April 23, 2025 8:31 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...