By Tara Kyle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN EAST — Apple’s heavily hyped iPad will finally be released Saturday at 9 a.m., but buzz was already building Friday morning at the computer giant’s Midtown store.
“I’m pretty excited, can’t wait for tomorrow,” said Mike Messer of Gainesville, Fla., while exiting the store at 767 Fifth Ave.
Customers like Messer, who pre-ordered the devices, should be able to pick up their tablets Saturday — assuming they're willing to brave the lines.
Those who place new orders can expect their shipments to be mailed by April 12, according to the Apple Web site.
Steven Baker of the Upper East Side said he would skip Saturday’s rush, but definitely planned to get an iPad soon.
“It looks really cool,” he said, citing the device’s much-hyped features like its lightweight, touch screen and “the access of basically having a computer without the keyboard..."
The tablet computer retails from $499 for the basic, 16-gigabyte option up to $699 for 64 gigabytes, according to the company's Web site.
Models with 3G network compatibility, which will cost up to $829, will ship beginning in late April.
