iPad 2 sales seems to be easing up a bit in the US, Apple shipping to Asia earlier than expected

We’re not sure if it’s brought about by a sudden rise in production or demand is naturally (though slowly) being met, but it looks like availability problems for the iPad 2 are easing up a bit. “A bit” is the operative term here though. You still can’t just waltz into an Apple store in the middle of the day and expect to come out with an iPad 2. According to some stores in Southern California, they’re just not “selling out of stock before the doors open” for the first time since the launch.

In the days after Apple started shipping the new tablet, people usually form lines as early as 3 a.m. or earlier. Apple stores usually open early and pass out claim tickets to people in line, but since there were usually more people in line than the available tickets, some people go home empty-handed, which explains them selling out before the doors even open.

Things were different on Tuesday morning though; as some stores have reported that they actually had enough stock to sell to everyone in line as well as early walk-ins. It doesn’t apply to all Apple stores though; according to an Apple Store in San Francisco, people are still getting in line at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, waiting for Wednesday sales.

The rest of the world – or at least the 25 other countries included in Apple’s first international launch – could see their own brand of crazy on Friday. Despite the hot demand in the US, the iPad 2 will still push through with their planned international release on March 25th. Apple’s new press release had a little bit of good news for Asian markets too: Apple just announced that the iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, and Singapore – markets that expected it to officially ship sometime around June or July – as well as “additional countries” in April.

Great news for a lot of markets around the world, but not so good for the gray market importers who ate up stocks on launch day and made a killing by selling them for up to $2,000 in Hong Kong. As for the people who actually spent up to four times the usual amount for it? That just sucks.

From Apple:

iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on March 25 for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April, and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.