Slideshow: Enthusiastic crowds for iPad 2 launch

San Francisco Apple storeApple stores opened the doors to iPad 2 customers at 5pm.Photo: Stephanie KentCrowd controlApple Store employees manage the mass of people outside of the San Francisco downtown store.Photo: Stephanie KentBig plans for the iPad 2Ahmed Elkady, 21, is a student. He had an iPad but sold it for Christmas, knowing that the iPad 2 was on the way. “I actually bought an Android tablet too, but I like the iPad because it’s smoother and has a more consistent UI. I’m most excited about the increased power and graphics capabilities. Games, e-reading, and graphics will be a lot smoother. I plan on using the iPad 2 mostly for e-reading, gaming, like when I’m bored on the train. And internet, of course.”Photo: David DahlquistFirst in line in BostonBad weather didn’t prevent the Apple faithful from lining up at Boston’s Apple Store on Boylston St, including Angelos Nicolaou who was first in line.Photo: Tom SpringRehydrating The queue in front of the 5th Ave Apple store was full, but paled in comparison to the line for the first iPad and the iPhone 4, both of which wrapped around the block. Here Apple employees hand out free water. Photo: David Dahlquist Camera testTesting the iPad 2's .7-megapixel back camera outside of the 5th Avenue Apple Store in New York. Photo: David Dahlquist Highest bidderHazem Sayed was at the front of the 5th Avenue Apple Store line. The iPhone App Developer paid a college student who had been waiting since Wednesday $900 for the spot. His main incentive was to promote his app, Ask Local, a geo-based communication app that has practical use for situations like line-waiting.Photo: David DahlquistPre-sale high fiveApple Store employees give people waiting in line high fives outside the Walnut Street Apple Store in Philadelphia.Photo: Joel MathisFaces in a crowdIn line at the Walden Galleria in Buffalo New York were, from left to right, Omari Williams of Buffalo, Bill Denny of Hamilton, Canada, and Ryland Koopus of Buffalo. Omari hopes to buy a black Wi-Fi iPad 2, but doesn't know what size. Bill wants a black 64GB 3G, and Ryland a black 32GB Wi-Fi. Both Omari and Ryland are first-time iPad buyers.Photo: Marco TabiniHappy to hold an iPad 2A customer poses with the display iPad inside the Boston Apple Store on Boylston Street.Photo: Tom SpringTapping awayMore customers inside the Boston Apple Store.Photo: Tom SpringDarkness fallsOutside of the Apple Store in Boston, the line stretched down the block even as the sun set.Photo: Tom SpringUnboxing the iPadBack at Macworld headquarters, editors unboxed a fresh iPad.