New iPad 3G pre-orders shipping by May 7 in U.S.

According to Apple’s online U.S. store, new pre-orders of of all three 3G-enabled iPad models will now ship by May 7.

As with the launch of the Wi-Fi-only iPad, this shipping date change seems to be limited to customers who place their order beginning today. An informal survey among Macworld’s staff shows that Apple still lists “late April” as the shipping date for existing pre-orders. In fact, the company is sending out e-mail notifications to head off any potential concerns at the pass: “We would like to confirm that your order will be shipped in late April as communicated at the time you placed your order. You will receive a confirmation notice when your order has shipped.”

Naturally, these dates are still only relevant to U.S. customers: international iPad hopefuls will still have to wait until the end of May, when the device finally goes on sale in foreign markets. Pre-orders outside the United States will start on May 10, when the company also expects to announce international pricing.

The delay on foreign shipments was caused by an iPad demand in the U.S. that has, so far, outstripped the company’s own expectations. Apple sold over 500,000 iPads during the first week of availability—300,000 of which were sold on the first day alone.