Apple does that as a test charge to make sure you are good for the money. They will reverse the tansatcion within three days.
Interesting! Thanks.
I don't understand the rationale behind placing a hold, then releasing it, and then charging again 1 or 2 weeks later...
Maybe you can explain?
From a business perspective, each transaction has a cost. I don't think Apple needs to see if you're "good for the money," hence incurring in additional costs. With an average of 300,000 iPads ordered online, I don't think Apple will swallow $30,000 just to see if their customers are "good for their money." They will just grab an iPad from the lot -based on a pre-printed packing slip, place an order fulfillment sticker in the package, and when scanned on its way out to the FedEx/UPS holding area, it will process the card on file. If you're "not good for your money," your iPad will stay there until you solve the issue (new credit card, etc.).
Again, if people are seeing posted transactions for the full amount of their iPad, shipment is imminent, at least based on common sense.
Look over past posts, Apple did it the day they started taking pre orders. Google is your friend in this case.