Apple may not have enough iPad units to make the April 3 deadline for everyone, but it has started shipping the first batch of its new tablet device to consumers who pre-ordered one on the first day. Today marks the first batch of shipments.

Despite shipping the units early, it doesn’t mean consumers will get theirs before April 3. Apple has historically worked with UPS to hold deliveries until the official launch date, and we expect similar behavior this time as well.