I’m the dirty Mac whore that lined up for the product launch of the iPad2 in Canada. My old iPad wasn’t even six months old before I had sold it in preparation for the second generation device. I was drinking the Kool-Aid and frothing with geek lust

So Friday found me in a highly bisected line at Square One. Gaps were made to allow shoppers access to other stores. Huge breaks were necessitated as the line extended across hallway intersections. Each gap was manned by security agents and the baleful eyes of queuers looking to cut anyone who might “inadvertently” insert themselves into what they believed to be the end of the line.

Apple staff were making their way down the line taking orders and handing out beautifully embossed and metallic inked tickets representing each potential device. The white wifi + 3G units in all sizes quickly sold out but there were black iPads aplenty.

We, like the hundreds amassed here, were waiting patiently for the Apple Store to reopen. It seemed a tad excessive given that Best Buy and Future Shop in town had devices as well but I wasn’t about to take any chances on availability. Back home the line in front of the Future Shop in Waterloo was braving the cold with mass Tim Horton runs and loaner winter jackets.

Here in the relative warmth of the mall it was five minutes to store opening when a horde of 50 blue-shirted Apple employees rang up a cheer and starting running through the waiting crowd administering high fives and thumbs up like hopped up Applebees employees on a birthday run. Cringe worthy but that’s marketing for you. Draw attention to the massive line that quietly validates the iPad2 for when the mainstream decides to jump onboard the tablet market.

I’m probably not the first to tell you this but Apple does it right. By the time I reached the front of the line I was introduced to my Apple Genius. My own personal Apple Genius. He took me inside and grabbed my iPad and them helped me make any additional purchases. I opted for the lime green cover and he, on the spot, armed with his modified iPhone, scanned my purchases and sent me my email receipt. I’m done.

I sat back by the MacBook Airs and waited for the rest of the crew to finish up. Other Geniuses were setting up first time users on their new devices, configuring their Apple accounts or waiting patiently as their customer debated the merits of the tan leather cover vs the grey poly. And then there were the customers. Despite having just waited for well over an hour, each to a one was in a hazy euphoria. Smiles all around. I’m not so sure there’s going to be the comparable fervor outside the local Staples for RIM’s Playbook launch.

It’s great having an iPad back in the house. It’s getting split pretty evenly between myself and K. Between the Kobo app and the recent discoveries of Air Video and Infinity Blade it’s presently my sole entertainment device. Meanwhile Chris is seriously considering the Playbook for herself considering both her and K are on Android. It’s all about balance.