Why do people queue for the iPad 2?

Despite my own favouritism for Apple's technology, I've never really understood the phenomenon of queuing for hours, or even days for the latest prodigy from Steve Jobs at launch.

It was predictable that we would see the massive queues in the lead up to the 5pm launch of the iPad 2 tonight. It's happened before for the iPhone and the first iPad, and similar scenes were seen in the United States for its launch of the iPad 2 earlier this month.

So while I'm not surprised by the scenes we've seen reported, I'm always left with a feeling of confusion as to what gives people the urge to take time off work or school and camp out the front of Apple's frosty glass stores, just for a chance to be one of the first in the country to own something.

There's nothing wrong with it, of course, and I'm sure everyone who manages to get their hands on an iPad 2 tonight will walk away happy with what Apple has to offer.

And, of course, judging by the pre-sale page on the Apple website, they'll be the only iPad 2 owners for a few weeks.

I'm surprised we've not seen any enterprising Apple geeks employing people to wait in line for them, as was witnessed at a number of locations in the US.

As shiny and pretty as the iPad 2 is, I have a feeling it's less about the device itself and probably more about the prestige of being such a devoted Apple fan to have waited in line for days.

I must admit, my opinion is probably coloured by the fact that I've decided against upgrading my iPad to the iPad 2. The added camera, faster processor and lighter weight all seem like great features, but it is not enough to get me over the line to join the line.