Apple iPad now available for pre-order

Starting at 5:30 am Pacific, 8:30 Eastern, the ever-hyped Apple tablet can now be pre-ordered

Sadly, Apple's "magical and revolutionary product at an unbelievable price" won't be in anyone's hands until launch day, April 3. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the wonders and glory of ordering the much-hyped iPad weeks in advance.

If all goes right, you should be able to place your pre-order for Apple's long-expected tablet computer at store.apple.com right now. Users who actually make it through the fanboy attack and actually manage to order a device will get to choose whether to have the device shipped or reserved at a local Apple Store on launch day.

Remember, though, the Wi-Fi-only model is shipping a few weeks earlier than the 3G model, meaning that right now only the former model is available for pre-order. The 3G iPad should be arriving in late April.

In case you're still wondering which model is right for you, simply consider where you plan on using the tablet most. If you envision the portable computer as a home-only device, something you leave on the coffee table or the bedroom for checking the news and other media, then the Wi-Fi version will probably be just right for you. On the other hand, if you plan on taking the iPad everywhere you go, and expect it to always be able to access all your favorite data, be sure to wait on the 3G version. It will certainly be worth it.

Here's a recap of the Wi-Fi iPad's main specifications:

--9.7-inch (25 cm) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display (1024x768 resolution)
--16 ($499), 32 ($599), or 64 GB ($699) of flash memory
--1GHz Apple A4 processor
--Up to 10 hours of battery life for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music