Apple's latest gadget, the iPad, will go on sale in the United States on April 3, 2010. On Friday, March 12, the iPad Wi-Fi models will be available for pre-order starting at 8:30am ET at apple.com or at a local Apple store.
As of 11pm ET on Thursday night the Apple.com site was already slow as molasses, so it's likely it will be jammed when the "store" opens up for iPad pre-orders at 8:30am ET on Friday morning.
Is there competition for the iPad?
Of course, if you're not an Apple fan but like the idea of the iPad, there are a few iPad competitors out there with a wide range of pricing.
Is the iPad the best and will it kick the competition's butt? That's still to be seen.
Here are five iPad competitors that were featured on CNN.com
Toshiba Portege M780-S7220
Availability: Available now
OS: Windows 7
Size: 12.0" x 9.41" x 1.47"
Weight: 4.6 pounds
Price: $1,399
Archos 5 Internet Tablet
Availability: Available now
OS: Android, Linux, Windows 7
Size: 5.6" x 3.1" x 0.4"
Weight: 6.2 ounces
Price: $249-$499
Asus T91mt Eee PC
Availability: Available now
OS: Linux, Windows 7
Size: 8.9" x 6.5" x 1"
Weight: 2.1 pounds
Price: $499
HP Slate
Availability: Late 2010
OS: Windows 7
Size: iPad-like from the looks of it
Weight: See above
Price: under $1,000
Panasonic Toughbook H1 Field
Availability: April 2010
OS: Windows 7
Size: 10.4" x 10.6" x 1.3"
Weight: 3.4 pounds (with batteries)
Price: $3,379 (base model)
Read more about these five tablet-style PCs here.
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