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At 8:30 this morning, Apple is expected to give the iPad an advantage the iPhone never saw, pre-order.  In fact, the Apple Store is down right now.  By allowing pre-orders, is Apple cashing in on the buzz or setting itself up for failure?

Apple is taking pre-orders for iPads, their “magical” tablet computer based on the iPhone OS, that will ship on April 3rd, launch day.  Customers can also choose to pick up their pre-order at the Apple Retail Stores on launch day.  Only the Wi-Fi versions will be available on April 3rd, the 3G versions will follow in late April, according to Apple.

The buzz is still pretty loud for the iPad.  By allowing pre-orders, Apple could be grabbing cash from hopeful users before they can be tempted by other tablets like the JooJoo.  iPad posts do well here at Gadgetell, and that is a pretty good gauge of how much people like this thing, but is pre-order the way to go?

Or is Apple hurting themselves by limiting the all the “line forms outside Apple Retail Stores” free media coverage as fans take to the streets to get their hands on Apple’s new shiny thing?  One of the most memorable parts of the original iPhone launch is the image of folks lining up around the country.  Sure you saw it here at Gadgetell, but traditional media like your local news also jumped on giving Apple loads of coverage.  With pre-orders, there should be less folks in the street; and fewer people mean less interesting coverage.

Does Apple have doubts on the success of this one?  Why haven’t they added “iPad” to the overhead navigation bar on their site?  Will pre-orders hurt or help Apple?

We’ll find out soon I guess.

Product page: [Apple]