Apple began taking preorders for its state-of-the-art iPad today. The morning began with a closed online store featuring a sticky note stating that the network server would be up in the coming hours and orders would be taken for the April 3, 2010 delivery of this sophisticated, cross-medium device.

Marketed as the conjunction between the ever-popular iPhone and Apple's widely used laptop computers, the ten inch tall device weighs less than two pounds and offers Wi-Fi and touch screen access. Prices begin at under $500 and move to just under $900 for the fully loaded model. With ten hours of consistent run-time, the iPad also hosts a full line of apps and accessories.