Apple confirms April 3rd iPad launch date

'Late April' is the best they can manage for UK

Apple today officially announced that the iPad will be available in the US on Saturday, April 3, for Wi-Fi models and in late April for Wi-Fi + 3G models.

All models will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK at the same time in late April.

The delay to the European roll-out is more likely to do with securing complicated multi-national airtime contracts than rumoured production problems.

Pre orders will begin on March 12th in the US on the devices which range from $500 for the the 16GB wifi-only model up to a 64GB wifi and 3G equipped version for $830.

UK prices have yet to be officially announced.