Appletell | Apple, Mac, iPhone, iPod | News, Rumors, Reviews, How-Tos

The early worm gets the Apple, so you’d better set your alarm just a little earlier tonight to make sure you get first dibs on that iPad you’ve had your eye on. Remember, WiFi only models will be available on April 3rd, and the 3G models will make their debut later in April.

Here’s the exact quote from an Apple rep sent to TUAW: “Customers can pre-order online at apple.com at 5:30am Pacific time on Friday, March 12.”

So, are you going to preorder an iPad? If so, which one? If you’re anything like me, then you’re probably having a hard time choosing between the six models you have to pick from. Let me break it down for you.

The WiFi only model, while functioning nearly identically to the 3G version, will only access the internet using WiFi. And with how easy it is to find a WiFi hotspot these days, that’s not really that big of an issue if you aren’t hopelessly addicted to the net. Not only will this save you $130 upfront, you won’t have to wait the extra few weeks for the 3G version, and you won’t have to worry about paying AT&T $30 a month at any point in the future for iPad 3G Internet access. Sounds like a win-win win situation right? Not so fast.

The iPad 3G might cost an extra $130, but it gives you the freedom to access the Internet almost anywhere.  Anywhere AT&T’s network stretches to anyway, and if you’ve heard anything about AT&T lately, that likely doesn’t instill confidence.  Still, $30 a month is a steal compared to how much you might pay Verizon a month for a MiFi or other data connection plan.  Actually, it’s about half.  Plus, there’s no contract, so you just pay for it when you need it.  You don’t get that choice with the WiFi only model, and word on the web says that you can’t count on an iPhone tethering plan to work with your iPad.  I know; sad face.

And still, you have to pick a capacity; 16GB, 32GB or 64GB.  For me, that’s an easy choice, 64GB.  I always buy the biggest capacity no matter what.  You might decide you only need 16GB though, and that’s fine.  You’re the best judge of how much space you need, but if there’s any confusion, err on the side of too many gigabytes.

If you already have an iPhone and still want an iPad, like me, then you likely have the hardest choice of all.  It’s hard to pay that much monthly to get your internet fix.  But are you going to regret buying the WiFi only version six months from now?  Can you wait an extra few weeks?  For me, there’s only one way to solve this…buy both.

Read [The iPad: To 3G or not 3G?]

Product [iPad]