ipadIf you’ve been jonesing for an iPad, April 3 is the date you can finally satisfy that craving. Apple said today will start selling its ballyhooed tablet computer on that day. Pre-orders begin next week, on March 12.

April 3 is a Saturday, so expect anxious early adopters to line up overnight Friday. There had been rumors afloat that the iPad would go on sale on March 26, and that those camping out would get a free gift. A freebie was not mentioned in Apple’s news release, which refers to the iPad as “magical and revolutionary”.

The models being sold on April 3 will only connect to the Net via Wi-Fi. If you want an iPad that works over AT&T’s 3G network, you’ll have to wait until late April, according to Apple. No firm date was given for 3G model sales, but you will be able to pre-order them on March 12 as well.

Apple unveiled its iPad on Jan. 27, promising the Wi-Fi models would go on sale in 60 days. The April 3 date misses the mark a bit, but not by much.

The April 3 date is only for U.S. sales. Other countries will have to wait until late April.