Following the April 3-launch of the Wi-Fi-only iPad tablet, Apple Friday moved on to the second stage of its two-part launch of the device, with the Friday, April 30, release of its high-end, high-speed 3G version of the iPad in the US.

The wireless version, launched at 5 p. m. EST, of the iPad boasts 3G as well as Wi-Fi compatibility. While the Wi-Fi-only version starts at $499, the newly-launched 3G version starts at $629. AT&T, which will provide the wireless data plans for the iPad, will charge $29.99 per month for unlimited access.

The launch of the 3G model of the iPad – the 9.7-inch touchscreen tablet which is basically a cross between a laptop and a smartphone - was being eagerly awaited by some people who expect it to be a potential replacement for their laptops, at least in some particular situations.

Though the launch of the 3G iPad version lacked the kind of consumer frenzy that surrounded the launch of the Wi-Fi-only version, largely because of the time of the launch window, some of the Apple retail stores in big cities still reported decent-sized crowds ahead of the device’s release.