Wal-Mart will sell Apple iPad tablet PC on October 15

Wal-Mart will sell Apple iPad tablet PC in hundreds of stores on October 15, and to expand sales outlets to over 2,300 stores in mid-November, the cheaper models start at 499 dollars. Integrated media reported on Oct. 13, Wal-Mart Stores Inc will begin selling Apple's iPad tablet on Oct. 15. Wal-Mart said the first time sale iPad tablet pcs in hundreds of stores, and then will be expanded to more than 2,300 sales outlets stores in mid-November.

 A distribution deal with Walmart adds significantly to the iPad’s retail availability over the holidays: the device is now on sale via Amazon.com, and recently appeared at discount retailer target. The iPad has been on sale at electronics retailer Best Buy since its launch earlier this year.

Walmart is known for bringing products to customers at discounted prices, but it looks like its pricing on the iPad is going to match pricing available from Apple and it’s other retail partners: the Wi-Fi, 16 GB model will be available for $499. So far, only Target has been able to set up a discount, with owners of Target credit cards being able to get a 5 percent discount on an iPad. Walmart will be offering the iPad through its site-to-store service, however, which offers free shipping of online orders sent to a local Walmart store for pickup.

Apple’s ability to move the iPad into major retail channels this holiday season may be key to the device maintaining its lead current in the tablet computing arena. A slew of Android tablets—debatably led by the Samsung Galaxy Tab —are getting ready to land at retailers.