NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Apple's online store was temporarily closed Friday morning as the company got ready to start taking preorders for its highly anticipated iPad tablet computer.

"We are busy updating the store for you and will be back shortly," said a message posted on the company's main sales Web site. By 8:30 a.m. ET, however, the store resumed normal operation.

Apple is now accepting preorders for the iPad, which will be officially released in stores on April 3. The temporary shut down suggests that Apple may be bracing for a surge in orders.

The iPad has a 9.7-inch, full-color, high-resolution, LED-backlit screen. Two options will be available: One with Wi-Fi capabilities and another with Wi-Fi and an ability to connect to AT&T's 3G network.

Customers can pre-order any iPad, for a starting price of $499, from Apple's online store, and an iBooks application for the iPad will be available as a free download on April 3, the company said last week.

Apple unveiled the iPad in January and consumers have been anxiously awaiting a release date. The device was originally expected to launch in late March, but a rumored production problem pushed the anticipated release date to April.

-- CNNMoney.com's Blake Ellis contributed to this report.

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