Apple Tablet to Arrive in GSM & CDMA Flavors?

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With 5 days to go until Apple finally reveals its first tablet we hear that two carriers of the Big Four are negotiating with Cupertino for the release of the upcoming device. As you might have already guessed it, the carriers in questions are long-time Apple partner AT&T and its archenemy, Verizon.

I definitely can understand why both carriers would want to sell the tablet. Apple’s newest device will probably become very popular in the following months and carriers could cash in on that. Both Verizon and AT&T could sell the tablet for a subsidized price but bundled with a mandatory two-year 3G data plan.

Unfortunately for Apple the tablet should come with support for GSM and CDMA which means more production costs.Therefore we can expect two tablet flavors should Cupertino decide to ink deal with both carriers.

Do we really need subsidized tablets? Well according to a recent study people are less likely to pay more than $700 for the device. Analysts expect the tablet to cost less than $1,000 but that price might not be comfortable with most consumers. Instead of choosing the high-end Apple product customers might go for something cheaper from the competition. And with all the netbooks and announced tablets so far they will certainly find a better deal from a different manufacturer.

So yes, a subsidized tablet would be welcomed in most markets as it will encourage more people to buy it. Earlier this month we told you how Orange France confirmed the existence of the tablet only to later deny everything. That goes to show that not only Verizon and AT&T are interested in the tablet. Other international carriers could also try to shake hands with Cupertino for the tablet.

We will probably find out more about the device next Wednesday when Steve Jobs is probably going to tell us everything about it, prices included.

How much would you pay for an unsubsidized Apple tablet?