Bentonville, Ark. - Walmart will begin selling Apple's new iPad at 12:01 a.m. tonight at its 24-hour locations.

That will give the discount chain an eight-hour jumpstart over Apple's own stores and website, as well as Best Buy, RadioShack, Sam's Club and Target, the product's other lead retailers.

Apple began taking pre-orders for its new tablet on March 7, however, and is the sole source for online purchases.

Walmart said its 24-hour stores will carry a limited supply of iPad 16GB Wi-Fi models in black or white for $499.