Yet another rumor about Apple's fabled touchscreen tablet has emerged, with sources claiming the product will hit stores in early 2010.

In its report, AppleInsider cites "people well-respected ... for their striking accuracy in Apple's internal affairs," who claim a 10-inch, 3G-enabled tablet will turn up between January and March.

AppleInsider's article conflicts with a rumor report posted by TheStreet's Scott Moritz earlier this week, which stated an Apple tablet was due as soon as October this year. Moritz's report also said the tablet would be subsidized by Verizon.

Wired.com has more faith in AppleInsider's report, because a 2010 launch of this product would be more realistic. It's unlikely Apple would release a tablet in October 2009, because it would cannibalize sales of MacBooks during back-to-school season — when MacBooks tend to sell very well. Plus, Apple recently slashed MacBook prices, and the company would aim to capitalize on the move during back-to-school season without introducing a competitor into its own product line. Third, many rumor reports suggest a new iPod Touch is due in stores fall, and a tablet would likely cannibalize on sales of this product, too.

A January to March time frame would be a much wiser move for Apple. That's because the Consumer Electronics Show — the largest technology convention in the United States — takes place January. Apple does not plan to attend the Macworld Expo trade show, also in January, nor does it plan to attend CES. So a tablet timed for a January announcement would be the perfect way for Apple to steal thunder from other tech companies showing off new gear at CES.

Also, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster laid out strong reasoning to believe an Apple tablet is arriving 2010:

"Between indications from our component contacts in Asia, recent patents relating to multi-touch sensitivity for more complex computing devices, comments from [chief operating officer] Tim Cook on the April 22 conference call, and Apple’s acquisition of PA Semi along with other recent chip-related hires, it is increasingly clear that Apple is investing more in its mobile-computing franchise,” Munster said in a research statement issued to clients in May.

Lastly, we're more skeptical about TheStreet's October prediction given Moritz's track record, which is notoriously spotty when it comes to Apple rumors. For example, in May, Moritz wrote a story titled "Tech Rumor of the Day: Apple," which quoted an analyst who predicted AT&T would reduce prices for the iPhone's monthly service plan. Not only did that not turn out to be true; it wasn't a rumor at all — just a prediction from an analyst.

Regardless, given the number of rumors floating around, and reports that Apple's component suppliers in China are receiving orders for parts to build a tablet, an Apple tablet almost seems inevitable. With AppleInsider's report, we're placing more chips in the betting circle for a 2010 launch of this device.

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Parody, mock-up illustration of an Apple tablet: Andy on Flickr/Flickr