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SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Don't look now, but here comes the iPad knockoffs or copies from China!

As reported, Apple Inc. recently rolled out the iPad, a new media pad based on an ARM processor.

''We knew it wouldn't take long, but I have to admit that the speed with which the Shenzhen shanzhai have copied the iPad -- and maybe improved upon it? -- is impressive,'' said Michael Clendenin, managing director for RedTech Advisors (China) Ltd., a research and consulting firm in Shanghai. Shanzhai refers to Chinese imitations and pirated brands.

''So far we've seen the Epad (from Superman Industrial) and the TESO, both of which run Window's 7 and use the Intel Atom platform,'' he said in a newsletter. ''It's a safe bet that both will be much cheaper than the iPad.''

Then, there's the Hanwon (aka Hanwang) TouchPad. ''It may not be as slick as the iPad, but it doesn't need to be. Chinese consumers often want value, and Hanvon offers a decent price-performance trade-off,'' he said.

That unit features a 10.1-inch ultra-thin screen (with backlit LED), WiFi, and Bluetooth. It runs Windows 7 and weighs between 600-to-800 grams.

Here's worse news for Apple. ''Some companies in Guangzhou have been taking 'pre-orders' for smuggled iPads, which will go for Rmb4,999 ($732.186) -- a 45 premium on the U.S. pricing,'' he said.