50,000+ orders in two hours. Wow! NOT really. This is all about marketing and people just felt for it.
Let us imagine a shallow river flowing normally. Now put a dam to stop the water from flowing. Eventually, the dam will increase the water level on one side. When you removed the dam, this shallow river will flood temporary.
When Steve showed people the iPad, but told them that it was not available yet, then the people that wanted it would most likely have to wait. Just like a dam that stops the water from flowing. Now, Apple tells people that they can pre-order now, hence removing the dam. Of course, Apple would have 50,000 + orders in just two hours (a temporary flood). What did you expect?
And no, I will not get the iPad because the price/value doesn’t make since for me.