Despite plenty of hype about 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) tablets in the U.S. you cannot actually go out and buy one of these newfangled computing devices in a store yet.

In fact, much of the first wave of 4G tablets aren't expected to be here until the fall. Even when the initial LTE tablets arrive, the model that most people want -- an Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPad LTE -- may not be amongst the offerings to hit the stores first.

So let's run down the coming attractions:

Either the Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Korea: SEC) tablet or the LTE upgrade for the Motorola Mobility LLC Xoom Web pad is likely to be the first to arrive on the scene. The LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 for Verizon Wireless is available to buy now from $529 and should ship to customers by mid-August, according to our sister publication, InformationWeek .

Motorola, meanwhile has been promising that an LTE update for its Xoom tablet would be available this summer. The LTE module has now passed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) tests, according to Wireless Goodness, so should be available soon. (See Moto Ships 250K Xooms But Waits on LTE.)

BlackBerry has delayed the launch of its 4G PlayBook until the fall. The company tells LR Mobile that it will add LTE, WiMax and HSPA+ 3G versions to its lineup this autumn. (See RIM Delays 4G PlayBook to the Fall.)

Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) also says its enterprise Cius tablet will arrive with LTE for AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Verizon Wireless this fall. Verizon, however, is already offering a workaround by bundling the Wi-Fi Cius with an LTE-capable Wi-Fi hot spot. (See CES 2011: The Daily Tablet.)

The most mysterious LTE tablet, aside from a 4G-capable iPad, is the High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) (Taiwan: 2498) 'Puccini' LTE tablet. The FCC watchdogs at Wireless Goodness note that the tablet has now passed the government tests and appears to be heading for AT&T, but we don't know when it will arrive on the market yet.

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile