Having spent some serious time with Apple's iPad since its release, it's easy to see how the device can stir up so much excitement and so much disappointment from all different angles with much less middle-ground. People tend to either love it or hate it.

The iPad isn't due in Canada until "late April" as per Apple's website but this hasn't stopped tech-smitten Canadians from crossing borders, scouring eBay and chancing the

After having worked, or rather, having played with the iPad for a short time, the question remains about what kind of effect the iPad will have in the long run. After discussions with some of the first iPad users, among others, it seems that the iPad quickly becomes a device often used in the living...

It was impossible for Apple to have created the magical device people were conjuring up in rumors. (No, despite the copious use of the word ‘magical' in Apple's marketing campaign for the device, it's not magical.) Perhaps the iteration they launched here was a bit of a conservative effort.

Good for the john or sofa, but not much else.

The Apple iPad isn't an eBook reader, which makes it very hard to compare it to other eBook readers. It doesn't use e-ink technology, it's heavy, you can't read out of it in bright places, and the display will strain your eyes eventually.

Amazing design; Most intuitive interface yet; Full-color screen; Wi-Fi and 3G wireless; Will do just about anything

LCD display is hard to read from in bright places and will eventually strain your eyes; Battery lasts only ten hours; Heavy; Costs almost twice as much as the Kindle 2 or Nook; Additional 3G wireless fees apply (around $130

The Apple iPad has been termed "revolutionary" by the venerable Steve Jobs, but how it does it actually perform? Will it render netbooks obsolete? Will the lack of flash and multitasking be a deal-breaker? We spend time with the device to find out.

Like the iPhone before it, the iPad has the potential to change your life. No exaggeration: Once you live with one for a few weeks, you'll find it insinuating itself into your daily routine so much that you can't imagine living without it. (If you're a man, get used to wearing a murse.

Impressive power management: Battery chugged along for more than 8 hours on a 3G connection before going kaput; iPad Maps + GPS is absolutely stellar; Unlocked, it will work with any Micro SIM card (if you can find one); Finally an excuse to wear a man purse

Limited to AT&T's spotty 3G network in the U.S; Typing is a chore on the on-screen keyboard; Restrictive App Store policies may limit your access to porn and political cartoons (though there's always Safari)

Using Apple's sleek and powerful tablet without an Internet connection on the go makes it almost feel like a doorstop. Sure, you can watch downloaded iTunes movies and TV shows, read iBooks, and play games. But you can't surf the web or check e-mail.

Sleek design ; Intuitive and fun multitouch interface ; Good download speeds ; Affordable data plan ; Long battery life

Slow upload speeds ; Some video apps degrade quality over 3G ; Costs 130 more than Wi-Fi only model ; VoIP apps dont work over 3G

0 Flares 0 Flares × ‘Apple' - It is a name synonymous with a strong emotional response. Never has a company evoked such a dramatic reaction from the enthusiast userbase – you either love 'em or hate 'em, there is little room for middle ground.