While ‘fanboys' and ‘haters' continue to bicker about the merits and flaws of Apple 's iPad, one important question remains: what is it actually for? After all, here's a device that's essentially an iPod Touch that's too big to be considered a portable media player, yet is also too limited to...

Goldring NS-1000 (noise-cancelling

Goldring NS-1000 (noise-cancelling

So, the iPad, the latest and talked-about gadget from Apple is finally available on pre-order, arriving on May 28th. It's been talked of, hyped and critiqued by millions before it's even hit the shops, reaching the top spot in the T3 Hot 100 .

Apple iPad 32 GB WiFi

Design / Quality of the screen; Easy-to-use interface / Fast; responsive navigation; Application store; Web browsing; Battery life

All the optional kits and adapters that aren't included but often necessary; Screen glare and fingerprints; Weight; Video: no DivX compatibility - file conversion required; Internet: no Flash compatibility

Wi-Fi may be plentiful these days, but it's far from ubiquitous. A device like the iPad is just begging for always-on Internet access, whether it be for checking mail, surfing the Web, or even keeping up with your latest game of Words with Friends HD .

16GB: 3G connection means Internet anywhere; No contract for 3G lets you pay à la carte; AT&T hotspot access is free with 3G service//32GB: 3G connection means Internet anywhere; No contract for 3G lets you pay à la carte; AT&T hotspot access is free with 3G service//64GB: 3G connection means

16GB: 3G network sometimes spotty; Higher price tag; 3G burns battery faster//32GB: 3G network sometimes spotty; Higher price tag; 3G burns battery faster//64GB: 3G network sometimes spotty; Higher price tag; 3G burns battery faster

It's a very expensive but essentially fun toy. Not quite mobile, not quite PC, but engaging anyway.

Fantastic design Easy to use Lends itself well to the average consumer

Incredibly expensive Doesn't know what it wants to be Tough for work No Flash support.

The problem of choice when buying an iPad is compounded not just by the size of the storage, but the issue of whether or not to shell out an additional hundred quid for the 3G version.

This has been a big year for tablets, with both Google and Microsoft looking to take a slice of Apple's pie releasing their first ever own-brand devices.

We managed to get our hands on the iPad last month (at the same time when we got the Dell Streak , Toshiba Folio 100 , Samsung Galaxy Tab and Huawei S7 ). Out of all the devices the iPad was our favorite, it simply felt like a true tablet device, where as most of the others felt more like giant...

Update : check out our Apple iPad 2 review

Great user interface; Fantastic app experience; Great screen; HD video looks brilliant

Not convinced about the keyboard; It's pricey; Tariffs not cheap either

Covers and cases for the Apple iPad seem to crop up pretty regularly as alternatives to the official products but it is always interesting to see an official product, as the designers intended, to see how well it complements the primary product.