The most important part of any tablet, whatever the quad-core brigade may say, is the screen. Unlike any internal component, the screen is what you'll still be noticing a week after your purchase, the part upon which all of your attention is focused.

For now, Apple pitches the iPad as a computer that fully engrosses you in a web page, your e-mail, or media because-apart from playing music in the background-you can't really do two things at once on it, and its non-finger input solutions are still in their infancy.

An impressively built tablet computer; featuring a clean industrial design borrowed from Apple's MacBook Pro computers; internal components derived largely from its iPod touch and iPhone pocket devices; and stable; multi-touch software.

Cannot serve as a standalone computer; in addition to iTunes dependence, horsepower is presently shortchanged by limited, iPhone-class multitasking that forces all third-party applications to occupy and waste entire screen; lack of camera similarly limits value for video communications.

Steve Jobs calls it a "game changer", but is it just an oversized iPod touch? Will we all want one of these in addition to our laptops, phones and eBook readers? If you're still standing in a queue outside an Apple Store as you read this, then maybe it's time to go home – the iPad is probably sold...

The iPad was introduced as one of the first tablet devices of this generation. It can be thought of as a super-charged iPod touch, with a far larger screen and many more exciting features. The iPad has Apple's 1 GHz A4 system and 512 MB of RAM.

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 Good Quality construction Attractive housing Vibrant, bright display 802.11n Wi-Fi 3G-enabled (certain models) 10 hours of battery life Fast processor App Store compatibility Usable virtual keyboard The Bad Lacks support for Flash content No multitasking with current firmware Screen difficult to

Quality construction; Attractive housing; Vibrant; bright display; 802.11n Wi-Fi; 3G-enabled (certain models; 10 hours of battery life; Fast processor; App Store compatibility; Usable virtual keyboard

Lacks support for Flash content; No multitasking with current firmware; Screen difficult to view in direct sunlight; No camera; Heavy to hold for extended periods; Lacks HDMI output; native HD resolution

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.

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