Apple's iPad is finally here. Neither a smartphone nor a laptop, the iPad is Apple's attempt to create a new category of device that sits in between the two. It's expensive, there are plenty of hardware flaws and missing features, and there is a lack of content, but the iPad remains a very...

Design; outstanding screen; App Store; excellent battery life; impressive performance; works with existing iPhone apps; great digital photo frame

Holding and typing is awkward; display smudges easily; screen almost impossible to see in direct sunlight; no USB port; no SD card reader; no camera; Web browser doesn't support Flash; currently limited content

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

CNET.com 's Donald Bell has written a fantastic and comprehensive review of the Apple iPad that we first published shortly after the tablet's US release, and after using the iPad we absolutely agree with his analysis.

In an act of aggressive tech convergence; Apple has consolidated your Netbook; e-reader; gaming device; photo frame; and iPod into an elegant; affordable supergadget; Bluetooth; 802.11n Wi-Fi; Movie rentals; 10 hours of battery life; Optional 3G wireless; Most-celebrated App Store on the planet

The iPad's large size is as much a hindrance as it is an advantage; The iPad can't entirely mimic many of the specialised products it seeks to replace; Limited multitasking capabilities; Lack of integrated video camera; Flash support; and HD video output

NICE COSMETICS FOR PRODUCT NEED AVAILABLE TRAINING TO INTRODUCE USER TO FUNCTIONS IN THE "OLD DAYS" THERE WERE MANUALS AVAILABLE TO HELP NEW USERS THROUGH THE INTRO PERIOD OF USE

BROAD LIST OF FEATURES

NOT TOO EASY TO LEARN

For those who already bought the iPad 3 (or as Apple calls it, "The New iPad"), a new iPad 4 (actual

Faster; Lightning Connector; perfect compatibility with current apps

Your current dock-based accessories; dock adapter not included