Here's an interesting fact for you: if you take the iPad mini out of the equation, Apple's sales of larger iPads actually rose last quarter. The release of the iPad Pro 9.7 coupled with the enduring popularity of the iPad Air 2 meant that, far from being in decline, the iPad was on the up.

Apple's iPad reimagines the personal computer as an intuitive, slick and portable device that sprouts new features and uses with every additional app.

No manual necessary; Access to nearly all iPhone apps; 10-hour-plus battery life; Bright 9.7-inch IPS LCD screen; Three external buttons; Multi-directional accelerometer

Highly reflective screen; Slippery; No multi-tasking (yet; "Only" a few thousand iPad-specific apps (so far

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.

I was offered an iPad through my mobile phone network, as much as I grudge paying another bill on top of my mobile phone, I have to say I love the iPad. I have a laptop at home and also a laptop through work so my use for the iPad is more for pleasure than to be used in a business sense.

There are apps for displaying music and guitar tablature, doing some finger painting sketches, reading comic books, playing strategy games, planning a tube journey, booking a restaurant, checking your flights. The list is, quite literally, endless.

The Apple iPad is a revolutionary, addictive Tablet PC with Wi-Fi. Add in 3G, and it becomes even more useful, just perhaps not $130 more useful, which is the premium you'll pay for always-on connectivity. And with 3G you have to tack on another $15 to $30 a month for service.

Sleek design; Gorgeous, sharp, accurate touch screen; Improved iPod, Safari browser, photo, and e-mail apps; A plethora of downloadable apps; Flexible and affordable 3G service plans

Costs $130 more than the Wi-Fi-only version; Some applications don't work over 3G; AT&T is the only U.S; carrier with 3G support; Watch our Apple iPad video review

Is it worth it? Put it this way. If you never bought one, you wouldn't miss it. But buy it and you'll soon wonder how you lived without it.

Brilliant user interface; lovely LCD screen; great form factor and design; WiFi support

Quite an expensive gadget; expensive accessories; no Flash support

Purchased my iPad (2017) at local store in Utah and am having a blast using it. Wife wanted me to get one first, next we get hers. Hmm... maybe if I can talk her into taking mine I can get the model with cellular.

Wonderful resolution/clear sound/lightweight/it's an iPad

could use more power/cellular not included at $329(wish it was)

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

With the tablet market slowing down, and upgrade cycles being so long, Apple could perhaps have been forgiven for focussing mostly on its laptop-challenging Pro series. In fact, it's been almost two and a half years since the regular full-size iPads got a refresh.

Great app ecosystem; easy to use interface; slick and reliable performance; long lasting battery

Screen not quite as good as the iPad Air 2