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

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

Another fantastic device from Apple, but we're not so happy about the price premium you pay for the 3G version.

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

, you wouldn't be far wrong. It shares the same minimalist design and runs the same iPhone apps, now numbering over 200,000, plus more than 5000 new ones designed specifically to take advantage of the iPad's larger (9.7 Inch) screen.

See the Apple iPad in action and read our review.

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

So should you get the iPad? Well it really depends on what you want to do with it. On the one hand, if you're looking for a netbook replacement, you're definitely not going to find it here - while the iPad can do a bit of lightweight word processing and presentations, the many drawbacks mean that...

: Gorgeous screen; long battery life; extensive application support

: No USB port; no memory card slot; closed file system

It has its limitations but as long as you know this before you buy, the iPad is sexy, slick, fast and a real object of desire.

Email and web were made for the iPad; games look great and play smoothly; the operating system is solid; speedy and oh-so-easy to use

Flash player for webpage videos; no camera or webcam; costs a small fortune

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.