that's too big to be considered a portable media player, yet is also too limited to completely replace the laptop.

Beautifully made; big screen; sound is good through speakers and excellent via headphones

Speakers are too quiet; attracts fingerprints; still no Flash support

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

It was hyped and ripped before it even had a name, and after it was announced, it was both praised and panned. Apple's iPad has been the subject of debates about the future of technology and media, and massive speculation about whether people will really want to buy and use it.

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; But you knew that

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.

The iPad offers a new way of viewing data for businesses. The style isn't just skin deep, and a number of applications do their bit to sell the usability of the device. The problem lies in the restrictive nature of the design and application ecosystem.

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...

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

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.