You can import photos from a Mac, PC or digital camera, see them organised as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad's elegant slideshows. Watch movies, TV shows and YouTube or flip through pages of an e-book you downloaded from Apple's new iBookstore while listening to your music collection.

Tune in Partners The iPad, which has been the subject of intense interest and speculation over the past year, was launched today by Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs at a special event in San Francisco.

It was impossible for Apple to have created the magical device people were conjuring up in rumors. (No, despite the copious use of the word ‘magical' in Apple's marketing campaign for the device, it's not magical.) Perhaps the iteration they launched here was a bit of a conservative effort.

Unlike the iPhone , which Apple kept under such tight guard at its introduction that only a few special types got to touch it for a few minutes, there were iPads aplenty available immediately following the product's press launch.

On the eve of the launch of Apple's iPad, I am thinking of Ed Roberts. He never became a household name, but as the man behind the Altair computer - a kit for lunatic tech hobbyists released in 1975 - he was responsible for launching the microcomputer era.

Compact, cool-running, speedy - and a groundbreaking new way to consume media; You already know how to use it; Thousands of apps will make it more useful and fun

No multitasking means no gadgets or widgets: Does IM really need a full screen? Virtual typing is tricky when holding iPad upright; No way to print directly; Apps are only available from Apple's App Store

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

That said, the iPad sets the standard for an entertainment tablet and it's incredibly fun and easy to use. It's hard to imagine even die-hard geeks not enjoying it when they take a break from grumbled about its limitations and restrictions.

Con: No Flash support; no iSight built-in

Price: Starting at $499 for 16GB Wi-Fi model; up to $829 for 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G

When I first heard of its announcement one of my chief complaints about the iPad was Apple's decision to use the iPhone OS. Instead of crippling the capability of the tablet; why not use a modified version of Snow Leopard?

Brilliant display; Long battery life; Great media player; Well built; looks great; Can be used as picture frame when docked; Built in Wireless N Capability; Huge selection of Apps (counting iPhone/iPod Touch ones

Non-Removable battery; Mono Speaker; Fingerprint magnet; No built in mic or camera; Closed ecosystem

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

It was January 27th be the day when Apple, after having revolutionized personal computing, music and voice, would create a new market altogether. And it starts with the AppStore : 140 000 applications are proposed for 3 billion downloads.