After much speculation and excitement among tech junkies, netizens and everyone in between, Apple finally unveiled the iPad on January 27.

The iPad, a tablet computer, is thinner and lighter than any other laptop or netbook and boasts the slick design that we have come to expect of Apple. But will the iPad live up to the the hype that has surrounded the launch?

Die-hard Apple fans (and there are plenty) are probably nodding vigourously in agreement -- after all the company did not disappoint with the iPod and iPhone, right? But whether the usability and utility of this little beauty is deserving of the attention and the price tag ($499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32GB model, $699 for the 64GB model) that it will bring when it goes on sale in March later this year is the question industry pundits are asking.

Reader invite:

Will the iPad be the run-away success Apple's mp3 player was? 

Would you consider buying the iPad?

Do you own Apple products? What has your experience been with the iPod or iPhone?

Share your opinions and experiences with us at getahead@rediff.co.in (with the subject line: 'My take on the iPad')

Weighing in at 1.5 pounds (less than 1 kg), just about 0.5 inches thick with a 9.7-inch screen, the iPad relies completey on its touchscreen (sans keyboard and mouse).

Every app works in both portrait and landscape, automatically animating between views as the user rotates iPad in any direction, like the iPhone. It also syncs with iTunes just like the iPhone and iPod touch do.

iPad comes in two versions -- one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. It will include the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions support speeds up to 7.2 Mbps.

Reader invite:

Will the iPad be the run-away success Apple's mp3 player was? 

Would you consider buying the iPad?

Do you own Apple products? What has your experience been with the iPod or iPhone?

Apple has introduced a new version of iWork for iPad, the first desktop-class productivity suite designed specifically for Multi-Touch. With Pages, Keynote and Numbers, users can create formatted documents, presentations with animations and transitions, and spreadsheets with charts, functions and formulae.

The iPad is powered by A4, Apple's next-generation system-on-a-chip, which promises to provide exceptional processor and graphics performance along with a battery life of up to 10 hours.

These and a number of other features are what Apple is promising with the iPad. However, there is the downside as well. No camera, no HDMI out (for all the movies you've downloaded that you'd like to watch on TV) and no Flash are just some issues that might push techies to look around before springing for the iPad.

Reader invite:

So will the iPad be the run-away success Apple's mp3 player was? 

Would you consider buying the iPad?

Do you own Apple products? What has your experience been with the iPod or iPhone?