There are two ways to look at the first-day sales of the iPad, either in a positive or a negative light, it has been suggested.

More than 300,000 iPads were sold on Saturday April 3rd, according to electronics, software and computer giant, Apple.
Paddy Smith, online deputy editor at online gadget guide Stuff.tv, said the figure is encouraging as it is “30,000 more than the original iPhone sold on the first day” and the iPad represents significantly “better value” than the iPhone did.

However, as the iPad is “much more affordable as a piece of gear”, from one respect initial sales can also be viewed as “slightly disappointing”, according to Mr Smith.

He added that the quick publication of sales figures by Apple appeared to say that the company was “happy” with them.

Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive officer, recently said that the iPad is going to be a “game changer”.

Apple claims that it sold more than 300,000 iPads on the device’s first day of sale, including deliveries of pre-ordered ones to customers, those going to channel partners and sales at Apple Retail Stores.

In addition, iPad users downloaded more than one million applications from App Store and over 250,000 ebooks from its iBookstore during the first day.

Steve Jobs, chief executive officer of Apple, said: "It feels great to have the iPad launched into the world – it’s going to be a game changer."

He explained that iPad users, on average, downloaded over three apps and around one book within hours of getting their iPad.

The iPad will be available in the UK and numerous other countries in late April.

Zach Epstein, writing for IT PRO, recently said that the iPad is the best device for eBook reading that the publication has ever had the pleasure of testing out.

The new Apple iPad is without doubt the "best tech toy" that money can afford, according to a reviewer.

While no one "needs" and iPad and people will still need a laptop or netbook as well as a phone, the device is great as an ebook reader, a web tablet and a fun gadget, said Zach Epstein, writing for IT PRO.

"The iPad is a product that sits well outside of Apple’s comfort zones. With the iPad, Apple is attempting to create a new range of products rather than improve an existing product," the reviewer claimed.

He suggested that the iPad, which is 9.5 inches tall and 7.5 inches wide, is the finest piece of hardware that Apple has ever developed.

Web surfing on the iPad is particularly simple and enjoyable on the device, Mr Epstein added.

Apple announced it had sold over 300,000 iPads in the US over its first day on sale.

The iPad may not be the perfect product but it does have plenty going for it, according to PC Mag, which has reviewed the device ahead of its release on April 3rd.

"One thing I can say about most Apple products, and certainly the iPad: There may be things it doesn’t do, but what it does do, it does remarkably well," the review read.

Real work can be done on the device as well, according to PC Mag, and there are not many directly comparable products in its category.

It added that it is curious to see what kind of people buy the iPad besides those with a love of Apple producers.

The reviewer said that as soon as their laptop stops working, they are going to buy an iPad.

On April 3rd, the device, which is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs 1.5 pounds, will be introduced to the US market and will cost from $499 (£330).

The iPad may not be the perfect product but it does have plenty going for it, according to PC Mag, which has reviewed the device ahead of its release on April 3rd.

"One thing I can say about most Apple products, and certainly the iPad: There may be things it doesn’t do, but what it does do, it does remarkably well," the review read.

Real work can be done on the device as well, according to PC Mag, and there are not many directly comparable products in its category.

It added that it is curious to see what kind of people buy the iPad besides those with a love of Apple producers.

The reviewer said that as soon as their laptop stops working, they are going to buy an iPad.

On April 3rd, the device, which is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs 1.5 pounds, will be introduced to the US market and will cost from $499 (£330).

Apple’s chief executive Steve Jobs has said that he is looking forward to the launch of the iPad, which will be introduced to the US market later this week.

Mr Jobs commented: "iPad connects users with their apps and content in a far more intimate and fun way than ever before. We can’t wait for users to get their hands and fingers on it this weekend."

The new Apple iPad will cost from $499 (£330) and will be made available on Saturday April 3rd in various stores across the US, ahead of the European launch.

It is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs 1.5 pounds, making it thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook on the market.

In addition, users will get to enjoy up to ten hours of battery life.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the iPad will have over 700 apps available for the device when it is launched, including Twitterific, a Twitter client for the device.