You've seen Steve talking about it and you must have heard the word on the streets. The iPad is coming! Love it or hate it, it's Apple's latest must have gadget.  I commented about it when it was first shown in Steve Jobs' presentation and my opinion, having held ours, is just the same.

The laptop was launched and everyone knew that they would use and need a portable computer that they could carry around in a laptop bag to use in Starbucks, etc.

The PDA was launched, followed by the iPhone and everyone knew that they would use and need a portable device for picking up e-mails, listening to music and even watching the odd film in the case of devices like the iPod Touch. This was a great 'emergency' device that you could even stick in your pocket.

Now the iPad is launched and the people I've spoken to are saying that they need time to work out why they'll need this... how they'll justify buying it. It's not a natural decision for people to have to make unless you're one of the people who have to have something because it's got the little apple on the back.

Here you can see our iPad on the desk and me posing with the iPad just like I'd be if I was walking down the street with one.  The manufacturing process is tricky. You have to be quick or the glue dries. We used an Asda glue stick and I can't help but think that things would have been easier if we'd taken Apple's stance on using the best components and gone for a Pritt Stick.  Also, you might notice that the time is wrong. That's just because we haven't worked out how to get into the settings yet.  So it's not intuitive. The learning curve involved is the price you pay for being an early adopter.

If you want you're own iPad then download this zip file. It contains 2 .png files that you print and cut out. Glue it together and, hey presto, you have your very own iPad that you can toss casually on the desk to be the envy of your peers!