Apple iPad UK launch: Where to buy, and how to get online

UK punters should finally be able to get their hands on Apple's latest shiny gadget today. And judging by the iPad reviews so far, plenty of you will be queuing up to get your hands on one. However, those who haven't pre-ordered will have to wait until June.

Unfortunately, the iPad isn't going to be cheap. Apple doesn't want it to be subsidised by the mobile internet companies on mobile broadband deals, so you will have to buy the iPad itself from the Apple Store for between around £400 and £700 and then get your 3G iPad "Micro SIM" separately.

Buy an iPad

Order your iPad from the Apple Store >

Best iPad SIM deal

• Get online with Vodafone from £10 for 1GB/mth >

Got a standard iPad?

You can still get online on the move with portable WiFi from 3-Mobile from just £49.99 on P-A-Y-G or from £9.50/mth on contract

Broadband on the iPad

There will be two types of iPad at launch:

Wi-Fi only iPad:

16GB of memory - £429; 32GB - £499; 64GB - £599

3G and Wi-Fi iPad:

16GB - £529; 32GB - £599; 64GB - £699

If you decide on one of the cheapest iPads, you will be able to use your iPad at home or from any Wi-Fi hotspots you have access too. Connectivity is simple, and you'll be able to use the internet as you do with any other wireless device (such as laptops, games consoles etc). As long as you have a wireless broadband router at home, you'll be able to get your iPad online via your home Wi-Fi.

With the 3G versions, as it did with the iPhone, Apple has been very selective on how you can access broadband on the move. Normal dongles won't work, as there is no USB port, and nor will standard 3G broadband SIM cards. Instead, you will have to buy a special SIM card from one of Apple's chosen 3G internet suppliers.

At least this time there are a variety of 3G mobile broadband offers from the start. And as always, Broadband Genie will be the best place for you to compare iPad prices. Initially, there will be iPad SIM only deals available from O2 mobile broadband, 3 Mobile, Vodafone and Orange mobile broadband. You'll be able to use our iPad comparison table to find the best deal for you once all the pricing details are announced.

Why buy an iPad?

The Apple iPad is what is commonly known as an electronic 'tablet' - it looks like a 9.7-inch (diagonal) picture frame, and essentially that's what it is - a great window to the internet, your photos and your movie collection.

If you've been toying with the idea of a laptop, notebook or netbook, but don't want all the bells and whistles that come with your average computer, the iPad could be the choice for you. It has been designed primarily as a multimedia device, and with a resolution of 1024x768 pixels (at 132 pixels per inch) it does what it says on the tin.

The memory, even on the lower end 16GB versions, is enough for a good amount of content: you can easily fill it up with your holiday snaps, a whole bunch of albums and a few films (via iTunes) if you're going away. It also has assisted GPS and a digital compass if you get lost!

Apple claims the battery life is up to 10 hours when you're online via Wi-Fi, watching video or listening to your tunes. This drops to around nine hours if you're connected via 3G broadband.

And, of course, the apps are already starting to appear in their droves. Expect all those Apple iPhone apps to come back bigger, and better, on the iPad.