The ultimate iPad buyer's guide

The Apple iPad finally hits stores Saturday, April 3 after years of anticipation. But do you really want one? Here's what the much-hyped device can do -- and what it can't.

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Apps

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According to Apple, the iPad will run most of the 175,000 apps available for the iPhone. Of course, those apps were designed for an iPhone-size screen, so they'll appear in a much smaller window on the iPad.

Users can resize the iPhone apps to fill the iPad's screen, but some elements may look pixelated. It's unclear how many truly original iPad apps exist so far; reports say the device will launch with more than 1,000. But most of these 'new' apps will be updated from the iPhone, and they'll roll out only as fast as they're developed -- and approved by Apple.

On the downside, there's no multitasking for third-party apps, just as there isn't on the iPhone. For example, users can't stream Pandora music while using the Facebook app.

By Julianne Pepitone, staff reporter

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