The iPad launch: iCame, iSaw, iConquered

• Adam Horn camped outside from 6:40pm the previous evening in Glasgow. Picture: Robert Perry

Seasoned computer enthusiasts and amateurs came out in force, queuing overnight, as the tablet-style device finally became available, having already been delayed because of high demand in America.

Among those keen to become the first to own one was retired linen factory owner William Boyd, from Fife, who had travelled to Apple's store in Glasgow.

The 78-year-old claimed he had never even used a computer in his life – let alone a touchscreen tablet.

Undaunted by the cost – the iPad sells for between 429 and 699 – he said he wanted to be one of the first to pick up the hand-held device so he could stay in touch with his family and keep an eye on the stock exchange.

And although he is keen to catch up with the digital generation, Mr Boyd insisted an iPad will never replace his love for picking up a real-life newspaper.

He said: "I wanted an iPad for many reasons, the main being the simplicity of operating it. At least, I hope it is going to be simple.

"I have never used a computer before in my life but I will use mine for the internet, e-mails to keep in touch with the family and things like that."

Computer programmer Paul Scullion, 38, left the Buchanan Street Apple Store with two iPads.

He said one was for himself and the other would be a birthday gift for his seven-year-old son: "I queued for an hour and a half because it is a whole new product category. I am going to develop applications on mine.

"I hope my wee boy will use his as a toy, because it is the must-have toy."

Glasgow lawyer Frank Irvine, 50, claimed having one of Apple's sleek gadgets was "about being magnificent".

In Aberdeen, queues began to form at 1am, as people vied to be the first in to get their hands on the device, which allows users to send e-mails, read novels, create photos and play games.

In Edinburgh, there was a similar rush to lay hands on the shiny new toys at PC World – the only stockist in the city. Martyn Wallace, 33, from Edinburgh, a corporate account manager, was first in the queue at the Corstorphine branch.

He said: "I've been here since 7am. I can't wait to get home and try it out."

The device has been a runaway hit. When it was launched two months ago in the US, the company sold a million units in just 28 days, while the Apple website is already warning UK iPad pre-orders will not be shipped out until 7 June.

And this is despite a lukewarm critical reception from computer writers about the lack of a built-in webcam, poor software flexibility and reports of technical glitches.

Apple is the newest, but it's not the only kid on the block

THOUGH the it may be the biggest name in the sector, the iPad is not the only tablet computer on offer.

The Dell Streak is one of its most prominent rivals, and though smaller and less striking than the iPad, it comes with a phone function, a camera and is capable of running multiple functions at the same time.

Microsoft also entered the tablet market when it unveiled its own touchscreen device earlier this year.

Manufactured by HP and powered by the new Windows 7 operating system, the "slate" device was criticised initially for sticking too closely to its standard OS for desktop computers.

Microsoft had a shot at tablet-style computers with its XP operating system back in 2002, but it failed to catch the public imagination.

While the Dell and Microsoft devices are very much handheld computers, other iPad competitors come in the form of e-book readers.

Possibly the best-known of these so far is the Amazon Kindle, which is designed specifically for displaying e-books and other digital media.