Okay, it's cool-looking and got some early raves, with initial reviewers gushing that it was "fast" and "beautiful." But how green, really, is Apple's new iPad tablet?

Will it, as some predicted, reduce the environmental impact of reading? Can we cut down fewer trees to produce paper for all the words and pictures in books, magazines, newspapers?  Speaking for myself, I hope it actually encourages reading and somehow improves sales and distribution of the printed word -- even if in strictly digital format.

On the other hand, could the iPad, perhaps, enable or even encourage consumers to cut down on the number of electronic gadgets they have because the new tablet incorporates their functions?  Wouldn't that save some electrons and carbon?

(Photo: AFP/Getty)