The Apple iPad heralds the start of a new era in computers.

Consumer Reports’ tests of 119 laptops, desktops, netbooks, plus the Apple iPad, revealed some standout choices for every budget.

The new tablet from Apple is sleek, versatile and a pleasure to use, according to Consumer Reports. But it’s pricey and has some drawbacks, CR’s early tests show. The bottom line is that the iPad’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses, but you might want to wait before you buy one. With competing devices on the horizon that may offer better value and more features, patience now is truly a virtue.

The iPad won’t replace the one on your desk or the one you tote on trips (unless you use your current computer mainly for recreation). CR recently tested 119 laptops, desktops and netbooks. Its findings include:

• Netbooks. All the netbooks CR tested are suitable as secondary computers for performing routine tasks. The best offer lighter weight, larger keyboards and trackpads, and longer battery life. All include a memory-card reader and webcam.

For long battery life, CR Recommends the 10-inch Samsung NP-N150-JA03US, $350, which had very good portability, a larger keyboard than most and a matte display. The Asus Eee PC 1008HAB-BLK001S, $310, is the lightest netbook CR tested at 2.3 pounds, and is also one of the least expensive.

• Laptops. Laptop reliability has been mostly undistinguished. Apple had the best laptop support, while Lenovo was among the better providers for Windows-based models. The highest-rated 13-inch laptops are the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch MB990LL/A, $1,200, and the Sony Vaio VPCY115FX/BI, $800. The best lightweight laptop was the Apple MacBook Air MC233LL/A, $1,500, a 13-inch model suitable for those who are willing to pay a premium for netbook-like portability and notebook-like performance.

• Desktops. Apple was the most reliable among desktop brands. It also had the best technical support, while Acer/Gateway/eMachines had the worst. CR Recommends the Dell Studio XPS SX8100-1986NBC, $1,150, with lots of memory and hard drive space, and the Dell Studio XPS 8100, $650, which isn’t as heavily loaded but is well priced.

How to choose a computer

• Pick a type and size. If portability and price are important, and you do mostly light work, a 10-inch netbook is fine as a secondary device. For heavier work and a larger keyboard and display, a conventional laptop is better. A 14- to 16-inch model offers the best balance of portability, usability and price. A 17-inch laptop, with its larger screen, is a better desktop replacement yet costs only about as much as a smaller model.

Three choices exist among desktops: full-sized, compact, and all-in-one. A basic design with a separate case and a 20- to 24-inch LCD monitor costs the least but takes up the most space.

• Slim desktops such as those offered by Dell and HP, which require a separate monitor, are also inexpensive but have a smaller footprint than those with a basic design. All-in-ones, which pack everything into a single unit that sits on your desk, are compact but can cost more than $1,000.

• Weigh a laptop’s ergonomics. Preferences are quite personal, so try a laptop before you buy it. Look for keys that don’t feel mushy, touchpads that are large enough for your finger to traverse the span of the screen without repeated lifting, and touchpad buttons that are easy to press.

• Consider reliability. Don’t run out and buy an extended service plan. CR’s survey data suggests that on average, computer repairs cost about the same as a plan, which you might never use.

• Shop smart. First, shop at an online retailer. CR’s subscriber surveys have found them generally superior to walk-in stores for selection and price. You can also save money by using coupon and forum sites such as Techbargains, FatWallet.com, and Ebates, which tend to provide information on rebates. Macs aren’t discounted often, so take advantage of the price cuts that usually occur around the time Apple announces new models.