Leapster/LeapPad - what;s the difference?

[lulupop]

Can someone explain to me what these 2 products do? They are obviously different things but what does each one do, exactly? Is one better than the other? DS is going to be 3 and I was going to get him a LeapPad as he loves his books, but then I noticed this Leapster thingy, which has confused the issue. What is it?

[LIZS]

We haven't actually got either but am tempted from time to toime. Think the Leapster is aimed at older kids because it is more of a handheld computer game. Leappad is a cross between an old fashioned book and read along story tape but a bit more interactive. You can get books aimed at older kids for it. There seems to now be a Leappad that has a writing element to it too - more expensive of course - so perhaps the original will be on offer.