Just picked up an ipad today and am looking at screen protection. I am looking at the Zagg Invisible Shield. My only concern is with screen responsiveness. Will I notice the screen being any less responsive with the zagg shield as opposed to a non protected screen?

Zagg isn't less responsive than any other.

so regardless I will suffer some responsiveness if I put a screen protector on?

Yes. Many have old me that including Apple employees.

On an iPad because the glass is hard enough to withstand scratches. But some people say that the glass can be scratched and they would rather scratch a shield than the glass itself.

The way I see it? I'd rather err on the screen protected side than on the keep it naked side. I have an invisible shield on my iPad and I have not noticed any difference between having it on or off in terms of responsiveness to my finger touch.

And those aforementioned, presumably expert Apple employees? One told me that if Apple doesn't offer a specific product for it's devices it is not necessary. However, he owned an iPad and he has a screen protector on his--"just in case."

I use a zagg screen protector on all my devices.. there is no issue with responsiveness. About the only issue is a little tacky (VERY little) feel rather than the slick slick feel without a screen. It doesn't affect performance and if you put it on straight away you don't know the "other" feel to worry about comparing.

I bought the cheapest screen protector I could find and put it on before I even used my iPad. The screen responds just fine. My main problem is getting the screen on without getting a speck of dust trapped underneath leaving a big ugly bubble behind. I think my screen came out to about $5 for three. The Zagg protector is like $20. Is it really worth it? Also, is it easier to put on?

Just visit an apple retail store and watch how many people touch and feel their iPads on display. None of them have screen protecters. Apple does not sell screen protections as it may cause non responsiveness , not to mention it looks bad and tacky. Nothing is like feeling the glass with no bubbles and wrinkles either on or off.

I have the Zagg and it is just fine. Nice and responsive, keeps fingerprints smudges at a minimum and all. I have a regular crystal clear screen protector on my iPhone.
It is a personal preference. Many opt not to use screen protectors. I always have chosen to on every PDA/Treo/WM phone and now iPad. worth it to me.

I am about to put screen protectors on both of mine. The cat used my wifes as a Launch pad and put a very tiny scratch on the glass. I have screen protectors on everything else I use and they do there job. After all these are investments and I would like to protect mine as best as I can.