I can't speak for the screen compared to SLCD because I haven't looked at any of the other aforementioned phones with one, however, it seems sufficient to me so far. This is also my first windows phone I've played with outside of a store.
I got one today at my local verizon store, after they thought they didn't have any in stock and I was going to have to pre-order it. I can confirm the battery is in fact 1300mAh, per the back of the cell (in case there was any doubts, but unlikely).
Before today, I was using a palm pre, so I knew from the start I would miss some of the convenient multi-tasking capabilities. There are a few more touches to get to places, but I haven't really missed the "actual" multi-tasking, everything is getting accomplished just the same. Once the card view is enabled in Mango, I think this problem will be alleviated entirely. One of my other related disappointments is that the global search is limited to internet, and does not include contacts for quick call or messaging. Having to go into the messaging or people app seems like an unnecessary extra gesture. I am not sure if this is being addressed in the Mango. Also, compared to the pre, I miss having a quick button to toggle the sound to vibrate...extra press, but having to touch the screen instead of just a hard button is a bit annoying after what I had to do before (Just a switch); I know this feature is on the iPhone, too.
On the plus...coming from webOS where it by default added all of my contacts from facebook, being able to only link up existing contacts is fantastic. Glad to only have my gmail contacts (my main storage location) with facebook information linked up. Other great things (all common to WP7, but I appreciate): basic notifications on lock screen! I can't express in words how much I appreciate seeing next calendar event w/o having to unlock the phone, in addition to the number of messages of all kinds (iOS displays nothing of the sort, android only shows an icon that something has been received...webOS is the only competitor, who shows a sample of the latest message + notification count). Also, bing search bringing up local search with a lot more information than just a google result is fantastic. I already can tell I will use that a lot, already did once tonight. I also hope to see more apps with a livetile, e.g. ESPN seems well suited for it...
Some other nice things, if you touch the notification in the lock screen, and then unlock it, it seems to go to the message directly. Also, being able to touch a notification while in the phone, handle it, and then go back to the app I was at is great. Close enough to multitasking to me (also far better than iOS' "multi-tasking" in the same situation...would have to do way more button presses+touches; even in WebOS would be more gestures; not sure about Android...definitely still more though). ALSO: call history shows name of the business called, if you use the bing search -- freaking sweet! So many times I've looked through my history to call a business (e.g. best buy for htc trophy deadlines!) and couldn't identify the number because there was no tags. Speakerphone also seems to work really well, too. I am a satisfied customer!
As far as speed goes, everything seems pretty smooth for the most part. Sometimes when browsing the market or a long list with icons it will stutter a bit, but otherwise I am really impressed with the flow of the icons and such. There was a strange delay/lack of response, however, when I was trying to skip through a facebook photo album via the people menu. The pictures had definitely loaded, but sometimes it did not register the swipe, kind of strange. Girlfriend was trying it and having issues, and I thought maybe it was her...but then it happened to me a few times (albeit less).
If people are interested, I can keep this post updated, but I am sure others will include more thorough reviews. These are just my experiences/thoughts thus far.