Apple iPad: An Honest Review

First of all, lets get all of the technical goods out of the way.  Apple will offer six variants of the iPad, starting with the three Wi-Fi models available now: a 16GB model ($499), a 32GB model ($599), and 64GB model ($699).  In a few weeks, Apple will ship three more models that will have 3G capabilities, which will set you back an extra $130 each. The 3G models will also have a GPS chip inside and will cost an additional $14.99/mo for 250MB/month or $29.99/mo unlimited via an AT&T data plan.  There will be no contract required.

Yesterday I had a chance to scoot up to Best Buy and play around with an iPad for a while.  Prior to launch, I assumed that the iPad was “just a larger version of the iPod Touch”.  After launch, I now confirm that the iPad is “just a larger version of the iPod Touch”.  Please allow me to elaborate…

Having been a huge fan of Apple products for many years and use a MacBook Pro on a daily basis, I am a bit let down with overall line up of Apple products lately.  I’m a techie that loves innovation and customization, and with the exception of Jail Breaking (hacking) your Apple devices, these options just aren’t available.  Apple devices seem to be so locked down; they are almost too simple for most techies.  The apps absolutely make the iPhone & iPod Touch.  I originally had an iPhone 2G (the 1^st generation), and anxiously awaited the iPhone 3G release.  Disappointed with the minimal upgrades, I decided to hang on to the 2G until the next generation release.  When the iPhone 3GS came out with added video capabilities and a compass, I decided to jump ship and get rid of my iPhone altogether…a decision I didn’t regret.  I now have an iPod Touch and a Google Nexus One, which is an AMAZING device out of the box.

I apologize for the tangent, lets move on to the actual Apple iPad review.  As I feel that this is an iPod Touch on steroids, I will only touch on items that I feel are iPad only:

Display

At the end of the day, the iPad is all about the screen. Its 9.7-inch LED backlit IPS (in-plane switching) display is large, bright, and crisp and does not disappoint. Although some complain about the glossy screen as a distraction, I wasn’t bothered enough to write it off.

• 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
• 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
• Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating

Hardware

Sadly, the iPad has no camera for video conferencing or any USB ports for countless plug-ins or peripherals. The iPad does have a few other components you should be comfortable with, as well as a new added feature.  As on the iPhone/iPod Touch, there is the obvious home button, a volume rocker, a power and/or sleep button, a headphone jack, and a 30-pin dock connector for connecting your iPad to your computer.

Regarding new hardware, Apple has introduced a screen rotation lock which will force the your iPad to remain in landscape or portrait mode.  Nice for when you’re on the couch reading a book while shifting positions.

Keyboard

The iPad utilities the on screen keyboard that is used with the Apple mobile devices.  In landscape mode, I found myself typing fairly quickly in a short amount of time.  Not so much in the portrait mode.  Nothing groundbreaking here, but gets the job done.  Apple will be releasing a physical plug in keyboard that will satisfy those whom hate the onscreen version.

E-Reader

This feature is perhaps one that I would use the most if I were to purchase an iPad.  The ability to purchase an e-book directly from the iBooks app is a neat feature, which delivers the e-book instantly.  We had a chance to flip through a Winnie the Pooh book as well as a large novel with no pictures, both worked very well.  There are options to bookmark not only a page, but also an exact paragraph.  Turning the page is a simple flick or swipe of your finger. All in all, the e-reader is a solid new feature introduced on the Apple iPad.

Apps

The good news: the iPad will have over 150,000 of apps at launch due to the ability to use all iPhone/iPod Touch apps.  The bad news:  there is an ability to scale up the iPhone/iPod Touch app to conform with the iPad screen, however, most apps looks horribly pixilated and out of place.  In most cases, the original app size is best.

A lot of developers are planning to cash in on the iPad App movement, so upgrading current apps to work natively with the iPad is top priority.  Although I haven’t played with too many apps, I must say that the Marvel Comic Book reader is simple amazing and fun to use!

Calendar / Contact

Those who are comfortable with Apple’s iCal and Contacts will feel comfortable with these features on the iPad.  Both open in a spilt screen, book like display, and serves its purposes.  The slider scroll on the bottom of the calendar app is a nice and quick easy way to hope from day to day.

Mail

Simply put, the iPad mail application is the iPhone mail program with a preview area for messages.  Attachments need to be viewed with the source app, kind of limiting.  The iPad mail app is not made to replace your Entourage, Apple Mail or Entourage.

The Bottom Line

If the Apple iPad came out prior to the iPhone or iPod Touch, this definitely would be a “wow” gadget.  As it did not, I can only say that the iPad is a larger, steroid injected iPod Touch.  Unfortunately and as I have done for the last few Apple releases, I’m going to hold off until iPad 2.0, maybe even longer given the upgrades.

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Jeremy Gibson | PCQuikFix

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