Manage updates with the Download App
-
"An expensive App Store Catalog - nothing more."
on by bill_zillaPros Big, nice display for running iPhone/iPod Touch content.
Oozes high tech quality Apple 'shinyness'.
Not $1000 as many predicted (Apple ploy?)
Probably a decent gateway device for elderly and handicapped who can't use a PC.Cons No USB for generic keyboards, mouse, flash card readers, etc.
No Flash. If you use the Web for video, music or gaming, you're out of luck w/ the iPad.
No optic drive or add-ons of any sort at this time.
As an eBook reader? Hello eyestrain.Summary Non-customizable, non-flexible, non-accessorized closed-architecture, restricted 'user experience' and Classic Steve Jobs at his most 'I will tell you what you want'. Funny that Jobs said a while back that books were dead and that nobody reads anymore... I guess, unless they have an iPad? I'll take a real book or an e-ink reader, thanks. Reading a bright high color/contrast backlit LCD is not my idea of comfortable reading. No USB peripherals, flash drives or card readers. No decent keyboard, except maybe an Apple branded one, someday. The zoomable Safari is great for a phone or iPod, but on a big tablet, I'd rather have a real full OS with real browser that shows me streaming content, flash games and FULL versions of my favorite websites/products/subscriptions.
To the Apple fanboy legion offended by any criticism of the iPad: Hate to burst your bubble, but I'm hardly an Apple Hater. I've owned 2G & 3G iPhones and broke my PC teeth on an Apple ][+ in 1983. I've had Newton MessagePads and used plenty of Macs in my time. I'm no stranger to Apple products. It's also no secret that today's Apple has become a veritable profit thinktank - and the way they do it is through selling their image and the App Store/iTunes.
As for content, prepare to buy it all again. Games, movies, music, apps, utilities... Stuff you can access for free on a full Windows tablet or netbook will cost you over and over when purchased through iTunes or the App Store, as anyone who's owned an iPhone or iPod for any length of time can tell you. Books, readers, editors, etc. will all cost extra in addition to paying for connectivity when most tablets and netbooks can easily be tethered to use your existing phone (yes, even an iPhone if you do a little Googling). Basically, this is a very scaled back, simplified computing device that has more in common with the closed-environment 'dead end' Palm and PocketPC PDA's of 10+ years ago than it does to full portable computers of today.
Lacking flash, true USB ports, HD output, a cam, more internal storage and the ability to run real productivity software like Photoshop, etc., this is just a vehicle for big sales through the App Store and iTunes. All content is designed to come through those retail portals (and at no small price). An HP tablet or similar might be a tad less glamorous, but it'll do much, much more and you can put your own DVD collection on it, your own MP3's ripped from your own CDs, install your PC games, store your digital pics with your camera via flash card slot and pretty much do most everything you can with a desktop or laptop. Then again, if you want a chic fashion statement that doubles as a toy-app and media cash register, a third device to tote that will never replace an actual notebook, the iPad may be for you.
Updated on Apr 4, 2010
I've played with the iPad and like most reviewers, I don't have to own one to note what it lacks. The keyboard dock nukes the point of having the iPad be a PAD. If there was a slim fold-over keyboard that doubled as a case, that'd work. But really, at that point, why not just get a Netbook or slim Notebook? And as for software costing money, that's fine, but I don't feel like buying the iPad versions of basic apps. Same with books and music/video. All this does better than a notebook is ding your VISA.
Updated on Apr 5, 2010You don't need to have bought this item to note its lack of USB, Flash support (ie. no non-Apple-approved streaming media), lack of Flash Card support, relatively miniscule storage capacity, file management/storage or free basic productivity apps that come with any full computer OS such as MacOS or Windows.
Anyone who has used an iPhone or Touch knows how the UI works, for the most part. The iPad is just a platform for purchasing content, like video, magazines, books, apps and games. And conveniently, iTunes and the App Store don't provide comprehensive lists of apps you've bought for your iPhone or media you already paid for, so you'll probably be re-purchasing content. Snap. People are far better off with one of the newer Windows tablets or just about any Netbook, that is, unless they're utterly computer illiterate, have poor eyesight, etc. -
"More Hype Than Necessary"
on by daddyboxersPros Intuitive, Simple to Use, Familiar Layout, Highly Responsive, 3G/WiFi/Bluetooth Capable
Cons Expensive Accessories, Low Resolution, No External Memory Support, No Flash Support, No Real Multitasking, iPhone OS
Summary Apple's Marketing team are true geniuses. They have taken a device and created a Mass Media Hype over technology they have claimed to be "magical". In an industry like this, being magical shouldn't be your selling point. Anyhow, on with the review.
I fail to see how this is innovative software when it borrows almost directly from the iPhone. As far as this being a game changer, I am a bit skeptical. If there were any evidence to support this claim, I may yield to the statement, however, just stating it only leaves it as an opinion.
First and foremost, the Apple iPad has many great features that will woo the general population with its easy-to-use, finger friendly design. Those who are familiar with the iPhone will find the iPad very familiar due to the Operating System that is shared on both form factors. For every reason that has created the huge success for the iPhone will be the same reasons why the iPad will have success. The device is not built to do everything for everyone. It's limited in its scope to do very precise things, and the things it does, it does well.
Right off the bat, the iPad will share the vast array of applications from the App Store. On launch, the iPad will also have ~1000 iPad-dedicated Apps ready to go as well. With the ample real-estate that is the screen, the iPad will allow users to watch video, review photos, read books and all of the enjoyment that is the multimedia world. This is where it ends though.
Web browsing experience is going to be somewhat limited until HTML5 becomes the more accepted standard in web-designing. Currently, over three-quarters of the web utilizes Flash in most of its sites to engage the user which the iPad will never support. Although the video may look great, it won't be HD quality. Even 720p quality requires a minimum resolution of 1280x720 which the iPad's resolution will cap out at 1024x768. The device will not be able to multitask between multiple programs and third-party apps, so the device will be limited to running very few apps (if more than one) simultaneously. One other downfall is the inability to use external memory devices (SD-cards for example) to either transfer files or use as extra storage if you do not feel like shelling out an extra $200 for an additional 48GB (32GB SD card can run as little as $70USD).
One last thing is the accessories. In order to use an external keyboard, one must purchase the keyboard dock which will run about $70USD where as tablets like the HP Slate will be able to use USB-keyboards.
Again, for what it can do, it's great. For what it could be, it's lacking quite a bit in several departments. I still see this product being a huge success simply based on the fanbase that supports Apple and its products and Apple's superb Marketing Team.
Updated on Apr 3, 2010
There have been many tablets before the iPad. I will admit, prior to the iPad, the general population was unaware of this genre of computer devices. In that aspect, the iPad has definitely shed some light in this once-thought dead avenue. Otherwise, I do not see how the iPad is bringing anything new to the table that has not already been done either by its own company (iPhone) or any other tablet-manufacturing company. -
"A large Apple Touch."
on by Gaucho90Pros Large screen.
Cons Large screen means it is no longer portable like a Touch or an IPhone. Who is going to carry this around???
Summary Netbooks are cheaper and do a lot more. This is the Newton revisited unless they make it a lot more powerful and drop the price.
-
"Unnecessary"
on by advanidhirajPros Nothing apart from the size
Cons The biggest flaw is that there is no such necessity of the product. I would prefer itouch.
-
"The perfect device for the right person"
on by chicagosteve666Pros Great display, easy to use, good battery life
Cons No USB, No external keyboard, No flash
Summary David Pogue said it best in his review. The best thing about an iPad is that it's a giant iPod. The worst thing about an iPad is it's a giant iPod. Too many of the reviewers on CNET are hardcore techies. For them, the iPad is useless. But for someone like my wife, who just wants to surf the web for shopping, read her email, and read iBooks, it's the perfect device. Don't waste time on getting 3G though. Just get the base 16 G WIFi. As long as you know what you want and what to expect, the iPad will deliver.
Write a Review
Online Stores
| Store | Promotions | In Stock | Price | Total Cost | Initial Sort Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Get free shipping on orders over $25! | Yes | Ship: TBD Tax: TBD | $509.99 | |
| Memory4Less.com | Yes | $763.18 (Refurbished) Ship: TBD Tax: TBD | $763.18 | ||
| See all prices | |||||
%20-%20Tablets%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/apple-ipad-16gb/4852-3126_7-33958447.html&x_breadcrumb=8900:3126&x_arw_bkts=DNA_PAGEMODE:normal,DNA_ADVERTISER:,DNA_ADVERTISER_MFG_ID:,DNA_SPINNER_ID:,MAD:first_impression){kind=small}