Apple iPad (16GB)

Pros: 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.

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

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.

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.