Apple iPad (64GB)

Pros: *Crisp screen resolution
*Long Battery Life

Cons: *No USB port
*No HDMI out
*iTunes
*Bluetooth ability limited
*WiFi connectivity an issue with some wifi areas
*NO FLASH capability -- Limits some website abilities when I try to use the iPad on the college campus.
*No Gorilla glass
*No SD Card Slot

Summary: I bought this new, on sale for $399. Owned it for one semester of nursing school. While I found myself using it more than my laptop, unless I had an extensive paper to write, ultimately I grew tired of its limitations and shortcomings. Having to connect to iTunes being the greatest limitation. My laptop runs much better now that I have removed Apple's iTunes from it.

I bought my wife(math and science teacher) a Motorola Xoom for Christmas(sale, $199). She can easily plug it up to the smartboard in her classroom via HDMI and use it as an educational tool either with installed apps, through wifi or 4G, or just YouTube etc. The Xoom mirrors whatever is currently on screen, while the iPad 1 does not. The iPad 1 will ONLY play youtube or downloaded/digital copy videos to an alternate screen. Also, the Xoom works great with my college's network and online access such as the online courses program or campus email. The iPad would not navigate these.

APPS: There are thousands of apps available but this is NOT an issue. Honestly there may only be 10 - 15 Apps truly worth owning. No one is buying a tablet because they need to downlaod 3,471 apps. The apps i had on my iPad are either identically available on the Xoom, or my HTC Thunderbolt, OR there is a similiar app available in the Android Market that does the same thing as well or better.

In the end, I had it, it is an ok device, just too restricted and limited. The iPad 1 falls short of where we are technologically and short of its potential. The Xoom, which came out within a very close timeframe to the iPad 1, has a better feature set and integrates more easily into real world, everyday usage.....though I wish the screen was just a tad sexier.