First Impressions Of the Apple iPad

Anyone that follows the latest technology news knows that Apple has got a new toy about to be release to its faithful customers. The new toy is the Apple iPad tablet, it sports a 9.7 inch Diagonal LED backlit Glossy Multi-touch display, Resolution of 1024-by786 pixels at 132 pixels per inch, Wi-Fi, blue tooth, cellular (optional), up to 64 gigs of flash memory, built in speaker, microphone, ten hours of operating time with a month of standby time, and a 1GHz Apple A4 processor. For more information about the specs, check out the spec page on Apple’s website.

Images from Apple iPad

First Impressions

Overall it looks like a supersized iPod Touch and it’s definitely eye candy. Despite it sexy looks, there are some downsides to the iPad.

· No camera on the iPad. Almost all modern netbooks com with a camera. Why not add one? Then again it is basically a slate / tablet computer that doesn’t have a keyboard. You would have to prop it up on something. O wait, Mac probably has a stand you can get for, sold separately.

· No iChat capabilities

· Rumors state that flash driven sites might not be supported, making flash driven sites inaccessible.

· No Multitasking! Sites such as Wired are stating the iPad may work like the iPhone when running appiclations. It will only be able to run one app at a time and there will not be background processing. Without multitasking, it will hurt its appeal and make it harder for some users to purchase the iPad. At least for myself, I think it is an issue. It’s being advertised as a portable device that you can use sitting on the couch or at the coffee shop. If I am surfing the net, emailing or working on something using the iPad, I will want to listen to music. But since you can not multitask, I will have to have an iPod or another device to play my tunes.

· No HDMI port

· no USB ports

· 4:3 aspect ratio

· Apple is using AT&T 3G services only as of right now

· The iPad is dependant on adapters.

· The price is too high. For the price of a fully loaded iPad you can get a decent to high end laptop computer.

Those are just some of the things I do not like about Apple’s new iPad Tablet. As for the reasons why Apple left these important features off, no will truly know. But, Apple is very good at marketing their products. They have a reason for everything they do.

Now for the reasons I like the iPad. First, did I mention the device is sexy as hell? I also like the screen size. Another good point is if you’re an iPhone or Touch user, then the controls and system will be the same. Also some of the apps from the iPhone will work with the iPad. I also like that this can be an ebook reader as well. I have wanted an Amanzon Kindle since they released them, but I never could see myself with something that had one use at that price. With the iPad it will be an all in one solution.

If you can get pass the cons of the Apple iPad, and your willing to lay down $499 (base model) to $829 (fully loaded), then it can be yours in April 2010. As for me, not being able to multitask and the pricing will be a deal breaker. However, I do want to test one, do a hands on review of them before I make a true judgment on this expensive toy. If I do end up purchasing one, it will be a second generation or a third generation model that I will look into purchasing.

What are your thoughts on this?