iPad Review: Is it worth the hype?
The day millions of Apple denizens and technology enthusiasts have been waiting for came and went last Saturday. Apple finally released their long rumored and speculated about foray into tablet computing known as the “iPad.” Critics have called it nothing more than a giant iPod Touch and have spent months focusing on the features Apple decided to leave off the device. Fans have described the iPad as “magical” and “revolutionary.” The publishing industry is throwing its full weight behind the iPad as a way to revitalize their sputtering business model.
Does Apple succeed? Is the iPad the next step in the way one day we will all interact with digital technology? Or has Apple not done enough to deserve all of the bravado being tossed around about the iPad? I was able to sit down with an iPad last Saturday to help answer these questions.
The first thing I noticed when holding an iPad for the first time is the striking minimalism of the design. The thing is literally a giant screen, with the exception of the vivid 9.7-inch 1024×768 screen there is not much else to speak of. Apple’s signature 30-pin USB connector is found on the bottom of the device.The top of the device sports a lock button and a standard sized headphone jack. On the side a volume rocker and orientation lock is present. Under the screen is a small button used to exit menus/apps known as the home button. The iPad is only half an inch thick and at one and a half pounds is both light and substantial feeling.
Once powered up it is impossible to ignore the brilliance of the display Apple used. Colors are perfectly saturated and sharp. The high resolution packed into this screen makes for a razor sharp image that is simply gorgeous.
The custom processor used in the iPad is super fast. Anyone that has used an iPod Touch or iPhone is familiar with the small amounts of lag and slow down they often see. However none of that is present on the iPad, every thing moves at warp speed and it makes for a much more responsive and enjoyable device.
When it was revealed Apple wanted people to type on the iPad as if they were typing on a laptop I was skeptical. However in practice it works fairly well, but a case to prop the iPad up at the right angle is a must. For longer typing sessions Apple offers a dock attached to a keyboard and it works as described.
The software powering the iPad is a modified version of Apple’s iPhone OS 3.0. Many things have been redesigned to accommodate for the larger screen and additional touch points.
One frustration present on the iPad is the lack of a multi-tasking solution. In computer jargon multi-tasking is the ability to run several pro- grams at once. Apple has restricted this on their mobile devices citing security and battery life as the reasons why. However with this device aiming to compete with people’s laptops and primary computers this needs to be addressed.
Unfortunately I did not have the ability to load any of the apps or books I feel are a key part of the iPad experience. However in my short time with the iPad I was blown away. On paper it seems it is as simple as a giant iPod Touch, however in actual use it is so much more. I encourage anyone who is interested in technology to run to his or her local Apple Store and check an iPad out as fast as they can; you will not regret it
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