My iPad Review

I got my 16gB (wi-fi only) iPad as a gift from my wife several months ago, literally weeks after it came out - it is one of those unexpected but welcome surprises, how my kids were able to keep it a secret from me is where I express my disappointment :).

So is it really just a large iPod touch?
No, while it does have the functionality of the iPod touch, its much much more than an iPod. In fact, I believe this device will eventually replace netbooks, with it's great battery life, connectivity and abundance of free Apps...

The Good
Super fast 1Ghz A4 processor makes your iPhone or iPod touch feel like an antique.
The super long battery life is also a plus. On a normal day of use between 9 am to 5pm, I've only managed to bring down the battery to 80%.
The large 9.7" touch screen is awesome for doodling.
Videos are crisp and the HD clarity is unmatched by any device given its 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi).
The iBooks App has thousands of books and has dictionary and search capability - which makes it way better than the Kindle.
Love the Apps - if you loved the Apps on your iPod, you will love them even more with the iPad.

The Bad
No flash support - makes surfing to certain websites a hassle.
iWork the iPad's productivity suite (Numbers, Keynote and Pages) lacks collaborative tools - as you are limited to certain file types, imagine not being able to share and edit work with others - bummer.
No webcam and camera - something that I'm sure the future models will have.
The kids will love it - which leads them to say "where's the iPad" instead of "hi dad" when you get home. :(
There aren't that many accessories available yet for the iPad.

The Ugly
No multitasking means that you can only do one thing at a time - something that should be corrected in the next OS release.

Overall Experience:
Despite some serious drawbacks, the iPad does not disappoint. It changes the lifestyle and behavior of the user and makes something previously unthinkable like leaving your laptop at home, instead of bringing it with you on business trips possible. Changing the way we do things continues to be the Apple brand's core strength. The more you use the iPad, the more you appreciate its capabilities. And like any other MAC product it doesn't slow down as you install more Apps.

Imagine being able to surf in an instant without having to wait for your PC or laptop to boot up or surfing in bed without worrying about an overheating battery burning your lap. That may not seem much, but it's a game changer when you get used to the convenience of the iPad.