Fostering the spirit of symmetric multiprocessing
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Apple Ipad review
Product: Apple Ipad
Website: www.apple.com/ipad
Specifications: 9.7-inch IPS touch screen, Apple A4 1GHz processor, 16GB internal flash storage, WiFi (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, 3.5mm headphone jack, microphone
Price: From $499 in US (around £400 dependant on state taxes, exchange rates and excluding shipping); UK price yet to be announced
SOME ARE CALLING the Apple Ipad a potential replacement for the laptop, so we've put it to the test to see if it really lives up to expectations.
At the Ipad's heart is an A4 chip which actually is fast. In general use switching between applications is speedy and at no point did we notice any perceptible lag. The whole experience was best described as snappy.
Of course, there's no multi-tasking going on at the moment but nevertheless the same could be said for the Iphone. After using the Ipad one can only hope that the A4 chip will end up in the upcoming Iphone later this year. Should Apple adopt the same chip for its smartphone, then realistically the Iphone will finally get the chip it has always deserved.
The A4 chip isn't the only appealing feature of the Ipad, because the 9.7-inch in-plane switching (IPS) screen is absolutely stunning. It isn't the resolution that impresses, which isn't quite 720p but rather an old school 1024x768, but rather the crispness and clarity of the display. The pixel density is extremely high at 132 pixels per inch (PPI), which is higher than Apple's own ageing, top of the line 30-inch Cinema Display, and that accounts for the image quality.
The perceived contrast increase from having a glossy finish works against the device when it's used outdoors. Despite the ample brightness, the reflections caused by having such a high polish surface make the device all but useless when a bright light source is behind the user.
Apple's decision to go with an IPS screen may not be down to anything as noble as providing the ultimate viewing experience but rather sheer necessity. The big difference between IPS and twisted nematic (TN) screens is their viewing angles. The increased viewing angle of IPS screens relative to the cheaper TN ones found on most devices means that in typical usage scenarios the ability to view pictures and more importantly, read text is greatly enhanced.
After a short time using the Ipad, you realise that the physical characteristics of the Ipad aren't all that conducive to long term use. The Ipad, without 3G connectivity, tips the scales at just shy of 700 grams. That's not exactly what the weightlifters at Venice Beach are pumping but after a few minutes of holding the device, you realise that the thin form of the Ipad along with its weight make using it a less than comfortable experience. The awkwardness is perhaps the price that has to be paid for its technical specifications.
Given that the Iphone has done exceedingly well as a casual gaming device, the Ipad's A4 chip and increased screen size should only help it in this arena. Early reports mentioned that games developers were swarming over the Ipad like bees and once in the App Store it's easy to see why. Unlike the Iphone, free 'lite' versions of games are few and far between and while prices aren't close to the extortionate levels found on titles for Sony's PSP or Nintendo's DS, it's certainly a shock if you're used to the Iphone App Store. Nevertheless, the A4 chip generally provides a decent gaming experience and once coupled to the stunning screen and surprisingly loud speakers, it's not a bad, albeit oversized, portable gaming platform.
With Nintendo opting to focus its efforts on 3D gaming, Apple has an opportunity to make up ground on portable gaming but only if its games are keenly priced. However, given the relative bulk of the Ipad, especially when compared to the Iphone, and the lack of additional functionality such as telephony or even a camera, the Ipad is unlikely to usurp its smaller stable mate as the casual gaming gadget of choice.
Apple claims the sealed battery will provide 10 hours of battery life, but our mileage varied depending on how long we spent gaming or streaming videos. We averaged about seven to eight hours but given that this wasn't the 3G version, and its notoriety for depleting batteries, don't hold much hope for breaking past the seven hour barrier if you really use the Ipad to its limits.
Within days of the US launch, reports emerged of Ipads with poor WiFi connectivity. Our unit had no such problems, however there were times when after awaking from sleep it would disassociate from our access point. With such issues it would be unfair to pass judgement with a sample size of one, however be aware that Apple's answer to the problem was to blame any problems on user ignorance in configuring their access points.
Despite the fast chip and the superb screen, the Ipad is too expensive for what it offers, a device closed in both the software you are able to run as well as expansion capabilities. However what irks most are the claims that the Ipad, a device that doesn't even have a fully fledged operating system, can replace a laptop.
The difficulty of using an Ipad as your sole portable device becomes clear once you try to do some real work on the device. Overcoming the restrictions placed by Apple makes even the most mundane task complicated. As a media consumption device the Ipad is barely an incremental improvement on the Iphone. Although the increased screen size does make typing a little easier, the size of the device means that any advantages gained from having larger 'buttons' to press are negated by the fact that you have to hold an 11-inch slab of glass and aluminium. The inability to touch type on the Ipad is confirmed by the fact that Apple is offering an overpriced keyboard as an accessory to the tablet. The only people who can honestly replace their laptop with an Ipad are those who don't require a laptop in the first place.
The lack of a DVD drive is perfectly understandable, and while the lack of a real keyboard may deter some, for most it's unlikely to be a deal breaker. However we would have liked to see peripheral connectors, especially USB. The Ipad has a surrounding lip, which at 6mm is able to easily accommodate a full size USB port. A single USB port would do more to make the Ipad a credible alternative to the hoards of netbooks, thin and light notebooks and tablets than even a fully fledged operating system. Of course with a USB port, Apple loses the ability to charge device manufacturers royalties for the use of that socket.
For those who believe that the lack of USB sockets wasn't a cynical money spinning ploy, the omission of a front facing camera must be the source of befuddlement. Of course Apple provides an 'Ipad camera connection kit' which is essentially an Ipod to USB connector. A cynic might point out some of the design decisions with the Ipad were made purely to flog accessories.
For a device that was described by Steve Jobs as a "revolutionary product", the potential uses for the Ipad have nothing revolutionary about them. We've heard that it might be the best ebook reader, picture frame, web browsing tool, newspaper reader or even Frisbee but none of these are new, let alone revolutionary uses for a tablet device. You have to think really hard to see what Jobs was hoping for when his company unveiled the Ipad.
The Ipad has been labelled as a 'Kindle killer', referring to Amazon's popular ebook reader, but the fact is Amazon is hardly putting up a fight. The Ipad will undoubtedly outsell the Kindle but Amazon doesn't seem to care, and why should it? Rather than fight it, Amazon has released a Kindle application for the Ipad. The retailer makes more than enough flogging books, music and just about anything else that can fit into Postman Pat's van, so why not just use Apple's device as another storefront? If you take that thinking and extrapolate it to Apple's own App Store then you realise what the Ipad is really about.
Make no mistake, the App Store is what allowed the Iphone to overcome its technological shortcomings and brought considerable riches to Apple. It's a self perpetuating money spinner for the firm. For Apple a large Iphone-esque device represented a golden opportunity for developers to raise the price of their applications and in turn increase the amount of money Apple makes.
All of this brings us neatly onto the thorny issue of price. Regardless of what profit Apple makes on the Ipad, the device is overpriced by any stretch of the imagination. Considering both the Iphone and Ipad are merely conduits for Apple to peddle the 190,000 or so apps in its App Store, you would think that the Ipad would be in some way subsidised.
Looking at it more pragmatically, purchasing the Ipad means spending the best part of £400 on a device that has just 16GB of fixed memory, isn't a phone, doesn't have the ability to run every single program you own and has only WiFi connectivity. The price of 3G connectivity is nothing short of absurd, given that most USB 3G dongles go for only about 20 or 30 quid. Frankly, we would recommend that you ditch the 3G option, save both your cash and the Ipad's battery life and subscribe to public WiFi services.
The Ipad is not a revolutionary product, unlike the Iphone, which brought not only a step change in the usability of mobile phones but actually opened up what was at the time a closed platform. Prior to the Iphone, unless you had the misfortune of owning a Windows Mobile device or fancied the 'Old World' charm of a Palm Treo, then you were stuck with the software that shipped with your phone. The Ipad, conversely, does the opposite. It manages to close up what is currently an open platform. Not only does the user have little say on the library of applications available to them but has to put up with the physical limitations of the device.
In Short
The Ipad is let down by design and software limitations. When price is taken into consideration, even the impressive A4 CPU and groundbreaking screen do little to detract from this white elephant with an Apple logo.
The Good
Speedy A4 processor, eye popping screen.
The Bad
Cost, 3G option is even dearer.
The Ugly
Lack of expansion capabilities, no peripheral ports, inability to load software other than what's approved by Apple.
Bartender's score
5/10
Tags: Apple
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I think most of you folks have kind of missed the point of the ipad. If you want a netbook/notebook, buy one, this is not a replacement for those devices. This is a new device with a very different goal. For most people (read: people not like you that consider yourself... cough... elite power users), this device actually does replace their cheap windows based dell laptop they bought to keep in touch with the family or to browse the web. Unlike those devices, the iPad is actually something you can quickly turn on and start using right away without the endless windows updates and what not problems. Personally, for me, I would buy one simply for those times I'm watching the boob tube and need to lookup who that actor is in that latest episode of whatever show. It's a hell of a lot easier than messing with the iphone or waiting for my laptop to wake up.
Anyway, I bought one for the mom. She loves it, spends hours and hours doing stuff with it from playing solitaire, to organizing her bills, looking up stuff online and so on. Best thing about it is I don't get the daily call that something is wrong with her dell.
I think the general cynicism in these responses are simply jealousy of something they don't really understand. That is... people just want a device to do normal stuff that doesn't require months worth of wasted time and energy to keep running and secure. I'd give up a laptop for one, but I know what I'm buying and certainly wouldn't expect it to be the new incarnation of the n505.
There are always tech crazy idiots who will buy anything that has been advertised as the next big thing without even considering whether or not they have a use for it. This thing seems to have a lot of limitations and could cost a lot of money even if they gave it to you which I hear they will. I wouldn't even apply for one.
I would lime to say that I bought it on the premies that i could return it if not happy with a 15% restocking fee from Best Buy. It truly is an oversized iPod but it is so much moré. love that it handles all my calendar, to do, notes, features of my previos PDA, music in iTunes, reader (downloaded the kindle app) and all books from amazon kindle format for pc is now in my iPad. I got to watch instant movies from netflix. IBecause of 3G, I have been able to use it as a GPS. the instant on makes it incredibly easy to log on to email.
the size of the unit makes typing on the virtual keypad very enjoyable compared to iPod.
all the above have convinced me this unit is a keeper.
cons? It should come preloaded with software that did not require first connecting to a pc... Flat screen keyboard typing gets tiresome after a while. I also wish the screen was matte so it would not be so hard on the eyes in very bright situations.
I do not think you would regret owning one. I like spending the 30 dollars unlimited wireless on this rather than on a phone data plan.
For serious work, a pc is it.. For everything else entertainment and web related research, the iPad is a winner.
I own several pcs, MacBook pro, ASUS net books, and ipod touch. I think this is a keeper!
I still haven't seen one in the wild, and if I do I'll probably laugh at the guy holding it.
apple ipad tablet new tech deviced from apple i think this is new innovation for tech life sound good
www.allappleipad.info
The problem I see is that Apple is moving at the pace of a snail. Look at the iPad, look at the iPhone 4.0, look at the "updated" 13-inch MacBook pro.
I will give the iPad about 6 months until you will read articles that the iPad fails to gain ground. You really cannot do anything with it, in fact you can do many more things with the iPhone.
Powerful small netbooks are the way of the future. But the problem is, all the today's netbook designs are ugly (minus the Nokia Booklet 3G), and they refuse to put in 4GB RAM, dual-core Atoms and HD-playback chips (like the Broadcom Crystal HD) fearing that no one will buy laptops anymore. But once Intel will have enough pressure on it to allow more powerful netbooks, the iPad game will be officially over.
So this is an iphone that wont fit in my pocket?
no flash???? omgwtf is this 1998?
wasn't there a atom based tablet released a few months ago? i read something about it on this site. you should do a comparison review.
btw im using a netbook as my main pc atm and im not struggling at all. ive even been doing a little movie editing in 720p, yes its not ideal and if had anything with a bit more grunt it would be better.
All that shows is that you have more money than sense.
Different functionality? replace the word different with less and you're correct.
Get over yourself then you may realise what you are, someone who clearly buys into marketing, regardless of the company.
@PEWTER
No, the iPad has a different functionality. That's why I said get a laptop if that's what you need, don't bitch about something that doesn't meet your personal needs. BTW, anyone who uses the kiddie insult of 'fanboi' is just as ignorant as any person they're trying to insult.
For the record I have a WIN 7 desktop, Macbook pro, HTC Legend, iPhone and a Portege M700 convertible tablet.
What kind of 'fanboi' does that make me? A tech fanboi?
I still stand by my comment that netbooks are gimped.
As I clearly said, this was a better review but still had to have the obligatory 'dig' at the end. Trust me, I'll have a go at any biased crap whether it's Apple, Android on Windows.
You just can't see it though, with your knee jerk comments.
Honestly the best way to describe the iPad is a good idea that was horribly mismanaged. There are really countless ways to improve such a device but Apple being the greedy SOBs that they are felt more like making an overpriced supersized iPhone to further milk the poor unassuming consumers, who being too lazy to do proper market research before picking their electronics, have fallen prey to their pop culture status pieces in the past.
Put bluntly Apple has not made a revolutionary device since the day the company started and it's unlikely they ever will. I say that because while most companies that make quality products spend more money on R&D then advertising Apple instead waits for other people to come up with the ideas then spends more money on advertising then R&D with the goal being to essentially brainwash the untechie masses into thinking they actually have a superior product.
Design and software limitations? So the IPhone was let down by software limitations? Clearly not. This review is failing too acknowledge the massive interest people have shown in this device.
This is a design people want. No, it has no floppy disc. No mouse. No cd drive. No firewire. No webcam. Doesn't even come with a keyboard. The question is, do we really need those things to browse the web, look at pictures, write emails, read books, listen to music, watch movies, etc.? The answer gives itself. The only correct point in the article is the price. But time will tell if people are willing to pay the price for the features this device does well. The initial sales says yes.
Maybe in future it would be nice if you handed products to reviewers who hadn't decided that they hate the product in question before they've even laid their hands on it
You really hit the nail with your review. To own an iPad is indeed like owning your own personal Apple-shop.
In fact, the piece of software called "the web browser" holds more functionality than an iPad;
You can use "a web browser" to manage your mail, watch videos, play music, read books, etc...
No wonder Apple had to handicap its own web-browser on the iPad by removing Flash : if they hadn't they may have found all iPad users spend all their time in that single WebBrowsing application which would have been 'embarassing' because it would also make people understand that Apple's Apps aren't special at all.
Oh and btw. I own 2 Macs, an iMac and a MacBook Air, in case any of the Fanbois still believes people that diss Apple are , by definition, "PC's".
Your idea of a fair review is positive to Apple nothing else.
Expensive? How about compared to a £250 netbook which has more functionality?
You are the description of a fanboi, can't even see the obvious.
It makes no sense that I pay an arm and a kidney for a device that cannot run a program I choose or, in my case, I write! COBOL is my daily bread, but from time to time I write something in a more "human" language to use it on my netbook (such as... an application to keep the financial books of an association I'm part of). Now, should I buy an I-stuff, I would have to go through an approval process by those guys, only to see it turned down in the end. This is INSANE. When I buy a fridge, nobody tells me what I can and cannot put into it! And when I buy a device that can run programs, nobody tells me what I can run, download or browse, threatening to kill support if I "jailbreak" it: because, once I shell out the cash, the device IS MINE!
But then again, I guess I'm not nazi enough to appreciate the subtle cleverness of all this
Once you have an USB port people will expect it supports various devices, and drivers for those, that's simply something apple doesn't want, it's a locked down closed system and that's apple's 'thing', and apple's purposely selected audience is people that want to be controlled by steve jobs, if you aren't that person you should not try to be one.
OK Latif, that was a better review. I see you still bow to the INQ refusal to use the proper product name of iPad but hey ho, they're the ones paying £20 an article so call the shots.
With the positives it looked like you might head towards a more generous sum up and score, but no, 'White Elephant' and 5/10 (although, compared to what)?
Also, re the price. I'm staggered that you think £400 is expensive. Think about it, 'pundits' thought this thing would be over a grand, £400 is a spectacular entry price for the tech.
@Sam. Netbooks are gimped also. Get a laptop instead. The iPad does fit in between phone/laptop but if you need 'laptop' stuff, get a fecking laptop.
Mr. Jobs actually SAID in his speech recealing the iPad that it WAS better than a netbook(which he said as crap) and said it would be better then a laptop.
Ol' Stevie said the iPAD was better,,,,
It's not. It's so gimped it's a joke.
Gosh! At last I read a well written honest review about the magical ipad!
Are you not trembling in your shoes that Apple might not like what you have written?
Well done.
Apple never claimed the IPad was a Laptop replacement
its a device to consume media eg electronic Magazines, E-Books, E-papers, Music, Videos, etc
What a joker does the reviewer actually know anything what a numpty
Those who bought the iPad deserve to be called iDiots.