The New IPAD, a short review

[nadinbrzezinski]

First let me preface this that my review is colored by actually having owned a Tablet a while ago... before tablets were the hot stuff, and I am not going to assume they're about to become the hot stuff. By the way I loved that tablet. So yes, I have been an early adopter of technology, at times before they are even mature for prime time. That tablet, and of course PDAs before they were cool are just two examples.

So I went down to the Apple Store and I spent a good hour using the PAD. I wanted to know if this thing was truly revolutionary, and I fear that either the PAD I was using was defective, or my sad conclusion was that it lacks some oopmh. NO I am not kidding, pages was slow and not as responsive as I expected. (Of course the slew of other word processors for the platform might run better on it but I wasn't expecting them to have them on the machines)

Will this be a laptop killer? If you want this for heavy duty applications, I recommend you don't get rid of your Laptop just yet. That earlier Tablet was capable, and fast, this one not so much.

As a book reader, well I-BOOK has a serious problem (when compared to it's direct competitor) I cannot take notes. I am sure that it is coming, in a revision to the software, but given Kindle, Stanza and a few others RIGHT NOW do notes, and HIGHLIGHTS... folks that is a problem. Now the interface IS beautiful, and if you own a Kindle it runs on this sucker in full screen. So no fear about losing all those books. Now my SONY books, I will have to test if they will load on Stanza from my hard drive... I wonder where they are, and how to load them... on the IPOD touch that is.

So here is the deal. If you want this thing for consuming media... it is great. If you want this sucker to play games... I think I am in love. Hell, better than many other portable gaming devices I've used in the past. You want it to navigate the web (save me the Flash gripes) by all means. For some LIGHT computing... just like the IPOD and the IPHONE, it will serve you well, and the keyboard is ok. But if you think you want this to replace a laptop, not so much.

By the way, the place was full of people testing this sucker, and most were much younger than me, so they probably will not realize why this thing is not a true tablet. And you know what? That's ok... why I guess I'm a techie. (Yes guilty as charged)

Oh and the games they had loaded on it, yes I am definitely in love. To do that, it actually excels, much better than the IPOD.

Oh and one more thing... and this is my back speaking, it is as heavy as my Netbook... which sucks for playing games.

:-)

Me, will wait for the day this netbook dies... and see if these gripes have been corrected. (And I am sure they will, well except Flash)

[hlthe2b]

1. Earlier in life I was far more impulsive than I am now...

I'm glad I have decided to wait until second generation on all new technology and to wait at least a few months before any major upgrade of computer software, especially operating systems. That change has stood me well in recent years.

Thanks to those who are early adopters, though and whose feedback will bring a much better product to market, shortly.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Same here, why I had that tablet oh

back in the dark days of 2001...

IT was based on the XP platform (groans I know) but it died just recently.

It was a solid machine, that as a computer was actually better, now for gaming, or 3D... you kidding me right?

[REP]

2. Hm. I have severe degenerative joint disease in my shoulders and have no problem carrying my iPad

By severe, I mean that's what the head of Orthopedics said. Sure I can't lift it over my head but I can't lift anything over my head.

I've had mine since Saturday, and let's just say I have a different opinion. :-)

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. 1.1 pounds

like my netbook, and they are not placing any problem on either you joints or mine.

But one of the gripes was that this was lighter... actually it is average for these machines weight wise.

[REP]

4. I'm glad you have a machine you like and can afford

A netbook is not something I have much use for; I bought the thing that serves my purposes. It's nice there's so much from which to choose.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Exactly I wanted to know if it coulod

do word processing, as in heavier word processing, which is what I use the netbook for. IT IS a glorified word processor... so for that goal, it does not.

Why I guess I concentrated on the "computing" side of it, and not the media consumption side. (That's what the IPOD is for)

But if you look at price, strictly, the netbook was cheaper... :-)

[abelenkpe]

6. Do you do any drawing

with your tablet or iPad?

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Yep, and I wish they had any of the artsy

apps installed.

For that it might do well. Hell I use the IPOD for that as well... (and I use a Waccom on the Macbook)

[abelenkpe]

11. Had been looking at a cintiq

But if the iPad is OK with drawing apps and photoshop maybe that would be better? Are there any onion skin apps you think for animating or storyboarding?

Anyway, thanks for the review. Hopefully I'll get a chance to check one out soon. :)

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. So you know it will NOT run photoshop

there are few apps for it that do layers, but it will NOT do photoshop

Cintiq, now make me drool

:-)

On edit, it is the OS stupid... it runs the same OS as my IPOD... and that is actually part of the problem. My view, purely, it would have done better if they loaded OS X on it, and they had a way to load full programs. Of course that means a computer, not something in between

[glowing]

9. Always wait for the 3rd or 5th model.. Kinks worked out and technology way better.

It changes so fast.. so unless you have disposable income to throw around, waiting is a good option.. or if you are a tech person and this is what you save your money on, then go for it.. The rest of us will soooo benefit from your expert critiques.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Why I went to the store and TESTED IT THERE

I was distantly considering it for hubby, as he is going back to college. But as a book reader it still has ahem issues, and for light word processing, not so much.

Now if I wanted it for a light game machine... but there are other priorities and he HAS a gaming rig.

I guess he'll have to either take my netbook or the Macbook. I suspect the net... as he is more familiar with windows.