The iPad Arrives: Our Review of the Reviews

by Amar Toor on April 1, 2010 at 09:15 AM

User reviews of the iPad have started to emerge, and, contrary to what many expected, they're generally pretty positive. While initial impressions run the gamut from pleasantly surprised to downright effusive, the overarching theme seems to be the same: the iPad is just different. Occupying a strange space between laptop and e-reader, the iPad, as the Houston Chronicle's Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus says, is "an entirely new mobile device... a new arrow in your technology quiver." The Wall Street Journal's Walter Mossberg concurs, calling the iPad "much more than an e-book or digital periodical reader," and "far more than just a big iPhone." The Root's Omar Wasow sums it up as simply "a computer without all the distractions."

As for the user experience, many described it as uniquely enjoyable, and some made it out to be almost divine. For Andy Ithnatko, of the Chicago Sun-Times, "the iPad user experience is instantly compelling and elegant," while the New York Times' David Pogue finds the touchscreen-based navigation to be "a completely new experience -- and a deeply satisfying one." Many also reported that the battery-life far exceeded even Apple's claims, and that the device's custom processor allowed for what Mossberg calls "wicked fast" manipulation. The enlarged screen, according to reviews, enhances both digital media consumption and Web surfing, while the built-in speaker delivered surprisingly good sound quality.

Are you Buying an iPad?
I opened a credit card in my cat's name so I could buy four!	597 (17.2%)
I'm waiting to read the reviews before smashing open my piggy bank.	843 (24.2%)
Nope. Tablets aren't for me.	818 (23.5%)
I'm waiting to check out the rest of this year's deluge of tablets before making my decision.	1222 (35.1%)

Most testers were quick to point out the immediately recognizable drawbacks: no multi-tasking capabilities, no built-in webcam, and Safari Flash support that left much to be desired. But even these shortcomings, it seems, have only fueled anticipation and excitement for how the iPad might evolve. Though the device currently runs almost all of the 150,000 apps available on the iPhone, Apple plans to release about 1,000 specially designed iPad apps in time for this Saturday's launch, leading BoingBoing's Xeni Jardin to speculate that "maybe the most exciting thing about the iPad is the apps that aren't here yet." Impressive a debut as it is, Jardin's quick to point out: "It's the things I never knew it made possible -- to be revealed or not in the coming months -- that will determine whether I love it." [From: GizModo and AllThingsDigital]

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Tags: apple, ipad, IpadApp, reviews, tablet, top

Comments

erinApr 1st 2010 3:54PM

Highly Ranked

More overpriced stupid electronic toys we dont need that will be obsolete in 3-5 years.

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eric pinayaApr 1st 2010 4:56PM

Lowest Rank

Negativity is a sign of jealousy. You're just mad because you own a Kindle. it is not uncommon for people to know that technology changes in 3-5 years. Have fun with your Kindle and Windows 97 PC since you complain about the human race progressing with technology as a bad thing.

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AbraxusApr 1st 2010 10:07PM

Highly Ranked

Hey, don't knock the Kindle - I love my Kindle because I love books - I didn't want a tablet PC, just a book / newspaper reader - the Kindle will never be beaten for that - it's the i-pod for books, pure and simple. This i-pad is very cool, but having tested one, I don't see why I would replace my laptop which has far more functionality (being able to open numerous windows / programs at a time is the most obvious one). But, the i-pad is cool I have to say - just needs some fine tuning to improve its functionality!

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goldcdsApr 1st 2010 11:54PM

Neutral

Effing idiot, not many things Apple come out with fit your description.

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JJApr 2nd 2010 3:24AM

Neutral

I agree. In a year there will have been a better device and the MORE people would want that.

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StanleyApr 1st 2010 4:42PM

Highly Ranked

I can see how the iPad would be useful for college students if you can have all your text books on it, but I still prefer the paper back versions. Beyond that, the iPad seems like it would be a lot to carry around just to play with. The price also seems kind of way out there for me, and according to the experts when it comes to this kind of thing, never buy the first version. Apple has a good reputation when it comes to making toys, but I prefer to wait and see what MicroSoft comes up with, which will no doubt be a lot more about serious business.

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David S.Apr 1st 2010 6:16PM

Neutral

Oh, goodie -- a new toy so the electronics junkies can get their latest fix. No thanks.

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Robert JonesApr 1st 2010 6:58PM

Neutral

What recession!! People always have money for expensive toys!!

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jon55Apr 1st 2010 8:44PM

Neutral

It's an interesting gadget, but for me, just that. As for its usefulness to a college student, the only books available to download are titles on Itunes. Considering the sheer volume of books needed by college students all over the country (and world) that will not suffice. More reader compatibility is needed before it becomes more than a big honkin' Itouch for student use. I like the screen size and the wi-fi capability, but Apple needs to make it more than just a big Itouch. Multitasking would be nice, but isn't there, yet. (New, future updates at more cost, maybe?) and I've heard the flash player is virually non-existant. Before I run out and slap down my money, there has to be some more developement of capability. Like I said, an interesting gadget, but not enough of one yet to make me pull out my wallet.

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vvjonathanvvApr 2nd 2010 12:45AM

Neutral

"As for its usefulness to a college student, the only books available to download are titles on Itunes"

aslong as you use the aldiko or the kindle app for the ipad you can convert any pdf or any ebook ever created into a format for a ereader on the ipad. there are half a dozen free apps online that converts one ereader format to another. Calibre is one that comes to mind.

My major two issues that are going to make me keep my archos 5 over the ipad are the fact that ipad has no flash or usb support. yet

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judithApr 1st 2010 9:08PM

Neutral

This is probably one of the most uninteresting gadgets to come out this year. Doesn't have full PC capabilities, missing some important features, overpriced, over-hyped, and is so poorly lacking in security that it is not safe for business use. After reading about Apple products being a complete fail at the annual Pwn2own contest, I don't wonder why businesses don't use Apple products. That explains why most blogs mention that it's a great product to buy your grandma !

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A WellsApr 1st 2010 11:06PM

Neutral

buy an always innovating touch book instead, it occupies the space between net books and iPads

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JakesnakeApr 2nd 2010 2:18AM

Neutral

I like to read books and not carry around a contraption. As far as the APPS, my laptop has a lot more than this thing can handle. This is another way to perpetuate the capitalistic approach of selling what we don't need by apple...It makes slaves of those who buy their toys and it is a great source of income for the company; knowing that there are plenty of fools out there who will part with their money for something they really do not need.

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