Apple iPad is mainly classified as a tablet PC, but I reckon it is a hybrid of a tablet PC and an over-sized media player. I agree more with Wikipedia’s classification: Tablet Media Player, but here I’ll call it just “device”, and this seems more appropriate since iPad is more of a new concept, and a new type of device.

Design and Ergonomics:

On first looks, Apple iPad seems to be an oversized Apple iPod Touch, and it is generally true. Looks are almost identical to those of Apple iPod, there is almost no difference. But the question is how it looks in this larger size. Well, iPad is sleek and stylish, as expected from something with Apple’s logo. It looks good in hands, and on first sight, it looks like a remote touch panel of a smart house, really futuristic. On the front, there is a brilliant 9.7 inch touch-screen with 1024 x 768 resolutions. Screen is brilliant, similar to that on iPod and iPhone, and there is no lack of vibrant colours and brilliant interface. iPad is amazingly thin (only 13.4 cm) and lightweight (1.6 pounds). So it looks great and because of the high quality touch screen, it is great to use as well. And being a novel device, it’ll probably get more attention from the people than high-spec Alienware laptops, and someone using it should expect everyone to take a look at the iPad. It is a beautiful and stylish gadget.

Features:

Apple iPad has features almost identical to the Apple iPod touch (with the exception of optional 3G connectivity in the iPad 3G model). It uses the iPhone OS 3.2, which is the latest. It should be familiar to the iPhone and iPod users, the UI is identical, except that it is on a comparatively larger screen. Almost all iPhone applications run on the iPad without any modification. So it is good news for the people who like the great and easy to use iPhone OS, they’ll know how to use the device from the start. Multi-touch support and iPhone OS and UI makes it great to use. For storage, there is option of 16, 32 and 64GB, which is more than what is needed in a device like this one. 64GB is more than enough for storing huge amount of music files, movies, pictures and games. It is great for travelers, and its excellent battery should keep it running for hours. 10 hours is claimed by Apple, which is probably more than any other tablet PC and device of similar size. For connectivity, there is Wi-Fi, Digital Compass, and 3G connectivity is also available in the 3G model. The 3G model also has GPS, GSM and EDGE, (but it is only for data transfer). iPad has Wi-Fi and Apple’s Safari browser, combined with a huge display, and web-surfing is a great experience on the iPad. There is also 3.5 mm jack, and Support for 1024 by 768 pixels with Dock Connector to VGA Adapter, 576p and 480p with Apple Component AV Cable, 576i and 480i with Apple Composite AV Cable. For running everything well, there is a fast 1GHz Apple A4 processor, so the iPhone OS runs even better and faster, and high quality movies run smoother. This is slow compared to Netbooks and tablet PCs, but since it is not a pure Tablet PC, nor it runs Windows or similar OS, 1 GHz CPU is more than enough for the iPad. Accessories include iPad dock, iPad keyboard dock, iPad case and iPad Camera Connection Kit.

Conclusion:

Apple iPad is a versatile device, and it can do a lot of things. Its huge memory, large high quality screen and huge battery time makes it ideal for entertainment during long journeys and for students. Keyboard doc makes its use at home comfortable, and for so many things can be done with the iPad, that for many one does not need to use the PC. Read the newspaper online, check email and Facebook etc with the comfort of sitting on the sofa using the iPad. Connect it with the Wi-Fi network anywhere. Comparing it with a home PC + laptop + cell phone with GPS (which most of the iPad buyers are expected to have already), is it a device worth buying? But a great device overall