Reviews

Apple iPad review: First look

Is the Apple iPad really any good or just a lot of hot air? We review it to find out.

by: Zach Epstein

3 Apr 2010

Price

£328

If you have $500 - $830 of expendable income lying around and want the best tech toy money can buy, this is it. End of story.

Do you "need" it? Absolutely not. No one really needs an iPad and it simply can't act as a substitute for any commodity type gadget on the market. You still need a laptop or netbook and you still need a phone. As a web tablet to leave lying around the house, an ebook reader to commute with or a fun toy for any technophile, however, and it simply doesn't get any better than the Apple iPad.

Based on a review that originally appeared on sister site Know Your Cell.

Want to know more about the iPad? Take a look at our reviews, news and user guide roundup here.

Verdict

If you blindly love Apple products, for better or worse, you'll love the iPad. Buy it.

If you have a general love for gadgets and high tech toys, you'll love the iPad. Buy it.

If you're trying to convince yourself that you need an iPad, or that the iPad has any functionality whatsoever that would allow you to consider it a necessity, skip it. It can't replace your mobile phone, it can't replace your laptop or netbook, and it can't replace your TV.

Bottom line: If the idea of a great big iPod Touch that tears through the web like no other device on the planet appeals to you at all, buy an iPad. You definitely won't regret your purchase.

Processor: 1GHz Apple A4 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip

Storage: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive

Display: 9.5in, 1024x768 pixels touch screen display

Features: accelerometer, 3.5mm headphone jack, built-in speaker, microphone, micro SIM card, up to 10 hours battery life for web surfing and watching videos

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, A-GPS

Dimensions: 189.7x13.4x242.8mm (WxDxH)

Weight: 680g