From 'sensual' to 'disappointment,' iPad reviews are in

No multi-task or Flash... How can you fall in love with the iPad if it lacks simple functionality?

Where's the "disappointment" of the headline? I've read all these reviews, and while some mention some negatives - no product is perfect - all the reviews are glowing in their conclusions!

Frankly I'd be glad if I was spared the annoyance of constant adds 'Flashing' in my face every time I got to a web page...

Had intended to buy an ipad for everyone in the family (5) until I found out id didn't support Flash. Without Flash it will never replace my netbook. Just act as a jumbo ipod. I already have 3 of those and 3 iphones. So where is the benefit?????

No flash and multi-task a deal killer? not so fast. If it was that much of a deal killer, why are iPhones and Touches flying off the shelves at millions per year?

Adobe NEVER got flash working very well on the mac systems. and since the underlying system is basically the desktop OS slimmed down, how could apple expect adobe to support it better than the full desktop system?

Did anyone notice the media outlets adopting HTML5, almost en-masse? Flash is dead if they don't get it working on ALL platforms as well as it is on windows.

You can plug in a physical keyboard to the dock connector, or use one over bluetooth – please check your facts

So Joe, you don't have Flash installed on your personal computer?

The Ipad.... Only Steve Jobs can sell a glorified scientific calculator and get people to love it. How can anyone like something that lacks USB and the ability to multi-task, and that USB thing is a marketing ploy that people are just falling into. Sure buy our Apple exclusive ipad camera connection kit. What is that? Seriously.....

I am sitting in my office with about 300 books on the shelves, and none of them are printed in COLOR. Hello!
Maybe Apple fanboys only look at the comics.

Shift wrote:
No multi-task or Flash... How can you fall in love with the iPad ifit
lacks simple functionality?

neither of those are that simple to impliment

Everyone wants to see Star Trek come to life; this is getting alot closer than the netbooks. This will spurn alot of innovation from Apple and other copycats. This is just the start, which is why I am not going to buy one for 2-3 years when versions 2.0-3.0 come out or some other company comes out with one that is cheaper and better, has a camera or plays Flash. If I had some money to burn I would get one. And its not THAT much when you think about it. Its a good start. Haters stop hating and start appreciating.

characterizing the ipad as a jumbo iphone or a jumbo ipod touch is typical of those who don't understand that the benefit of a larger touchscreen grows exponentially with the size of the screen. the reason that people don't surf the web on old razr phones is because the teentsy screen won't let you really do anything. the iphone changed that. now all phones have huge touchscreens. a large touchscreen is a beautiful necessary way to eliminate and evolve beyond the clunkiness of an external mouse or the touchpad on a laptop.

I'm not that impressed, but my company is going gaga over it.

i can see this being used in schools, instead of papers we could use the ipad...

Not buying due to no Flash..... and can't run multiple apps..... Next gen???

even a machead will drool at anything with a apple label

How do I use Facebook and play my games from Facebook? iPad would be great for that but NO FLASH. I can by a wireless keyboard and the web camera but it is all about FACEBOOK.

How much money does Apple give CNN?

im not gonna buy a computer that doesn't a. have a keyboard and b. cant run more than one program at once.

My biggest issue with the iPad is it's lack of innovation. It brings no new technology to the table, just basically an expanded iPod Touch. Apple really needs to get back to innovation or they'll just be stuck with the same products with slightly different configurations.

All hail the great turtleneck. His minions rejoice at the site of anything that glows. For someone who knows how to type, I don't need to go back to pick and peck just because it's "cool."

"neither of those are that simple to impliment"

Not our problem. Our problem? It doesn't do some very basic things that it should. Our problem is then Apple's problem as they lose sales because it is crippled in its main functions.

Notice that all of the reviews from technology based reviewers are lukewarm. The only positive reviews are from the print media (WSJ, NYT) because they hope the iPad will boost readership and save them from extinction.

a device that doesnt support flash?
sooo no espn videos, youtube, facebook, virtually every online video?
no multi-tasking? unbelievable.
I've always been a windows/pc guy, and I will continue to be based off of this horrific product.
next-gen huh? sweet...

so let me get this straight. They put a camera in the nano, but not in the ipad which is ten times the size. What?

Definitely not buying. Why buy this overpriced underperforming device for almost twice as much as I can spend on a netbook (or about the same for a mid range laptop) that I can do far more with without the need for docking stations etc to plug in extra devices.

It's a start – but exactly that – a start.

Mac users will rush out and buy these as they buy all Mac products as early adopters – even in a recession. Look at the iPhone 1st edition – they sold millions of these in the first six months, then millions more when they released an updated edition that had required features that the 1st edition didn't have.

People keep complaining that they're broke in the recession, but then go out an needlessly spend hundreds of dollars on a device that they really don't need just to keep up with the Joneses, then in a few months' time they will spend hundreds of dollars more when v2 comes out and the original will sit on a shelf somewhere collecting dust.

This sort of thing is why people are in debt up to their eyeballs.

Saying that the NY Times isn't sold is misleading at best, deceitful at worst. Tech columnist David Pogue actually wrote TWO reviews of the iPad in the same column, one for the "tech-heads", who have been among the most vociferous critics, and the other for everyone else. The headline read "Looking at the iPad From Two Angles". CNN chose to report on only the first.

Calling it a disappointment is to mischaracterize what Pogue actually concluded.

they're really going to get a lot of mainstream buyers who dont know the capabilities/non-capabilities.
there will be a lot of returns and disappointed buyers
nice apple, anything to keep on truckin with windows 7 out, gotta keep that apple name in conversation before getting thrown on the backburner for good...

I am one who is "gaga" over the iPad concept, but won't be able to afford one for a while. HOWEVER, if anyone has a crush on me...

Some day you folks will learn what multi-tasking is.
Multi-tasking isn't just running 2 programs at once.
If the Operating system is doing more than one item it is a multi-tasking OS.
Although the iPad may not allow you to multi-task, the device itself does multi-task.

Good riddance to Flash. I block all flash on my computer as it is.

No flash player support is a deal breaker for me. I don't care if flash is buggy or drains the battery; there are so many sites that use it, especially for streaming video.

Some of these points are covered but:
Several important accessories are available right away:
1) Dock with integrated full-size keyboard. Basically converts iPad to home computer.
2) Camera adapters for mini-USB ports and SD cards that fit into the docking port. USA Today is dead wrong there. And they are $30 each, hardly a deal breaker.
Other notes
1) The docking port IS a USB port, the other end of the cable that attaches to your syncing PC/Mac is a standard USB. There is no reason why there should not be a solution to attach the iPad to other external USB devices.
2)HTML5 likely to be a Flash Killer soon anyway
3) Maybe you can't stream Pandora, but you can access iPod capability while surfing and get your music that way . At least you can on an iPhone.
4) Facebook App works fine on iPhone. But I don't do games YMMV.
5) Mike in LA may have 500 books with no colors. I am betting his field isn't Art History, Biology, Astronomy, or anything having to do with Electrical Wiring or Electronics generally. For that matter my brother's hobby is Military History and he tells me battle maps suck in B&W on his Kindle.

But where the iPad shines is for hobbyists of all sort. You can't walk through a museum, gallery, used books store, or antique shop lugging an open laptop, for one thing you look like a dork, But the iPad allows you to load catalogs, guidebooks, Zagat guides, repair manuals and access them from a device with the form factor and weight of a glossy magazine, it will look perfectly natural to consult it while doing just about anything. Want to surf the web while not physically walling yourself off from your bartender or table mate? Lay the iPad down flat in front of you. Want to share something? Pick the unit up and hand it to your friend, or look at it together. Try doing the latter on a smartphone.

PC people: Our motto, "Finding something to hate on with every new Apple product". A constant since 1985.

My Biggest complaint is that the ipad does not bring the usual innovative technology that apple is known for. In fact from what I am hearing and reading the device is pretty rudimentary in relation to most apple products/or laptops for that matter.
Steve Jobs, I know you can do better than this.
Give us a product that satiates a need we didn't even know we had. That's what you are known for.

Tired of hearing about this overpriced piece of plastic

Too big to fit in my pocket, too weak to replace my laptop. Still trying figure out what I'm supposed to use an iPad for.

Meh, I'm good, thanks.

I installed OSX on my Netbook. Twice the functionality, half the price.

iThink what I like most about the comments from nay-sayers is that the are only able to use their experiences in computing as a basis to judge the iPad. They forget that they are only speculating.
Any one notice that virtually everyone who as had the chance to actually use the iPad, love it, almost without exception?
This doesn't stop the bashers. (no multi task, no flash, etc.) What they don't realize is this is the beginning of a shift in the way we use the technology. Because of the intuitive way you USE it, devices like this will change the way we use technology, and what it can do for us.
Bash it all you want. 3 years from now they will be everywhere from classrooms, dinner menus, blueprints, manuals, delivery logs etc. let alone personal use by the populous. You may not want to bash too loudly until you have the chance to actually use one. You might find your view may change when you realize what this device (with many more to come like it) really is.
In many ways we have lost our way by being submerged so deeply into technology, it has begun to control us.
Apple is just putting us back on the path, letting the technology work for us.
As always, the rest of the industry will now follow the corrected path.

Why is it that so many think that a camera for video conferencing is such a big deal? A shared white board or shared presentation streamed through a web browser combined with a conference telephone bridge provides the desired service for any conference. I don't need to see someone else's lips move in order to hear their voice.

Love how some people want to turn the new into the old. But Flash is a dying technology as open standards like html5 take its place. Flash is buggy, it doesn't work equally across platforms, it opens up computers and devices to mischief, and Apple is smart enough to do something about it in order to maintain the security and ease of use that are hallmarks of the platform. Apple has always chosen to lead rather than follow. In a world where the hacker prone and virus laden Windows is still the dominant OS, when people clearly ought to know better by now, the inability of some to see how revolutionary the iPad is should come as no surprise.

Yes, I will be the first one to whip it out and show off that I got this large ipod touch/iphone. Seriously, what is the fuss about, you have to hold this with one hand and type? What does it do that my mobile PC doesn't? I don't get nor buy the hype, businesses will never adopt it, only gadget nerds... go out, spend the money on food and pamper yourself and enjoy an un-tethered life. Pumpers are Apple fanboys, remember the Newton, this is Newton Redux.

I would love to use the ipad to learn more about animals!!!!!!!

Where does everyone get the free time? Maybe if I was a commuter or I was retired and could spend all my time reading books, watching movies and surfing the web I'd get this thing but I actually have a job. This is just a Hi-tech gadget for lovers of hi-tech gadgets. I'm sure the lemmings of the world will convince themselves that they need it and Apple will make millions from it but I just can't see myself ever owning one. Sure it's a technical marvel but too bad it doesn't do anything helpful; it's just time waster. My only hope is that if it does become popular, reading comes popular too. Of course books will have to start being published in color for that to happen.

Yes!
There are 2 BIG things not completely ready for the public yet, the lack of the multi-tasking is an issue, especially if this is gonna be a Net-book Killer- missing the mark here, and #2 the issue with No Flash support, they need to grow up and accept Flash for the interim, Apple hasn't come up with a replacement yet…

All in all, You all know that this thing will be the next best thing to the iPod and iPhone. I would wait a while, cuz you know Apple like to shake things up a bit later on…

Haha, it's really funny to read all the comments from the haters, especially considering that they haven't even got the chance to touch it yet. Not having Flash is not a terrible thing. Seriously, Flash sucks. I have an Intel PC running Quad Core & loaded in every spec. Yet, I can't even run Farmville smoothly in full screen, while Crysis ran just fine. That's a perfect example of how Adobe Flash was poorly designed, and how most Flash application designers are not optimizing their apps.

For people who need videos, HTML 5 will serve your needs just fine. You will forget about Flash in no time. For people who want their Flash based games, the iPad will have a whole bunch of free games as well. You have nothing to fear.

Again, I wish the haters would actually spend just 5 minutes of alone time with the iPad before they post their ill informed comments. It's seriously sad to throw out comments before you knew first hand what you are talking about. Reviews who played with it already can say whatever comments they want. You who have not even touched it? Shut up and play with it @ Apple Store or Best Buy before you open your mouth again.

This is a very good product, however, you know the next version will have multi-tasking and some alternative to flash support. There clearly is a place for this device and can prolong your decision in buying a new laptop.

I'm not keen on the no USB. Isn't the Apple OS a derivative of Linux? They have several good flash players, maybe that should be looked into.

Most of the comments I've read (above) miss the point. The iPad isn't meant to replace PC's, or even Macs. It's a new category device. It (like the Kindle and the Nook) arrives as its own niche. In a way, if it DID everything that a PC could/would do–even if it did it better, faster, and more elegantly–would fail to capture market share, because the PC's/windows-based machines would still do it at least adequately and at a lower price. By defining its own universe, it defies comparison with PC's, and even Macs, so that people will want and eventually need them for specific uses that (even if you CAN get a PC to do it) are done elegantly and (to use another commenter/reviewer's term) sensually on this one. In the 90's our company had 10-15 PC's which the employees shared at workstations. Then it bought a Mac. And within 6 months, people would shun the pc's and stand in line to use the Mac. It won't be long before e-reading, and web-surfing, and note taking is ALL done on iPads because the users love it more than they want to use a PC which does the same thing. Bravo Apple. Score one for the Gipper.

Inability to multi-task is a downer, but lack of Flash is a PLUS, I can't wai until that bloated memory hog os a "standard" dies the death it deserves. Thanks Apple for a good first step!

Stop saying the iPad is a 'game changer.' You're an idiot if you say so.

You think people are going to spend upwards of $1000, just to spur their desire of reading books, newspapers, and playing Bejeweled? Newsflash- if you don't read books now, you probably aren't going to after you buy your iPad...

The iPad is simply a first generation half-breed. It's a bigger version of an iPhone without a phone and camera, and still plagued by the limitations of not being a laptop.

I'll wait for the 2nd or 3rd generation to come out and all the initial bugs are fixed before I consider the purchase. Just like I did with the iPhone.

In the meantime, all the iPaddicts have set their expectations so high that their bound to find quite a bit of disappointment.

Cheers!

obviously all the new features will come out with the second version, like they always do, so dont waste your money, wait for 2.0

It's not going to replace my Dell Precision M6500 for work or my MacBook Pro for home, but I see it as an excellent niche for my wife, the kids and traveling. Add on the 3G, get rid of the cable broadband ($60/mo) and it almost pays for itself in 1 year. That said, I'll wait until next fall to purchase.

Attention all Flash programmers... you will soon be unemployed.
Flash is last years model. Update your skills or die.

Welcome to the 'but I just got my degree, whaddya mean it's out of date' generation.

An Indian company came up with an ipad equivalent but much better. Some features of this "Indian ipad" that the regular ipad does not have are flash support, multi-tasking, sd card slot, camera. There are many more feature that the regular ipad did not have.

http://billhillsblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/indian-company-shows-off-impressive.html

"No flash and multi-task a deal killer? not so fast. If it was that much of a deal killer, why are iPhones and Touches flying off the shelves at millions per year?"

Because those are MP3 players and phones. We expect tablets to compete with laptops and match functionality, if it can't, it's just a really big iPod Touch. Which I have no use for.

The iPod Touch and iPhone were innnovative. Making them bigger however, is not.

Meh. It is more than a "giant iPod Touch", but less than revolutionary. A mediocre mini-console that reads ebooks in color.

Interesting, but honestly not terribly innovative given everything in it is existing technology in a slightly different format.

People can complain all they want but it boils down to – If you can afford it, buy it!

$700 for a larger ipod touch. no thank you.

Give me a linux based tablet with Flash installed, running from a cloud system, giving me TB 's of storage online and then I'll go buy it on the spot...well unless steve jobs is pricing it, cos then id be paying through the nose for things ive taken for granted for the best part of 20 years

Doesn't sound too good. Guess it doesn't really matter what apple does since android phones and tablets will be the iphone/ipad killers by years end. Long live android!

No flash, no camera, no USB? I think i may go with HP's Slate.

novel that it comes out in time for the tax rebates coming in..hoping a fool and their money are soon parted, before anyone can see what the real world testing is going to bring

i like it. maybe it will teach me how to tie my shoes.

WSJ says the iPad is "pretty close" to being a laptop killer ...

HA HA HA HA HA HA

Pretty close to a laptop killer... if so, WSJ is clueless about computers. Apple products are overrated. Apple uses solely Foxconn motherboards, a manufacturer that has had many many problems in the past and the present. Google it. Apple computers are average hardware with HIGH price and made for those users who cannot install even a simplest programs. Apple computers always lack features and ports. Apple will never compete against a high-end PC computer. Why? Because Apple does not have a high-end PC... high-end meaning beefed up hardware with top of the line components from top manufacturers. And not Foxconn. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

here is an alternative to this iPad nonsense Apple will sell for the computer dummies in this country:

http://hothardware.com/News/Neofonie-WePad-Is-An-116-AndroidBased-iPad-Killer/

It's just a luxury item, something which you just want to flaunt ..... not a must have!

People are forgetting, this isn't suppose to replace your computer. Look at it in that light, and the device is amazing. Sure the lack of multi-tasking and flash is a drawback, but hey... for the same price you can have a boring gray kindle.

This product WILL find a place eventually because Apple is dedicated to breaking ground and pushing/mastering technology for the masses. Techie shut-ins will never love it and that's fine with me. They can stay in their parent's basements and sulk.

iPad gives you wings...

Gina has commanded it...all lemmings quickly follow!!

This is Steve Jobs' last-ditch effort to do away with floppy drives by eliminating the USB port, similar to his efforts to do away with Flash Player altogether. It's funny how stubborn Jobs can be with his bad ideas, especially when the reason Microsoft is still dominating the PC market is because of compatibility in their products. Meanwhile Apple-ites continue to drink the Steve Jobs Kool-Aid and pretend that Flash Player and portable storage devices are really "bad" for you. Newsflash for Apple: you will never dominate the market when you force people to lower their standards and conform to what you think people should have/want. What a Mac can do, it does well. My issue with Mac/Apple is all the things it CAN'T do, and the fact people pay $1,000 more for it.

This thing is just an oversized iphone. It remains to be seen how useful the iPad will be with all of it's iphone related limitations. The device doesn't seem designed to stand on it's own as a complete and independent computing device. An overgrown iphone certainly wasn't what the tech press was hoping for.

Its a start. Wouldn't buy it, but product maturation isn't always there in a first gen.

"Apple computers are average hardware with HIGH price and made for those users who cannot install even a simplest programs. Apple computers always lack features and ports. Apple will never compete against a high-end PC computer. Why? Because Apple does not have a high-end PC"

You sir, are a moron. Blind PC fan who probably never has used a mac before. No high-end PC? Ever heard of the Mac Pro? Apparently not. For users who can not install even the simplest programs? Where on earth did you even get that stupid idea? Thats right... you made it up and is no where near true.

Grow up.

I love it!! April Fools.

"It's funny how stubborn Jobs can be with his bad ideas, especially when the reason Microsoft is still dominating the PC market is because of compatibility in their products."

If thats really the reason you think PC is dominating the market then you need to go do some research on how Bill Gates can to power.

Plus look at the number chief. Windows machines are losing market share faster than you can blink.

I own an iphone and love the device. That being said, I find the Ipad completely disappointing. I can accept the fact that it is not as powerful as a laptop/netbook and see a place for a device of its size for commuting/travel websurfing and video. Unfortunately the lack of flash support really is a killer. The Apple fan boy defenders are amusing. "Blah Blah CPU hog flash blah blah battery drain". I could care less as 98% of web sites use flash and it won't be chaging any time soon. Flash is still more efficient than HTML 5 on the windows platform... which the Apple Fan boys forget is the major platform in the majority of homes. If Apple wasn't such an evil company they would allow the consumer to turn flash capability on/off in order to preserver battery/cpu speed. However that's not really the reason flash is excluded. The reason Apple has excluded it is because they don't want their consumers to get free internet video. They want them to PURCHASE video from Itunes. A revolutionary product indeed.

Flash is old technology... HTML5 (which IPAD uses) is faster loading and smoother.

Is "sensual" a new synonym for "useless"?

Not having Flash support is a big deal. All those that say it is "too hard" for Apple simply don't understand Apple's motive. Flash is a content rich application format. Countless games and applications can be created in Flash. But if you could run them on the Ipad you wouldn't be forced to purchase from Apple's store. That is the real reason they don't support Flash. In fact Macromedia is more than capable of making a flash player for the device but Apple's lawyers would sue them outright.

For this reason I'm not going with the Ipad. I really need Flash for an Internet device and as a developer myself I don't like Apple's closed approach to developers. While I'm not a Flash developer myself I certainly believe their desire to kill that platform so they can promote their iphone store as the only possible way to build applications for the device is far far worse than Microsoft has ever attempted. Essentially Apple wants to make programmers Ipad exclusive and if you want to program in Flash you are their enemy.

I'll stick with my Android stuff thank you. :3

Bottom line for me is, while I've loved my iPhone for it's functionality and portability, I've never looked at it and said to myself, "I wish everything was the same, but it was 5 times bigger...oh and no phone or camera."

It will have to have a killer app, and flash before I consider it, and even still, it would probably have to cook and clean also. (Apple, if you truly are concerned about battery drain and whatnot caused by flash, make flash on demand. I have an app on my MacBook that does that, works great, and should be simple enough)

"Flash is old technology... HTML5 (which IPAD uses) is faster loading and smoother."

Clearly you have no idea what you are talking about. Flash is not old technology. Every 18 months it gets a boost in technology in terms of what it can handle.

HTML isnt even approved yet (though it is being pushed by Google and Apple), and isnt even official spec yet. By smoother I would assume that you are talking about video playback. Great wonderful. Still as smooth as Flash, but the problem is, is that flash is installed on 95% of computers while only half of the modern browsers support some of HTML, and even then the video tag all support different video formats. Because it is still new and not official spec yet.

So please... don't talk out of your ass.

"But if you could run them on the Ipad you wouldn't be forced to purchase from Apple's store. That is the real reason they don't support Flash. In fact Macromedia is more than capable of making a flash player for the device but Apple's lawyers would sue them outright."

Good crap, will people do some research first.

First the reason why Apple doesn't like Flash is because of really bad memory leaks. They don't want it screwing with their iPad, and frankly I don't blame them.

Second... and the most embarrassing for you, is that Macromedia isn't around anymore. And hasn't been since 2005. Flash is now owned by Adobe.

Add support for Flash and an onboard video camera and I'd buy one. Without them I will stay on the sidelines.

Look at the OS, look at the interface... It IS an oversized iPod Touch. It doesn't even have a slimmed down version MacOS, it's an expanded version of the iPhone/iPod Touch OS. Yet another "appliance" from Apple trying to pretend it's a computer.

The functionality you can get from ANY Netbook is far beyond what the iPad can do. The only reason to get an iPad is if you like the iPod Touch but think it's too small.

sorry, couple comments ago was suppose to be HTML5, not HTML. (dang no edit option.)

To Mr Mark regarding:
here is an alternative to this iPad nonsense Apple will sell for the computer dummies in this country:

http://hothardware.com/News/Neofonie-WePad-Is-An-116-AndroidBased-iPad-Killer/
----------
This looks like a really good product, but on thing it is lacking is 3G support. I think thats a major plus for the Ipad in that you dont have to be on a wi-fi to surf the web and such. One thing i love about my Iphone is that i can surf the web on roadtrips as long as i have 3G. Hard to find wi-fi spots while traveling down a highway. If Verizon, for example, were to pick this up, id buy it in a heartbeat.

I get that Flash is a hog.. and that it should be killed. I even block it on my machine. However, there are several times every single day that I go to a website and turn on flash for a specific part so that I can view some sort of media.

So, fine, let flash be killed, but you have to support it until it is used far less on the internet than it's current 90% of all media sites.

Until then, no thanks.

oh and it's only $499, not $700, slozomby.

I'm excited that people see a use for this type of product after playing with the iPad. That's why I'm buying the Notion Ink adam, it's like an Ipad...but it does everything that they Ipad left out...and more.

Dang Chris, sorry you're an idiot...

@Chuck

Get rid of cable? Huh? Unless you're willing to get rid of all your home computers, you still need to have a broadband connection. Besides, you'kk want to run the iPad on WiFi anyway when you're at home (much faster) than 3G).

Imagine a world where the IPad is introduced and then a few years later a new product, the IPhone is released. The IPhone is a smaller version of the IPad and it has a telephone. Crazy I tell you.

My Sony VAIO has got it all over the iPad. As an owner of an i Touch I can't see the reason to purchase a bigger 'iTouch' at this time. maybe if it becomes more functional in the future.

"Dang Chris, sorry you're an idiot..."

Wow, you have convinced me. lol jk. Any reasons or just spouting off crap because you know Im right?

Like most Apple products, this one is 75% hype. Laptop killer? Puh-lease. Maybe a DVD-player killer...

People who are "Apple people" are going to love this no matter what. The original iPod was nowhere near the best MP3 player on the market (before apps) but it sold like crazy. The new super-thin laptops have horrific reliability and are far to flimsy but they sell anyway. Newer iPods have long records of defects and faults, and even iPod fans have said that the new Microsoft Zune HD is a better device (if only it had more apps available). Mac enjoys its miniscule market share while Windows 7 is getting rave reviews with no major issues to date. This device doesn't have the performance or the quality of existing tablets, but it doesn't need it, because it has that little picture of an apple on it that gets more hipsters to open their wallets than teen girls at a new Twilight movie. And as always, you'll need plenty in that wallet due to Apple's inversely proportional relationship between cost and functionality.

check out ADAM by Notion Ink

I think this ipad is not as great as everyone thinks. They already have small portable computers for convenience use. I understand it has such a great browswer but now everyone has either a blackberry or iphone so why would you need a broswer? I think for 600 dollars you're better off buying a new computer. To have the great internet capabilite you need to pay 130 more in addition to a monthly fee. So now have after monthly fee when people already pay a internet fee on their phone too? I think this device is too late and it would have been more successful before everyone had the iphone,blackberry, or smartphone.

"This device doesn't have the performance or the quality of existing tablets"

Again, people, do your research. This isn't a tablet. They are not trying to be a portable computer. iPad's are basically eBook readers that can do more. Not a tablet computer.

No flash = No cash.

It's just careless... Honestly you can't hope to win the hearts of people if sooo many sites wont load on it and never will. I expect the return lines next week might be a surprise.

I outline the major downsides of the iPad on my site http://www.thebrokenapple.com

I see a lot of comments in here that are simply ignorant. Don't you people have vision? The potential for this new device/category is huge. Apple is definitely playing their cards right with HTML5 plus the thousands and thousands of apps that bring so much functionality. So who gives a rip about flash? Steve Jobs knows what he's doing. Be patient!

"First the reason why Apple doesn't like Flash is because of really bad memory leaks. They don't want it screwing with their iPad, and frankly I don't blame them."

No. No. That's just one of the excuses Apple uses. Sorry Chris, the other guy got it right. Flashis excluded because Apple wants to dictate that you purchase media through their stores vs. getting it free of the internet. This is the same type of power grab video game manufacturers do with paid downloadable content that used to just be included in the games for free.

FYI Flash is just the poster child. Other technologies that service games and content are also excluded from the IPAD: Java, Ruby, Python and .NET.

I cannot STAND touch screens. I won't even get a touch screen phone. They stopped making my Zune player in non-touch screen format and I am considering switching back to iPod just because of it. I will not use any kind of a computer that doesn't have a touch-screen option.

And I agree with the above poster Paul. The funcitonality of any notebook at all can do far more than this. No USB port? No multi-tasking? No Flash? I mean, these are BASIC computer functions.

The iPad is silly and seems to me a desperate attempt to keep doing something new. I applaud them for trying to stay ahead of the curve but this one just seems like such a silly, useless, enterprise that really is not any more useful than your notebook (and by the way, not THAT much smaller).

and those dang touch screens....

"iPad's are basically eBook readers that can do more."

Minus the comfortable e-ink screen of course...

I too don't see any overly negative reviews. Pretty much positive. I too agree with Apple's omission of Flash. Overrated.

Anyone who thinks the ipad will kill flash is diluted. Flash is a hassle, but its not going away over this product.

I wish more people commenting knew more about web design and their complains that the iPad doesn't support Flash. Flash is geriatric. Apple will kill Flash in due time.

Now the multi-tasking is a complete bummer and I'm insanely annoyed with Apple for neglecting to add that feature. It shouldn't take a company like Google to dominate that simple task.

I can definitely see iPad v. 3's having multi after they're pestered to death by consumers. It'll just take a couple of years.

According to the 2010 Digital Marketing Outlook published by the Society of Digital Agencies, 75% of developers or organizations will use Flash in their digital marketing efforts in 2010. This is higher than any other product/tool in the list (14 products). 2nd is Dreamweaver at 35%. 3rd is WordPress at 34%. Flash is NOT going away as fast as the Mac user community claims. Also, what can you really do with this thing? You can't connect devices to it, print from it or do anything that requires the use of two applications at once. Major fail. I just don't see a single benefit.

I'm hoping to finally get my 85 year old mother online with this. She will never use a computer, but this may be different.

Everybody seems to be blasting Apple since the iPad isn't perfect. It doesn't have to be perfect for me to buy it, and it's definitely a big step in the right direction towards something to help avoid lugging around the laptop. Also, are you forgetting that the iPad will get updates moving forward just like the iPhone?

"No. No. That's just one of the excuses Apple uses. Sorry Chris, the other guy got it right. Flashis excluded because Apple wants to dictate that you purchase media through their stores vs. getting it free of the internet."

Clearly you don't do much with flash on OSX. Look at your CPU when you run something big in flash. I make flash apps, so I deal with them all the time.

"I wish more people commenting knew more about web design and their complains that the iPad doesn't support Flash. Flash is geriatric. Apple will kill Flash in due time."

I know a crap load. I have been doing web development professionally for 6 years. Apple will never kill flash simply because the web is too engrained with Flash. HTML will go a long way in making the flash market-share go down, but not by much. MS tried to cut into the flash market-share with silverlight, and even MS couldn't do a dang thing about it.

"Flash is geriatric. Apple will kill Flash in due time."

A few facts for you:

OS Market shares:
Windows 91%
MAC 5%
Iphone .9%

- Flash content is integrated into 98% of Web sites.
- HTML5 not supported by IE until v9.
- Flash 10.1 benchmarks favorably or superior to HTML5 on the Windows platform in mostb browsers including IE9 Beta.

What does this mean? As Windows is and will remain the primary OS in the majority of all households and businesses, websites will continue to produce flash content. This means people who purchase an Ipad are SOL.

I have read the reviews and watched the video of how the iPad works over and over and I have come to realization that the iPad is cute, but I prefer my Kindle II instead. I bought the Kindle to read like a book and I like the B/W as well as the display. I also like that I can listen to MP3, browse the web and I have the option if having mybooks read to me if I choose. With free Wi-Fi and no monthly data plan from AT&T to pay for, why buy an iPad?

a product the lemmings will swoon over, worthless crap, anybody who buys one is a sucker(so i'm sure it will sell millions)

@Jas Kent: Because iPhones aren't meant to be computer REPLACEMENTS.

The new apps look cool. http://beatboxpad.com/ I might be inspired to buy one!

The NYT article you quoted was a tongue & cheek "dual-review" about how normal people love the iPad and geeks point to its flaws. To directly quote the "negatives" from that article and mis-characterize the remarks as being part of a review is sloppy journalism.

No interest in this device. It's less versatile than a laptop and too big to fit in a pocket. It doesn't have a solely unique function, nor does it make redundant any other device I already own.

Big fail for Apple. I'm not shelling out hundreds of dollars for a great big iPod Touch. I'll reconsider if the inevitible second-generation iPad is actually worthwhile.

from everything i've heard adn read about the ipad.. it's really just an iphone on steriods.. now i have a mac and an iphone and i love them both.. but the ipad just seems like too much.. plus, it cost too much for what your actually purchasing also.

I know it's not beach weather yet, but can you give a comparison between the kindle and the ipad ebook reader (better, worse, the same, etc) relative to reading in the sunlight, at the beach or a pool ... in full sunlight? Thanks.

Just another device for the masses to consume. Im betting on an Ipad version 2 by next year to iron out the fact that it's just a big iphone and no where near as productive as Macbooks!

Lack of Flash is the sole reason I've not yet bought an iPhone, nor will i buy an iPad. Simple as that.

Seriously people ? Vanity over practicality at it's finest. It's a neat-O idea that has been poorly executed. No worries though in half a year a they'll most likely reintroduce the idea with the complaints of today's model. Haha , owning a mac is truely like shaving with a bowling pin.

With flash, you have no battery life. Flash is old technology people.. move on.

Laptop killer, no. A laptop is the most productive piece of technology you can have. Having a device to tap screens on, wearing out it's sensors, and cleaning screens sucks.. I wouldn't buy it.. over priced technology. Apple should realize that this stuff costs less than half to make.

Until it is useful it will be a niche product that people who love apple will buy.

Which is tons. I mean tons. Apple is the new cool. Theres a reason they are now bigger than wal-mart and only 50 billion behind "evil" MS.

No longer than under dog, they are the main stream status quo of large commerical companies. They will s*** out products and people will buy them, no matter how useless they are.

But that can only last so long. 10 years people will hate Apple as much as people hated MS.

Oh PLEASE most of you do very little multi-tasking. Unless you're a graphic artist most tasks on PCs require very little processing power. Apple knows the larger percent of you are either e-mailing, texting or glued to Youtube. And how many more cameras do you need? You don't have one on your phone, laptop, desktop, ipod? If you want all of these things get a laptop what's the point of buying peripherals for the ipad. Seriously you want a keyboard for a touch-screen device? Do you also want McDonalds to start serving McSushi? If it didn't have sound THEN you have something sensible to gripe about. Alas I believe it will replace laptops eventually anyway, so you will get all of those multi-tasking features.

Like all Apple portable devises, can’t change or remove the lithium ion battery without using a hammer to smash it open. Now that’s real green….

iHype for the win. Only Apple could polish a turd and sell it as a gem.

I'm really not getting the purpose of the iPad. I started out on Apple (my first computer was an Apple ][) and even owned a Macbook for a while. I hated the Macbook with a passion. The only reason I used it was that it was given to me and I couldn't afford a PC. I was expecting to be wowed and what I got was pretty useless.

As for the iPad ... no multi-tasking and no printing? Will it or won't it stream Pandora while using the word processor? I have a netbook that I use for on-the-road writing and I love it. I can hook up whatever I like and it runs like a charm.

Really, I don't get it. It doesn't LOOK easy or comfortable to type on. I can't play games online. I can't hook up my printer or a camera without buying an additional part (I don't care if the part is only $30 ... if it's that cheap it should be built in).

I'll wait until somebody I know gets one and check it out or a store around here gets them in stock. But I'm highly doubtful I'll be talked into plunking down the 400-500 simoleons to add it to my existing computer/netbook/smartphone/e-reader combo.

Maybe it's something only "trendy" big city hipsters really have a use for?

The link to the Engadget story is from the January presentation. Let's try a bit harder to be up-to-date.

flash is not controllable, so apple will never embrace it.

No Flash support means I won't be buying.

No USB drive - that's made my choice. Bought Amazon Kindle instead

(Overheard at an Apple Executive Meeting).....

"Let's see,

We have our MacBooks at $1500 each, and our iTouch at $300.....We need something in the middle around $600. We can't have too many features otherwise people will buy it instead of the MacBook, and we can't have too few features otherwise everyone will buy the iTouch...

I got it....Let's give them the iPon....iPad!!! Also be sure to make them buy OUR other tagalong devices instead of being able to buy third party hardware...an iCamera here, an iKeyboard there...Genius!! The Apple Fanboys will gobble it up!!!!! Suckers..Ha! Ha!".

Steve and Apple will look like trendsetters once again and have the hippest technology out there.

Only Apple Fanboys go Ga Ga over this piece of junk. When will you ever wake up and stop drinking the Koolaid in your Apple Cups?

I won't be buying. What a Joke.

Its not going to be hard to find a Linux or Android tablet in a few months, one that has far more features than the iPad and cost 50% less.

If you want to use the iPad for web surfing, dont get this. It doesnt support flash and because the decision to not support flash is political (IE: Steve Jobs doesnt like Adobe as a company), its a real toss up as to whether new internet technologies will be adopted.

If you like using Firefox for web browsing, then you wont be able to use it for the iPad. Opera is being submitted as a browser for the iPhone, but many assume it will be rejected.

All you PC drones...
We're coming for you!
The Mac Clan

sounds like the reviewers were all paid, how can this be even close to a laptop killer if there is no multi-tasking...today alone I had about 20 things running at once...this is a toy and toy alone, at this iteration it is not even close to being a business tool....

Flash apps running in a browser threaten Apple's App store profits, hence the disdain for Flash (Flash is more than ads; and once HTML5 is adopted widely, ads will be in HTML5, and people will pan THAT as they are now panning Flash)

I like how so many write here that "HTML 5 is the answer" since "flash is dead."

Sorry to burst your bubbles, but HTML 5 isn't the answer for two simple reasons:

1) it isn't even a standard yet (W3C has yet to finalize), and

2) The mainstream browsers do not support it.

Like it or not, IE is 80% of the market, and only v.9 (not out yet) is rumored to support "HTML 5" (see #1). Only the latest FF supports "HTML 5". Opera/Safari/Chrome have negligible marketshare, so who cares about them?

IE 6 is ten years old and we're still seeing it as about 1/5th of traffic. If IE 7,8 take as long to flush out, it can easily be 5+ years before HTML 5 replaces the mess we have now.

Hell, most "developers" couldn't code their way out of soggy HTML 3.2 and you expect them to upgrade to 5?

Hahahahahahaha!

"Where's the "disappointment" of the headline? I've read all these reviews, and while some mention some negatives – no product is perfect – all the reviews are glowing in their conclusions!"

You obviously didn't read the reviews mentioned here, sir. If you did, read them again, without your Macophile interpreter. The NYT review alone destroys any chance this thing has of being labeled a 'success' for this version. Calling the iPad an iPhone on steroids is NOT a good thing, trust me.

It's a giant iPhone, with no phone, no camera, and doesn't fit in your pocket. The amount of love for this device is stupid, absolutely stupid. It can't even do a lot of what it's little brother can, but people are acting like it's going to 'revolutionize our lives'. I think people have been drinking the Apple juice a little too much.

mike in LA wrote:

I am sitting in my office with about 300 books on the shelves, and none of them are printed in COLOR. Hello!
Maybe Apple fanboys only look at the comics.

---–

Mike,

There are these other things called magazines that have newfangled color photos in them...and other books that have color photos in them as well. Hold onto your seat for this next info. There are new talky flicker shows they call "movies". They have sound AND color! I know, I know, it's enough to make a fella crash his horseless buggy and spill his Sarsaparilla Soda all over his knickers.

USB, etc? If you want a laptop, get a laptop.

Think what would happen if the iPad _did_ have a USB port? Everyone would expect to plug in anything and everything. The iPad is not designed to handle everything, so it doesn't need a USB port. The camera connection adapter is available.

Re: this "Apple fanboy" stuff and the eagerness to put down all things Apple – If you use a mouse or a graphical operating system, or if you use Word or Excel, you can thank Apple, as this was the first computer company to support these things in the market. Demonizing the "enemy" is what people do when they can't accept other people as being rational, intelligent individuals.

Looks fun and I'd love to have one, but it won't be replacing my laptop.

sounds like a big waste of $500 or however much this !@#$ costs.

Now Google and Apple have shunned Flash. My guess is this was a tactical decision. I'd wager Flash's days are numbered.

I think we have to wait and see what it REALLY does for people on a day-to-day basis. For example, I remember reading the live blog (I think I was a day after the fact, but whatever) of when the iPhone was announced. I remember the writer saying something like "and then Jobs announced that this new device will surf the web, send text messages, play mp3s, and host email, all on one device, and a stunned hush fell over the room...", to which I remember thinking "OMG, bang head against wall! Such new wonderous technology they we ALREADY HAVE." However, the part that was undersold, and indeed, the part that no one, including reviewers, was able to anticipate at the time was how the apps were going to be the real story. Could be something similar here I suppose.

The Flash problem is an Apple control issue. Apple wants full control of everything and Flash prevents that since they can't control how the Flash player behaves.

No Flash is a negative for me, but no USB for a device of its size is a deal killer. C'mon, not even one USB port? Even my netbook has three plus a built-in camera. Oh yeah, it's that control complex again: you have to buy a $30 camera adapter and probably the camera from Apple.

I really like my iPhone, but I don't see shelling out for an iPad which sounds like it's just a big iPhone. Plus it costs twice as much as netbook with less functionality.

multi-tasking and flash support may be fixed (if apple really wants to) by OS upgrade. It would not need a new version as many commenters suggest

I'm just waiting for the next thing Steve Case says Apple will never do.

Reading these comments seems the same as reading the comments about the health care bill, or any politician. Lots of extreme views, almost no one in the middle. Maybe reasonable people don't comment anymore, and I'm the fool for just now noticing.

OSX:

Why would they want to do that since they couldn't charge people without a backlash from the consumers. its much easier to just release a new verison every year that adds a feature each time, that should have been there in the first place. That way they can make more money, duuuuh.

Want proof? the iPhone.

Typical apple crap. No multi tasking, no flash, not even a usb port. But the Apple fan-boys with think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. What a joke.

"HTML 5.0 as Flash killer" – dream on – FLEX is a powerful new flash platform that has millions of developers globally. Apple is too smug – some good products but not the end all of computing by any stretch. No FLASH no smash.

Why all the over-the-top anger and disingenuous comments displayed here and elsewhere by Apple-Bashers? Could it be that deep down they are drop-dead terrified of something? How about this: Why don't we let the marketplace decide if the iPad is successful?

It's still no replacement for a Kindle because e-ink is much easier on the eyes during marathon reading sessions than a backlit LCD screen. But it still looks handy for some functions.

If someone wants to give it to me as present, I would accept it (wi-fi/3G version, please). I won't spend a penny for this Ipad.
Ipad it is just an ITouch for visually impaired

The 3G AT&T network sucks, by the way!

I pod will be a big flop

Where there is a will there is a way.
Flash now on the iPad. Companies will always fill the gap if there is a high enough demand.

Presto. Flash for advertisers.
http://tinyurl.com/ylz8ht9

Plus as soon as there is a jailbreak for it like Blackra1n that will unlock it in one press of a button you will be able to run multiple applications at once and really turn this into a awesome product. Unlock your iPhone and tell me its not soooo much better.

Lenovo and HP are supposed to release multi-tasking, Flash-supporting, video-conferencing slates in the coming months. Lenovo is even showing off an 11.6" CULV laptop (read: not a netbook) where the screen detaches to become a stand-alone slate.

Just because Apple is first and over-hypes its products doesn't mean it's the best (just a genius business model). But if you crave an iPad, just wait for iPad2.0 which will probably have a camera and multi-tasking (since iPhone OS4.0, which is the basis for the iPad, is rumored to have multi-tasking).

"Laptop Killer"?? the iPad?? really WSJ, is that what you think?

Thank goodness I dont read WSJ, and by that quote I never will.

The iPad is a cool looking device, but I already have an iPhone that does the same thing, this device is unnecessary for me to own.

"neither of those are that simple to impliment"

Funny. Android seems to do this just perfectly.

All I can say as a college student is, I want one! I want one! I want one! It will be great to take notes in class, without being able to run multiple things at once I won't check my Facebook when I should be paying attention to the lecture. It is also a great option for my weekend job at a catering company when I need to take notes on the go and keep the organized.

Reminds of the device in the original Star TREK SERIES THAT THE yeoman would ask Captain Kirk to sign. What do y'all think?

So easy to criticize! Until I see a better Ipad from one of you haters....save the crap for your ears. Nobody's listening!

The product (and the whole format) have a long way to go. Wouldn't consider buying one for a good long while.

"the fact that your can read books in color "

IPad

To see our film GETTYMOVIE ... the Getty Hitler Trilogy on this awesome machine ... will be excellent!

"Haha, it's really funny to read all the comments from the haters, especially considering that they haven't even got the chance to touch it yet."

What's funnier, someone making bad comments about an electronic device or someone getting butt-hurt over somebody making bad comments about an electronic device? I pick the later. We humans can say anything bad about devices but humans who defend devices are sad individuals.

"You who have not even touched it? Shut up and play with it @ Apple Store or Best Buy before you open your mouth again."

Looks like apple fanboys are getting their feelings hurt... poor babies~ Go cry on your mommy's shoulder "mommy they are saying bad things about MY ipad, waaah, waaah"

Give me a break fanboys!

May iPad take Flash the way of animated gif's ... an annoying curiosity of the past infantile internet.

Bing Jordan wrote:

I like how so many write here that "HTML 5 is the answer" since "flash is dead."

Sorry to burst your bubbles, but HTML 5 isn't the answer for two simple reasons:

1) it isn't even a standard yet (W3C has yet to finalize), and

2) The mainstream browsers do not support it.

Like it or not, IE is 80% of the market, and only v.9 (not out yet) is rumored to support "HTML 5" (see #1). Only the latest FF supports "HTML 5". Opera/Safari/Chrome have negligible marketshare, so who cares about them?

IE 6 is ten years old and we're still seeing it as about 1/5th of traffic. If IE 7,8 take as long to flush out, it can easily be 5+ years before HTML 5 replaces the mess we have now.

Hell, most "developers" couldn't code their way out of soggy HTML 3.2 and you expect them to upgrade to 5?

Hahahahahahaha!

-----

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: lots of people buy Apple products. For people buying an iPad, Safari has substantial market share, n'est pas? HTML 4 wasn't a standard. Then it was. Same thing will happen with 5. Adobe Dreamweaver and Flash CS5 will generate HTML5. That's right, you don't have to know how to code your way out of soggy HTML 3.2 and STILL be able to produce HTML 5, and convert Flash to HTML 5 with "smart paste" thanks to none other than Adobe. HTML 5 may not be a Flash killer, but Adobe will help you create both.

Change the name to "iWhy?", or "iWhatsThePoint"?

Just like a trophy wife.. Great look and feel, but good for nothing..

I love the Mac OS elegance; I loved iTunes and iPod; and I love iPhoto. Apple has a good track record for innovation. That said, I have become more disenchanted with Apple in their tactics around bounded functionality e.g. sealed cases that don't allow you to replace the battery; monopolistic practices on content mgmt such as iTunes Music Videos which I can't move and a premise on OS X that doesn't do a good job managing virus protection, malware, etc. and to other comments Flash performance on Macs can be problematic. So, while I was inclined to eye the iPad, I have, instead, opted to wait for the HP Slate which is a much better bang for the buck and it allows me to multi-task, run office and personal apps, has a USB port, and can run the Kindle e-reader.

You can really tell who the "fanboys" are in these comments. I love my iphone, don't get me wrong, but this iPad hype is ridiculous. No multi-tasking, no flash, no camera, no USB support.

I just love how blindly these apple fanatics will follow the words of Steve Jobs off a cliff if he led them that way. Think with your heads people. Test out the product first. It's a cool product, but is in no way, REVOLUTIONARY. It's a shame all that power is wasted away with the limit of one application at a time.

I will stick to my iPhone, instead.

Critics? The first reviews were the usual Apple cheerleaders deemed worthy of getting theirs hands on a review unit before everybody else.

This is supposed to be a E-Reader. Like a Kindle or Nook. The fact that you can surf the internet is just a plus. I know since it comes from Apple a lot of people are expecting it to have a whole lot more features. Well as with any Apple product your just gonna have to wait for the next gen...and even then you might not get it. The I-Pod touches have no camera and they should. The Mac Books should have a blue ray DVD player since the screen is a LED. If your a reader and just want to best E-Reader on the market with a colorful screen and access to countless apps, get it. If you want a net book or laptop, go get one of those.

Can't believe all the fan boys work for all these people writing these reviews. Laptop killer???? LOL so far from the truth!

I'm just trying to figure out WHAT this thing IS and WHAT is it good for?
All I know is what is does NOT do, and it seems to NOT do anything that I WANT to do. So what good is it? Okay, you guys please tell what it does other than give you the ability to view online comics in color...huh?

battery life cycle 28 days for the ipad. coincidence?

I just wonder how many Adobe employees are posting here with various pseudonyms in defense of flash. What a strong backlash from the community of geeks who don't want technology to be accessible by normal people.

Here's a fact: the average consumer does NOT care about flash or multi-tasking. Apple is not in the business of catering to geek machismo unlike the rest of the industry.

No one is forcing you to buy this tablet. I read the joojoo just started delivery and it has flash. Or you can get the HP Slate and Courier and enjoy using a full fledged desktop OS with your finger and stylus.

No Flash, No USB Port, No WebCam... No Sale!!! guess I'll be waiting until 2011 for the 2G IPAD!!! What a disappointment!!!

Cool idea, but smart shoppers will wait for alternatives, especially when control freak CEO's want to corner the market. I'll wait for the DroidPAD.

Eric, the Engadget review was copied and pasted from the article at hand. Try harder to read.

Not impressed by any means.........if apple really wanted to impress, they should have added Flash, Multi-task, usb, and a webcam..... otherwise, it is just another toy for people with money......

I stood in line to buy an iPhone. Twice. I often tell people it is on my top 3 list of devices that have completely changed my life, right next to my first cell phone and broadband internet. It was a game changer and Apple deserves to be recognized for this monumental contribution to the tech lover in all of us.

It does not mean that I run out and blindly buy every new product Apple comes out with just because it is an Apple. I give Apple credit when its due, and it’s not warranted for the iPad. It’s a step backward – it can do everything an iPod touch can do, oh but its bigger, less portable, heavier, more expensive and still has all of the same weaknesses of the iPod too boot – no flash, no camera NOTHING NEW!!!!

With products like the Slate from HP a little over a month away why would anyone that still uses their brain to think with want to own an iPad? If you were lucky enough to get an iPhone in the early days you were the object of admiration and jealousy by your friends, with the iPad it will be different. Early adopters will be looked at as those who just followed like sheep and bought a product that will likely turn out to be an embarrassment to Steve.

For years we clamored and fought for smaller devices and now were all wrapped up about how "big" the iPad is? What happened to us, we want more – more functionality, more features, more ease of use, more fun, more of everything except what the iPad delivers in spades. Bulk. Weight. Size.

With the HP slate I can at least do more if I am going to carry more.....
Come on Apple sheep – look at what the "other" Cupertino computer company is offering......

Ridiculous article...seems to try and look at the iPad in a negative light.....everything I read was mostly positive. This machine is not a computer...but it does what most of us will need it to do...email, picture viewing, web browsing, music, and light word processing. This device is amazing...it's light weight...easy to carry...easy to use...if you have a laptop or desktop...this is the perfect companion for those devices...and let's face it...the second generation will be even better.

I don't get what the big stink is all about. Apple isn't promoting the iPad as a computer. It is basically a big iTouch. I won't be using it as a work computer, more for entertainment. Though I can see the iPad becoming a full fledged computer in the future with a computer price tag.

Apple doesn't respect people and their money.
iPad perfect example, it is humiliation. Apple want to count how many not really clever people can spend spare money on completely useless stuff, just to be able to say someone: "look what I have ...".
But there is a good thing in it also – as many such useless stuff Apple produces as less will be its reputation and as sooner people will notice that they have been ... for their money.

where do they make this device? and what's apple's margin?

Hey JaredA...you too are a geek macho...come out of the closet like Ricky Martin...Flash rules....;)

Laptop Killer....lol. as long as there is no Multi-tasking, USB and Flash, this will never be a "Laptop Killer."

I absolutely love my Ipod Touch 64 and the thought of a bigger one has been somewhat intriguing. But the lack of Facebook is a deal breaker for me.

Now I'll HAVE to buy one.

One word: WePad. Type it into google and check it out. Superior device in every way.

Reviews won't show bad right now and probably never will. Why? No one ever does a long term review anymore. Let's see where they stand a month from now of use.

I'll be buying a Viliv.

People will not buy this thing because they NEED it but because they want it.!!!
So who cares if it has no USB (which really sucks) and you can only run one program. People will have a pc,notebook and an iPAd. In addition to the iphone and iPod of course... )

If people would really only buy what they need and not what they want, almost nobody would be inb debt anymore – but the world would also be a lot more boring....

I'm going to draw and make music with it. I don't give a hoot about flash.

I am waiting for my Google pad with flash support, a camera, USB and HDMI ports, free google navigation, and removable battery. Ipad looks cool, but it indeed sucks.

Does nothing I can't already do... fail ;-(

Wonder if there will be a way to "Jailbreak" this little gem and run all those programs Apple doesn't want you to?

buy it for steve!!! he needs to pay for his new liver and the people that he had to cut in line to get it.

Why anyone would pay that price for such a limited machine is beyond me. For $300 a netbook with linux on it would be much more useful. I can see the iPad being useful in situations, but I wouldn't pay $100 for a roll of toilet paper I find useful because someone marketed it heavily either.

A nice Photo Frame ...
Well done Apple!

There was this thing called a Segway and it was going to change the world….

There was this thing called the iPad and it was going to change the world….

Those who are saying that they don't need flash or that they block it obviously don't know what they're even talking about. Flash is not just for animated content but also for functionality. Roughly 80% of websites today including the most popular ones (U-Tube, Facebook) require flash to be able to function correctly on your browser.

The I-pad is nothing but a gimmick and Apple knows it. They also know that there will always be non-tech savvy sheep that will buy it because it's "neat" or "sensual" or whattever other term they can come up with.

The iPad not using flash is just more of an example of Apple actually following through ahead of everyone else where web development is going. Flash is dead. Yes many sites still use it, but anyone in the industry knows it is in the coffin already. By making a wildly popular device that doesn't support it, Apple is just hurrying along something that is already inevitable.

Everyone screamed back when iMacs came out and had no floppy drive but guess what.......how many of you still use 1.4" floppy disks?

So, CNN didn't get a review unit so they try to make aggregation in to page hits under the guise of a review?

CNN has become a shell of it's former self. Sad.

Typo #1: "one of best computers ever"
Typo #2: "tap on the screen the screen to type"

Heh make that 3.5" floppy disks.....oops.

taco bell comes up with new stuff all the time. but its still the same old ingredients in a different crunchy chalupa shell.

Funny how people complain there is a recession going on but goes and buy this overpriced I-touch.

The fact that it weighs a pound and a half and the sheer size of the ipad means I would not be cozying up in bed with it, or enjoying it easily while dining at Subways, or even just carrying the thing around. The Kindle fits in one of my jacket pockets. Try that with the Ipad! I think I'll opt for another laptop for just a few dollars more.

From the comments here, I can see that the anti-Apple propaganda machine is running full speed this week, desperately trying to stop people from buying.

Too bad certain people don't put more time and money into improving their own products , instead of spreading lies.

Why do these Ipad stories never mention how much the thing COSTS?!!
The limitations and benefits mean nothing without considering it against the price.

I was tempted, but I bought a Netbook instead (which I am very happy with!!).
Along with some other concerns, mentioned above, I like having the screen protected when I close it up.
Oh,,,it was $200 or so cheaper as well.
Maybe in a year or two.

I dont need one, I WANT ONE, MAKE THAT 2! Getting mine tomorrow and a 3G at the end of the month.

I love the Ipad and will hook directly into my brain pal!

I am not even curious. The only people, who rave about it, are the known propagandists in the media.

I know a lot of mac users. Only 1 didn't buy an iphone. As for the ipad, none of the mac people i know are going to buy one.

If they lower the price to $50 i could see it possibly used.

As for me, i'm an adult. It doesn't make sense to limit myself. Since everything we have now is saved to flash drives, and usb drives, Jobs, the facist he has always been, is trying, once again, to control information flow, by blocking interactivity, with a product that is supposed to be competing with interactive devices.

Pure ignorance and hate is behind this device. People, who hate your freedom, and teach elitism instead.

If you want to keep up with the jone's, have at it. If not, than this is not worth the money. For $500+ i will get a great laptop. Sorry mac, your fired!

NO MULTI TASKING.. Think of it once. I am already facing with the IPhone. Listening to Pandora, and the phone rings. and I cannot come back to the music after the call. this SUCKS..

HTML 5 will be the end answer. Just a matter of time. Might want to check your 80% stats.
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp

PC's just dont get it...

meh....

can you copy and paste?

That fact that people either love or hate this device just goes to show how truly great it is.

pretty damn happy with my pc. my blackberry does flash great! i read regular books, none of which seem to come in eBook format...

It's pretty, it's cool, it's like that home gym you bought that now sits on the side of the house rusting...

Also, I wish that people would stop trying to compare the iPad to a netbook. A netbook is just an ultra-portable laptop. It's nothing new.

The iPad is creating an entirely new category. The game has just been changed.

Had intended to buy an ipad for everyone in the United States(308,983,330) until I found out id didn't support Flash. Without Flash it will never replace my netbook. Just act as a jumbo ipo

PLEASE MR. STEVE JOBS, Flash it! this is the one thing missing, with the missing piece migrated only then, is this iPad the PERFECT gadget of all time.

I think it's rubish device. My laptop can do everything it does, and more, and much much faster. And i can play real games on the laptop (like Fallout 3 ). On the laptop i can edit videos, write programs, videoconference, skype, do some web and graphic design. None of these are possible on this garbage ipad.

But nevermind that! i am much more angry about the reviews mentioned in this article. If you read the entire articles, you would realise, like i have, that they are just paid advertising. Why does CNN push paid advertising onto its readers as if they were real reviews?!

one program at a time!???

@coldsteel

Be wary when quoting the W3schools browser statistics. They can be misleading when used out of context the way you have used them here. They only represent the statical browser traffic to their particular website, one frequented by enthusiests more likely to use alternative browsers.. See their disclaimer as you scroll down their page.

"W3Schools is a website for people with an interest for web technologies. These people are more interested in using alternative browsers than the average user. The average user tends to use Internet Explorer, since it comes preinstalled with Windows. Most do not seek out other browsers.

These facts indicate that the browser figures above are not 100% realistic. Other web sites have statistics showing that Internet Explorer is used by at least 80% of the users."

From: http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_stats.asp

As for the topic. This is the most exciting thing to happen to the computer industry in decades. It's not for everyone yet, but respect those people excited for it. I will be on a mission to get my hands on one Saturday morning.

I absolutely am in love with the idea of the iPad! And I'm definitely buying one ~~ as soon as the price drops & I can get one refurbished ... And as far as flash goes, I think users should have the OPTION to use flash if they like it (or if they're addicted to facebook apps, like me ) but I'm glad it doesn't come pre-installed. It really is a crappy format, slow, and buggy in general.

I'm glad that the iPad is getting some real feedback now. for the longest time it was just mindless apple praise, but there are some serious drawbacks to the iPad that I am surprised Apple went along with. Even the case is a true bummer. 3rd parties like Quirky.com have lready developed a far superior case for the iPad: http://www.quirky.com/products/30?r=f895ce66292be9c65ee61d2789ccd4ef Anyway, I hope that the next version is a little bit more capable than the ipad we see before us today.

I can't wait for this device to hit the store shelves. It will change how our business operates. I'm in manufacturing, and this device provides the mobile capability we've been looking for quite some time. Netbooks have keyboards and screen too small, the iPod touch is also too small, and tablet PCs just don't work very well. The iPad provides a wonderful touch experience that integrates very well with our systems. We will buy more than a few of these to ensure we get real-time information in an affordable package.

iPad owners are a PRIME demographic for advertizers. Young people with lots of extra cash. You can bet anything that people are working are to convert their Flash based on Ad based sites away from Flash.

No you are not going to get flash on the ipad not now not later.. And not because they left it out or didnt know how to do it but because flash is on its way out folks. Any programmer will tell you that flash sucks. you cant link to a page within the site with flash. Flash is going the way of the Floppy and the CDROM. Give it a year.

Second there is no camera yet because ATT nor Verizon or any of the providers can handle the sudden rush of millions of people video conferencing. They can barely handle the data they are transmitting with the iphone as it is.

As for the multi-tasking this systems specs cannot handle it without severe loss of performance. Give it a few generations and it will be standard.

And lastley, most of the nay sayers will eventually come around once they get their hands on one.

By the way. The fire wire cable apple makes costs the same as a USB and fuffils the same purpose!

I got a glimpse of the iPad. Tablet PCs are stupid. You can't even sit comfortably on your recliner while typing and looking at the screen. There's a reason laptops have a HINGE that divides the user input from the device display. Tablets are overrated, and the iPod is EXTREMELY overrated.

What does it do that the iPod touch doesn't? How is it a laptop killer, when it can't perform the functions of a laptop? It is an iPod Touch XL, with less features. The WSJ reviewer, is a total Apple fanatic, so even while he is having problems he is drinking the Steve Jobs Kool-Aid. very dissappointed.

Can we play netfilx movies on the ipad?

Would definitely need a good case for it, otherwise I'd be scared to take it out of the house. These look pretty cool, but I'm going to wait till version 5 or 6.0 when they're supposed to have wheels so you can ride them to work

Lack of a USB port is a minor inconvenience. No need for USB with this device. Anything you need to put on it, or send from it can be done through email or over the wireless connection. If you absolutely have to have it – use the adapter.

Lack of Flash is a straw-man for Apple haters. Flash is in its death throes (yes people, throes is spelled correctly). It is being abandoned en mass and replaced with HTML5. I have designed websites and use the web regularly, and flash has always been a serious problem.

And who cares about running multiple apps at the same time. Unnecessary. The way it is designed you can jump from one app to another quickly and seamlessly if the program designers know what they are doing. You can listen to music while using any app – that is enough.

People who were expecting this to replace laptops never understood what the iPad was intended to do. Laptops are for heavy workloads when traveling. The iPad is for the day to day use.

IS there room for improvement. Of course. There has never been a technology created that wasn't improved with later generations. And clearly the public agrees considering the first big batch sold out before they actually went on sale.

Books aren't in color last time I checked. Except maybe if you are four years old. All praise the over sized iPod touch and the mighty demagogue Steve Jobs...

I was disappointed when trying this system out. I don't have arms and have to use my penis to type letters on the keypad. This was a great challenge with the touch screen because I'm used to my penis touching physical keys. I had to really bounce up and down and try carefully to press the right keys. On top of that you can totally see the oil residue left on the screen from foreskin smears. I'm glad I didn't order this.

I will Keep My I-Pad Nano ooops i mean my I-Phone.

Flash? Who cares about Flash open source is so much better!

There're just too many iSheeps, they will buy anything Apple

As for Flash check out processing.org, what does Flash have on this? And that's just for starters!

If any of my friends buy an iPad I will seriously reconsider whether I can be friends with such an idiot.

This is the most overhype piece of garbage I have ever seen. I'm sticking with my phone and laptop.

I love the Mac haters. I own every mac that have ever been created and guess what? I NEVER had a problem with a one! Infact, I still create money making editorial layouts on a beige G3 (lol)! What do PC people have to say about that?

I sure the same people hated the iphone, but guess what? OOPS!

Hilter sure hates it.

apple took this idea from IBM let just wait until IBM release there device

There's a reason the kindle is in grey scale. Try reading a novel on the iPad (or on your laptop for that matter). your eyes are going to go batty by the time your done.

There is no way the iPad can successfully be used as an eBook.

my grandmother just reminded me that i do have an ipod touch that does some of the same thing. Email, Internet, Youtube, music, pictures, videos, audiobooks, etc. so technically it is an oversized ipod touch! apple should have called it Ipod XL.

I could take a dump, slap an Apple logo on it and some uber dorks would get into a biding war over it.

Giant iPod or not, people are still going to line up to get an iPad. Even those that don't get an iPad will look with malevolently jealous eyes at those that do have one. It's all in the brand. Why do people by 250 dollar jeans? Because of the name. Why are people going to line up to by a larger iPod? Because of the name. It's still a beautiful device.

I think Infowars really summed up the issues

The reason they will not allow flash on it is because then every person could write their own app and have it based in flash and a URL to access it ... and they would loose revenue off of allowing it .. by not allowing it .. they are able to have more control over the content that goes onto and is used by the users.

Oh, good grief people, video was around long before Flash got this popular. I am a website developer/designer and I have quickly been moving away from Flash.

And oh the lies posted here too! YouTube plays on my iPod Touch, always has. Hulu is developing an iPad et al compatible app.

OH and should I mention the legion of people (myself included) with Flash blockers on their regular computers?!

Flash is so last century!! It is not web standards compliant, search engine friendly or efficient. All it does is let people control the environment and at this point that is predominantly the people who want to sell you something! (rollover Flash ads that take over your browser anyone??)

Yes, this has cost me countless hours of redesign and unbillable hours to keep clients happy, but I have hated Flash from the get go, bring on SVG (Adobe's original open source alternative to Flash before they bought Macromedia) which can do the same cool animations without all of the headaches.

Not a deal breaker for me, not at all.

Somehow, I fail to see what's "pure innovation" about the iPad. It is the exact same thing as an iPod touch, just bigger. It does not do anything new. Since when is making things larger innovation? Now, if the iPad packed the processing power and functionality of a laptop (or even a netbook) in the admittedly sleek package, that would be innovation.

I feel the same way as most and I'm not that technical savvy. It's way TOO big for my purse and too weak to replace my laptop... So I'm suppose to pull out of my tote, my iphone, laptop, and Ipad? Ugh..... NO! Overpriced piece of plastic... back to the drawing board..

One of my most expensive PC programs relies on flash player, and every time the player was updated, my program would stop functioning, so I had to stick to an old win xp sp2 avoiding any updates. Good riddance to flash!

iThe iPad iIs iAnother iExcuse iTo iUse iAnother "i" iInfront iOf iA iNew iWord. (Apple should hire me to make new product names. I think I got the hang of it)

@Mauro
-"I love the Mac haters. I own every mac that have ever been created and guess what? I NEVER had a problem with a one! Infact, I still create money making editorial layouts on a beige G3 (lol)! What do PC people have to say about that?"

I have never had a problem with a PC. Ever. I always keep mine running new games for years (I have only owned 2 PC's in 8 years and the first was a Dell...I was young and broke so don't judge me) and my most recent home build just turned 1 this month. So the preaching about how long lasting the Mac's are is unfounded. Anyone can make anything last with regular maintenance and vigilant use. Some Chevy trucks last up to 150k miles and some last over 500k, just depends on who maintenanced it and how it was taken care of.

Oh and you might have well just started the whole thing with "I AM THE BIGGEST MAC FANBOY EVER" with a second sentance like that...

Just sayin.

the ipad is an extreme disappointment. Seriously lacking in all critical areas. If they sold these for $100 each to hospitals and special learning centers for kids id see the purpose but for business its useless.

and apple will use all the consumer reviews to upgrade its next generation iPad so its even more popular....keep giving it to them folks, apple just keeps lining its pockets with cash, great products is the key

Yes, Jobs will have it his way. Someone I know who knows him says he's pretty much that way...

It is like totally time we have something like this with cell phone and camera, so it will have real keys and a real screen, not that bogus thing my Android has.

Khaduuge

I hate the fact that there are still comparisons with computer LCD or AMOLED screens and the eReaders monochromatic screens. There is a reason for the eReaders monochromatic screens. That reason is readability longevity. After a while, backlit text starts to blur or give the reader focusing headaches. Externally lit or indirect reflective lighting (lamp or book light) is softer on your eyes since you can better control the light level and source . Also, show me a backlit or lighted (LED) screen that can last on a battery for hours of use every day for 10+ days. That is why the eReader was invented in the first place, it wasn't that they forgot that technology had gone color, it was to simulate the pages of a good read without carrying around a physical library.

I can see how this would appeal to mac users... limited functionality way to expensive for what you really get. The touchscreen being that large is kind of cool. Still not worth buying till v 2.0 comes out I would say.

For now, it is quite clear that the iPad is a minimal device for me based on what I have read so far. To have flexibility with an ipad, you will have to add all the attachments which will bog you down. RIDICULOUS.

If you have only 1 Apple computer, one IPod, and 1 iphone then iTunes is acceptable to a minimal extent. However ...

I have several Apple products, macbook pro and Window PCs and
for the life of me I don't understand why Apple doesn't get rid of iTunes and have something that will allow any files to be easily cross-transferred between Apple computers, and while your at it, PCs too without worrying about having YOUR FILES AUTOMATICALLY DELETED. Then, having to reinstall them.? Not to mention you have to conver everything to m4v for videos.

In conclusion, I think that Apple could double or more its sales by making some rudimentary changes to iTunes and also think about the multi-platform users.

Please comment if I'm incorrect in what I've said.

I am a disappointed Apple user for those above reasons

computers are stuupid!

Cocopuf

That's the purpose of the Apple Machine, though. It's like Scientology, you're with them, or against them. They don't want you to have complete compatability with other platforms. There has to be some form of pain involved so they can say "it would be so much easier to buy another iProduct than use that one."

This is just all about the hype of a new product. Remember the first iPhone? Almost everyone went nuts to have one... until weeks after that when inital complaints came knocking at Apple's doorsteps. I really wouldn't buy the first edition of this product. Give it a good year when they finally ironed out the glitches that usually come with first releases.

And c'mon – built it camera pls. Front and rear panel.

A BIG VERSION OF NOHING! GO SPEND YOUR MONEY ON NOTHING AND SHOW OFF TO YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE NOTHING.... ITS ALL POP CULTURE TREND MARKETING – GET WITH IT PEOPLE! STEVE NEEDS TO GET HIS INVESTORS EXCITED AGAIN....WHATS NEXT A THINNER VERSION ?- I LIKE A STURDY LAPTOP BAG WITH A WELL MADE COMPUTER IN IT WITH FUNCTIONALITY...ARE YOU ALL REALLY SUCKED IN TO THIS MEDIA CIRCUS TRAIN???

Just finished my blog on the coming iPad hysteria:

http://www.csdaley.com/2010/04/nerdgasm-ipad-style.html

people need to remember this thing is not a laptop...it's not supposed to be a laptop....and it's not supposed to do everything that a laptop does. so stop wishing that it was a laptop.

For all the people who completely hate this product... why even care it exists? There are tons of other options if you dont like this one then take your business somewhere else. I just find it wierd that people seem outraged. If someone finds utility in this product and wants to buy it then who cares. I certainly don't care what computer choices you make.

Like so many.....lamenting what it is not.

I dreamt of a thin touch-screen Mac Air.
Alas, it is not.
Not even close.

It should be a phone.
It should be the ultimate Skype tool.
It should have a mini-USB.
It MUST multi-task......good grief......pathetic.

It is a iTouch on steroids.

I was 99% sure I'd buy one till I found out what it isn't.

I'm sorely, sadly disappointed.

I'll wait for the iPad 2.0 perhaps.

They will sell a jillion so they'll pe spectacularly successful.
Thanks, I'll wait.

Ok, first, I can't wait til all the debbie downers regarding the iPad are proven wrong. Here's my predictions now... read them and praise me when the all come true:

1. The lack of flash is going to be a totally worthless arguement. Already every major news corp and entertainment web site has committed to shifting over to HTML5. Why? First, it makes sense, Flash is a horrible power user which is a big deal on portable devices, and second because it greatly expands their markets with devices such as iPhone and iPad

2. All this talk about no USB is also going to go by the way side. Yes its true you will have to purchase a $29 adapter but wait and see, there we be more of these hardware fixes that will wind up giving the iPad almost near functionality of a laptop.

3. The iPad will be a HUGE, HUGE seller and success with consumers, especially non-techies who want simplicity, form and elegance. That's what Apple always delivers on, on why NERDS and tech-heads hate them for. But guess what, there are more 'regular' consumers who just want things to work than NERDS. So investors such as me who see Apple stock tripling are laughing at you NERDS who have stock in DELL or HP.

It does about 2/3 what my iPhone does for more money.

Thanks Steve J.
You will make billions.

I'll wait.

Some things remain the same–the PC and the Mac are completely different business models. Macs will always be more expensive. They will always lack features available from some PCs. And they will usually work better. Sometimes a LOT better, sometimes a little better, rarely not as well. Does it support Flash? It doesn't need to for youtube.com, which makes it's videos usuable by Mac users already. Does it have a camera? No. Does it have a USB port? No. Let's assume it had a USB port, then you'd want to plug USB devices into it, right? And then it would no longer be as free as an iPhone. Is this a laptop killer? Probably not. It's definitely not an iPhone killer. It's actually not a killer of everything, it's instead filling an unfilled niche. I think it looks and sounds really cool. I may own one in five years, but I'd never criticize someone for buying one Saturday. They'll probably love it. And some PC owners will think they're complete idiots. I bought my first Mac a year ago and damn it, it works great, even if it did cost a LOT more.

I am sure there is some kind of plug-in or workaround so it will display Flash video. My Macs play Flash videos.....

Innovative? Can someone please develop a virtual interface such as in the movie Minority Report, this is nothing more than a giant iphone.
Until then I'll go back under my rock

Wow it amazes me how crazy people can be. I mean, I'll admit the thing looks nice and all, but functionality is way too limited to be a laptop or a netbook killer. And I agree with the majority here, no ability to run flash or run multiple apps is not something I'd look for in a laptop replacement or a netbook replacement. Someone said here HTML5 is going to replace Flash soon. Don't think so. If you think that, you're not very aware of whats actually happening in the real world. HTML5 has been in development for years. Adoption of it for mainstream use will be years from now if ever. Sure I'd love to see Silverlight or something else replace flash, but right now its needed. Some sites content is completely built around it. It's not just for ads as someone stupidly said. Someone even said they block all flash. It amazes me at how little people know about computers in general. This product is for those people. If you dont know better, and don't know what you're missing, you won't be disappointed. However, if you've used a PC or anything normal, you're used to lots of choices and functionality... Apple people just aren't used to that so they don't know what they miss. I'm sorry, the iPad is nice looking, and all, but no thanks. Maybe if Microsoft or some other company releases a similar product that actually runs a half way decent operating system, we'll buy it. Apple products are a fad. People who think they want to be hip and trendy buy them. Its eye candy and nothing more.

needs a auto read out of e-mail or sms is better when in a car .

a wastage of high technology to create a baby technology.

The author of this article should fact check. Obviously didn't read the New York Times article or understand it. Misleading to enable their own conclusions....very bad journalism.

This is a very bad article.

Mark my words – flash is dead as of April 3rd. The iPad is a game changer, just like the iPhone was, and the demand for this product will only grow, putting pressure on web designers and companies to adopt the far more versatile and secure HTML 5 as standard. Yes, the 2nd/3rd generation will throw the add-ons in that everyone wants now, but this is about maximizing market potential. Why blow the whole wad at once when you can satiate the demand in stages, increasing market penetration and product saturation? There's a reason Apple is good at marketing – they understand markets. In any case, this is about making the web better as much as it is about making the web experience better. Short-sightedness is what separates most people from the people who make these types of innovative decisions and products. Hang in there, those who are not convinced... you'll see. The future is going to be here faster than you think...

Here's the beauty of it all: If you don't want it, DON'T BUY IT. You have a choice. Don't be upset at a product you've never touched, not having the things you want in it. Why would people pull out their hair stressing about features the iPad "lacks"? If its not what you want, leave it on the shelf. Look elsewhere. And stop comparing it to a Netbook! If it's a Netbook you want, buy a Netbook. It'll be okay if you DON'T buy this product.

Apple makes simple things pretty. Simple devices with simple UIs that do simple things pretty much bug free. IPAD is no exception and those that enjoy simple devices locked into a propriatary highly restrictive simple UI then enjoy. There are those expect this kind of device from apple and they will eat this up. Me no thanks.

NO Flash, NO multi-task...Two Thumbs Down.

Why buy this? It's basically one big iPod...if they added the OS from their apple laptops / computers... along with a attachable keyboard.. they would make a killing. I can see people in the health field using these, simply because they can carry around their patients info. and not have to worry bout printing out random files...

Just be patient.. The Google tablet will be out.. and then its open source to the rescue..

It is silly to say Flash is going to die... Flash is a multiplatform coding language that spans several operating systems that do anything from making an application to showing video.

The reason IPODs do not have flash is not because it does not run well on them.... I'm sure a stellar port could easily be made. The reason is $$$. Apple would lose control of applications. Instead of downloading that 2 dollar port of asteroids on the apple store, you would just be able to visit a website that had the flash application published.

It would be total hesteria... flash would destroy IPODs monopoly of controlling applications that run on them.

I love when ppl bring up the HTML5 arguement. Guess what? HTML5 can't replace Flash yet. HTML5's specs aren't even hammered out. All it can do right now is replace Flash videos and even then, all your browser developers can't even decide on what codec to use.

HeySteveJobs.com launching April 5th

A powerful grassroots Viral Social Media Protest Campaign by and for loyal Apple consumers worldwide that will change the way Steve Jobs runs [our] company.

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All those complaining about 'no Flash' ? WHAT DO YOU WANT FLASH FOR??? Video? Other things do Video streaming just as well. Ads? Are you really wanting annoying ads? Interface? There are very – very few sites that require flash to do anything remotely well.

Flash is unnecessary as long as there is video streaming, which I'm sure Quicktime does.

I run Windows 7 on my HP 64-bit system. Guess what doesn't work on it (without hoop jumping)? Flash!

Betamax was better than VHS. American made was better than Asian made. Windows based phones were better than any other. Flash ran most of the video on the web...

...and then – things changed.

Apple seems to be growing by moving towards consumers; Microsoft and Adobe seem to be shrinking by compelling consumers to move to them.

I'm just saying...

People need to stop referring to or saying things like "I would't buy a computer that doesn't have a physical keyboard or multi-task" etc. THIS IS NOT A COMPUTER, it is an evolutionary device with the purpose of filling a product gap between an iPhone and a full fledged computer. Think of it as the thing that you'll check the score to the game on, your stock prices, read your news on, possibly e-mail, definitely look at your schedule or virtual calendar, and many other things that a computer can do but isn't convenient for.

This device will be more convenient to do many quick or simple things that booting up a computer for could do but is less practical...

I guess the youtube video – hitler's reaction for iPad describes everything about iPad )

Bottom line is that never buy any 1.0 ver of Apple product...wait till 3g 4g etc

quicktime streaming .....hahahaha not!

I use a PC. I never really liked Macs.

However, this device is the future for all people who use computers causally. Not having a camera inbuilt is something that will definitely be fixed in the next version. I won't miss multi-tasking (what am I going to do on this device simultaneously anyway?) and have never missed flash on my iphone either.

Apple is the only company that realized that content is key. TV shows, books, magazines, music, movies, applications – it's all there and it will still be there in 10 years! Who else has a product + store that comes even close to this? This portable computer is going to be an incredible success.

Someone finally made a toaster like computer interface for the internet. It's simplicity and cost will be it's downfall, it's appeal is to those who don't want the complexity of a full computer OS to use the internet like the "Web-TV" niche market, while it also costs more than a PC Tablet computer which has more functionality. If they had made these things bigger and let you use wireless remote controls with them I could see them being marketed to hotel chains as a replacement for the tv if it had flash and could tie in net-flix. I mostly think this will just be another novelty tech item like the old Apple Newton.

Can't wait to get a small set for my school-I'm chomping at the bit to try and use these on field trips. Even if we have to replace them when the next generation comes out-I want to see how far we can take this idea in the education world! What would happen if teachers could create interactive programs for students to use at museums/on nature walks/while at the public library? The possibilities are endless!! And it's so less bulky than laptops...

[...] http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/01/from-sensual-to-disappointment-ipad-reviews-are-in/?hpt=C2 [...]

For me it's simple. No Flash, no iPad.
I mean, who wants to surf cnn.com and not see Videos, go to http://MediaSignage.com and not play with Free Digital Signage.

I mean come on, this is BS, no Flash, how stupid is that?
I will get a Dell Pad or something later WITH Adobe Flash.

Roy.

i just love it when i read this articles reviewers saying it doesn't have this and it doesn't have that including in ipad. oh yeah, you could always buy a work around to it, it only cost this or cost that. that's the point, for so expensive a device it should default come with it for free.

You know why banks in australia is able to charge a fee on everything and i mean everything. thats because consumers don't complain hard about it and eventually they get away with it and fee charges became a default slap on it.

apple trained apple fanboys over the years its ok to spend more money for their products and its definitely ok to spend extra money on attachments even if apple is suppose to include it like others without charges. apple didn't just train them so good, they trained them great. instead of complaining to apple of stop charging them for extra charges for attachments or inclusions. fanboys are now arguing for apple.

im not an apple fanboy hater or apple hater. i know you people are rich with money to spend on toys who don't worry about their pocket books. just don't start a trend where we all eventually will have to pay extra money on every little side items on every equipment. if that happens i will say you people are stupid. im not saying it now because im just like you saying just wait until the future, so i'll wait too.

This thing is the biggest piece of junk ever. I can't believe anybody would consider purchasing it given the lack of basic functionality. Stay away.

Awaiting censors...

Personnaly, this item doesn't have the flexability for me to go out and get one. Flash, USB and mulit-tasking are major components that I would really need for me to use this item. While it may be a shift in technology to get away from flash, that shift is not here yet.
I can see myself buying an ipad v2 or 3 when those features are added. But it'll probably be like the iphone: I liked it but once the droid came out with pretty much the same features, not being on at&t and not having apple controling what programs I can have on my phone, I got that instead.
So, here's to waiting for the google pad.

As an electronic book reader the limited battery life is a huge problem. Color e-ink is coming in the next gen of e-readers, with the same energy-efficient "draw once" technology as current b/w models. Two weeks of battery beats ten hours easily – and back lighting is hard on the eyes after an hour or so.

Not a Kindle-killer just yet....

I hope a ton of folks go out and buy this device! I hope even more grab V2...I want V3 or maybe a V4, with multi-tasking, Flash plug-in, video camera/conferencing, and a host of other features for less than these V1's cost (and twice as much memory)!!!

Anyone know if you can shrink the size of the keyboard to something more familiar like a Iphone?

I'd love to have one of these babies and a digital copy of Action Comics #1 1938 (1st appearance Superman).

Since the original comic is now going for a cool $1.5 million, it would be cool to a pristine digital copy on my hi-resolution iPad!!!

Oh yeah...and Detective Comics #27 1939 (1st appearance Batman)!!!

I hope they make a solar charger, because in a year or two...the world as we know it won't exist...and there may be not electricity left!!!

2012 is coming!

Vern:

Don't even mention the word "iPad Air" – for heavens sake, Apple may make one and charge double and no I/Os. lol

NOT

Apple's products are always lacking some basic functionality when they are first introduced. Remember the first generation iphone! it did not have some basic phone features but over time iphone has become the best phone with all the bells and whistles added incrementally. I feel the same will happen with iPad. Most likely, the next generation IPad will be much better product. Until then, I will hold off buying one.

The ONLY reason Apple does not support Flash technology is due to the App store...Who would pay money to the App store when you can play a flash game for free?

This thing sucks! Say NO to Steve Jobs! Only Apple could release a "new" product which would take such steps backward. Apple sucks

So I guess the anti-iPad arguements go like this:

– Apple fans, who support an OS with a small percent of the market are conformist sheep while Windows users, who make up 90% of computer users are brilliant individual thinkers.

– A bigger screen never has any benefits.

– A device that tries to do some things very well and chooses to not do other things it can't do well is a peice of crap that should be avoided by all.

So, I've read that you can purchase a keyboard for this. Why not get a laptop? It's much easier to pack and transport than to have a separate keyboard to lug around. Also, I am waiting to see how many people will be watching movies and reading ebooks on this. Just imagine holding this thing, at any angle, or on your lap (laptop again) for 120 minutes or more. The whole physical UI will prove to be poor in my opinion. Also, long battery life? What happens when you need to plug it in for power? How annoying! And cool factor? Perhaps, but I don't see this being used in any new Bond films in the near future. This is coming from a PC user who has finally agreed to the brilliance of the iphone/iTouch/Macbook(pro) products.

The top five U.S. publicly-traded companies:
1. Exxon Mobil (XOM) – $319.21B
2. Microsoft (MSFT) – $255.75B
3. Apple (AAPL) – $213.98B
4. Wal-Mart (WMT) – $211.14B
5. Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA) – $201.92B

Selected companies' current market values:
• Google (GOOG) – $180.87B
• IBM (IBM) – $166.60B
• Cisco (CSCO) – $147.89B
• Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) – $124.85B
• Intel (INTC) – $123.68B
• Disney (DIS) – $68.95B
• Amazon (AMZN) – $58.60B
• Nokia (NOK) – $57.92B
• Research In Motion (RIMM) – $38.04B
• Sony (SNE) – $38.55B
• Dell (DELL) – $29.46B
• Yahoo! (YHOO) – $22.81B
• Adobe (ADBE) – $18.73B
• Motorola (MOT) – $16.33B
• RealNetworks (RNWK) – $641.91M
• Beleaguered Palm (PALM) – $657.93M

Funny how now in the days we come up with alot of technology. We come up with such ideas/products. I belive technology will get better as generations come by, things will have more features.

Everyone is complaining about no FLASH...boohoohoo. Gimme a break, for those in the know..Flash is an old technology by PC standard and have reached its peak few years ago. HMTL5 will be the next big thing in terms of web animation and video streaming. Steve Jobs knows what he is doing...hence Apple is taking over the world.

As for the camera, i think 2nd gen will definitely have it ...as matter of fact it will have 2 cameras (one facing the subject and another facing the user). Steve likes to tease its fans. I'm sure there will be a USB dock capable camera soon enough as well.

For $500, Apple is setting the standard in a new computing segment. Everyone will follow suit, but there's no way to imitate the real thing. I'm a PC user...and slowly falling for Apple cuz they have their head straight.

Let's sum it up. No USB capability. No camera. No mini display port to VGA capability. No flash. Won't sync bluetooth. Doesn't run the Mac OSX in a boot camp type or VM mode. Look, it's a cool device as it is. But, it's a plaything. It looks like it might be a great device to listen to music, watch movies, or read a good book on a flight. It's not yet a serious device. I don't think this first version is meant to be either.

All those things could be added later. And probably will. Look what happened with the first iPhone that came out. People paid lots and lots of big bucks for it. Then three months later Apple dropped the price and presented a better version. That quick.

It doesn't pay to buy the first version of ANYTHING. If you do, you're an idiot. Or someone who likes to flash alot saying, "See what I got and you don't...neener, neener, neener."

I think it has the capability of being as revolutionary as the iPhone. I can see where. with the right apps designed solely for that purpose, that it would be ideal for a school environment for students. Lightweight, easy to carry around, almost instant on capability, no paper, homework located online, teachers get the papers as soon as they are uploaded....what more can you ask for for a student?

can someone recommend another platform for exporting web animation other than flash? and that isn't you tube? that would be great, cause as far as i know they don't exist.

i like flash websites because they are animated. that's the whole point. do people not realize that? there are some really cool flash sites out there. if all you're worried about is functionality, then never-mind, but get used to every website looking the same as the last. and just as boring.

One word: overrated

Apple (AAPL) – $213.98B – 1st April 2010

Apple (AAPL) – $180.98B – 1st April 2011

Why – IPAD if your looking to buy apple stocks be patient

All technology has to start somewhere. Just think, in a year or two all of the things the iPad either does'nt have or doesn't do will be there for you. Remember when we only had B&W TV and wish we had color......same thing. Plus the largest screen was only 19".

Wysiwyg101

Your name says it all. Reminds me of 1990.

Your horse is hungry. Go feed it some hay.
Don't forget to clean up the poop (Flash).

for people that say wait a few generations then it will have everything. LOL. apple don't need few generations to know what you want. they know and have all those features that consumers want now. apple already knows what it could put into this 1st generation which is everything that consumers would want. the only reason they not putting in all these rich features now is because they want to milk the consumers for every dollar they got from one generation to the next until they think its time to include all features by the 4th generation. by then they won't care because they milk enough money from the consumers to go onto next simple gadget rollout. LOL.

apple fanboys are just easy preys, but they got the money to be the prey, so more power to them.

I will still be sticking with my old PALM TX nothing beats Graffiti for entering text.. The ipad built in keyboard is not great.

How would someone fall in love with you, Shifty, when you make your own cognitive shortcomings so apparent? Sorry, just kidding! What I should have said is that the iPad seems alien and inadequate to our current world because cloud computing is truly in its infancy. These svelte "thin client" devices WILL rule the future, and Jobs knows it. If you're not pleased with the features of the current iPad, I'm all but certain that Apple has an enhanced version in the holiday hopper. Don't count on inclusion of flash, though, it lends itself to some rather annoying programming in the form of animated advertisements (judged from a user perspective, which is really all that counts, right?), and it's a veritable battery munching zombie.

typical apple.

drive margin by introducing peripherals and accessories that provide [what should've been built-in] essential capabilities.

down with mini dvi

The plethora of opinions here is amazing, especially in light of the fact that practically none have actually used this product. I'm from Missouri, and you have to "show me" before I can be convinced of something, one way or the other.

I was really excited when I first heard about the iPad. I'm constantly dragging my MacBook around watching video tutorials, reading RSS feeds and such. I always thought it would be great if I could just drag along the screen by itself with the bulk of the full laptop. It would be so bloody convenient. And that's what the iPad is. But no Flash support just ruined it for me. Half of what I look at is in Flash.

All you people hating on Apple for a product you haven't even used yet are cracking me up. Many of the same comments were made about Flash when the iPhone came out and I don't see a USB port on it either. I actually run a Flash blocker application on my computer and I'm looking forward to the explosive growth we are about to see with HTML 5.

It surprises me how many cannot see the potential in this device. As the NYT said, the killer app will be the killer apps that developers are already bringing to market. Just wait 6 months and prepare to be blown away by the creativity that this screen size and touch interface will allow.

Once people recognize the power and potential of the iPad, I predict many of the naysayers will be eating their words.

It's an absolute joke! A total disappointment. Apple obviously thinks that anything with an 'i' in the beginning of the name, even this iCripple. No multi-tasking. No industry standard USB. No way I'll put my money into it.

No multi-task or Flash. Nah, it is just another toy for now. Don't need it. Too bad that Apple did not think of these two simple things.

Simo hayha;

You got it!

I wonder what a plastic screen protector will cost for this iPad. Let's see now....hmmmm. oh, about $39.99 or higher. You'll need a special cloth to wipe the screen off too.

I also wonder what the screen will be like after 6 months of daily usage?

Just "pre-loaded" the ABC and Netflix streaming apps for the iPad. So in addition to a calendar, book reader, music player, news reader, game player, web browser, email viewer, photo viewer, map viewer and god knows what else developers will come up with, you can have a thin, light, portable HD TV with a multi-touch interface that streams network shows and movies for free.

What ever will I do without Flash.

People lets not forget what this device is first and foremost...an E-book reader.....even though Apple seems to want to market it as a slate computer or whatever. Look at it this way, as a computer its lacking big time, but when you look at from the e-reader prospective, it blows other comparably priced readers out of the water....i for one won't be buying one because i happen to think the ipod touch is a passable e-reader when using the kindle app- but for those that need a little bit larger print and are on the market for an e-reader, this is the way to go, no contest

No Flash support , No Youtube .....are you kidding?

You write with a sneer at this game-changing technology. It's nice to know it will succeed in spite of your snippy opinion.

No multi-tasking? Why does Apple market such stuff? Sheer waste of time! All that glitters is not gold. Hope someone from Apple reads all these. Just bells and whistles dont make a product. We need basic
functionality.

mike in LA wrote:

"I am sitting in my office with about 300 books on the shelves, and none of them are printed in COLOR. Hello!"

I have books on astronomy with color photos from both ground and space-based telescopes. I have books on classic cars and motorcycles which, of course, have photos. I have technical books with color illustrations, diagrams, charts, and graphs. I have books on photography filled with color photos. What a dull world you live in.

"Maybe Apple fanboys only look at the comics."

Maybe Mike in LA only reads romance novels.

It's an iPad touch for people with hyperopia.

Wow, this is sad, i am so glad that i didn't reserve one of these. I will wait for the 3rd and 4th Gen of this device. I need multi-tasking and Flash integration. This so sucks.
But some people did call it, saying "This most likely is just a big IPOD touch"

TOM13 wrote:
"I need multi-tasking and Flash integration."

Then you need a notebook computer, not an iPad. Don't you get that this is not intended to replace laptops? Apple isn't trying to convince you to buy a $499 iPad instead of a $1300 notebook.

But, in reality, you probably don't need Flash or multi-tasking. Just declaring it doesn't make it true.

I am a tech junkie and order EVERYTHING. I read the comments here - and I have changed my mind. I am CANCELLING my pre-order with Apple today. NO FLASH???? What the hell is wrong with these people? That's the number one reason the iPhone sucks as well. THanks CNN - truly - you saved me over $900 bucks - and my wife screaming at me when the package arrived.

I am tired of hearing that it doesn't have flash. This is not a computer, folks.

People in my age group could care less about flash.

I have a camera and a Macbook. I do not want a camera on the iPad.

No, keyboard? I guess the author just didn't have one. Plus, I read that any new wireless keyboard will work, anyway.

Finger prints? It takes 5 second to wipe them off.

Here's a flash. If you want to use your dinosaur of a netbook, do it. I don't care.

The Ipad is going to be sick!! I got an advance copy of a video from a band Apple is using in an upcoming commercial. Wow it is a sick video! Awesome band!

IPAD should have "STYLUS" capability to make writing on this e-notebook more efficient and convenient than pressing the key one by one. Make Sense?

On a business meeting setting, I can't catch up by pressing the virtual keypad one by one while listening. Stylus should be included on this gadget.

Yeah I got to agree with kim, I mean if it is cheap so what, the only thing about it is a ebook, but why don't i jusi buy a eBook?

Multi-Tasking??? Prove that YOU can literally do more than one thing at a time on a regular computer and maybe I'll have some sympathy for you. Seriously, what you're really talking about is switching from one application to another, right? Like copy from the web & paste in a doc. Well, switching from Safari to Pages on an (A4 powered) iPad is just as quick as doing it in Windows, it's no different than minimizing one program to switch to another, what a pathetic hole to try and fit your whining through. (That was directed at "multi-tasking" critics in general) And to the Engadget guy who drools for his pandora, drop a few bucks for some content in your iTunes playlist ok? Because even my iPod Touch can play music while I surf the web, multi-task THAT, complaint fail to you.

forget IPAD check the tablet called ADAM made in india , it has more functions like video camera, usb keypad , mouse and u can read in sunlight. youtube adam tablet.

LMAO! I just LOVE the MacHead's in here with their "I-AM-SMARTER-THAN-YOU-SO-ONLY-I-KNOW-WHAT-WILL-WORK-FOR-YOU-AND-ONLY-I-KNOW-WHAT-YOU-SHOULD-BE-WANTING" mentality. UNBEEBABLE!

NO USB??? Thats a deal breaker. No USB makes it no more then a fancy IPOD. You can get more with a simple netbook...for cheaper.

While I think the iPad is great overall, its lack of a multi-user interface is disappointing. Mom, Dad, the kids, everyone will all have to set up their e-mail accounts, bookmarks, contacts, in one big lump. That's going to be unworkable for a lot of folks.

This device does not even come close to killing the laptop. You cannot run a word on it or excel. The only reason I see to buy this is if you are in the multi media business and like to presend pictures or video. One other application I see to this but is not yet able is for emergency crews, viewing terrain maps and communication with dispatch but it does not have the capability of long range communication. To me this is just a big paper weight, my iphone is still superior to this becasue of the fact I can get on the internet without wifi.

Disappointing.
Even in my small netbook I can write, test and execute programs.
The iPad is one-way only. It may be dernier-cry with fashionistas and the 2-bit crowd, but to me it is just a portable picture frame.

Useless.

Yes, yes, it is what it is and it's not what it's not. And what it's not is enough to make me not want to buy one despite what it is.

In addition to the other "no's" assuming it's similar to the iTouch;

No animated gif support (that animated weather map is showing you the _oldest_ map)

No memory slot (SD, etc)

No native way to transfer text, images, data, etc, to/from computers other than your sync computer.

Base on iTouch Bluetooth, severely limited bluetooth functionality... audio out, but no BT device support such as keyboards, mice, headsets, file transfers, specialty devices, etc.

Only port connector is proprietary ...subject to apple's control.

Beverly Howard

Hey Apple fans, you can keep telling me Flash sucks and that I do not want it, but it is a dominant format and I want it. Period.

No flash, No multi-tasking, No Camera, No USB = No Sale
These are really big things to not have, especially at the price.

Sure if you just want the new flashy toy then have at it. I heard they'll be releasing the iPoo next. I bet you'll be in line for that too.

I think it's a good start... glad I didn't buy one though... multi tasking is very important to me... and so is flash...... I'll wait until the next gen

When it really comes down to it, most people don't have a need for anything beyond an iPad. This is what I typically hear...

"I have a 30 core processor with 18 gigs of ram and 20 TB of memory!"
What do you use your computer for...
"...Surfing the web and playing video games..."
(some exaggeration)

The iPad is meant to be a NEW niche device. It allows you to surf the internet, play games, read books, listen to music... and it does it very well. It will sit on a coffee table, be thrown in a carry on for travel, and be carried to the coffee shop.

It's great for what it is. I wouldn't replace a serious machine with it though.

Nice format, too bad there isn't a regular Windows or Linux running on it.
The way it is, it's completely and utterly useless device to most people.

I have to agree with Bruce Webb's comments above. People are going to love this. I really want a upad that i can drag arounf the house for email surfing the web and looking up recipes and other things. The ipad will be great for all the people who like the internet but don't really need a computer. I always thought that a bigger ipod touch would be a great seller and this will catch on over time.
I'll be waiting on the 3g version though. I'll want to bring mine on the road with me. (I'll leave the big laptop home.)

The theme for the ipad is "its the best browsing experience", how it can be, if 70%-80% of times you are gonna see that blue square in the middle. Even my 10 year old "Caveman" laptop can show that page.

If flash is buggy, as are 100s of applications in app store, this doesn't mean apple should stop them from running on its device, it shouldn't be an Apple's problem what an application can or cant do. If they claim that its the best browsing experience, than it should be one step ahead and not 5 steps behind laptop or netbook, with respect to browsing experience.

Just give me the complete browsing experience (not even the best experience) and I am going to buy it no questions asked. Because if it works as it is suppose to, it is going to be one of the biggest invention for unforeseeable future.

Not in love with device or apple for that matter....lack of flash support and no multi-tasking alone make it a deal breaker for me.

Even with HTML5 on the horizon it's like promising the device will be really...really good in 2 years. Flash is the "now" for now, and not supporting 80% of web doesn't justify the price.

I'd rather get a complete android device than a half done apple

Flash = floppy drives, serial ports etc. As usual, Apple is aimed to the future

But Tom.....how can you aim the IPAD at the future...It doesn't have a webcam!

Don't underestimate the impact this device will have. Like the iPod and iPhone before it, it will sell a ton and influence the market like none before it. It's not perfect and doesn't do everything everyone wants, but it does do some things great, and that is it brings elegance, simplicity and "wow" to the forefront, like all great Apple devices.

Does the ipad have a USB connection so that I can connect it to a computer?

Does the ipad have a USB connection so that I can connect it to a camera?

I have a question... why do people who say they won't buy an iPad, that the iPad is useless for any number of variety of reasons feel the need to post all this negativity?

Whenever I see an article on something I'm not interested in acquiring, I don't read it and move on to something I am interested in acquiring. I don't feel the need to natter on ad nauseum about something I don't care about... I wouldn't waste my time.

Yes, I pre-ordered my iPad and am eagerly awaiting its arrival tomorrow. I think many of these nay-sayers want an iPad but can't buy one and just want to try to dampen the thrill of those of us who can buy one. Nothing they post is going to convince me or any other iPad buyer that they made the wrong decision.

Who are we kidding ?..........They are going to sell millions of them..........and half of those buying today, will buy the IPAD 2 when it comes out

Color ebooks have been available for years, but most people don't like reading on conventional screens. E ink is the culmination of years work finding the best electronic reading experience.

"quot homines, tot sententiae"

I have a question... why do people say they are going to buy an iPad, that the iPad is magical for any number of a variety of reasons feel the need to post all this fanboyism?

Whenever I see an article on something I'm interested in acquiring, I read it and move on to something else when I'm done. I don't feel the need to religiously defend a piece of technology like someone hurt my feelings and disrespected my honor... I wouldn't waste my time.

This was for Jos's comment. It goes BOTH ways buddy.

Most of these comments just go to show that iPad is not for everyone.

Those of us who get it, will get it. And enjoy the many benefits.

Can we hop inside the Wayback® Machine and go back to January of 2007? Go read all the initial posts from pundits, nitwits, and folks just like you, who belched that there was no way, no possible way, that Apple was ever going to make it in the smartphone business. Go back a few years earlier and read how Apple was going to crash and be burnt to a crisp upon entering the MP3 player market.

You might not have noticed but Apple is a major player in the MP3 player and smartphone business. They sell more music than any retailer in the world. Their smartphone app store, with over 160,000 apps, has sold/downloaded over 3 Billion apps. The iPad is built on the shoulder of those two outstanding products. [Yes, we already know how you feel about Apple, it's products, and it's methods of conducting business. But the public has spoken, loudly, about which company it wants to buy it's electronics from.]

The iPad's price point is right. The form factor is right. The applications are in place as of today. Apple is going to sell millions of these things—even if you think they're trash. My advise: You may not buy the iPad, but I would scamper down to my stockbroker and buy as much Apple stock as possible. This is yet another opportunity for Apple shareholders to rake in money.

For all of you that think that the iPad is a iPod Touch on steroids, needs a camera, needs Flash, is too expensive, uses a 'cut-down' OS, and other related idiocies go here – http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/01/31/ten-myth-of-apples-ipad-1-its-just-a-big-ipod-touch/ – and get your myths about the iPad busted.(Just read the article)

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”

Attention Luddites!

Before you start dising the iPad go to the source and get the facts! Go here – http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

For those of you who want features that Apple is NOT going to offer on the iPad – Flash, a USB port, a camera – I have a simple solution: DON'T BUY AN IPAD! See, wasn't that simple? You can join the ranks of folks just like you who berated the original iMac for not having a floppy disk drive, who scolded Apple for having come to the party late with the introduction of the iPod, and who will be forever waiting for Microsoft's Courier to arrive in stores.

Waiting, and excited to see the next generation of iPad like devices this will bring into the market place. Just like the iPhone, this raises the bar for a new computing platform that, if done right, could be a household item. If you get flash, multi-tasking, camera, usb, a docking station to put on your fridge, and price it at $199-299. Bingo – it's now worth getting for the masses. I predict a Windows or Chrome OS version like this in a year or two.

I personally think that by leaving off key components in the 1st generation iPad is purposely done by Apple. This way in a year or year in a half, they will announce a new, better, iPad that has a camera, GPS, the capability of multi-tasking, a USB port, and all these other features that should have been included to begin with.

I think it is a great product, however, I already have a MacBook Pro, an iPhone and a Kindle. I cannot justify spending another $629-$829 for the 3G version to be able to use it anywhere like my iPhone. If you don't have the 3G version, you can't use so many of the apps anywhere (ie. park, on the road, stores, etc.) unless you are always in a hotspot area. That is a deal killer!

No Flash. No Multi-tasking. No Camera.
No deal!

Dru:

I reviewed your article, and it's strictly for the fanboys! It borderlines on trolling, and doesn't seriously address buyer points for considering the device. My fav was the point on adobe which could be summed up in one sentence:

"If you wanted it to support flash your stupid, becuase flash sucked"

For the rest of the fanboys...I think this is an excellant time for people to discuss the Ipad's merits based on face value.

How come you include the "disappointed" comment from Engadget, which comes from JANUARY 28- immediately after the iPad's announcement? How about you wait a couple days and then take a quote from Engadget's hands-on review? It doesn't seem right to mix hands-on reviews with reactions to the product's announcements.

"Laptop killer"? Haha, don't make me laugh. To be a laptop killer, the iPad would need to have at least 10% of a laptop's functionality.

It's a crappy niche market product.

I guess if you surf the web to look at videos then flash is a big deal. I do not. I also do not use my computing devices as cameras. I prefer face to face contact with humans.

I think the iPad is really going to change the way I teach my college classes. WHile I am dissapointed it does not currently have multi-tasking word has it it's in the pipeline so, like a fine wine, the iPhone/iPad will only get better with age.

sorry about the typos in last comment. hit submit before spell checker was finished.

Is the battery soldered on like the iphone?

My Motion Computing slate tablet PC is 8 years old and is still more powerful and functionaly useable than this Apple gimmic. That said, people buy gimmics by the millions. Take the IPOD for example. There has always been better and cheaper devices than IPODs on the market but people still insist on buying IPODs. The biggest issue for Apple is that their business is now based on current fashion and trends and we all know how fickle the average consumer can be. Anyone remember the Motorola StarTac. These IPADS will be doorstops in less than 2 years but only the smart consumer will recognize that now.

Man, you'd think you were reading a forum on healthcare. I'm surprised some of you haven't been making threats on Steve Jobs' life.

I had no interest in this glorified iPhone to begin with and nothing has changed. Now Apple are creating artificial shortages again to make people think they just have to have it, just like they did with the iPod. I'll just stick with a real computer and not have to deal with the prats at the Apple store.

I'm 29 years old and I'm a recent Mac convert. And i really mean convert. I will NEVER go back to a Windows-based system unless something changes drastically.

I've been using Windows-based machines since the start – and before that I learned on DOS. I recently got a Macbook Pro for work and within about 10 minutes I was in love. Over the next 6 months I learned it inside and out and now I will never go back. OSX is the best operating system ever made, and trust me I've used almost all of them. Even the price criticism has lost some steam considering what you get in a Macbook, iMac or Mini versus what comparable machines from the other guys would cost. Bottom line – i LOVE my mac. Since I got mine, we have purchased a Mac Mini as our main "PC," my wife got a MBP and many members of my family have gotten Macs after my strong endorsements. All of the above are new Mac lovers just like me.

I tell you all this because I want you to know where I'm coming from when I say that i think the iPad is a NO THANKS for me. At least for any utility other than fun and games. Saying it is "just a big iPod Touch" isn't really fair as it discounts the "big" part. For a touch screen web device – size is everything. As someone said before, you couldnt do squat on the Razr phones due to small screens. You can hook it up to a keyboard, but no multi-task or flash? Total deal breakers for me.

If anything it's a Kindle-killer. It looks like a great toy – but I can't see any utility for it for my work where as I use tablets all the time.

The WSJ says it is close to being a laptop killer? Are they high? Right now I'm not really doing much other than enjoying my day off and playing around on the internet but i have 6 programs running. You're telling me the device that will make this machine redundant could only run one of those? Get real.

What about office programs? No MS office for the iPad? I routinely run Excel, Powerpoint and Word at the same time on my MBP. I simply could not use a "computer" that did not have these functions. Great for play, not so great for work. While the "just a big iPod" quip is perhaps not the full story – it's the closest thing we have to accurate.

The only good that will come out of this for me is the fact that Apple, in usual form, has almost certainly breathed a new breath of life into the stagnating tablet industry. The technology has been adrift for years.
I salute the early-adopters and I am excited to see what comes next.

Sorry for the rant.

EVERYBODY hates the i-Pad, useless plastic junk, that NO ONE wants!
uh huh, that's why HUNDREDS of electronic makers are rushing to make clones.
THIS will change and simplify computing the way the i Pod changed music, The way the i-Phone changed phones, it's a VISION of the future beginning now. I left Windows for Mac in 2007, when I turned 60, after being with PC's when most of you were in diapers, Mac's just work, PERIOD!
I bought APPL when the stock was $69.75, a 1000 units, Today it's $235.97, you do the math, all in the worst recession since the great depression, oh yeah, sure, Apple sucks!
I have the first gen Shuffle,i-Pod Touch, and 2 Black Plastic Mac Books.
All work just fine.
I remember the crying when Steve moved to Intel chips. It was part of a VISION FOR THE FUTURE, just like this is.
Don't like it, don't buy it, but you will some day! When the next piece of Apple crap comes out, the i-Phone 4G HD, no one will want that either, but enough of the world will, and that will take APPl to $350/share, and me to the bank, laughing all the way

1) The iPod Touch and iPhone were released and look how many other companies had to play catch up with no real success... can you say "ZUNE"?

2) These products may have seemed unimportant, lacking in certain functionality and a waste of time upon release but have changed the way the public thinks, works and lives! Not to mention once the got released and found out exactly what the public needed v2s got most of those "needed" functions and such... except Flash...

3) In regards to Flash, only Flash Lite will work with a touch screen since there is no mouse pointer and there are other video players that work just as well if not better.

4) Last but not least... as a Mac fan I must ask all the Mac haters why Vista, the worst OS EVER, and now Windows 7 seem to have so many Mac like qualities?!? Sounds like some one is trying to keep up with the Jones'!!!

I love my macbook pro 13inch screen. it does everything that i want.

Yes, but is the battery soldered on like on the iphone?

Actually the iphone changed nothing.

There always was and always will be another gadget. In the movie, THX1138, the consumer experience in the future will be reduced to you buying a styrofoam cube. You'll have a choice of three colors for that styrofoam cube.

As THX 1138 goes into the store to buy his styrofoam cube, two police officer robots are busy arresting someone caught trying to steal a cube. I think it was a blue one

As soon as THX1138, played by robert duvall, gets home he immediately throws his new cube into the trash dispenser. His function as a consumer, a little cog in the big wheel, has been completed.

[...] the iPad today, I've picked out some of the comments from the 355 on CNN. The article on CNN regarding the Apple iPad meeting it's critics for the first time.  The article gave both positive and negative [...]

No flash, no buy.

You see, this is what's funny. The people praising the ipad, don't even know if the battery is soldered on yet or not.

They do know that has always been part of the totalitarian problem with the mac.

Jobs used the truth he learned from his acid experience to manipulate consumers, not to help the world. A lot of experiencers of the truth do this.

But when they know their time is almost over, truth sayers are usualy are a bit more giving. Instead, to his death, limitation and control will always be built into his products, over functionality.

If Jobs really cared about his products, he would have spent time on an inexpensive recyclable battery.

He would set up recycling centers for his batteries and products at the apple stores.

They already have nano battery technology, and it's in use.'

You want to impress me, Steve? Obviously not, but if you were trying to impress me, you would have put out the first product to use a nano battery. I would be a mac faithful if you did, or at least i would buy the product that has a nano battery.

Isnt the whole point of that "horrible kindle screen" to make it easier to read books?

I love color and all, but if I am really going to use this to read BOOKS for any extended period of time my eyes will be bugging out.....there is a reason the screen looks the way it does people...

I'm surprised at the emotional responses generated by a number of commenters. I'm an engineer and a PC user, but I'm not religious about any technology. The IPad is the future and I can't wait till it's good enough to replace my laptop. Those that label negative comments as the response of "Mac Haters" are apparently against the invevitable improvements that will occur over the next several years. If no one points out the deficits, how can Apple improve the product?

Well, I actually used it and was not impressed. I like the color books, but I like the Kindle's ease of turning pages. I also found the keyboard practically unusable. Personally, after trying the iPad and other tablets, I concluded that Apple just rules when it comes to hype, and is often justified. However, this time, it is not. It is just another tablet, not even as good as others out there already.

It's a big iPhone. People have been complaining about screen size with the iPhone and smartphones and the IPad solves that problem. It appears to be great for browsing the internet.

People have been reading books on PC computer screen for years AND in color. The problem is that it is tiresome on the eyes to read long blocks of text (like books or magazines) on a computer screen. So that is why the ereader type devices (Kindle and Nook) were developed to simulate the reading experience and appearance of paper.
Does the iPad screen simulate the appearance of text on paper?
I doubt that.

Also it is obvious you can't touch type on this screen. It's okay for hunt and peck typing, but that is all.

If it's a big iphone, that means the battery "IS" soldered on, or did they finally correct that imposed mistake?

JUNK is written all over this product...

Multi-tasking is a 10+ year old concept. If the new product charges you more than a laptop, and cannot provide the basic functionality, how can it be a laptop killer?

No flash, so browsing comfort...

Guys – Do you still want to buy this product, just bacause it is made by Apple?

Use your common sense.

Newton! Anybody remembers Newton? That was another "revolutionary" device from "Apple"

The iPad is so overrated. It's not a laptop it's an over sized iTouch.

If you want to see are real tablet PC look up the Archos 9 PC tablet. That thing is pretty good. Guess what you can hook up anything USB too it. Weird how smart that is. The USB is the single greatest invention to grace the PC and Apple leaves it out of the so called "PC tablet". That is absurd.

To the people who are saying that it's a big iPod Touch – that sounds great. An iPod Touch is a wonderful piece of technology. The iPad also much more powerful and much faster than an iPod Touch. In five to ten years, I predict that all computers will be like the iPad.

oh and...

5) Don't compare the iPad's future to the success of the iPhone or iPod. these three devices are going after three entirely different markets. My fear is the iPad is stepping on the toes of the laptop and it just can't stand up to that.

6)There's nothing wrong with the naysayers. Constructive criticism is a great thing! Where would we consumers be without it. That said; ignore the Apple and Windows fanboys... they're blinded by their love/hatred.

No you tube, no ipad. Done deal. It would have been nice though. It looks pretty slick. I'm not looking for a device to tote under my arm from meeting to meeting. I'm looking for a device to put on my lap and kick back in the easy chair with while surfing the web.

http://www.archos.com/products/nb/archos_9/index.html?country=us&lang=en

This is a real PC tablet.

Apple, the fast food of the pc world! Did you apple-ites also wait in line for 3 days and pay 5x retail for the Tickle-Me Elmo?

hearing about netflix definatly was a big check mark for me, but I am going to wait to hear more about the Notion Ink Adam and the HP Slate, not going to nix the ipad just yet, but I think there a few keys missing in the ipad. One other thing that I want to see is the selection of books and other related mags/newspapers because I was going to buy an e-reader so that is my one other thing that may add a big check to the ipad, unless/until of course kindle and barnes and noble add readers to Android,

I have an iTouch. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever for me to buy an iPad. The iPad simply cannot perform the same functions as a tablet, let alone a laptop, so the whole "it's a computer" angle just goes right out the window.

Frankly, if you're desperate to look cool cause you own an Apple device; get the iPhone, its more useful. Well, it at least has a point to it too. The iPad is a device without a reason for being. It does somethings, none of them well or better than an actual computer (or smartphone).

No multi-tasking = worthless as a laptop.

It is not a computer, it is a glorified iphone.

I have to pay $29 just to hook up my camera?!? What a joke. Why someone would buy this product is beyond me....

what amazes me is how unimaginative all these posters are. They have no sense of thinking toward the future. Simply comparing the ipad to current desktop and conventional computer use is short sighted. i foresee the iPad revitalizing the publishing market and making independent publishing as easy as pie. We are going to see a huge influx of books , magazines, and other written media. America will be literate again! you watch!

Sounds like the product is a waste of time and money. It is overtly glorified because of the marketing. Looking at reality it is nothing more than a larger mobile phone with a large screen.

1. Single Apps – The future requires multiple apps to be run at the same time. Since this cannot a)run a game b) run a music player c) use chatting program d) run an office program all at the same time then this is prehistoric mobile device like a cell phone.

2. No Flash – This is another example of how Apple holds grudges and is closed minded to other companies. Tons of websites use flash ranging from Amazon, Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, News Websites, and the list goes on. No flash is like saying "It's my way on this iPad or the highway". This will alienate customers from the start especially people who utilize websites that use flash.

3. Screen Keyboard – This form of typing is ridiculously slow unless you are what some call a tapper. If you have to purchase a separate keyboard from Apple then this is another ploy to raise income by Apple. To simplify "ripoff". A laptop or any form of notebook has a keyboard with it.

This is mainly a toy for rich individuals who like to brag about owning one. The major killer is single applications only. This bodes badly for gamers and individuals that utilize their computers as a complete form of entertainment. Laptop killer?!! They must be full of BS.

Sorry CNN but this Ipad has way too many cons rather than being a "laptop killer". Apple needs to think more about integration rather than just making a product they think will be good.

From: forward thinker "Simply comparing the ipad to current desktop and conventional computer use is short sighted. i foresee the iPad revitalizing the publishing market and making independent publishing as easy as pie."

Unimaginative how so? By thinking that a company trying revolutionize the market on a "PC Tablet" would make something inferior to other products. By jacking up the cost for a 16gb Huge I touch to $500 when you can get a real PC table, the Archos 9 which is about $500 and is has a 60gb Hard drive. Also it has a Camera, USB port and Windows 7. It's all about marketing if more people knew about the Archos 9 I think it would sell better.

Flash is outdated and really crash happy. The iPad is so much slicker than any other tables. BTW this is made to compliment your MacBook Pro, not to replace......

no flash, 1 program at once... FAIL

I am neither an apple lover nor a pc lover. I have products from both companies and I quite like them.

However, I find this piece useless and good for nothing. People who buy it are mostly doing it because it's 'newish' and the 'cool' thing to do now or because they're apple fanatics [or spoiled and used to getting their way] and instead of paying bills or taking care of what they need, they'll take care of what they want instead.

Of course I am someone who won't just buy something because it's 'in', or just to show it off to everyone, or because it's an apple/windows product. I actually have common sense not to waste money on junk that won't benefit me in any way.

And people claim they aren't doing good money-wise? Pff. Doesn't show here. If you perhaps stop wasting money on things you don't need [whether it be apple or windows items or anything else that isn't needed], then maybe you would be better off.

Where has common sense gone? It rarely exists in this country anymore

I think the thing some of the bashers are missing is that it's NOT a computer, it's a media-delivery device. It'll play music, play movies, let you read books/magazines, let you play games, let you surf the web (without Flash, which I don't really miss when I websurf on my iPod), let you check and send email, etc. It's not a laptop killer, it's a PSP/Nintendo DS/Amazon Kindle killer. I personally would love to have one at the laundry, or whenever I'm waiting around at the vet or at the DMV or at a doctor's office. Or waiting to get a table at a restaurant. Or hanging around a coffee shop...which I never do, but still.

That's funny this is not or ever will be a PSP or Nintendo DS killer. The hand held market gaming market will never be replaced by the iPad.

It's disturbing that it can't multi-function.

Most smartphones and even some of the more basic ones (Samsung Rogue) can. I cannot see people paying more money if they have an iPod Touch or iPhone to buy this product considering that the latter have the same functionality.

As far as the Flash issue goes, tough luck but with most major techno-savvy gadgets and flashy gimmicks and unfulfilled promises, the mod community will find a way to get Flash to work, and even bring forth a better overall package (Think of the Playstation Portable, you can run an amazing amount of things on it, none of which Sony did in the first place)

Either way, bash each other, each side is drawn. the whole PC vs. Mac thing is on the level of pathetic as the Demorats vs. the Republicants.

"No flash and multi-task a deal killer? not so fast. If it was that much of a deal killer, why are iPhones and Touches flying off the shelves at millions per year?"

Because they break and crash so often that people NEED to replace them. Almost every single iPhone user I know has had some sort of problem with it. I think the device is great, but with a high failure rate, you are going to balloon your actual working units (Xbox 360 RRoD anyone?)

pfft... iPad. There isn't enough quality or 'WOW' features for me to completely blow $400+ on this money waster. Sorry Mac, your desktops and laptops do just fine thank you!

James.S. wrote:

"That's funny this is not or ever will be a PSP or Nintendo DS killer. The hand held market gaming market will never be replaced by the iPad."

Apple isn't marketing this device to children. It's for adults. It's not going to be sold in the toy stores next to the PSP or Nintendo DS.

I never miss Flash on my iphone. Netflix and all of the major networks have come out with apps for the ipad. Now there is an app that will make it a second touch screen display for you laptop. I was sold when I learned it will properly display pdf's unlike the Kindle. Flash will eventually make it once Adobe tweaks it so it isn't such a resource hog. My Ipad arrives tomorrow. No regrets.

[...] iPad reviews CNN says reviews range from "sensual" to a "disappointment." Related [...]

people, this technology is not new. i use touchscreen with keyboard on it every day at work many years back. i'll tell you like all reviewers had said, its for simple task using ipad with limited human interface. if you can do that you'll be ok with an ipad. LOL.

i see the ipad a iphone replacement without the phone with a larger screen. because of the larger screen, you can now read news and books better, but i don't know about the eye thing. i guess you also have a big giant gameboy to play games with now for those big kids.

we keep comparing ipad to netbook and laptop. unless apple configure this to be a pc like netbook and laptop, it will never be one. netbook and laptop are productivity tools, ipad is not, its a toy just like dvd player/ipod/gps/gameboy/kindle reader roll in one. its an accessories item like a handbag for fanboys who never could have enough of.

Everyone complains "It's just an iPod Touch on Steroids!!!"...

Why is that a bad thing? The iPod Touch is freaking awesome. Having a bigger one, (that, in truth, DOES have a lot more functionality) will be VERY cool thing for a lot of us.

If it's not for you, cool – get something that is. I, however, am looking forward to playing with one of these in the Apple Store tomorrow, and probably ordering one!

No multi-tasking. Only a 1 GHz processor. Poor keyboard. Wait till the 2nd and 3rd generation iPad when they fix all its deficiencies.

apple fans keep on saying wait few more generations then apple will fix all its deficiencies. here's what i have to say. why wait few generations for apple when hp slates and others are coming out with all the necessary apple deficiencies on their touchscreen tablets and on 1st generation. LOL.

the ipad deficiencies we keep pointing out of it lacking. you know what, its not ipad deficiencies at all. apple made this ipad the way it is for a reason, so people can't use this ipad for any other outside purpose other than tap into apple corp to buy stuffs to use on the ipad. its a tourist trap, this case its not a location its there toy.

why u think apple made so much money. you don't think they made so much money on hardware even though they do with its higher price tags. they made money on dollar items here and there through one channel of distribution, not that i need to mention it. LOL.

still don't get it? .... no more need for books and magazines ... you will

No Flash .. no "real" application support that only a powerful laptop can provide (Photoshop, Painter, Indesign, etc ...). It's just a large version of the Touch. Only apple fans like it. Any professional would see it as useless.

There is a simple solution for several of the people making comments, if you don't like it, don't buy it.

apple is smart, they know if you hype a product enough people will buy it no matter what. Have fun paying apple to change your batter when it dies. HAHAHAHAHA

My biggest complaint is one I don't see many other people mentioning. . . It will only run programs approved by Apple and sold through Apple's storefront. That's not the future of computing I was looking for. Apple, how about a netbook that runs Mac OS X and lets me install programs from any source?

Drink the kool aid, it is good. We have switched all computers at my company to Mac, and all company cell phones to the iPhone. Best move we ever made. Yeah, we will have the iPad for short business trips. Forget PC, and move on.

The iPad doesn't support Flash because it would allow you to easily create apps with Flash... thus bypassing Apple's cash register at the iTunes store. It's all about the quick $$$, not security or instability with Flash itself. It's a bit short-sighted on their part.

No matter how madly in love some people are with Apple, it will always be a niche company. If they'd let go a bit and open up their architecture, they'd sell 10 to 15 million iPad's in the first year, not the 4 or 5 million they project. Apple will never take over the world. Uncle Bill's empire is safe! Buhahahahaha!

(Cr)apple = over priced hype

For traveling family members everywhere, PLEASE put a webcam for Skype in the Ipad.

The WSJ says it's 'almost' a laptop killer? What drugs are they smoking up there?

Just the picture alone of a tap keyboard holding a 10" device that doesn't even look qwerty is laughable..

Here's my scenario

I'm at the airport, in a bar drinking a beer, laptop out. Guy sits down next to me and pulls out his iTampon. I say 'Hey that looks cool, what can it do?' He proceeds to show me his eBay app.

'Wow that's nice! What else!' He closes the app and shows me his Yelp app, closes that and shows me how to send an email that takes him 2 minutes to send a few lines.

In the time he's done that, I've created a Powerpoint presentation, sent 15 emails, checked my flight status, and am chatting with friends..

Yea, that's a 'laptop killer' almost for sure!

Sign me up for one of those, because I want to be 'hip' and 'with it'..

I seriously think that this might be an Apple Killer – people are going to pay 500$ to be crippled? As my good friend Gump said, 'Stupid is as Stupid does'.

Good luck Steve – either you've bankrolled your next creation, or you've bankrupted Apple.

I just downloaded SuperMadLipz on my new iPad – LOVE it!! 50 mad libs for only $1.99?!? How is that possible?! (they're adding 30 more in the next 30 days) Very cool – and nice new features to control the word waterfall...

Just an FYI for those of you who keep saying the iPad is plastic. Bzzzzzt, you're incorrect, it's aluminum (that's a metal for those of you in Rio Linda). Do you're homework

your

Hmmm... I can spend $500 for an overpriced iPhone or $1,000 on a new computer that does anything I want. iPad will always be stuck in a niche market, after they've bought it there will be no sales.

The problem with the iPad isn't the product, it's the company. Apple realized with the iPod that it's real revenue growth will come from having a monopoly on content access. It isn't the iPod machines that make them money, it's the fact that they lock you into iTunes or the App Store, or trim off $$$ from AT&T for as long as you have an iPhone. People need to realize that they are just creating the next Microsoft or Standard Oil (or AT&T!) monopoly if they buy into Apple's locked-down world. Those old monopolies were eventually shut down by the Sherman anti-trust act, but that won't happen now so if Apple succeeds in their plan they will manage to stifle true innovation for years to come.

Forget Apple until they finallly make (or are forced to make) a product with open access. Especially boycott the "App Store" and its tyrannical control! At least on an iPod you can get music aboard yourself–on an iPhone or iPad its only what Big Brother Apple allows you to have.

There is an open alternative–and it is technologically better, too: it's called Android. There have been tablets that run it for months now but they don't get billions of dollars worth of free advertising so you've probably never heard of them.

Fight Apple's tyranny!

Stop hating. NONE of you here actually have an iPad. So wait before you criticise the iPad. And for all those that are tired of the "ads" about the iPad, I for one am tired of the Windows 7 ads....

Jack wrote: "No Flash .. no "real" application support that only a powerful laptop can provide (Photoshop, Painter, Indesign, etc ...). It's just a large version of the Touch. Only apple fans like it. Any professional would see it as useless."

I'm a "real professional." I'm an engineer who builds and tests satellites. The ability to have something as small and light as the iPad to look up specs on the web, take notes during tests, use for complex calculations and spreadsheets, etc. is invaluable. Dealing with power supplies and mice and having to set up a laptop on a table makes it a hassle. Of course, I make enough money that I don't have to choose between a laptop, desktop, and iPad. I just get several of each and use each where it is best-suited.

I love all this whining about Flash....it's antique and going to quickly become obsolete. Go back 20 years......these comments are nearly identical to the same whines emitted when Apple announced there would be no floppy disk drive in the new iMac. Anybody seen a floppy lately?It'll be the same with Flash. Quit whining, get with it, and move forward. As for the mindless Window drones who complain about Apple fans enthusiasm about Steve Jobs......well, let's face it, anyone who thinks MS CEO Ballmer is innovative deserves whatever they get.

@ Thomas Jefferson (at least I use my real name)

Enjoy the android. Remember if you're already a Tmobile customer, it will cost you +$500.

Nice "open" marketing move if you ask me

It's a toy, get over it and get on with real news.

I know everyone is excited. I wrote a blog a few days ago about the things which the iPad still couldn't do.

http://www.csdaley.com/2010/04/nerdgasm-ipad-style.html

You know, when Apple stopped putting floppy drives in their computers, the world proclaimed that it would kill the Mac. When Apple switched its OS to a Unix/Linux based system, that was the death of Apple. When Apple switched from Motorola to Intel, that was the death of the Mac (gonna be just like a PC!). USB is gonna die before long, and wi-fi/wireless/bluetooth is going to be the standard for a century! Apple will not be dead....Apple and the iPad will still be around, strong as ever—with or without Steve Jobs! (I do not mean to impugn Mr. Apple, in any way, shape or form!)

It is not surprising that the NYT would be skeptical of the iPad. I hope it isn't just one tech writer over there talking for the whole company. Their business is going down the tubes and they just don't seem to be able to connect with their readers. I hope NYT keeps their flash website. When everyone has a iPad (HTML5) device, their digital strategy will go down the tubes with the print edition.

Christopher said "I wrote a blog a few days ago about the things which the iPad still couldn't do."

I'm so tired of everyone saying what the iPad can't do. Since when is a tech device defined by what it can't do?

My GPS can't browse the web. My digital camera can't make phone calls. My scientific calculator can't play MP3s. My mobile phone can't burn DVDs. My portable music player can't connect to Skype. My Blu-Ray player can't play VHS tapes. My large screen TV can't take photos. My laptop computer doesn't have a touchscreen. My DVR can't play video games.

The iPad is all about what you CAN do, not what you can't. It's not intended as a replacement for your laptop or desktop computer. It's a different device with different (though sometimes overlapping) uses.

I love to read all the tech-nuts argue. I'll buy one because i can afford it . What do i have to lose? I finally bought a MAC OS X after years of being at the mercy of guys with tape on their glasses and cars that leak oil on my driveway to fix my PC every-time it seized up. Now if something is wrong I turn off the machine and its fine when I re-start it. The up side is I don't ever have to let the PC version of "Cable Guy" into my house. Live free or die.

Buying this is a waste of money Apple should be ashamed of themselves,. Ipad does not play flash Its not in 3D and there is no webcam . This is a dinosaur already. Sharp is releasing 3D screens for mobile devices and you can bet the bank the next generation of Ipad will be in 3D, So why spend the money when you know you will want a 3D webcam phone so you can see who you are calling face to face. Look for a 3Dmobilenetwork that will trump this outdated new product from Apple. Jobs should be fired, You will see a tablet type of product that will be in 3D that will be able to down load 3D movies 3D chat 3D webphone and 3D games . It will be a 3Dmobilenetwork . Buying this is a waste of money as the real deal is just a year away

If you are an apple fanboy, you'll love it no matter what because Steve told you to, if you are a diehard PC fan you'll hate it because it limits you and because it's apple. Personally, i think that building a device that doesn't support USB at this time is, well, stupid. Unless your business model plans for everyone to buy peripherals from your company.

No Multi-tasking? LOL even my mobile phone has that...

BIG FAIL.

Anyway in the marketing point of view they might do this crappy version now just to shell in some money from hyper-advertising then just launch version 2.0 with Multi-Task + Flash and fill their pockets again.

Lack of multi-tasking / flash is very likely just a marketing strategy to shell in double-money.

Is iCNN in bed with Apple or what? They have been hyping the heck out of the ipad since it was announced. Why would iCNN have an interest in promoting this product? There is probably some insider trading going on here, this is classic pump and dump behavior, and I think the FTC should be concerned. iCNN has the ear of millions of people, and are abusing their power to line the pockets of major corporations. How sad.

seriously, plug in less and hike, bike, fish, boat, play more.

NO FLASH....NO DEAL.

I smell a NEWTON remember that???

Everybody makes fun of Mac lovers, but you know what...they innovate. They create new things that everyone else eventually rips off.

You don't like the iPad? Well, um, the new Dell laptops now come in lots of colors! Now THAT'S real innovation!

Flash is not important to me personally – I hope HTML5 buries the buggy thing, but the lack of a USB port really kills this device for me. For a device this size, I want to be able to optionally plug in a keyboard and you know, write on it? The size and weight is appealing, the rest of it, not so much

No USB, Fire Wire or DVD drive? Sorry but laptops are still better. I need more than 16-60 gigs.

The fingerprints left behind are terrible after you turn it off. One side is covered in smears while the other side remains untouched.

It's just the curiosity keeping it afloat at the moment, once the hype dies down, so will the purchases.

Steve Jobs a.k.a. PT Barnum

'There's a sucker born every minute'

There's alot of suckers out there today.

Typical apple, looks cool, but is useless for anything important. I'm sure it looks sleek and shiny in the store, but get it home and you realize it's a glorified paperweight.

I'd like to thank all my fellow Mac devotees for buying this Version 1.0 of the iPad. Now Apple will have the money and justification for the next couple of iterations– whereupon I may actually buy one

I thought I was going to buy this...until your article...I can't see $500 and not being able to multi-task.

Thanks cnn.com!

Lately the MO for Apple has been to release something,...of course the iPad is not perfect, but then LISTEN to their customers and critics and then a year later release v 2.0. It happened with the iPod, iPhone, and now here. Approximately 4 years ago I argued with my professor in my Quant Mgmt class who believed that Apple was going down the tubes, that they had nothing left to offer. Of course, that was before the newer versions of the iPod and the release of the iPhone. The lesson learned is that for some companies, like Apple, Innovation is a Journey. Stay tuned and keep believing.

I'm with Nicholas...everyone is raving about how useful this is...you can browse the internet wherever...yadda yadda....why the compulsive need to be attached to the internet at all times. Just leave the computer at home and actually engage people or just go out camp get away from it all.

All flash and no sizzle. Another meaningless toy for the Apple cult devotees.

I have a small business using Tablet PCs. This is good only for personal use and not for business people like me. I need FLASH in order to view, input and coordinate with other companies websites which we do business with. Thats why Apple still would not beat DELL and Microsoft in their business section.

But I am almost there. Try to manage to install FLASH and I would love to have an IPAD. 3 at least!!!

Face the facts. The IPAD is NOTHING more then a big fat ITouch.
Soon you will be trading in your Iphone for the IJitterbug.

1) Flash isn't dead and html 5 is not going to replace it any time soon. I've been a web developer for over 10 years and have heard Flash is dead since the late 90s. 2) Most annoying flashing ads are animated gifs 3) This product brings no new advances in technology, it is a big iphone/ipod touch. 4) Mac people don't generally know anything about technology, only what Apple provides them. 5) Apple didn't invent the tablet format, HP has been selling them for years. 6) Not being able to run more than one program at once IS a big deal, next time you are at home on your computer look at how many programs you are using at once. 7) You can buy a real computer with expandable memory, hookups for multiple devices anywhere via USB, and Microsoft doesn't limit you to programs they choose to make available. Apple has done nothing new here. Save us the crap, fanboys.

I really like the take from the news on Saturday Night Live.-

"Today Apple announced the release of another Apple product that does stuff other Apple products already do."

Like only run one app at a time, non-standard connectors, no Flash video, no camera,...

This is more of a leap backward than forward.

Prediction: there will be no Flash in five years, or it will be open source, much more secure, much less buggy and much less greedy for resources. It's two "virtues" now are that it was the first thing to bring cross-platform video to the web, and then of course advertisers love it for annoying ad banners and flashing animations that spread across the screen. Once everyone got so annoyed with pop-ups, browsers started blocking them. I now have a plug in called Click to Flash, which loads my pages ten times faster - no Flash - and then, if I want to see something, I click twice on it and there it is. Waiting for a whole ugly Flash page to load is my idea of purgatory. Apple, Google and HTML 5 developers will be thanked for allowing us to see video without that horrible plugin.

I would love to see all those dishing on the iPad, to invent/release a product in a middle of a strong long world recession & get people to:
- create a market for a $500+ product with functions that most people already own on a device in their home.
- camp out overnight in the cold and rain
- pre-order it before anyone touching it or knowing much about it
- create a market for the product that has limited use, but won't stop people from buying it

This is pure genius for the folks at Apple. They have given a lot of people jobs all over the world, so they can spend money elsewhere to give other people jobs. Go Apple!

No the iPad doesn't have a camera. The mobile phone in your left pocket does, and you already own a really good digital camera collecting dust in your junk drawer at home. But some people want YET another digital camera... I would rather the iPad focus on speed / thinness and everything else it does.

I wouldn't want to take a picture with a camera that has a 9" x 11" body anyway. Has anyone seen a camera lately that has a 9" x 11" body? That would LOOK idiotic. Plus if I were holding a $500+ flat toy, and trying to take a picture by tapping the screen, I'd have to be very careful because that gust of wind could take it away like a sail in the wind and it probably wouldn't land softly on the concrete sidewalk or asphalt road.

No the iPad doesn't have USB ports, but it does have Bluetooth. Aren't people pushing for wireless everything? Do you still have a landline phone at home that is not cordless?

It can only run one app at a time. How many people have multiple apps running on their laptop when they are using them?

Hardly a laptop killer for that reason alone.

"# Better than a laptop?: WSJ says the iPad is "pretty close" to being a laptop killer."

ARRRRRGGG!!!!! DARN YOU APPLE!!!!!

They are going to try to screw up the laptop market the same way they did the MP3 market. There was always something better and/or cheaper out there but nothing as shiny and apple-y as the various ipods, so they dominated (accessories also played a HUGE part). Eventually they got to pick the direction of development.

I think Steve Jobs could take a dump in a box, and as long as the box was shiny enough, people would buy it to not feel left out. I've always been a tech-oriented guy, but if the iPad kills the laptop, it's time to give it all up and join the Amish.

It is not a laptop and will never be a laptop, in the same way that a phone is not a camera, it is a phone. This is a specialty product designed to perform limited functions by persons who need limited functionality. If you want more buy a damn laptop and shut your mouth.

I hate flash.

People traveling half way around the world for a gadget – you must be kidding! Get your priorities straight in life and get the Ipad when it comes to your neck of the woods. This has developed into a new religion.

For the LOVE OF PETE! Stop calling Flash a video format. There are millions of flash WEB SITEs, GAMES and Applications. Ever hear the term RIA? RIA == FLASH.

Apple could have easily included the missing elements that everyone seems disappointed this device lacks. The genius of Apple marketing is that next year when they include these minor elements they can sell these same people another device next year.

When are they going tolet this DInosaur die!!!!

Apple has been nothing but a fringe product for so long, its time they let it go the way of Betmax, which was ALSO supposed to be so superior. But it died and Apple should let their computers die too!

The only reason they are still alove is becuase of the IPod. If not for the major sales of those, they would have gone away a long time ago!

Have you notice thier lieing attack ads against MS are not showing anymore since WIndows 7? Maybe they have nothing to say anymore becuase Win7 is rock stable and being praised up the whazoo but all who use it.

I remember the first Apple commecial. The take on BIG BROTHER was powerful, but now Steve Jobs(and Apple) are Big Brother. They tell you where you can buy and what you can buy. Try and buy 3rd party Apple product. You can't. BIG BROTHER won't allow it.

Everything I read about the IPad is telling me it is limited in the uses that a MAJOR majority use computers for. It is just another fringe product from what has become a fringe computer company.

Let Apple Die peacefully. Let it be know for oneof the driving forces of the computer age and then put them out to pastuire where they belong.

I know this is going to be flamed and I do not care. Apple users are a cult in their mentality and we know what happens in cults!

Question: the first iMac had no floppy. Anybody bought a new PC with a floppy drive in the last... five years? It also had USB. Anybody use one of those IBM cables for their mouse on a new computer? No Flash? Great. Watch the web in three years.

It's all for your life. I'd never sell my home computer for an iPad. If I was editing video in the field, on set, I'd be using a Mac Book Pro with a big auxiliary screen. But this is for the rest of the time. Watching a movie on a plane. Or reading a book. Or reading National Geographic, looking at the beautiful pictures, and then click, watching a movie of part of the story. Jotting a few notes and then finishing it up when you get home. Oh, yeah, watching a Netflix movie streaming to your iPad. You think of what you need.

Laptop killer.....are they joking???

No multi-tasking, inadequate keyboard, no USB port, no flash, very little disk space.......

This may be a great book reader, web browser and ipod. But that is it.

The ipad is a tool for play, not work.

Most people overlook the fact that the greyscale or eink used in the Kindle is far easier on the eyes for serious reading. It also works better outdoors. IPAD is cool but I don't think I'de use it for everyday reading. Sometimes you can't be everything for everybody.

used to be a big apple fan, had lots of stock etc. I think apple has lost its way with this one and their marketing ploys are becoming clear, put something out that is less than adequate and get everyone to talk about it.... up and down.. wait a year and bring out the next version with a few of the fixes needed, resell to 1st timers and pick up others, wait 18 months and bring out v3 with almost all of the fixes needed, resell to even more people. The iphone, itouch ipad shape is old already.... long past time for a redesign not an addition. As for it being a laptop killer, please give me a break, its a big toy but thats all it is a toy, its NOT a serious tool for work and never will be.

Garbage. I would never own anything that required you to touch the screen, then also require you to continually clean the greasy fingerprints off of it every 15 minutes. Complete pain in the A$$!! The whole concept is dumb, like the people who buy this stuff.

I don't have an iPhone or an iTouch - I never had the desire to surf the web or read my email on a tiny screen. I didn't want to be locked into a data contract with an iPhone. Now, I've got a 3g model of the iPad on order. It fills a gap for me - a way to access email and Internet when I travel without hauling my 17-inch laptop. If I had an iPhone, I might not be interested or I might wait for the next generation. But this should work perfectly for what I want. My only complaint is that they haven't told me when the 3G model ships.

The Microsoft courier looks to be a much better device than this, hell all the other tablets coming out that run Windows 7 are better than this. Of course the media won't cover them because for some reason they have a strange love for Apple products.

Same innards as as iPhone, same limited capabilities, no real computing power, and the large price all lead to the conclusion that this is an overrated piece of "technology". Big iPhone, who cares!

Its like steve jobs grabed an ITouch and spoke with that nerdy guy from honey I blew up the kids...

All you Mac haters:
Are you enjoying your icon–based desktop? Thank Mac.
Are you enjoying your mouse? Thank Mac.
Are you enjoying the iPod you bought? Thank Mac.
Are you enjoying the apps you're buying for your Droid? Thank Mac.
Are you enjoying your iPhone? Thank Mac.

When Mac released a computer without a disk drive, they were ripped a new a**hole. But, as usual, they were first and then everyone followed.

Personally, I'm not buying an iPad yet. But I will always congratulate a company that innovates (Apple). Not the company that jumps on the bandwagon and takes advantage of someone else's innovation and chance-taking (all PC makers).

It's nothing more than a Novelty-size IPod/IPhone. It really represents very little real innovation. Netbooks are quite safe from obsolescence for a while yet. Apple should have waited a year until they could actually produce something more than inflated re-hash. Apple-zombies will always buy anything Apple SAYS is new in droves, so initial popularity is indicative of nothing...

@Johnnie: most of the things you listed were done before Steve Jobs was around. The mouse, for example, was created in the early 70s by xerox. Just another case of a fanboy that knows nothing about computers. And thanking Apple for the ipod is like thanking Sony for The Walkman, what is your point? I don't hate Macs, I just hate the idiots that run around and brag about them. Apple is just using suckers like yourself to rip people off on music, as someone noted above.

Are you kidding me? No flash and you can only run one application at a time? How in the WORLD would this be a laptop killer?

If I can't listen to iTunes while i read and surf I'm not interested. Isn't this basic functionality ? I LOVE apple products... this one has the potential to really put them head and shoulders above any consumer electronics company... yet won't until they fix this core problem.

I'm sure those that continue to find faults in Macs and iPhone will continue to find faults in the iPad. Nothing changes as some delight in their specialty of finding fault and limitations rather than exploring capabilities.

As for multi tasking, most of the tools in my garage and kitchen drawers are single task instruments and that doesn't discourage me from carving a turkey.

When desktop calculators were introduced, there were many accountants yelling, "Get a pencil."

Why do some people take the time to comment negatively on items they will never own?

Boy, the Microsoft cult is really upset over the release of the iPad. It really struck a nerve.

PRJ, its called insecurity and lack of objectivity.

They are pointing out faults because all these papers are calling it a laptop killer when in fact it doesnt do anything new and actually a worthless version of a laptop. That's not insecurity. They sold millions of slap bracelets in the 80s, doesnt mean they were good for anything.

Jefhart, don't buy one.

@johnnie please read

Are you enjoying your icon–based desktop? Thank XEROX
Are you enjoying your mouse? Thank XEROX

Just the facts Mam