Update: read our iPad 3G review.
The iPad has finally landed in the UK and we've bagged one for a test. The launch was put back until the 28th of May while Apple scrambled to manufacture enough units to satisfy US orders, and even now there are still supply problems - orders taken after 13 May have been delayed until the 7 June, for example.
This has all been down to unprecedented UK demand - clearly anybody who thought the iPad's hefty UK price tag meant it was going to fail on these shores has already been proved wrong.
The Wi-Fi-only iPad starts out at £429 for the 16GB version, then goes up to £499 for the 32GB and £599 for the 64GB. You can add another £100 onto the price for the 3G model, but here we're looking at the 32GB Wi-Fi version. If you want to consider the 3G model, check out our iPad 3G review.
So, what is the fuss all about? The iPad essentially revolutionises the concept of a tablet computer. Previously tablet devices addressed a legitimate consumer need (casual, lazy, couch-bound computing), but left most people frustrated with a stylus-driven handwriting recognition system and an operating system that was really designed to be used on a desktop PC.
While it's not the perfect implementation of a tablet computer, the iPad is quite simply the best yet. The use of the iPhone OS and its clever data-entry scheme - virtual keyboard, multitouch gestures and all - turns the iPad into an immeasurably more usable device than any Windows-based tablet PC we've seen.
The iPad is also sleek and portable, sports a palpably speedy processor, and dines on battery power with the appetite of a strung-out celebrity ingénue in emotional distress.
That's the iPad's hardware story - but hardware isn't even half the story. Indeed, what really makes the Apple tablet kick ass are the apps that have been optimised for the platform. The extra screen real estate afforded by the jump from iPhone to iPad opens up a bold new world of user-interface opportunities.
Your comments (53) Click to add a new comment
wildtroozas
7 hours ago
53. No USB - no cash from me.
I refuse to become a part of the apple empire and essentially be owned by and dependent upon apple for my electro-edification!
When you listen to the spin, it seems to be really attractive. When you learn there's no usb, that the apps go up in price etc etc, ad nauseum, you kinda feel like spending £400 + on something else with a plug on it.
Sorry apple - you did tempt me but no......... not this time either.
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antoneyz
August 16th
52. I thought it was **** when I got to use it, my friend went out and got one of the first in Ireland, with no USB all his stuff on his various Mac books is useless, as for the screen its just not big enough to watch a movie on, really only half way there Apple
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rsdalton
August 10th
51. The I pad is no doubt a sleek piece of kit regardless of its short comings and Im sure these will be sorted out in future incarnations.
For me Ill wait until they have put in the web cam for face to face video conferencing and made the paltry 64gb memory a little more reasonable size or have some where I can add storage like SD or mini sd card slot.
As my music collection is already twice the capacity of the largest I pad before you add apps and games.
The Video format not being widescreen is somewhat of an oversight in a media devise perhaps 10 years out of date. Flash too although flawed has 80% of web sights use i tand I don't see any one interested in developing the new standard it could be years before we see HTML5 as a standard.
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zoogue
July 18th
50. Love the iPad and the ZooGue Smart Case is by far the best iPad case.
http://www.ZooGue.com
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deadly_bagel
July 13th
49. What do I think? I was going to buy one, there's lots of stuff I'd like to do with it. I'm a bit of a gamer, I like to write and would love something I could just sit down and punch a few thousand words into, and movies and books on the go would be nice too.
However, when I really looked into it and thought about it, that's all I'd be doing, and at constant expense. I don't really listen to music that much, I'm highly picky with movies, games are fun but really... When it comes down to it, I'm paying over £400 to word process and buy games and books. I think I'll keep £50 in my pocket with a pad and pen.
Also, it's a one-track OS. I prefer Microsoft to Apple for the simple reason that you can pretty much do whatever you like on it. If you want a program, you download it. If you want to game, there's plenty of freeware stuff around. And heck, the iPad won't even cover Flash! What's the point of having 24/7 access to Facebook if I can't even tend my crops on Farmville? (not that I really play it, but you get my point.)
Not to mention missing features; No USB? COME ON! It should be standard in all computing mediums by now. I can deal with no camera, but no Flash? If I want to I should be able to plug a USB keyboard in to use. Calculator? It seems to be missing some programs that I won't even be able to download freeware versions for, I'm guessing most if not all apps are going to cost something. Not much, but it'll add up, and when you're paying for the iPad to start with, I feel kinda ripped off.
True, I've never touched an iPad, but I'm sure you can come to at least a similar conclusion even if your fingers have brazed it's holy surface. If you use a Mac at home and have an iPod/Phone, go for it, you'll love it. If you're like me and love your freedom in buying (or not buying) and using whatever the heck software you want to, it's going to be a huge waste of money, and a constant drain on your cash as you download apps in an attempt to personalise it to suit your tastes.
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fuzzybear9
July 11th
48. Hi, I found it difficult to justify the additional cost of the 3G version, once you take into account data charges. However, I wanted the 'use anywhere' functionality.
In the end I purchased the Wi-Fi 16GB version. I then purchased joikuspot premium for my Nokia 5800 XpressMusic for £7.50. This software allows you to use your Symbian S60 device as a 3G Router! So now I get the best of both worlds! No £100 premium to pay, no additional data tariff and GPS through my Nokia!! ;)
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