Apple iPad 3G review

So, iPad. Much-awaited. Much-wanted. And, yep, it's terrific – a tablet experience like nothing else we've seen. But we know that more variants are coming. Android, Chrome, even Windows Phone 7 – we'll no doubt see more devices like the iPad. And very soon, too.

The great thing about the iPad ecosystem is the apps, of course, and as long as developers keep developing , the iPad will make for a tremendous device. Some of the iPad-enabled apps are absolutely cracking. Even something like AccuWeather really comes alive when used on such a great screen.

Even if you've used an iPhone, the iPad really is something you need to experience first-hand. And this iPad 3G version really opens up the possibilities for go-everywhere web surfing and tweeting.

Yep, so that's available on the iPhone, and whether you need this 3G variant really depends on if you think you'll need the 3G capability when you're out and about. After all, £100 is quite a premium for the iPad 3G capability. And that's before you get to the not-inconsequential cost of a data tariff.

We liked:

The iPad has all the great stuff from the iPhone, but really puts it on a device that makes the internet sing. And it's great for video. Really, really great for video. It's a terrific coffee table device, even if it's not immediately clear how you're meant to sit with it – you might want to invest in a case with a stand, for example.

The Apple A4 processor is speedy and graphics are crisp, but we wonder whether it will stand the test of time. You can just tell that it might not be too long before, like the iPhone 3G's chip – it's just no longer up to the task. The battery life is decent, too. We liked the data experience of the iPad 3G and being able to receive data when we were out and about, too.

We disliked:

It's not all good. The main problem with the iPad 3G is its extra price. As if £429-£599 wasn't enough of a price to pay for an iPad, you need to budget for an extra £100. And that's before you get to the iPad data deals.

Then, there's the keyboard. It's not quite good enough and needs more options. It's also no good for use for more than a little bit of data entry. The iPad is not a word processing or work device, despite what Apple might say with its iWork apps, available for £9.99 each on the App Store.

Flash is also still a problem, but it's just one of those things – either you're with Apple, or you're not.

Verdict:

Chances are you've already made up your mind whether or not to get one, so if you have your choice is just whether to get an iPad 3G or just the iPad Wi-Fi. Whichever iPad you choose, it does many things very well.

There's no doubting it: the iPad 3G is a great device and it certainly lays down the gauntlet for tablet competitors. It's expensive – and through monthly costs far, far more so than the iPad Wi-Fi. We do think the iPad Wi-Fi is a more compelling option. Especially when you consider that despite the lack of 3G in that model, you can still get online using other means, such as 3's MiFi.

Now check out our iPad Wi-Fi review

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