The iPad is Apple Inc.’s latest entry into the consumer electronics industry: a light-weight tablet computer specializing in the playback audio, video, web-based media. Weighing only 25 ounces, the iPad is an impressively engineered piece of equipment capable of handling most of the functions and features offered by the iPod Touch and iPhone while boasting a high-definition, 1024 x 768 pixel, LED-backlit display. One of the most popular, yet controversial consumer electronics products in recent history, the iPad sold over 3 million units within the first 80 days on the market.

Using a touch screen GUI similar to the iPhone Touch and iPod Touch, the iPad uses the same iOS (iPod-based operating system for Wi-Fi devices). Like the iPod Touch, iPads are able to browse the internet via the built-in Apple Safari web browser, and check email, view youtube, and read news stories all without being limited to a smaller, portable-sized view screen. The touch screen is sensitive to up to eleven fingers onscreen at once (useful for people who like to hover over your shoulder while your iPad is in use) offering a significant improvement over similar tablet computers (that typically operate using a pressure-trigger electronic pen/stylus, which eventually causes touch-sensitivity wear down in the device over time). iPads are available in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB flash memory models, and all come equipped with 256 MB of DRAM, along with a 1 GHz Apple A4 processor. These technical specifications work very well in combination with the high-definition video display and touch-screen interface for creating compelling and innovative gaming software Apps that can rival the software available on PCs, Macs, and next-generation video gaming consoles.

While iPads have been criticized for not including the connectivity support offered by larger computers and other tablet PCs, the iPad is essentially designed as a self-contained unit that doesn’t need to be connected to another device for optimum use. The few opportunities for external connectivity arise when using Bluetooth headsets or Bluetooth keyboards in conjunction with the iPad. There is also a VGA video output port to send the iPad display to an external source like an HDTV or flat screen monitor, and an iPad keyboard dock that comes with a hardware keyboard plus 30-pin connector (although these are optional accessories and not included with the initial iPad purchase). Although the 3G Wi-Fi network plan for iPads gives the user the freedom to get the most out of their iPad experience wherever life takes them, the limitation of only having AT&T as a service provider somewhat sours the deal for those who already have a wireless provider. This is addressed through unique no-contract 3G offers from AT&T that allows iPad users the chance to use pre-paid monthly limits (i.e. 500 MBs of data downloads for a short business trip or 3 GBs of data for long vacations).

The iPad is a great device for those who need more of a computer experience with their media player than the iPod Touch, yet less of a powerhouse than the expensive PCs on the market today. Depending on a particular user’s lifestyle, the iPad could become an essential mainstay in their daily routine quite rapidly thanks to all the possibilities.

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