What a fantastic gadget the iPad is. If you have experienced an iPhone, then imagine an iPhone screen large enough to equal a laptop screen, but retaining the incredable look, feel and control.

The model I used was the £699 edition, with both WiFi and 3G enabled. The unit is extremley thin and lightweight. There are no cables, no mice, no keyboard. You can sit and read the newspaper, using the reduce or enlarge options on the touch sensitve screen. Indeed, you can change page by dragging your finger naturally as if you are turning a page.

You can save pdf manuals, word and excel files to transport around. You gain access to the applications that cost next to nothing, or are free to use.

Video is amazing, it is an alround multimedia experience. All the device needs now is an onslaught of games and applications. Average use on the battery is a huge 10 hours or so, but this can drop depending on how you use. Playing load games or movies will have an effect.

Email is the same as the iPhone, but on that larger screen. It links with Exchange Server as before, plus of course all the standard Pop3 emails.

Models:

£429 for Wifi Only and 16Gb
£499 for Wifi Only and 32Gb
£599 for Wifi Only and 64 Gb
£699 for Wifi/3G and 64 Gb

Issues

Flash. Flash is used to enhance the look and feel of websites. If you see animations, movies or sounds embedded into a website, the chances are it is "flash". Apple have not written the current iPad with any kind of Flash support, and have said that they will not do so (as of 08-06-2010).

No built in GPS, except for the 3G model.

No integrated camera.

No bullt in USB port (needs an addon)

The addons are asking for trouble - they seem to be fragile, inserted into the end of the iPad - one false move, dropping it or lifting it badly - could damage the addon or worst case the iPad.

Wav file support. A customer takes dictation to a memory slot, and with the apple adapter, you should be able to see the files on the iPad. Not so, the iPad simply says that the card is not compitible. But some photos on the SD card, and the iPad can see them/upload straight away.

Specifications:
1,024 x 768, 9.7-inch diagonal screen
All storage is solid-state flash, 16Gb, 32Gb or 64Gb.
1GHz Apple A4 processor
10 Hours Approx Battery Life
Weight 680g
Size 242.8mm by 189.7mm
Home button
Ambient light sensor
on/off switch,
30-pin dock connector
3.5-mm headphone jack
volume control switch
screen-rotation lock switch