I expected the iPad to perform an order-of-magnitude better than its contemporaries just as the iPhone did. I was not disappointed. The feel of it in my hands and the speed with which it responds when web-browsing are perfect.
The big surprise came from the Apps. The Wall Street Journal App works so well that I now still retrieve the paper WSJ from my sidewalk out of habit, but I set it aside and read it on the iPad instead. Pictures on the iPad are also substantially better than viewing them on the iPhone (and most of mine were taken with the iPhone!) But the biggest surprise was Netflix. When Netflix first starting streaming movies using Flash on the web, that one application would bring my $3000 notebook computer to near melt-down temperature as the processor screamed. Eventually it would crash before I finished watching a movie. Many people decried the decision by Apple to avoid Flash on this device, saying it wouldn’t be a player in the streaming market. Well I can honestly tell you that the Netflix App works fantastically well on iPad – better than their web version, and better than the version that streams to my blueray player. I’ve watched Netflix every night for the first time ever.
The wifi range is no better, and maybe even a little worse than my iPhone on my current network – but that could be because of the router. The wifi speed on the otherhand is fanstastic. I’ve reached upto 4mbps on speed tests. Maybe if I get a better router it will be even higher.
Reading is a pleasure on my iPad. The action (page turning or otherwise) is smooth and natural. Some others have said they prefer the Kindle. I tried the Kindle just the week before I got the iPad and I was shocked to find that it couldn’t do many simple, obvious tasks like searching or definitions – let alone copy and paste into a browser for a wider websearch or to quote the text in a paper. iPad does all of these things fantastically well. I’ve had no trouble with eye strain/fatigue thus far and that’s a good sign.
In sum, the iPad fully lived up to my expectations and that’s saying alot considering my discriminating taste when it comes to engineering; just see my other reviews if you don’t believe me. Apple in recent years has consistently delivered while their competition uses up goodwill with customers by delivering crap. (I’m looking at the tablet PC people here – as well as the cell phone and other ‘gadget’ companies.) While they make ‘smart phones’ and ‘gadgets’ Apple delivers iPhones and iPads. It feels good to believe in a company’s reputation again. I earnestly hope that continues.
Drew LoPucki, Gainesville FL
