Paul Thurrott has posted his “Hands-On First Impressions” of his 16GB Apple iPad Wi-Fi:
• “My iPad arrived a few hours ago, so I loaded it up with some apps and checked it out quickly. So far, it’s not all that impressive.”
• “I still disagree, and strongly, with some of the first generation limitations–like the lack of dual cameras and the non-widescreen display–but overall it’s a decent device.”
• “16 GB isn’t 16 GB with the iPad, it’s 14 GB. That’s a big difference when you’re talking about a small pool of storage.”
• “The device is far heavier than expected, and heavier than it looks. It is literally a big iPod touch. In fact, if anything it’s too big. Why isn’t this widescreen? It’s so obvious.”
MacDailyNews Take: While the rest of his blather falls into the usual joke category, Thurrott’s “widescreen” comment deserves comment: iPad’s total screen aspect ratio is not “widescreen,” but the device is perfectly capable of playing back “widescreen” video and does so with aplomb. Thurrott’s criticism of iPad for giving users extra screen real estate at the top and bottom for all those times when they’re not watching “widescreen” video is stupider than his “normal” biased anti-Apple idiocy.
• “I hate not having a case on this thing. It gets smudged just from the air, it seems.”
• “The default wallpaper is ugly; worse yet, the meteor shower it depicts looks like screen scratches, causing a momentary bit of panic.”
• “More later in the review, I guess. Is this thing even worth reviewing?”
And, Thurrott’s pièce de résistance:
• “Anyone who believes this thing is a game changer is a tool.”
“It feels great to have the iPad launched into the world—it’s going to be a game changer.” – Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, April 5, 2010
MacDailyNews Take: Who to believe, who to believe… the man who’s changed the world via multiple technological paradigm shifts or a sad sack who shills for perennial Apple follower Microsoft?
I too thought the stars were scratches on the demo model in the Apple Store for about one second because scratches don’t move. Then I thought that’s pretty cool. Will change it when I get one. It was smudged badly also but it had been handled by who knows how many people by the time I arrived in the Apple Store 5 hours after it opened. I won’t be having several hundred people using mine so I’ll clean it off like I do every monitor I have. None of the computers I’ve purchased came with a case. I purchased them. It doesn’t have a video camera and a tripod, a four slice toaster, stereo surround sound, a blender for refreshing beverages,front wheel drive and heated seats, a warm body to snuggle with and a device to call my friends but I have all those things already.Apple was pretty clear that the iPad would have only the features that that they said it would. This complaining is juvenile. If you don’t like it don’t buy it. Personally I’m waiting for the iTeletransporter in v.2 before I buy mine.
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The reason everyone is lamenting the lack of a camera is because they want to take pictures. With the size of the Ipad that would be absurd. A camera would allow teleconferencing and Ichat. Even the DSi has a camera. Two in fact. I cannot imagine the second generation not having a camera.
Paul is write on all points and as usual, MDN is completely retarded.
Watching 16:9 content on 4:3 aspect ratio is RETARDED. There is no excuse plain and simple. Even magazines would have benefited in iBook store to be stretched. Apple just missed the boat on this. If a PC slate had come out before the iPad with 4:3 aspect (hello, is it 1986? who watches in 4:3 anymore) you all would have tore it a new one, yet you defend Apple junk.
I love giant black bars almost as wide as the content I am watching .
Idiots.
Meanwhile, back at the Apple Reality Distortion Ranch, 14GB of usable space when it’s advertised as 16 is a SCAM when you have so little space to begin with.
The thing feels HEAVY in your hands. Try holding this thing for an hour reading a book. Can you say carpal tunnel syndrome?
The screen attracts smudges and dirt more so then anyone expected. It’s also completley useless if there is any direct light. Useless. Impossible in sunglight.
The background is completley retarded and lots of reviewers have stated they initially thought it was scratched. And you can’t change it? WTF?
FAIL.
Bring on revision 2 with an UPDATED processor and graphics gore, a camera, SD card, HDMI and multi-task.
LOL PlayNice. Sooooo angry! Show us on the dolly where the nasty iPad touched you.
LOL. So, I wasn’t being subtle?
Listen, believe it or not, I own one. I pre-ordered it. I actually like using it – but I am realistic about it’s shortcomings and I acknowldege all of it’s weaknesses. I am a gadget fanatic, and an Apple user, so I was probably going to buy one of these things no matter what.
What pisses me off to no end is the Apple Fanboy Idiots who try and shoot down any criticism of the iPad. I just have to play devils advocate in this situation. I can’t helpmyself.
Stupid fanboys. Get a clue. Or better yet, get a girlfriend, and then maybe you wouldn’t have an Oedipus complex with a piece of hardware…
When someone lists that default background in a review, then further says that it confused them, you know that review is useless.
It is heavier than expected? Well, I guess if you don’t know what 1.5 lbs is, then it would have been unexpected. Wow. He’s obviously just saying negative things to say negative things. It is possible to legitimately have a negative review of the iPad, but this is not it.
@silversurfer: Yes, that’s right, it is a big iPod Touch. Those and devices like them, such as the iPhone and imitators thereof, are actually wildly popular in case you missed it. Even if the only difference were the screen size, it would be a popular device. However, the reader and iWork apps alone provide valuable additional features that will make it a viable product.
Well,
I have to agree, somewhat, about the weight issue.
It is, definitely, heavier than it looks. My feeling is that the aluminum back enclosure probably needed a sufficient thickness to support the components and one-piece glass without flexing and to make the iPad less prone to denting.
I am on the fence about the camera, though.
This iPad is a pretty large device to hold up for shooting digital still images. That said, I think the iPad could make a better digital video camera.
I would have like to see more functinality for the Photo app on the iPad. Maybe an iPad version of iPhoto or Pixelmator would be an welcome addition.
Plus, I am waiting for the iPad version of Brushes and I am looking forward to seeing more productive graphics apps to do graphic design and/or drawing/photo editing manipulation on this device.
This is device is going to eat into netbook sales for sure and with newer versions and/or software updates, the iPad could be a viable and productive replacement for a laptop.
I hope to see compact data storage devices that can be connected to this device for additional data storage, too!
That “meteor shower” convinced me I had a bad screen and I had a really bad few minutes until I loaded something else up and the “scratches” disappeared. Bad choice of photo.
MDN – please ignore that clown in the future – even if on the outside chance he is correct.
Ok – for future reference – whenever people say it should have a camera – I am almost certain they mean a webcam. I agree that taking pictures with this thing probably doesn’t make any sense.
However, webchatting makes PERFECT sense and it is incredibley stupid and short sited for Apple to not include that.
Hi, Paul;
On behalf of everyone else here, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your insight. We could never have known until your expository brilliance what the iPad weighs, nor that it (like all other devices) does not have a full GB capacity, due to the OS and other things, nor that it doesn’t have cameras (let alone a dual camera) and widescreen capabilities. But we appreciate that you bought it anyway, and only THEN discovered these deficiencies.
Rumor has it all this was known well in advance of the 3 April launch, but I like how you Monday-morning quarterback the iPad.
And in other news: Words like “tool”, “dude” and “fail” are sooooo 2006. I just want you to know this, for the sake of any future somnambulistic journalism you wish to practice.
two words…
Hit. Whore.
-Fin
Hi Paul!
Just wanted to let you know that I found the iPad “killer” that you’ve been looking for.
Its the Sony VAIO X Netbook.
Unfortunately, at 1.5 – 1.6lbs, its not any lighter than the iPad, so your limp wrists will still have problems.
Also, I regret to report that this is with the standard battery, for which Sony claims “up to” 3.5 hours of battery life…so you’ll have to find something else to do for the 7 hours it is short of the iPad.
And finally, its MSRP is $1300, which merely makes it roughly twice the price of the iPad … so its a bargain!
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-hh
DORK!!!
You missed this comment.
“The screen responsiveness is superb. This is something Apple does better than anyone. This should be studied and copied. It’s just amazing.”
Read – ignore the patents, Microsoft’s been copying for years, it must be ok!
@ DUH!
Let’s see, dump accessible health care for all Americans in favour of a bill banning cameras on portable devices … yeah right.
Only in America.
Back on track – waiting for the new Macs … Hopefully this hypefest will die down soon.
Regards the lack of a camera…
Ok, hands up anyone who wants to conduct a video conversation with someone holding an iPad? A few hands…
Ok, now think about that they;d be continually moving and adjusting in their seat.
It would be like watching someone in an earthquake. You’d end up seasick.
Ok, so they mount it on their desk and all is still. ok… but why not just use an MacBook then?
Then there’s also the issue of where to mount a camera. Would it be better on the long side or the short side? Which orientation would people use it most?
A camera in the iPad may seem a no brainer, but there’s a few issues that quite justify its absence.
And the media would have had a field day.
Imagine Thurott… “Who was the idiot who said to put a camera in this thing? I got nauseous in 10 seconds of video chatting.”
Apple will put a camera in the iPad when it can do it right. And don’t be surprised if it includes anti-shake technology when they do.
and add to the camera problems, you’d probably be looking up their nose if they had it on their lap.
Pathetic fanboys.
Hi dude, It is crazy bau5! Thanks a lot!