Early iPad Reviews Give Apple Two Thumbs Up
What are the early reviews saying?
The iPad is landing this coming Saturday and with so many people expected to rush out and buy one (analysts predict Apple will sell between six and 10 million iPads this year), let's take a look at the reviews that are going to play a huge part in people's decision to buy this device.
Apple isn't known for giving out review products and when it came to the iPad, only a handful of people were sent review units to try. So what did everyone think? Overall, the reviews are what we expected. Though they did mention the shortcomings of the device, like the fact that there's no webcam, the general consensus was that this was a great piece of electronics. One thing we didn't expect was the majority of reviewers reporting that the battery life was better than they expected/Apple projected. Most people will know that the estimated battery life from a manufacturer can often be a little optimistic. However, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Boing Boing all report that battery life was more than the 10 hours Steve Jobs promised.
If you're interested in getting a concise, bare essentials type of review, check out Gizmodo's Mega Meta Review, which combines all the main points of all the reviews out there.
If you're looking for something a bit more detailed, my advice is to check out David Pogue's write up for the New York Times. Pogue did two mini-reviews (as opposed to one big one), one each for techies and for "everyone else." They're both decent and they do give a certain amount of insight into why certain people like the iPad but others absolutely hate it.


How about just something I can read on a 24" monitor? That meta review image is tiny.
it's it worth 500 dollars when you can get a nexus one for the same price of a iphone or even a notebook and netbook for the same price.
i still dont understand why people compare the ipad to a cell phone. "screw the xbox 360, i still have money set aside for a nintendo ds" different products, different uses, different people.
Seeing as this is April Fools day, doesn't that mean that this review means exactly the Opposite of what it's saying? Like Sponge Bob Square Pants would say, It's Opposite Day!
So wouldn't that mean that Apple actually got ""Two thumbs Down ????""
Why else would they make such an announcement on April fools day?
I just don't see myself buying an iPad.
It'll sell and it'll serve it's purpose because it's very convenient. I might even get one for my wife, should the price become more reasonable.
But to me and many others it's still lacking in many features including in the multitasking arena, desired amount of power, and the fact that the battery is not user serviceable.
As a PC user and not a huge Mac lover, I tend to agree, this device is probably fantastic at what it does do
Problem is there are so many things that an actual computer can do that when people will eventually realise are missing it will be too late
I have an extensive library of software that I regularly use for all kinds of things from editing audio files to conversion of video formats and everything inbetween. If a device will not allow me to install the software I want to use then I wont use the device.
why not look at what it does well and take advantage of its strengths?
This is what smart business people will do - they'll develop apps for the iPad that are really useful and fill a specific need. and make a bunch of money in the process.
Nobody likes a hater - they're worse than fanboys.
Edited to remove pointlessly provocative comments. Mod.
And here you are hating on the haters. How does that make you any better?
The fact of the matter is that the iFad was never designed to be a product for techies. It's designed to be a super simple computing device for people who think computers are too complicated. And in that regard it's brilliant. It will also appeal to first-adopters and people who just have to have the newest Apple fad product.
Marketing geniuses -- those folks at Apple.
Sounds like you are worse than any hater as you are more like a Racist as you are the one promoting the Hate with your words!
Heil Ericburnby! Is that what you would like to hear?
I have used both Apple and PC products and it don't matter to me. I just prefer PC's more than Apple, that's all there is too it and there is no hate involved. I'm indifferent to whether a device is Apple or PC.
It just so happens that the iPad does not meet my needs and most probably never will. My wife on the other hand would be satisfied with one.