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David Pogue - New York Times - iPad Review

Well, I've been raving about the iPad possibilities for a while now here, so let me be perfectly fair and point out a criticism of Pogue's that does worry me. He covers the usual litany of criticisms that don't bother me at all (no Flash, no multitasking), but then he says:

"When the iPad is upright, typing on the on-screen keyboard is a horrible experience; when the iPad is turned 90 degrees, the keyboard is just barely usable (because it’s bigger)."
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So perhaps I won't look forward to that aspect. Of course I bought the keyboard dock too, and thus won't be left high and dry if I hate the on-screen keyboard, but I admit to being disappointed that Pogue found it not good to use.

See? I'm fair.

But note how he ends his review:

"The iPad is so fast and light, the multitouch screen so bright and responsive, the software so easy to navigate, that it really does qualify as a new category of gadget. Some have suggested that it might make a good goof-proof computer for technophobes, the aged and the young; they’re absolutely right.

And the techies are right about another thing: the iPad is not a laptop. It’s not nearly as good for creating stuff. On the other hand, it’s infinitely more convenient for consuming it — books, music, video, photos, Web, e-mail and so on. For most people, manipulating these digital materials directly by touching them is a completely new experience — and a deeply satisfying one.

The bottom line is that the iPad has been designed and built by a bunch of perfectionists. If you like the concept, you’ll love the machine.

The only question is: Do you like the concept?"
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The concept appeals to me. I think I'm going to enjoy it. I especially found it fun to think about full-screen Scrabble where you keep your tiles private on your own iPod touch or iPhone. Cool concept!
 
This sounds really good:

"Speaking of video: Apple asserts that the iPad runs 10 hours on a charge of its nonremovable battery — but we all know you can’t trust the manufacturer. And sure enough, in my own test, the iPad played movies continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 7:53 p.m. — more than 12 hours. That’s four times as long as a typical laptop or portable DVD player."
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It's rare to read a review that is equally condescending and almost insulting to both the categories of people, what he considers "techies" and everyone else, that the review is being written for. I have a sense that his definition of "techie" is someone who obsesses about technology but doesn't actually use it for a living, like a salesman at Best Buy or something.

I felt that I was squeezing water from a stone to derive any sort of useful information out of this, and it's sad because there was some information there.
For instance, typing experience (as expected) not so great, but battery life, processor speed, and ease of use were all favorable.

It would have been much more useful if he had just given his own personal opinion about his experience with this device.
 
And Uncle Walt has his review up as well, and *ahem* he says what I've been saying for weeks:

"For the past week or so, I have been testing a sleek, light, silver-and-black tablet computer called an iPad. After spending hours and hours with it, I believe this beautiful new touch-screen device from Apple has the potential to change portable computing profoundly, and to challenge the primacy of the laptop. It could even help, eventually, to propel the finger-driven, multitouch user interface ahead of the mouse-driven interface that has prevailed for decades."
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Yup, this could be a UI game-changer.
 
Sorry to say this review sucks... I learned nothing new. Repeated everything we are already knew. Really do you need to tell me again no flash and no multitasking. :confused:
 
ckbook said:
Sorry to say this review sucks... I learned nothing new. Repeated everything we are already knew. Really do you need to tell me again no flash and no multitasking. :confused:
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Of course you are not going to learn anything new. Like everyone else who reads MacRumors... you are a techie... not a real human. Life as a techie is a pain in the butt until we realize that we only represent the lunatic fringe.

/Jim
 
Reviewing a product before it being available for general consumption just means that the review is biased and they sold out to make the story before anyone else.

I can't really believe any word they've said and all that the reviews have talked about is nothing that I couldn't of got off of Apple's website or their own marketing videos.
 
The best reviews for me aren't really reviews at all. Instead their Youtube HD Hands-on videos of everyday people actually using the device.

Come Saturday, there will be a million of these available :)

And I strongly believe once I see everyday joe's opening and playing with the iPad, the wait to get my hands on the 3G version will be horrible
 
It's magical.
 

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