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Apple iPad Specs

ipad 16GB iPad WiFi
Apple iPad
Device
Dimensions
9.56" x 7.47" x .5"
Weight
24 oz. (1.5lbs); w/ 3G: 25.6 oz. (1.6lbs)
Screen(s)
9.7" LED-backlit color display; 1024 x 768 pixels
Battery life
Up to 10 hours
Input
Touchscreen, physical buttons
Memory
16GB, 32GB, or 64GB (depending on model)
Expandable memory
No
Books & Content
Available sources
Apple iTunes iBook Store
Connectivity
3G
AT&T 3G Available (depending on model)
WiFi
Yes
USB
Yes
Features
Built-in dictionary
Yes
Web browser
Yes
Audio player
Yes
Other highlights
Wealth of advanced functionalities including support for 140,000 apps
Supported Formats
ePub open format
Yes
Adobe PDF
Yes
Microsoft DOC
Yes
Other
jpg, .tiff, .gif, .html, .key (Keynote), .numbers (Numbers), .pages (Pages), .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint), .txt (text), .rtf (rich text format), .vcf (contact information), .xlsx (Microsoft Excel)

Apple iPad Review

Because the Apple iPad is not your traditional eReader, this is not your typical eReader review. The Apple iPad is much better described as a tablet PC than an eBook reader, and certainly has the functionality of a dedicated eReader in addition to much, much more. At the same time, though, the iPad's additional feature set detracts somewhat from the device's ability to function as a dedicated eBook reader.

PROS

+ Display: The Apple iPad features a gorgeous and huge 9.7-inch, high-resolution LED-backlit color display made to be touched. The web, photos, movies, and of course text look great on the iPad's screen. With a built-in accelerometer, the iPad can sense whether its being held in portrait form or landscape, right side up or upside down -- and change content's format accordingly. The screen is responsive and accurate to the touch of a finger. Because the display is backlit, unlike many other eReaders, the iPad can be used in low-light condition.

+ Form factor: Resembling an oversized iPod touch, Apple's iPad is an undeniably sleek and attractive device. At just a half-inch thick, the iPad is noticeably slim and weighs in at just 1.6 lbs. While substantially larger than most dedicated eBook readers, the iPad's large display and advanced functionalities make it a capable mobile computing device in an impressive new form.

+ Content & iBooks: Because the iPad is compatible with the ePub open format for digital books and publications, iPad readers have access to a huge wealth of content ranging from classic titles to best sellers, newspapers, magazines, blogs and more. The device can also display most any other content you can think of, including photos, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files and more. Content is downloadable through the iBook store using either WiFi or 3G wireless (see "Wireless" in cons). The iBook app is sleek in its simplicity, and offers attractive animations and provides the ability to set bookmarks, take notes, and more.

+ Applications: We already made reference to the fact that the iPad can be described as a giant iPod touch. To that end, the iPad supports nearly 140,000 applications originally developed for the iPod Touch and iPhone. While it may not be another "app gold rush," iPad readers/user can expect a solid number of advanced apps developed specifically for the iPad to make their way into the Apple App Store.

+ Web browser & email:The iPad is loaded with a powerful mobile web browser with pinch-to-zoom and touch screen gestures similar to that of the iPod Touch/iPhone. Web sites look great on the large display, and in most cases render perfectly on the mobile device (Adobe Flash Video, though, is not supported). The devices also has an enhanced email application and usable virtual (on-screen) QWERTY keyboard, making it a capable alternative to a desktop, laptop or smartphone in the email realm.

+ Multimedia: The iPad was obviously designed with media playback at the forefront of considerations. While the device is not capable of true multitasking, applications like the mobile iTunes music player can entertain you as you work in other applications. Movie playback is impressively smooth and sharp, and the device's external speakers are decently loud as long as you're fairly close to the device.

+ Performance:Armed with a specially designed 1GHz Apple A4 chip, the iPad lets you browse through media, navigate website, and work smoothly across applications with blazing speeds. The A4 chipset is also designed to optimize power use, and allows the iPad to get up to 10 hours of battery life (impressive for a tablet PC, but not as impressive when compared to other dedicated eBook readers as you'll later see).

CONS

To be sure, the Apple iPad and tablet computers like it represent a game-changer in the world of mobile technology. The Apple iPad undoubtedly represents the most powerful eBook reader on the market thanks to its advanced feature set that makes the iPad so much more than an eReader. Yet, it is this set of advanced features that in some ways causes the iPad to fall short of other dedicated eBook reader competitors in the realm of basic eReader functionality. The decision of whether to purchase an iPad or other dedicated eReader will likely come to down to a question of what advanced functionality the to-be reader is looking for and, of course, budget.

- Display: While you may have just finished reading about the pros of the iPad's giant display, the device's screen is also a major weakness when compared to other eReader. Part of the allure of other eReaders including the Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook is the e-ink technology display used in these devices. Text on an e-ink display looks almost exactly like it would on a sheet of paper, making the reader feel as though they are actually reading a paper book. Because the iPad's display has qualities similar to that of a traditional computer screen, the iPad isn't as easy to see in direct sunlight and may also cause more strain on a reader's eyes of extended use. The display will also lead to much shorter battery life than other dedicated eBook readers.

- Battery life: The Apple iPad can squeeze in up to 10 hours of eBook reading, web surfing, video watching and more on a single charge -- and for a tablet computer, that's a fairly impressive feat. That battery as compared to the battery life of other eReaders, though, is not nearly as impressive. In part thanks to its e-ink display, the Amazon Kindle, for example, can last up to 4 days with wireless on and up to 2 weeks with wireless off. E-ink devices only use power when the image on the screen changes -- meaning battery life is only diminished when a virtual page is turned.

- Wireless: Every iPad model is equipped with WiFi for browsing the web, checking email, and downloading new eBooks and content from the iBook store when in range of a WiFi network. However, models with a built-in 3G (allows mobile connectivity using AT&T's 3G network) are more expensive. Additionally, 3G connectivity will require a monthly AT&T data plan ($14.99 for up to 250MB of data and $29.99 for unlimited; no contract required).

- Size: Apple's iPad is a slim and sleek device. When compared to other eBook readers, though, the iPad is a significantly larger device because of its sizable 9.7-inch color display. This size will make it less portable than other devices that are dedicated eBook readers.

- Tablet computer shortcomings: Because Apple's iPad is much more than just an eBook reader, we would be remiss if we didn't also offer some cons through the leans of a tablet computer review. With a 1 GHz Apple A4 processor, the iPad is undoubtedly a relatively powerful device. Yet, the device's operating system cripples its functionality. The iPad is not capable of multitasking, or effectively running more than one application at the same time. Carrying on a instant messaging conversation while reading an eBook, for example, is simply not possible as only one app can be running at a time.

- Expandable memory: While 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of storage space (depending on model purchased) should be more than enough for the vast majority of users, the iPad has no memory for expandable memory. Users with endless video and music libraries may find themselves wanting the ability for more space, and everyday users may wish they could slip in a memory card to easily look at pictures or documents.

- Flash video: Despite early reports that it did, the Apple iPad does not support Adobe Flash content. While Safari is otherwise is a powerful mobile web browser, much of the web's best content is arguably Flash content. That means watching videos on Hulu on the iPad, for example, isn't a possibility.

- Price: By now you surely realize that the iPad offers far greater functionality than other devices dedicated to just reading digital books -- and that additional functionality comes with a price premium attached. When purchasing an iPad, you are purchasing a new breed of mobile computer that will cost you up to several hundred dollars more than a dedicated eBook reader.

Video

Apple iPad Video Overview

Apple's official video overview of the Apple iPad.

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