iPad Review
Almost a month after initial release, I finally got an iPad. Rather than settle for the WiFi bound edition that lacked WWAN and GPS, I waited for the full version which at long last arrived at my door last Friday. Since its arrival, I've been taking it with me just about everywhere and using it extensively. I had already formed my opinion of the device beforehand and set out to see if a weekend of usage on the go would change it.
DESIGN
If nothing else, the iPad is one fine looking gadget. You've probably already seen one whether it be in the commercial, a news program, the Prime Time Emmy's, or a display in your local Best Buy or Apple Store. It has a similar footprint to a netbook, but is much thinner. Not quite as slender as a Kindle, but just over half an inch is nothing to scoff at. Despite it's small profile, the 1.5 pounds feels heavier than you'd likely think. It's not uncomfortable in general use, but it requires some care when handling it. The 3G version has, in addition to the physical features of its WiFi kin, a SIM card slot on the left side, just south of midway, and a black plastic window for better reception. I've been using mine in Apple's case where both features are covered making it visually indistinguishable. The signal strength and carrier indicators are dead giveaways once powered up. The aluminum backing and sides works quite well with the glass pane covering the front and the black bezel underneath surrounding the 9.7" display. A curious omission is any kind of camera. Seeing how a big deal was made of the iPhoto app, the ability to take pictures should have been a no-brainer.
SETUP
The iPad 3G comes mostly charged with a microSIM card pre-installed. Before the device can be used, however, it has to be connected to a computer and linked to your iTunes account. If you buy one at the Apple Store, they can set it up for you, but you will probably need to have a computer of your own so that you can update the device as needed, sync music and video, and create a back up. This is the first sign that the iPad is not an autonomous computing device, unable to function without more featured machines supplementing it. Once configured, you can purchase and download music straight from the iTunes store, but unlike your apps, you don't get free downloads of content you've purchased in the past. Unless you use a compatible cloud-based service like MobileMe, you'll also need to sync to keep your calendar and contacts up to date.
The 3G service is purchased right from the Cellular Data menu in the Settings app through AT&T and can be done over a WiFi connection or anywhere within the carrier’s data network (the only function that can use 3G without a plan). It requires setting up a new AT&T account, but remember that no plans require a contract and no activation fee is required. You select your plan, either the $14.99 250MB/30-day or 30-day unlimited for $29.99, and enter your billing info. Even though both plans are pre-paid, they are auto-renewing so you have to remember to cancel the rebill, no penalty to do so, if you want to end your service. An extra $30 a month can be quite a bit if you already have a smartphone, but the unlimited plan is significantly cheaper than other mobile broadband plans like laptop cards and portable hotspots which cost over $50 a month and have data caps.
The iPad comes boxed with a dock cable (30-pin dock connector to USB) and a 10W USB wall adapter and the 3G version also includes a tool to open the microSIM tray. There is no microfiber cloth as the iPhones have, which is a shame as even the fingerprint resistant coating does little to prevent the screen from being a grease-ridden mess after a little usage. I mention the power adapter because, unlike all other iDevices and USB gadgetry in general, the iPad requires more power. The 5W standard from typical USB ports isn't sufficient to charge the device, especially if it is being used at the same time. Unless your USB port can support the extra juice, charging will be slow assuming it charges at all. Newer Macs work and some newer PCs should be fine as well, but don't count on using it before you are certain. Hopefully, there will be an adapter to allow the dock cable to connect to two USB ports simultaneously for added support as some external optical drive have done.
EASE OF USE
While many aspects of the iPad are up for debate, it is hard to deny that the interface is simple and intuitive. Flicking and swiping to change pages, touching a link or app icon to launch it, and pinch-to-zoom, all make it easy to get started. Unlike the other iPhone OS devices before, the orientation is free to change even for the lock and home screens. There is a switch near the volume controls to lock the orientation which is quite handy when you are holding it in a reclining position. While there are limited options for an external physical keyboard, the software keyboard, ported from the iPhone, is included and happens to work surprisingly well on the larger screen. In landscape mode, the keyboard is almost full-sized allowing for some pretty fast typing when paired with the fairly good autocorrect function. Preventing it from being perfect are the lack of haptic feedback and certain keys requiring changing the keyboard mode to symbols can be frustrating; the only marks available alongside the letters are periods, commas, exclamation points, and question marks. Quotes, hyphens and parentheses are notable exclusions. Another problem is finding a good position for typing. The size of the iPad is such that typing in landscape while holding it, using your thumbs to hit keys, is very difficult; portrait mode makes the phone-style method easier but far slower than setting it down. Unless you are using a stand of some sort to provide a slight angle, extended typing sessions are out of the question.
The display is a 9.7” In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel with a 1024x768 pixel resolution. IPS tech is more expensive than the twisted nematic (TN) panels usually found in consumer displays and is certainly a primary cost driver for the product. The technical difference is in the movement of the crystal molecules, but all you really need to know is that TN induces a nasty scattering affect that reduces viewing angle and damages color reproduction. IPS panels fix both issues. The result in the context of the iPad is a display that features bright, vibrant colors at nearly any angle. The glass touch screen is responsive and smooth to the touch, allowing your finger to glide across with ease. It has a fingerprint resistant finish although in practice it is a lot less effective that the name implies. It takes no time at all to literally cover the entire screen with a layer of grease.
ACCESSORIES
Apple iPad Case: Inserting and removing the iPad from the official case proves to be surprisingly difficult. There are alternatives, but they are not yet released, look to be more expensive (this case is $39 versus $50-70 searching on Amazon for alternatives), and only a few convert into a stand. While the promotional images make the case stand look fairly stable, two of the three postions are wobbly enough that I don't trust them unless I have something else to prop it up against, while the third is mostly useful for typing and a few tabletop games (solitaire), not so much for watching video or reading. The case can still be folded open fully like a notebook so use on a different stand or your lap as well, but it takes some adjustment to find a position that is both comfortable and practical. An aesthetic issue with the case is that it shows smudges and scuffs a little too clearly. I have to wipe it down nearly as often as I do the iPad itself. The rubbery finish lacks the quality indicative of an Apple product and clashes with the industrial design of its contents.
Apple iPad Dock: With my iPhone and iPod Touch, I managed just fine laying the devices flat on my desk connected directly to my computer with the dock cable. Because the iPad is so much larger and I have so little room on my desk anymore, the dock has really come in handy. For the most part, it is just a piece of glossy white plastic with a groove for the iPad at the center of which is a dock connector. There is a 30-pin port on the rear to connect it to a computer by use of a dock cable, not included with the dock itself, and an audio out jack for connecting it to speakers. Since the iPad has only one port, it has to stand in portrait, the orientation with the smallest desk obstruction (albeit greatest monitor obstruction). The only complaint I have is that it doesn’t fit an iPad in the official case. I can kind of see that making sense, not wanting to block the screen with the cover when docked or having the flap sticking out, but it is their case after all. Removing the case is hard enough, but having to do so each time you dock it can get a little frustrating, especially since the dock isn’t exactly cheap at $30. If the case functioned better as a stand it wouldn’t be a problem skipping, but the only position in which I feel it stable enough isn’t much better than leaving it flat on my desk.
Apple Keyboard Dock: An alternative to the vanilla dock is this one. It’s a good deal more expensive, $70, but can be useful if you plan on doing a lot of text entry. It features a keyboard modeled after the standard Apple keyboard (without number pad), chiclet and thin aluminum housing. Essentially, this is the dock with that keyboard molded to it. This means that it, too, will require removing the iPad from its case should it have one before you can dock it. Since the keyboard is stuck to the dock, it doesn’t help out on the desktop footprint front at all. It also makes it a little less friendly for carrying cases that are designed for smaller devices like netbooks. Apple’s wireless keyboard is also compatible with the iPad and doesn’t have a dock preventing it from sitting neatly in the Targus case I’ve been using. One more fault is that certain apps have a slightly different UI when in landscape mode that may appeal more to some. With the iPad stuck in portrait while docked, navigating my primary Twitter client would require a few extra steps. This dock requires weighing the benefits of a physical keyboard against the desired app in landscape. Using a Bluetooth keyboard and an alternative stand would eliminate the need to make such a decision. If you are interested in seeing this dock in person, good luck. Neither the Apple Stores nor Best Buys (at least in this area) appear to have a demo iPad with this dock.
Other accessories include a camera kit that includes a pair of dongles for limited USB and SD card support (only one at a time can be used), an adapter for VGA output also in limited capacity (must be app-enabled and DRM-free), replacement 10W USB power adapters, and component video cables. These were not tested or at least researched and commentary on them will be withheld.
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
A lot of talk was generated about the custom silicon powering the iPad. Dubbed the A4 chip, the main processing unit runs on the same architecture as the iPhone 3GS albeit at a faster clock, now 1GHz, and with more advanced power management controls. The graphics core, as far as anyone can tell, is identical to the one in the 3GS. Apps still take a while to load, there is still some keyboard lag, and certain apps have isolated performance issues (stuttering, lag, touchscreen inaccuracies), but the core apps are snappy, transitions between home screens are silky smooth, and the screen rotation looks effortless, practically to a fault if you forget to engage the orientation lock. Keep in mind that Flash is never going to be supported on any iPhone OS device, leaving HTML5 (with H.264) as the hopeful savior of interactive web content.
There are noted complaints about the WiFi version having connection issues. I haven't used my iPad with WiFi too much, but have not noticed any problems yet. When you pay $130 for a WWAN upgrade and $29.99 for access (there is a $14.99/30-day plan that is capped at 250MB), the temptation to use it persists. Fortunately, the 3G hardware is more than up to the challenge, supporting up to 7.2Mbps HSPA (not available in my area, at least at that speed) and the antenna arrangement has provided impressive results. One of the antenna wires effectively turns the entire bezel on the front into an antenna. Even deep within the cavernous Fry's Electronics, an out of the way fast food restaurant some 20 or so miles outside Indianapolis, and a few areas where my phone started to lose signal, the iPad 3G was at a full 5 bars of 3G and ready for another task.
One of the failures of earlier tablet devices was battery life. All the features in the world can’t save a handheld if you can’t use it for more than a couple of hours. Apple has been pretty good about power management in their devices, from laptops to media players, at the expense of user replaceable batteries (adding controls and interfaces to allow a user to swap batteries would take up more space - potentially leading to a smaller battery - and require a more complicated manufacturing process for these components). The advertised run time for the iPad on a single charge is 10 hours and that was supposedly even under video playback. Testing by others on the WiFi model have been a little inconsistent, but not in a bad way. Some folks got well over 9 hours during a video test, while some got over 11. I have not performed my own focused test, but I am getting just south of 10 hours with the screen at 50% brightness, 3G on, WiFi and Bluetooth off in a mix of web browsing, streaming video from Netflix and Youtube, and 2D gaming with short sessions of 3D (more graphically intensive) games thrown in. Color me impressed, but that is nearly a full working day of typical use.
(On the subject of power, the 10W USB issue has a nasty side effect. None of my portable power supplies work with the iPad so once the battery is drained, I have to find an outlet. When docked or connected to my iMac, the battery will charge, but slow enough that it only makes sense if I leave it there overnight. If I have something running on the iPad, it takes even longer. Unless you have an outlet, you won’t be able to rely on the iPad for trips longer than 10 hours even if you have a USB-toting laptop handy.)
SOFTWARE
The problem with reviewing a consumption device such as this is that much of the value is derived from the software available. That is not to say that to review the iPad you have to review every single app out there. Rather apps help shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the platform, particularly issues stemming from the use of a mobile phone OS rather than a more robust variant. Since one of the distinguishing characteristics of the iPad compared to the iPhone and iPod touch is the screen size and resolution, it is important to highlight how that is being used and if it can justify the significant difference in price.
iPod/Video: Built into the iPad, these core apps are the default media playing utilities. iPod handles music and podcasts while Video, as the name implies, takes care of movies and television shows. The iPad as a speaker on the bottom near the dock connector which is rather good for the profile, but headphones are still preferable, particularly for sources with stereo sound. The interface for the iPod app borrows a little from the desktop client, utilizing panes in landscape, a common iPad feature for many apps, to allow faster navigation without disrupting the area for controls and media information. It has quick access to create or modify playlists and use Genius, the iTunes music recommendation service. The player is responsive and one of the few apps that can currently run in the background until iPhone OS 4.0 hits the iPad in the fall.
The 9.7" 1024x768 pixel IPS (in-plane switching) display is gorgeous and video is easily one of the iPad's strong suits. Video displays your video library in by thumbnails and selecting an item is a tap away. Once a video is chosen, video information is displayed if available. A nice addition to the iPad implementation is chapter search. There is a button on the action bar at the information screen that allows you to view the chapters for the video and select your starting point. iTunes does sync your current progress in videos across your registered devices, so this might not be too useful to some, but it is nice to have the option. Playback can be done in either landscape or portrait; most video is widescreen or at least a wide aspect, so there really isn’t much reason to watch in portrait unless you really need to keep the iPad docked. If you don’t want letterboxing, there is a button on the controls overlay that will stretch the picture to fit. The feature works, but the expense of clarity and/or cropping had me making due with the border.
iBooks: One of the most publicized new apps, the iPad exclusive iBooks Apple's answer to the Kindle and other closed network e-Readers. As far as I am concerned, it is one of the most important apps on the platform as it demonstrates a few major problems with the current iDevice landscape. The iPhone OS is a closed environment. Apps intermingling just doesn't happen. Each one is designed to be its own entity. The iBooks store is only accessible from the iBooks app, but uses the iTunes store as a back bone, even using the same account. In this regard it is still like the App Store, at least on the iPad itself. On the desktop client, the Apps Store is just another part of the iTunes store in general. Not only is iBooks not likewise integrated, there is no desktop analog whatsoever. Your iBooks are iPad only, not even transferrable to an iPhone or iPod Touch. The only potential saving grace is that the app uses the ePub format, although only DRM-free books or in-app purchases are compatible. There are, as of this writing, 50 free books, and most others are more expensive than their Kindle counterparts. It should be noted that not only are Kindle purchases readable via desktop clients for PC and Mac, but via a universal iPhone/iPad app. For such a touted app, this one raises more problems than it solves.
Pages: Partway through writing this review, I decided to try writing the rest in one of the three iWork apps available for the iPad. Pages is the word processing app. It does a decent job as such, but it has more than a couple of issues. Importing a document for instance was quite a chore. My first thought was to email myself the document. Unfortunately, the working draft was a not in a format that was compatible despite Apple's own email app showing "Open in Pages" as an option for opening the attached file. The next attempt had me downloading it to my iMac, opening it, and saving it again in a different format. The default in this operation was iWork '08. I stumbled around iTunes until I finally found the section to include the document in files synced to the iPad Pages app. Yes, you have to sync each file with each app individually. Once again, that failed. I easily found the document in my Pages app only to have it report that it, too, was not supported. It only supported iWork '09. Of course. I finally got it on the third attempt, but only after developing a bitter taste in my mouth. It is certainly not a process I'd like to repeat.
Autocorrect once again helps out and can be handy when using the software keyboard. For whatever reason, the dictionary it uses is different than that used by the rest of the iPad. Some typos don't correct, but still have the red underline indicating a misspelling. Touching an underlined word brings up some suggestions, but some make no sense. For instance, "thte" did not include "the". Even stranger, certain Apple slang doesn't autocorrect. "ibooks" will capitalize properly every time, but the same cannot be said about "iphone" or "itunes" unless you stop for a second or so after typing and none of these improper forms are considered to be misspelled. The faster you type, the less likely that Pages will correct a mistake. Keyboard input is more accurate, but autocorrect remains the default. When writing a review that has to mention these things several times, it becomes a major pain. One more quirk I have not experienced firsthand, but can certainly cause problems. Not all formatting options from the full Pages application are available in the iPad app. When you import a document with this unsupported formatting, it gets converted to suit the mobile app and overwriting (as far as I can tell) the imported file.
There are some cool things, such as changing a selection of text by touching and dragging the corners of the current selection and inserting pictures seems easy enough. Still, it is more of a last resort than a first choice should you need to do any serious work.
Netflix: This was a highly anticipated app and not just because of putting thousands of movies on an iPad without needing to waste precious internal storage. And it allows streaming over 3G. The quality of streaming over WiFi is darn near perfect, not HD but still free of artifacting. Streaming over 3G is expectedly worse, but not by enough to make it unwatchable. There are clear signs of compression, but the video quality is still acceptable. Better still, the 3G here in town is fast enough that there is no stopping or stuttering once the video stream begins. Unlike some integrated Netflix apps on Blu-Ray players that only let you browse your Instant Queue or a clunky simplified view of the whole library, the iPad's Netflix app looks just like the website modified to accommodate the touch screen. From there, you can instantly play an available title, add something to your Instant Queue, or even browse the DVD/BD selection to update your regular Queue. Aside from the interface, there doesn’t seem to be any reason that this functionality cannot be extended to the iPhone or iPod Touch. For the record, there are “universal” apps that run on the iPhone and the iPad in full resolution, usually with some interface tweaks, so having a lesser version on the smaller device is well within reason.
Games: For years now, Apple has been touting their iPhone OS as a gaming platform. Being a gamer and having used an iPhone and an iPod Touch for a while, I never made that connection. The only inputs available are touch and the integrated accelerometers. Action games have to rely on virtual joysticks or slider bars which make fine movement difficult especially on a cramped screen. Tilt controls weren’t well suited to fast motion, but at least the size of the portables made the motions reasonable. Touch-drag-slide felt like the only paradigm that just worked and only some games could operate solely within that framework.
The iPad has a much larger screen, but still relies on touch and motion control. There is still no physical feed back from inputs, so a finger sliding off of a virtual joystick can go unnoticed until the character in the game stops responding during a battle or misses a critical jump. During a fast-paced game, I don’t want to have to look down at the silhouettes of action buttons to make sure my thumb is still over the proper section of the screen since action button feels exactly the same as no button on glass. The extra size and heft of the iPad also make game that rely on tilt a little more cumbersome. Not to the point that they aren’t playable, but I was relieved to discover that the motion levels in Soosiz HD (a truly entertaining gravity platformer that’s a steal at $1.99, with a free Lite version available to demo) were short and pretty rare. As with the iPhone, the iPad excels in games that involve tapping and dragging.
The larger screen and higher resolution allow ports of older games with more complexities in addition to prettier graphics. Take for instance Flight Control HD. A follow up to the successful mobile phone game, the goal is to land incoming planes and helicopters on their proper runways (larger planes need larger and longer strips). Aircraft approach the fixed view field from all directions, the rate increasing over time, and the player must draw a flight path for each one. If two collide, the game ends. Flight Control HD uses the same mechanic while making use of the larger field to incorporate more airports with more runways and layouts. Instead of two landing strips, there may be four and enough planes in play to require all of them and then some. The game is fun and definitely not possible at that scope on other iPhone hardware on the market, but it is still the same game. It’s an example that helps perpetuate the suggestion that the iPad is just a giant iPod Touch. Honestly, it is. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If I had an iPad (which I do) and wanted to play Flight Control, I would probably pick HD over the iPhone version even though the iPad can play either and HD costs $4 more ($4.99 versus $0.99). Flight Control HD is simply a better, deeper, more complex game.
Overall: You may have noticed in the Flight Control example the price difference between the iPad and iPhone apps. This is currently common practice. All iPhone apps (at least ones that don’t require the camera or phone services) can run on the iPad. Unless they have been specially programmed, they will run in an iPhone sized window on the screen with a “2X” button to double its size. There are no graphical enhancements or smoothing applied, so the result of expansion is blocky and not very pleasing to the eye. Full screen iPad apps come in two flavors: universal and iPad-only. Universal apps can be new or updated versions of older apps that have been modified to allow support for the larger screen. These can run on the iPhone/iPod Touch as well as in full screen on the iPad, in some cases with UI enhancements or features. If you’ve already bought a universal app or one that has been made universal since then, you can sync it to your iPad with no need for an additional purchase. The remaining lot are the iPad exclusives. These may be brand new apps, such as Pages and Netflix, or “HD” or “for iPad” revamps of popular iPhone titles. There are a few exceptions, but almost all paid iPad-only apps are more expensive than their low-resolution counterparts and the price differences can be significant. Many paid iPad apps are $5-10 rather than the $1-5 impulse items that helped the App Store flourish.
Touching on Flight Control HD, it was mentioned that I don’t consider the iPhone is a primary gaming platform, even among handhelds. There is some potential on the horizon that could change the gaming landscape for iDevices. Square Enix recently launched Chaos Rings for the iPhone. At $12.99, it is priced more like an iPad app, but features, according to numerous reviews, gameplay and graphics (on the iPhone/iPod Touch screens) on par with the PlayStation 2, a full RPG experience that spans tens of hours. If sales don’t disappoint, there may be more like it.
CONCLUSION
There are really only two primary questions regarding the iPad. 1) Is it a good device, and 2) Is it worth getting? The answer to the first is fairly easy. Aside from some power issues, there really isn’t anything wrong with the iPad itself. If you have one, you will certainly find a lot to do with it and a lot to like about it. There is a large selection of free and not-so-free software available to download with more being added each day.
Is it worth the cost? Maybe. Starting at $500, the iPad is one of the cheapest major platforms Apple has released, but more than twice as much as the smallest iPod Touch, a device that shares much of the functionality. The differences are there, but are not yet a truly compelling argument for the extra expense of the iPad and the inflated price tags for iPad-only software currently on the market. The biggest advantage for the iPad right now is the option for 3G WWAN (with GPS), though that inflates the cost by another $130 plus the cost of pay-as-you-go service.
If you are on the fence, history suggests that there will be new iPod Touch hardware coming out this fall following in the wake of the fourth generation iPhone. Reportedly, the new iPhone will have a higher resolution screen - exactly double that of the previous - so it seems reasonable that the new Touch will receive that upgrade in addition to a general hardware bump. If accurate, the performance gap will close reducing or perhaps eliminating one of the iPad’s only advantages. Waiting until then, or even until the second generation iPad, would be the most prudent option, but if you absolutely must have an iDevice now, the iPad is the better choice.
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Which iPad Should I Get?
There are currently six versions of the iPad on the market distinguished by capacity and wireless capability. They are as follows: 16GB WiFi ($499), 32GB WiFi ($599), 64GB WiFi ($699), 16GB WiFi+3G ($629), 32GB WiFi+3G ($729), and 64GB WiFi+3G ($829). Storage is not technically upgradeable and 3G cannot be added to a WiFi model, but with $100 per storage upgrade and $130 for 3G it doesn’t make sense to get a model beyond your needs. But what exactly do you need? Here’s a little guide to help you out.
To 3G or Not 3G: In addition to the $130 hardware cost, 3G service is also needed to access a cellular data network. The iPad comes without a carrier lock, but the software is designed for AT&T in the US. There are two plans available, 250MB for $14.99 and an unlimited plan for $29.99, both lasting for 30-days. These are auto-renewing, so you have to remember to cancel before the 30 days unless you want another month of service. There is no contract, so there is no activation fee or penalty for cancelling or not renewing service. It is important to keep the cost of service in mind when determining your budget. If you are worried about bandwidth for the capped plan, you may be able to save yourself some usage by relying on AT&T wireless hotspots which the 3G iPads can use for free without consuming any of your data plan.
All iPads can use SkyHook for location services, comparing the MAC addresses of detected routers to a known database, but only the 3G model includes actual GPS hardware for accurate positioning even away from dense WiFi areas. But location services alone are not worth the extra cost. It really comes down to how much time are you away from home? How often is WiFi not an option? If you travel frequently, the WWAN service is invaluable. Even if you have a long stretch at home, you can end your service with AT&T until it is needed again to avoid monthly costs.
Before you decide, check to make sure you have 3G service in your area. You may be able to make due on EDGE, but any streaming services may run very poorly if at all.
Size Matters: There is a reason I’ve put the capacity after 3G. The biggest driver of storage space is media, videos in particular. A standard definition movie downloaded from iTunes measures in at about 1.5GB, though the sized do vary. Music uses less space, but it can add up quickly if you aren’t careful. The amount of media you’ll need on your device will depend on how often you’ll watch/listen to it and how long you’ll be away from your computer to swap out content. Anything else is a matter of convenience. Both of these can be mitigated by your usage scenario. You can significantly reduce the size of the music library by relying on some of the internet radio apps available for free in the App Store. Video, too, can be reduced greatly if you have a Netflix subscription, using their free app to stream movies even over 3G. ABC has even opened up their app to 3G allowing you to catch recent episodes of their shows.
If you can get by without loading too much video onto your iPad, 16GB will probably be enough. If you plan on going hog wild with app downloads, keeping in mind that iPad apps take up more space than their iPhone kin, you might want to consider an upgrade. Should you have reason to keep several movies available for long flights or don’t have mobile access to streaming video, 32GB should still be enough. The 64GB iPad looks to be overkill. Unless you have a need to store more content than you can rightfully consume in a dozen charges, 32GB should be enough. An interesting note is that the most popular WiFi model appears to be the 16GB entry model, while the majority of 3G iPads sold were 64GB. It makes some sense, as the WWAN-enabled appeals to those more likely to be on the go, away from home, unable to swap out older content. Also, those willing to shell out the extra dough probably can swing the storage upgrade as well.
What I Did (and Why): I got the 64GB iPad with 3G. I haven’t put much in the way of music on my iPad yet, but I have added 8 movies and most of a season of South Park. The video alone consumes 17GB. I have about 60 apps including some for the iPhone installed that use up less than 2GB total. I have more than enough video to fill the iPad if I were so inclined and adding a couple of my playlists will add another 5GB or so. I could make better use of the GPS by buying a navigation app, one that locally stores maps rather than relies on a data connection; there is at least one such app available for the iPad and it is about 1.5GB.
But I certainly didn’t know quite how I would use my iPad when I ordered it, so my current use case could not have influenced my choice. My motivation was simpler: I didn’t want to have to buy a new iPad next year. I really did want the 3G/GPS service, even as just an option in case I needed it. As for the capacity, I decided that spending an extra $100 up front was more desirable than having to pay $500 or more for a new iPad should the space not be enough. It was all about “future-proofing” at least as far as it can apply to an Apple product. The longer I can keep my devices relevant, the better.
The $500-829 Question: Practicality and upgrades aside, I didn’t approach the purchase with a budget in mind. If you can afford the data and don’t already have a smartphone, I’d recommend 3G over the next highest storage upgrade. You should also factor in accessories, downloads, and perhaps a warranty when looking at costs. A case of some sort is essential to protect and help transport the iPad, and that will run about $40 depending on which one you opt for. While there are quite a few quality apps available for free, you’ll probably want to buy a few as well. A few luckily provide a free or Lite version that functions as a demo for the paid app you you can try before you buy, leaving your shopping savvy intact. An initial budget of about $30 should last you through your starting app catalog and provide enough options to get some good use out your hardware. Warranties are a personal preference. If you get one from Best Buy, you can get theirs; Apple sells a 2-year AppleCare plan for the iPad, and SquareTrade has 2- and 3-year plans that even cover accidental and liquid damage. These options run $95-150, but there may be others out there.
That said, good luck and enjoy.
DESIGN
If nothing else, the iPad is one fine looking gadget. You've probably already seen one whether it be in the commercial, a news program, the Prime Time Emmy's, or a display in your local Best Buy or Apple Store. It has a similar footprint to a netbook, but is much thinner. Not quite as slender as a Kindle, but just over half an inch is nothing to scoff at. Despite it's small profile, the 1.5 pounds feels heavier than you'd likely think. It's not uncomfortable in general use, but it requires some care when handling it. The 3G version has, in addition to the physical features of its WiFi kin, a SIM card slot on the left side, just south of midway, and a black plastic window for better reception. I've been using mine in Apple's case where both features are covered making it visually indistinguishable. The signal strength and carrier indicators are dead giveaways once powered up. The aluminum backing and sides works quite well with the glass pane covering the front and the black bezel underneath surrounding the 9.7" display. A curious omission is any kind of camera. Seeing how a big deal was made of the iPhoto app, the ability to take pictures should have been a no-brainer.
SETUP
The iPad 3G comes mostly charged with a microSIM card pre-installed. Before the device can be used, however, it has to be connected to a computer and linked to your iTunes account. If you buy one at the Apple Store, they can set it up for you, but you will probably need to have a computer of your own so that you can update the device as needed, sync music and video, and create a back up. This is the first sign that the iPad is not an autonomous computing device, unable to function without more featured machines supplementing it. Once configured, you can purchase and download music straight from the iTunes store, but unlike your apps, you don't get free downloads of content you've purchased in the past. Unless you use a compatible cloud-based service like MobileMe, you'll also need to sync to keep your calendar and contacts up to date.
The 3G service is purchased right from the Cellular Data menu in the Settings app through AT&T and can be done over a WiFi connection or anywhere within the carrier’s data network (the only function that can use 3G without a plan). It requires setting up a new AT&T account, but remember that no plans require a contract and no activation fee is required. You select your plan, either the $14.99 250MB/30-day or 30-day unlimited for $29.99, and enter your billing info. Even though both plans are pre-paid, they are auto-renewing so you have to remember to cancel the rebill, no penalty to do so, if you want to end your service. An extra $30 a month can be quite a bit if you already have a smartphone, but the unlimited plan is significantly cheaper than other mobile broadband plans like laptop cards and portable hotspots which cost over $50 a month and have data caps.
The iPad comes boxed with a dock cable (30-pin dock connector to USB) and a 10W USB wall adapter and the 3G version also includes a tool to open the microSIM tray. There is no microfiber cloth as the iPhones have, which is a shame as even the fingerprint resistant coating does little to prevent the screen from being a grease-ridden mess after a little usage. I mention the power adapter because, unlike all other iDevices and USB gadgetry in general, the iPad requires more power. The 5W standard from typical USB ports isn't sufficient to charge the device, especially if it is being used at the same time. Unless your USB port can support the extra juice, charging will be slow assuming it charges at all. Newer Macs work and some newer PCs should be fine as well, but don't count on using it before you are certain. Hopefully, there will be an adapter to allow the dock cable to connect to two USB ports simultaneously for added support as some external optical drive have done.
EASE OF USE
While many aspects of the iPad are up for debate, it is hard to deny that the interface is simple and intuitive. Flicking and swiping to change pages, touching a link or app icon to launch it, and pinch-to-zoom, all make it easy to get started. Unlike the other iPhone OS devices before, the orientation is free to change even for the lock and home screens. There is a switch near the volume controls to lock the orientation which is quite handy when you are holding it in a reclining position. While there are limited options for an external physical keyboard, the software keyboard, ported from the iPhone, is included and happens to work surprisingly well on the larger screen. In landscape mode, the keyboard is almost full-sized allowing for some pretty fast typing when paired with the fairly good autocorrect function. Preventing it from being perfect are the lack of haptic feedback and certain keys requiring changing the keyboard mode to symbols can be frustrating; the only marks available alongside the letters are periods, commas, exclamation points, and question marks. Quotes, hyphens and parentheses are notable exclusions. Another problem is finding a good position for typing. The size of the iPad is such that typing in landscape while holding it, using your thumbs to hit keys, is very difficult; portrait mode makes the phone-style method easier but far slower than setting it down. Unless you are using a stand of some sort to provide a slight angle, extended typing sessions are out of the question.
The display is a 9.7” In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel with a 1024x768 pixel resolution. IPS tech is more expensive than the twisted nematic (TN) panels usually found in consumer displays and is certainly a primary cost driver for the product. The technical difference is in the movement of the crystal molecules, but all you really need to know is that TN induces a nasty scattering affect that reduces viewing angle and damages color reproduction. IPS panels fix both issues. The result in the context of the iPad is a display that features bright, vibrant colors at nearly any angle. The glass touch screen is responsive and smooth to the touch, allowing your finger to glide across with ease. It has a fingerprint resistant finish although in practice it is a lot less effective that the name implies. It takes no time at all to literally cover the entire screen with a layer of grease.
ACCESSORIES
Apple iPad Case: Inserting and removing the iPad from the official case proves to be surprisingly difficult. There are alternatives, but they are not yet released, look to be more expensive (this case is $39 versus $50-70 searching on Amazon for alternatives), and only a few convert into a stand. While the promotional images make the case stand look fairly stable, two of the three postions are wobbly enough that I don't trust them unless I have something else to prop it up against, while the third is mostly useful for typing and a few tabletop games (solitaire), not so much for watching video or reading. The case can still be folded open fully like a notebook so use on a different stand or your lap as well, but it takes some adjustment to find a position that is both comfortable and practical. An aesthetic issue with the case is that it shows smudges and scuffs a little too clearly. I have to wipe it down nearly as often as I do the iPad itself. The rubbery finish lacks the quality indicative of an Apple product and clashes with the industrial design of its contents.
Apple iPad Dock: With my iPhone and iPod Touch, I managed just fine laying the devices flat on my desk connected directly to my computer with the dock cable. Because the iPad is so much larger and I have so little room on my desk anymore, the dock has really come in handy. For the most part, it is just a piece of glossy white plastic with a groove for the iPad at the center of which is a dock connector. There is a 30-pin port on the rear to connect it to a computer by use of a dock cable, not included with the dock itself, and an audio out jack for connecting it to speakers. Since the iPad has only one port, it has to stand in portrait, the orientation with the smallest desk obstruction (albeit greatest monitor obstruction). The only complaint I have is that it doesn’t fit an iPad in the official case. I can kind of see that making sense, not wanting to block the screen with the cover when docked or having the flap sticking out, but it is their case after all. Removing the case is hard enough, but having to do so each time you dock it can get a little frustrating, especially since the dock isn’t exactly cheap at $30. If the case functioned better as a stand it wouldn’t be a problem skipping, but the only position in which I feel it stable enough isn’t much better than leaving it flat on my desk.
Apple Keyboard Dock: An alternative to the vanilla dock is this one. It’s a good deal more expensive, $70, but can be useful if you plan on doing a lot of text entry. It features a keyboard modeled after the standard Apple keyboard (without number pad), chiclet and thin aluminum housing. Essentially, this is the dock with that keyboard molded to it. This means that it, too, will require removing the iPad from its case should it have one before you can dock it. Since the keyboard is stuck to the dock, it doesn’t help out on the desktop footprint front at all. It also makes it a little less friendly for carrying cases that are designed for smaller devices like netbooks. Apple’s wireless keyboard is also compatible with the iPad and doesn’t have a dock preventing it from sitting neatly in the Targus case I’ve been using. One more fault is that certain apps have a slightly different UI when in landscape mode that may appeal more to some. With the iPad stuck in portrait while docked, navigating my primary Twitter client would require a few extra steps. This dock requires weighing the benefits of a physical keyboard against the desired app in landscape. Using a Bluetooth keyboard and an alternative stand would eliminate the need to make such a decision. If you are interested in seeing this dock in person, good luck. Neither the Apple Stores nor Best Buys (at least in this area) appear to have a demo iPad with this dock.
Other accessories include a camera kit that includes a pair of dongles for limited USB and SD card support (only one at a time can be used), an adapter for VGA output also in limited capacity (must be app-enabled and DRM-free), replacement 10W USB power adapters, and component video cables. These were not tested or at least researched and commentary on them will be withheld.
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
A lot of talk was generated about the custom silicon powering the iPad. Dubbed the A4 chip, the main processing unit runs on the same architecture as the iPhone 3GS albeit at a faster clock, now 1GHz, and with more advanced power management controls. The graphics core, as far as anyone can tell, is identical to the one in the 3GS. Apps still take a while to load, there is still some keyboard lag, and certain apps have isolated performance issues (stuttering, lag, touchscreen inaccuracies), but the core apps are snappy, transitions between home screens are silky smooth, and the screen rotation looks effortless, practically to a fault if you forget to engage the orientation lock. Keep in mind that Flash is never going to be supported on any iPhone OS device, leaving HTML5 (with H.264) as the hopeful savior of interactive web content.
There are noted complaints about the WiFi version having connection issues. I haven't used my iPad with WiFi too much, but have not noticed any problems yet. When you pay $130 for a WWAN upgrade and $29.99 for access (there is a $14.99/30-day plan that is capped at 250MB), the temptation to use it persists. Fortunately, the 3G hardware is more than up to the challenge, supporting up to 7.2Mbps HSPA (not available in my area, at least at that speed) and the antenna arrangement has provided impressive results. One of the antenna wires effectively turns the entire bezel on the front into an antenna. Even deep within the cavernous Fry's Electronics, an out of the way fast food restaurant some 20 or so miles outside Indianapolis, and a few areas where my phone started to lose signal, the iPad 3G was at a full 5 bars of 3G and ready for another task.
One of the failures of earlier tablet devices was battery life. All the features in the world can’t save a handheld if you can’t use it for more than a couple of hours. Apple has been pretty good about power management in their devices, from laptops to media players, at the expense of user replaceable batteries (adding controls and interfaces to allow a user to swap batteries would take up more space - potentially leading to a smaller battery - and require a more complicated manufacturing process for these components). The advertised run time for the iPad on a single charge is 10 hours and that was supposedly even under video playback. Testing by others on the WiFi model have been a little inconsistent, but not in a bad way. Some folks got well over 9 hours during a video test, while some got over 11. I have not performed my own focused test, but I am getting just south of 10 hours with the screen at 50% brightness, 3G on, WiFi and Bluetooth off in a mix of web browsing, streaming video from Netflix and Youtube, and 2D gaming with short sessions of 3D (more graphically intensive) games thrown in. Color me impressed, but that is nearly a full working day of typical use.
(On the subject of power, the 10W USB issue has a nasty side effect. None of my portable power supplies work with the iPad so once the battery is drained, I have to find an outlet. When docked or connected to my iMac, the battery will charge, but slow enough that it only makes sense if I leave it there overnight. If I have something running on the iPad, it takes even longer. Unless you have an outlet, you won’t be able to rely on the iPad for trips longer than 10 hours even if you have a USB-toting laptop handy.)
SOFTWARE
The problem with reviewing a consumption device such as this is that much of the value is derived from the software available. That is not to say that to review the iPad you have to review every single app out there. Rather apps help shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the platform, particularly issues stemming from the use of a mobile phone OS rather than a more robust variant. Since one of the distinguishing characteristics of the iPad compared to the iPhone and iPod touch is the screen size and resolution, it is important to highlight how that is being used and if it can justify the significant difference in price.
iPod/Video: Built into the iPad, these core apps are the default media playing utilities. iPod handles music and podcasts while Video, as the name implies, takes care of movies and television shows. The iPad as a speaker on the bottom near the dock connector which is rather good for the profile, but headphones are still preferable, particularly for sources with stereo sound. The interface for the iPod app borrows a little from the desktop client, utilizing panes in landscape, a common iPad feature for many apps, to allow faster navigation without disrupting the area for controls and media information. It has quick access to create or modify playlists and use Genius, the iTunes music recommendation service. The player is responsive and one of the few apps that can currently run in the background until iPhone OS 4.0 hits the iPad in the fall.
The 9.7" 1024x768 pixel IPS (in-plane switching) display is gorgeous and video is easily one of the iPad's strong suits. Video displays your video library in by thumbnails and selecting an item is a tap away. Once a video is chosen, video information is displayed if available. A nice addition to the iPad implementation is chapter search. There is a button on the action bar at the information screen that allows you to view the chapters for the video and select your starting point. iTunes does sync your current progress in videos across your registered devices, so this might not be too useful to some, but it is nice to have the option. Playback can be done in either landscape or portrait; most video is widescreen or at least a wide aspect, so there really isn’t much reason to watch in portrait unless you really need to keep the iPad docked. If you don’t want letterboxing, there is a button on the controls overlay that will stretch the picture to fit. The feature works, but the expense of clarity and/or cropping had me making due with the border.
iBooks: One of the most publicized new apps, the iPad exclusive iBooks Apple's answer to the Kindle and other closed network e-Readers. As far as I am concerned, it is one of the most important apps on the platform as it demonstrates a few major problems with the current iDevice landscape. The iPhone OS is a closed environment. Apps intermingling just doesn't happen. Each one is designed to be its own entity. The iBooks store is only accessible from the iBooks app, but uses the iTunes store as a back bone, even using the same account. In this regard it is still like the App Store, at least on the iPad itself. On the desktop client, the Apps Store is just another part of the iTunes store in general. Not only is iBooks not likewise integrated, there is no desktop analog whatsoever. Your iBooks are iPad only, not even transferrable to an iPhone or iPod Touch. The only potential saving grace is that the app uses the ePub format, although only DRM-free books or in-app purchases are compatible. There are, as of this writing, 50 free books, and most others are more expensive than their Kindle counterparts. It should be noted that not only are Kindle purchases readable via desktop clients for PC and Mac, but via a universal iPhone/iPad app. For such a touted app, this one raises more problems than it solves.
Pages: Partway through writing this review, I decided to try writing the rest in one of the three iWork apps available for the iPad. Pages is the word processing app. It does a decent job as such, but it has more than a couple of issues. Importing a document for instance was quite a chore. My first thought was to email myself the document. Unfortunately, the working draft was a not in a format that was compatible despite Apple's own email app showing "Open in Pages" as an option for opening the attached file. The next attempt had me downloading it to my iMac, opening it, and saving it again in a different format. The default in this operation was iWork '08. I stumbled around iTunes until I finally found the section to include the document in files synced to the iPad Pages app. Yes, you have to sync each file with each app individually. Once again, that failed. I easily found the document in my Pages app only to have it report that it, too, was not supported. It only supported iWork '09. Of course. I finally got it on the third attempt, but only after developing a bitter taste in my mouth. It is certainly not a process I'd like to repeat.
Autocorrect once again helps out and can be handy when using the software keyboard. For whatever reason, the dictionary it uses is different than that used by the rest of the iPad. Some typos don't correct, but still have the red underline indicating a misspelling. Touching an underlined word brings up some suggestions, but some make no sense. For instance, "thte" did not include "the". Even stranger, certain Apple slang doesn't autocorrect. "ibooks" will capitalize properly every time, but the same cannot be said about "iphone" or "itunes" unless you stop for a second or so after typing and none of these improper forms are considered to be misspelled. The faster you type, the less likely that Pages will correct a mistake. Keyboard input is more accurate, but autocorrect remains the default. When writing a review that has to mention these things several times, it becomes a major pain. One more quirk I have not experienced firsthand, but can certainly cause problems. Not all formatting options from the full Pages application are available in the iPad app. When you import a document with this unsupported formatting, it gets converted to suit the mobile app and overwriting (as far as I can tell) the imported file.
There are some cool things, such as changing a selection of text by touching and dragging the corners of the current selection and inserting pictures seems easy enough. Still, it is more of a last resort than a first choice should you need to do any serious work.
Netflix: This was a highly anticipated app and not just because of putting thousands of movies on an iPad without needing to waste precious internal storage. And it allows streaming over 3G. The quality of streaming over WiFi is darn near perfect, not HD but still free of artifacting. Streaming over 3G is expectedly worse, but not by enough to make it unwatchable. There are clear signs of compression, but the video quality is still acceptable. Better still, the 3G here in town is fast enough that there is no stopping or stuttering once the video stream begins. Unlike some integrated Netflix apps on Blu-Ray players that only let you browse your Instant Queue or a clunky simplified view of the whole library, the iPad's Netflix app looks just like the website modified to accommodate the touch screen. From there, you can instantly play an available title, add something to your Instant Queue, or even browse the DVD/BD selection to update your regular Queue. Aside from the interface, there doesn’t seem to be any reason that this functionality cannot be extended to the iPhone or iPod Touch. For the record, there are “universal” apps that run on the iPhone and the iPad in full resolution, usually with some interface tweaks, so having a lesser version on the smaller device is well within reason.
Games: For years now, Apple has been touting their iPhone OS as a gaming platform. Being a gamer and having used an iPhone and an iPod Touch for a while, I never made that connection. The only inputs available are touch and the integrated accelerometers. Action games have to rely on virtual joysticks or slider bars which make fine movement difficult especially on a cramped screen. Tilt controls weren’t well suited to fast motion, but at least the size of the portables made the motions reasonable. Touch-drag-slide felt like the only paradigm that just worked and only some games could operate solely within that framework.
The iPad has a much larger screen, but still relies on touch and motion control. There is still no physical feed back from inputs, so a finger sliding off of a virtual joystick can go unnoticed until the character in the game stops responding during a battle or misses a critical jump. During a fast-paced game, I don’t want to have to look down at the silhouettes of action buttons to make sure my thumb is still over the proper section of the screen since action button feels exactly the same as no button on glass. The extra size and heft of the iPad also make game that rely on tilt a little more cumbersome. Not to the point that they aren’t playable, but I was relieved to discover that the motion levels in Soosiz HD (a truly entertaining gravity platformer that’s a steal at $1.99, with a free Lite version available to demo) were short and pretty rare. As with the iPhone, the iPad excels in games that involve tapping and dragging.
The larger screen and higher resolution allow ports of older games with more complexities in addition to prettier graphics. Take for instance Flight Control HD. A follow up to the successful mobile phone game, the goal is to land incoming planes and helicopters on their proper runways (larger planes need larger and longer strips). Aircraft approach the fixed view field from all directions, the rate increasing over time, and the player must draw a flight path for each one. If two collide, the game ends. Flight Control HD uses the same mechanic while making use of the larger field to incorporate more airports with more runways and layouts. Instead of two landing strips, there may be four and enough planes in play to require all of them and then some. The game is fun and definitely not possible at that scope on other iPhone hardware on the market, but it is still the same game. It’s an example that helps perpetuate the suggestion that the iPad is just a giant iPod Touch. Honestly, it is. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If I had an iPad (which I do) and wanted to play Flight Control, I would probably pick HD over the iPhone version even though the iPad can play either and HD costs $4 more ($4.99 versus $0.99). Flight Control HD is simply a better, deeper, more complex game.
Overall: You may have noticed in the Flight Control example the price difference between the iPad and iPhone apps. This is currently common practice. All iPhone apps (at least ones that don’t require the camera or phone services) can run on the iPad. Unless they have been specially programmed, they will run in an iPhone sized window on the screen with a “2X” button to double its size. There are no graphical enhancements or smoothing applied, so the result of expansion is blocky and not very pleasing to the eye. Full screen iPad apps come in two flavors: universal and iPad-only. Universal apps can be new or updated versions of older apps that have been modified to allow support for the larger screen. These can run on the iPhone/iPod Touch as well as in full screen on the iPad, in some cases with UI enhancements or features. If you’ve already bought a universal app or one that has been made universal since then, you can sync it to your iPad with no need for an additional purchase. The remaining lot are the iPad exclusives. These may be brand new apps, such as Pages and Netflix, or “HD” or “for iPad” revamps of popular iPhone titles. There are a few exceptions, but almost all paid iPad-only apps are more expensive than their low-resolution counterparts and the price differences can be significant. Many paid iPad apps are $5-10 rather than the $1-5 impulse items that helped the App Store flourish.
Touching on Flight Control HD, it was mentioned that I don’t consider the iPhone is a primary gaming platform, even among handhelds. There is some potential on the horizon that could change the gaming landscape for iDevices. Square Enix recently launched Chaos Rings for the iPhone. At $12.99, it is priced more like an iPad app, but features, according to numerous reviews, gameplay and graphics (on the iPhone/iPod Touch screens) on par with the PlayStation 2, a full RPG experience that spans tens of hours. If sales don’t disappoint, there may be more like it.
CONCLUSION
There are really only two primary questions regarding the iPad. 1) Is it a good device, and 2) Is it worth getting? The answer to the first is fairly easy. Aside from some power issues, there really isn’t anything wrong with the iPad itself. If you have one, you will certainly find a lot to do with it and a lot to like about it. There is a large selection of free and not-so-free software available to download with more being added each day.
Is it worth the cost? Maybe. Starting at $500, the iPad is one of the cheapest major platforms Apple has released, but more than twice as much as the smallest iPod Touch, a device that shares much of the functionality. The differences are there, but are not yet a truly compelling argument for the extra expense of the iPad and the inflated price tags for iPad-only software currently on the market. The biggest advantage for the iPad right now is the option for 3G WWAN (with GPS), though that inflates the cost by another $130 plus the cost of pay-as-you-go service.
If you are on the fence, history suggests that there will be new iPod Touch hardware coming out this fall following in the wake of the fourth generation iPhone. Reportedly, the new iPhone will have a higher resolution screen - exactly double that of the previous - so it seems reasonable that the new Touch will receive that upgrade in addition to a general hardware bump. If accurate, the performance gap will close reducing or perhaps eliminating one of the iPad’s only advantages. Waiting until then, or even until the second generation iPad, would be the most prudent option, but if you absolutely must have an iDevice now, the iPad is the better choice.
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Which iPad Should I Get?
There are currently six versions of the iPad on the market distinguished by capacity and wireless capability. They are as follows: 16GB WiFi ($499), 32GB WiFi ($599), 64GB WiFi ($699), 16GB WiFi+3G ($629), 32GB WiFi+3G ($729), and 64GB WiFi+3G ($829). Storage is not technically upgradeable and 3G cannot be added to a WiFi model, but with $100 per storage upgrade and $130 for 3G it doesn’t make sense to get a model beyond your needs. But what exactly do you need? Here’s a little guide to help you out.
To 3G or Not 3G: In addition to the $130 hardware cost, 3G service is also needed to access a cellular data network. The iPad comes without a carrier lock, but the software is designed for AT&T in the US. There are two plans available, 250MB for $14.99 and an unlimited plan for $29.99, both lasting for 30-days. These are auto-renewing, so you have to remember to cancel before the 30 days unless you want another month of service. There is no contract, so there is no activation fee or penalty for cancelling or not renewing service. It is important to keep the cost of service in mind when determining your budget. If you are worried about bandwidth for the capped plan, you may be able to save yourself some usage by relying on AT&T wireless hotspots which the 3G iPads can use for free without consuming any of your data plan.
All iPads can use SkyHook for location services, comparing the MAC addresses of detected routers to a known database, but only the 3G model includes actual GPS hardware for accurate positioning even away from dense WiFi areas. But location services alone are not worth the extra cost. It really comes down to how much time are you away from home? How often is WiFi not an option? If you travel frequently, the WWAN service is invaluable. Even if you have a long stretch at home, you can end your service with AT&T until it is needed again to avoid monthly costs.
Before you decide, check to make sure you have 3G service in your area. You may be able to make due on EDGE, but any streaming services may run very poorly if at all.
Size Matters: There is a reason I’ve put the capacity after 3G. The biggest driver of storage space is media, videos in particular. A standard definition movie downloaded from iTunes measures in at about 1.5GB, though the sized do vary. Music uses less space, but it can add up quickly if you aren’t careful. The amount of media you’ll need on your device will depend on how often you’ll watch/listen to it and how long you’ll be away from your computer to swap out content. Anything else is a matter of convenience. Both of these can be mitigated by your usage scenario. You can significantly reduce the size of the music library by relying on some of the internet radio apps available for free in the App Store. Video, too, can be reduced greatly if you have a Netflix subscription, using their free app to stream movies even over 3G. ABC has even opened up their app to 3G allowing you to catch recent episodes of their shows.
If you can get by without loading too much video onto your iPad, 16GB will probably be enough. If you plan on going hog wild with app downloads, keeping in mind that iPad apps take up more space than their iPhone kin, you might want to consider an upgrade. Should you have reason to keep several movies available for long flights or don’t have mobile access to streaming video, 32GB should still be enough. The 64GB iPad looks to be overkill. Unless you have a need to store more content than you can rightfully consume in a dozen charges, 32GB should be enough. An interesting note is that the most popular WiFi model appears to be the 16GB entry model, while the majority of 3G iPads sold were 64GB. It makes some sense, as the WWAN-enabled appeals to those more likely to be on the go, away from home, unable to swap out older content. Also, those willing to shell out the extra dough probably can swing the storage upgrade as well.
What I Did (and Why): I got the 64GB iPad with 3G. I haven’t put much in the way of music on my iPad yet, but I have added 8 movies and most of a season of South Park. The video alone consumes 17GB. I have about 60 apps including some for the iPhone installed that use up less than 2GB total. I have more than enough video to fill the iPad if I were so inclined and adding a couple of my playlists will add another 5GB or so. I could make better use of the GPS by buying a navigation app, one that locally stores maps rather than relies on a data connection; there is at least one such app available for the iPad and it is about 1.5GB.
But I certainly didn’t know quite how I would use my iPad when I ordered it, so my current use case could not have influenced my choice. My motivation was simpler: I didn’t want to have to buy a new iPad next year. I really did want the 3G/GPS service, even as just an option in case I needed it. As for the capacity, I decided that spending an extra $100 up front was more desirable than having to pay $500 or more for a new iPad should the space not be enough. It was all about “future-proofing” at least as far as it can apply to an Apple product. The longer I can keep my devices relevant, the better.
The $500-829 Question: Practicality and upgrades aside, I didn’t approach the purchase with a budget in mind. If you can afford the data and don’t already have a smartphone, I’d recommend 3G over the next highest storage upgrade. You should also factor in accessories, downloads, and perhaps a warranty when looking at costs. A case of some sort is essential to protect and help transport the iPad, and that will run about $40 depending on which one you opt for. While there are quite a few quality apps available for free, you’ll probably want to buy a few as well. A few luckily provide a free or Lite version that functions as a demo for the paid app you you can try before you buy, leaving your shopping savvy intact. An initial budget of about $30 should last you through your starting app catalog and provide enough options to get some good use out your hardware. Warranties are a personal preference. If you get one from Best Buy, you can get theirs; Apple sells a 2-year AppleCare plan for the iPad, and SquareTrade has 2- and 3-year plans that even cover accidental and liquid damage. These options run $95-150, but there may be others out there.
That said, good luck and enjoy.