Uncle Walt delivers his verdict on iPad

Frankly, an irrelevant review. Walt, bless him, has missed the entire point of the iPad as a completely different form factor. He's basically reviewed the software, which is 95% the same as the iPhone OS. Go back and see if it would still apply if he was reviewing the iphone. I bet 95% would apply.

The revolution has already happened Walter! With the iPhone! People don't need to hear 'reviewers' banging on about the software - most people already know how wonderful the iPhone OS is.

Instead, a proper review should talk about how it actually feels compared to using a netbook/laptop.

Like how does it feel to have to bend your knees for hours on end just to get a comfortable viewing angle with the iPad, or how it feels looking down for hours on end if you were using it on a table.

And how about how it feels to type when the bottom of the iPad is not even flat i.e. it rocks about when you're typing.

And how about how it feels holding it one handed laying in bed watching a movie?

Cos it doesn't matter how light the iPad is compared to other netbooks. For laptops you're not holding the damn computer most of the time. My hand hurts from holding the iPhone if I hold it for more than 30 minutes - how would that feel with an iPad?!

Forget 30 minutes, can you really imagine holding that thing about 10 hours a day, EVERY DAY? The iPad's weight is much more specific and important problem than a laptop's weight BECAUSE OF THE FORM FACTOR.

And yet Walt and most other reviewers miss this.

I was excited pre-announcement of the iPad because I was excited about how Apple would solve the problems inherent with tablet computers. When they announced it I realised that they hadn't solved any. Not one.

Yes the OS is great, but what problem does that solve if you've already got an iPhone? Nothing significant besides a larger screen, and a slightly faster processor (the iPhone 3GS is super quick for me anyway). People are absolutely right to be underwhelmed by this thing. This is one time where Apple has failed compared to their standards.

Was that a Newton behind him on the left side of the screen?

Is that a Newton in the background (over Walt's right shoulder)?

apple is not marketing this as a laptop or computer replacement. u still have to sync this with a computer. lets all remember that.

I don't understand why people say the iPad has negatives and drawbacks, including Walt here. If you watch Jobs keynote on the iPad, he tells you exactly what the iPad is for and what it does best. I also understand that people wanted almost everything on this machine (usb, flash, cards reader, front face or any face cam, desktop OS, etc, etc.) So I think the reviews should be about what the iPad was designed for and how good or bad was the experienced, and make it clear that everything it lacks in comparison to other tablets or netbooks is just their opinion and not necesarily a drawback or a negative.
The iPad doesn't do many things and does not have all the extras people wish for, and that's simply because it never said it would.

How can someone like Walt write that the ipad has between 16 and 64 GB of memory? When it probably has 1GB of memory and 16 to 64 GB of storage! Hello.

JustinWR youre a douche

Can't wait to use the iWork "progrum"

Personally, I don't see myself getting an iPad for the following reasons:

1. I have a 17" Macbook Pro and use it mainly for word processing and video, image, and sound editing. The iPad isn't suitable for any of those things.

2. When I am traveling without the MacBook Pro and want to use the internet, or watch short videos, I will soon be using an HTC Desire (you could of course use an iPhone instead).

3. I see the iPad as a supplement to a main computer/laptop which you can use more productively. If you are a casual Mac user who just wants to watch videos, look at photos, go on the internet, and play a couple of games, then it's fine.

4. If I want to watch a full-length movie, I go to the cinema or watch it on a large monitor/TV. If I want to read a book I buy a physical copy.

So there you are. If Apple released a more powerful version which could cope with HD video editing, image editing and sound editing, had some sort of video out so you could connect it to an external monitor, as well as USB ports for a keyboard and FireWire for and external HDD, then I might be more interested.

Good reporting... however I remind you that the WSJ is owned by News Corp, which in turn owns FOX News, as well as the entire GOP, most lobbyists, all the "rich people", all the "red necks", every single racist, and anyone that requires "oil" in their automobile (oh and anyone that eats meat).