The iPad from Apple was one of the hot releases of 2010, attracting loads of media attention. On its first day on sale in the US, it sold 300,000 units and over 1 million were sold across the first month. Something must be encouraging people to buy it in such numbers, but is it worth it? There is some confusion over what the iPad is: some say it appears to be nothing but a giant iPhone, while others suggest it’s a great tablet computer that’s more transportable than a laptop.

It may be more transportable than a laptop, but some critics have argued that the iPad doesn’t quite cut it as a computer as it’s missing key laptop features such as USB ports, a physical keyboard and DVD drive. This suggests that if you’re looking to use it as you would a laptop, then it may not add up, although it’s great for using the internet on the go. The touch screen features and keyboard have been said to give it an edge over smart phones.

One fantastic feature that definitely works in the iPad’s favor is the access to Apple’s iTunes and all of the apps that come with it. It even works as a rival to the e-readers that are currently on the market: being multifunctional, it’s not just limited to books. The email access function has received praise, as has the access to the internet. It’s also great for using on the go with access to apps such as maps and SatNav, among others.

The iPad comes with a variety of memory options, which have been met with something of a mixed response. You can choose from options ranging from 16Gb and 64Gb, which is great although there is quite a variation in the price. You can also choose to have a more expensive option with 3G connectivity. On the downside, if you want to use a SIM in it, you have to sign up to a special network plan as it’s not possible to transfer your existing iPhone SIM.

Overall, the iPad is a pretty nifty device but it’s worth bearing in mind the fact that it’s early days: there are still a few little kinks in the current model that should be ironed out with time. There are issues with displaying some websites, the speakers aren’t great and the lack of webcam is noticeable. Critics also argue that it gives Apple unfair control over how people access the internet, but as other companies introduce rival models, it stands to reason that this won’t last.

Now Try – www.insureipad.co.uk

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