Screen Size:
9.7 inches
Memory:
0.51 GB
Hard Drive Size:
32 GB
Touchpad
0
Keyboard
4
Show what experts say (9 reviews)
"We actually found the flat-typing experience to be pretty good; it takes a little getting used to, but it's not totally bizarre either. In fact, we'd say it's a much more enjoyable experience than single-hand typing. Still, just as with the iPhone, there is a learning curve here that may diminish some hit-and-run shoppers' interest."
"To Apple's credit, the iPad's onscreen keyboard is one of the largest and most responsive we've encountered on a tablet device. Chalk it up to an old dog's aptitude for new tricks, but when it comes to writing multiple pages of text (reports, term papers, rambling manifestos) our fingers just seem to fly faster on a real keyboard."
"In portrait mode, the keys are relatively cramped...and more suited to either two-finger pecking or holding the iPad with one hand and stabbing with the other. Landscape mode is easier, though touch-typists will obviously miss the tactile feedback of a true keyboard. The experience would be far worse without Apple’s well-esteemed auto-correction..."
"If [the keyboard] weren't comfortable, I would have abandoned the iPad for my laptop 1,000 words ago. That said, it would have been less comfortable without Apple's $39 iPad case, which helped prop the iPad up in my lap to get the screen at an ideal viewing angle."
"As far as ergonomics are concerned, the standard seated-with-iPad-in-lap move is a completely comfortable experience, but there are definitely use cases where handling a flat slab becomes a pain. For instance, single finger typing becomes a bit of a game of hunt-and-peck..."
"I can imagine traveling with iPad instead of a netbook, with that keyboard dock in tow if I really need to do heavy text input."
"The virtual onscreen keyboard that pops up when needed is fine for e-mails or scribbling notes, but I wouldn't want to regularly write articles using it."
"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). A $70 keyboard dock will be available in April, but then you’re carting around two pieces."
"I found email easy and productive to use, and had no trouble typing accurately and quickly on the iPad’s wide on-screen keyboard. In fact, I found the iPad virtual keyboard more comfortable and accurate to use than the cramped keyboards and touchpads on many netbooks, though some fast touch typists might disagree..."
Build Quality
5
Show what experts say (6 reviews)
"If the design of the iPad is an exercise in restraint, it only serves to reinforce how formidable this technology feels once it's in your hands. The device has some heft, weighing in at 1.5 pounds, but is still comfortable to hang onto at most angles."
"If you've ever held one of Apple's unibody MacBooks, you know exactly the kind of feel and finish of the iPad's aluminum. Unlike the polished chrome of the iPod or glossy plastic of the iPhone, the back of the iPad seems less likely to show wear."
"The iPad's refined feel and high-quality materials won't surprise Apple devotees, but in the larger landscape of tablets, Netbook computers, and e-readers, the design feels distinctly upscale--especially given its price."
"The aluminum-clad casing seems similarly sturdy [as the screen], though it’s so endearingly slim and well engineered that even the mildest of scratches could prove disappointing."
"When the very glossy 9.7-inch screen is off, every fingerprint is grossly apparent."
"But how does it feel in your hands? Well, that matte aluminum on the back surprisingly communicates warmth (though we don't recommend resting this on any bare flesh on a cold morning), and the rest of the design gets out of the way and lets you concentrate."
Travel Capabilities show formula
We add a netbook's Build Quality score with its Battery Life score to determine how good it is for travel.
Bad
OK
Awesome
Speed show formula
To determine a netbook's effectiveness at multitasking, we combine the processor speed, with the memory size, and add in a bonus if a netbook has an SSD hard drive.
(processor speed x 2) + memory size + ssd support
Slowest
Average
Quickest
