Top five reasons to get the iPad
Tablet computing has been the most talked about tech in 2010, and the introduction of Apple's iPad was the device that ignited public interest.
When it comes to promotion no-one whips up verve and publicity quite like Mr Jobs and his crew, but so often the fundamentals are lost in a maelstrom of marketing blurb and self-aggrandising mumbo-jumbo, so we thought we would look past the promotion and lay out 5 simple reasons why the iPad is such a good buy.
The Web
Yes, we know having the web on a device isn't unique, but the way the iPad handles internet browsing is – it brings a unique tangibility to your web surfing habits, affording you a feeling of immersion that you don't quite get sitting in an office chair and clicking a mouse. If you've used an iPhone you'll be familiar with the multi-touch input, slick scrolling, zooming and formatting which makes browsing so simple and intuitive, but of course with the iPad you're treated to it on a much grander scale. Flash is a notable omission but with the fantastic web-apps and emerging popularity of high quality HTML5 content we don't think you'll miss it for very long.
Battery Life
Apple devices aren't renowned for their stellar battery life, in fact you're lucky if you can make it through a working day without having to top-up your iPhone's power levels, but thankfully Apple has righted their wrongs with the iPad.
We wouldn't quite agree with Apple's assertion that it will last 10 hours (see our opening statement regarding marketing speak!) but if it's used sensibly you can rely on the device to last a working day. If you're using it intensively you can expect the battery to last for around 6 hours, which, when you take into account the 9.7-inch screen, Wi-Fi and speakers, is pretty impressive.
Gaming
The world of tablet gaming is going to be huge and it's easy to see why with the iPad. There's a huge selection of device-specific games to choose from which make excellent use of the iPad's multi-touch capability and built-in accelerometer, allowing you to control your games with a flick of the finger or a minute turn of the tablet. Also there just isn't anything that can compete with the huge LCD screen, which gives you a much fuller gaming experience than any other hand-held gaming platform on the market.
E-Books
If you're an avid reader then you'll find lots to love with the iPad. It comes with Apple's very own iBook app which puts an extensive library of titles at your fingertips including new enhanced books, which come with embedded media to make your reading experience much more rewarding. There’s also a whole host of books and titles that are available for free – there’s a lot on philosophy and all the classics.
The form factor of the iPad is perfect for reading too, just pick the device up as you would a book and swipe your finger across the screen to turn the page.
Media
Whether you're going through your holiday snaps with a friend or watching a movie on a long-haul flight you'll find the iPad invaluable. The 1GHz processor renders video superbly and the large screen surpasses most other PMP's, it really doesn't feel like you're watching a handheld device! You're also able to rent movies and download your favourite TV shows through iTunes, which means you need never be bored when you're away from home, or even when you are home for that matter, as you can stream your content from your iPad to your Apple TV wirelessly – genius!
Conclusion
The iPad really is more than just a pretty face. It's practical, functional and generally lots of fun to use. In no time at all you'll find yourself wondering how you got along without one, it just slips into your day-to-day life seamlessly and allows you to stay in-touch, entertained and keeps you productive for longer.
So why not drop the laptop and treat yourself to something a little different this holiday season?