The device is going to encounter two key problems. The first, and most critical, is how is this device really portable? Show me a pocket this will slip into comfortably, and sticking it down the waistband of your pants doesn’t count as a pocket, even if you’re currently keeping a sausage down there! From the images it’s the size of a ‘full-size’ keyboard (without keypad), so it’ll slip into a woman’s handbag quite admirably. So, as a man, I’ve got the option of carrying a handbag or bringing my wife everywhere with me, are those the two options men nation wide really want to be deciding between? I know for a fact, if my wife is with me the functionality of the iPad is reduced . . . namely because it’ll get stolen from me, which leaves me getting a handbag or some other metrosexual apparel. This issue may be resolvable with some innovative case design, but inevitably it’s likely to end up in a backpack facing off with objects it likely never intended to meet and getting hurled around like old runners.

The second problem, for me personally, is that it is a locked-down device. It’s running a locked varient of Mac OS X, which means we as users will be entirely dependent on the App store for applications on a device that held so much potential. Oh and, unless someone made a monumental screw up before the presentation, no Flash. So those 90% of users who are using applications on facebook aren’t likely to see any use in the ~$850 price tag of a high-end iPad with 3G. The custom built A4 ARM processor means no hope of hacking a real Mac OS X onto it, nor windows or probably chromium OS. There’s slim hope for one of the ARM enabled linux variants as it’s likely going to take a lot of time to jailbrake the custom processor and Apple has kindly placed itself in a position where it can always be one step ahead.

The $30 monthly wireless plan with no contract is possibly the most appealing feature of the entire iPad, which in my opinion is rather depressing. Its claims of battery life seem a little dubious, ‘up-to’ 10 hours wireless web/video/music seems a bit strange. Perhaps processing the video isn’t nearly as battery draining as the screen, but I seriously doubt a battery life of 10 hours watching full screen movies. I’m expecting maybe 6 at a push.

Honestly, with portability not significantly higher than a netbook, but with way more restrictions than any netbook on the market makes a $500 – $850 price tag way too high. I’m sorry, but $130 for built in 3G is a joke. $200 netbook with $150 out-of-plan USB wifi still sounds like a much better deal to me, especially considering a 160GB hard drive and gaming ability. An Intel 950GM gets you through plenty of the classics of gaming, the iPad won’t. I also can’t control the 3G installed by Apple, which means I’m likely to be suckered into a deal with Bell. With a netbook, I can choose from Bell, Telus, Rogers, Virgin, Koodoo, Fido and the newcomer Wind.

Sorry, iPad. Your inevitable entrance into Canada won’t have me pulling out my wallet to buy you.

©2012 Nik Gregory. All Rights Reserved.