iPad 3G: Was it Worth the Wait?
Apple’s latest device has been turning heads for over a month now and just before hype began to subside, the iPad 3G was released, bringing the spotlight back to the it. The iPad 3G is nothing more than a copy of the original with 3G connectivity (to AT&T’s 3G Network) added. Therefore, a review of the iPad 3G cannot be accomplished without first reviewing the iPad’s core functionality and then including a review of the new 3G technology which has been integrated.
In the words of Apple, the iPad is a way of bridging the gap between the smart phone and a laptop. The iPad does an excellent job at combining a pleasant web browsing and media viewing experience, while placing it in a portable package. But it’s capable of so much more too, with the ability to run games, view eBooks and perform just about any other basic computing task. It also has a gorgeous, minimalistic design, not far off the from the design of the iPhone, on a much larger scale. Paired with a nice leather iPad case the iPad is a sleek and sexy piece of technology.
The iPad runs on a modified version of the iPhone OS which allows a few significant changes. The iPad is capable of navigating in a much quicker manner with the ability to display multiple tabs and panes of information on the same screen. Pop-up preview windows allow users to preview information without leaving the original content source, something that is limited on the iPhone’s tiny screen.
Apple’s software suite, iWork, which is viewed as an answer to Microsoft Office, enables users to perform similar functions on their iPad. iBook enables magazines and written literature such as books to be displayed and stored on the device. The iPad ships with a 1GHZ processor which enables a smooth experience and very little “lag.” The beautiful and large LCD screen makes viewing media and navigating the web a pleasure.
The original iPad shipped with Wi-Fi capability which was hit or miss. The Wi-Fi chip was often described as “having a mind of its own” and would frequently drop or loss signal with just a slight movement or change of position. The problems typically occurred in areas with low Wi-Fi signal strength. Aside from the minor flaws with the Wi-Fi chip one of the biggest gripes was the lack of mobility. Wi-Fi ties users to areas where Wi-Fi signals are available and does not enable freedom.
The 3G chip enables users to connect to AT&T’s high speed 3G network. The 3G performance of the iPad is quite surprising, to say the least. The device connects flawlessly to the 3G network. Of course, the iPad 3G is limited by AT&T’s network coverage which can be spotty in some areas. Users within markets that offer strong 3G coverage will be able to enjoy freedom with their iPad, similar to using a 3G mobile phone. In theory speeds of up to 1.5 MBs are possible with AT&T’s 3G service; although the iPad 3G is aimed more towards freedom and mobility than speed. Wi-Fi service which is connected to a decent broadband connection will still provide better speeds on the iPad. However, for portability the iPad 3G is the ultimate choice enabling users to connect to both the Wi-Fi and 3G networks.