Tech Review

Is the iPad a joke? An experiment to see how superfluous a product Apple fanboys are willing to buy?

OK. Let's say I want to:

1. Browse the web. I can do that with a cell phone- that fits in my pocket, and that I, and any potential iPad owners, already have.

2. Watch flash video. Nope. Can't do that. My less expensive laptop can. my Droid will soon be able to.

Motorola DROID A855 Phone (Verizon Wireless)

3. Read an ebook. I can do that on my phone and/or laptop (which together are less expensive than the iPad). But, then again, why would I want to read a whole book on an LED screen? The Kindle and Nook have "e-ink" screens which are specially made for long reading sessions. Instead of banning transfats, people should ban iPads.

And, the Kindle and nook books are cheaper! Am I missing something?

Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

Barnes and Noble NOOK ebook reader

4. Take pictures. uh uh. Can do that with laptop or phone.

5. Video chat. No.

6. Work. Well, I can take a keyboard with me. Woops, there goes the portability. I can use real, grown-up apps or Google Docs on my laptop mini.

Yeah! I can buy and lug around a keyboard.

7. Make a presentation. Limited to 640 resolution. Need to carry some extra stuff.

8. Move stuff around. I need the dock. No USB or SD card. Seriously.

9. Find something. No GPS.

10. Do two things at once? Ha! No multitasking.

11. Impress squid friends for 90 minutes. Yes!

12. Look like a total dweeb to people who actually do useful stuff. Success!