I followed the live blogs on Wednesday.  Yesterday, I watched the official and full video of the announcement event posted on the Apple website (it can be found here).  My conclusion is similar to what I’ve seen posted elsewhere: it’s nice, I even briefly considered buying one, but….

First, let me get the obligatory list out of the way.

What I like about it

• the touch UI
• the screen size (9.7” is ideal)
• the battery life
• the entry price of $499

What I don’t like about it

• the name (nor does Fujitsu with their claim dating to 2002)
• no Flash player & the other limits imposed by Apple (like multi-tasking)
• it’s not much more than an iPod Touch except larger

What I’m surprised is missing

• a camera, therefore no video conferencing (think Skype)
• Flash player, just a dedicated YouTube player and therefore no access to Hulu and much, much more
• multi-tasking for third party apps (e.g., you can’t listen to Pandora and do something else)
• expandable memory (i.e., an SD/SDHC card slot)
• USB inputs (for WAN, keyboards, memory sticks, etc.)
• voice and/or stylus/pen for text input
• hand writing recognition
• support for HDTV standard resolutions because of the 4:3 screen
• a physical keyboard included (although it is an optional extra)

In all fairness to Apple, since the iPad is not yet available for detailed inspections and trials it may off some interesting, yet-to-be explored possibilities such as:

• will the SD card reader (Camera Kit) that is available in the Apple store to allow users to import images be crippled or will it also be able to transfer and store documents of various types and formats?
• will Skype & Google voice work over WiFi?
• will there be the availability to upload & download documents to servers in the cloud?

One last burning question: how hot will the device be in your lap?

Many are comparing the iPad to the the Kindle, but what about something truly comparable like a Table PC?  I’ve written before about my fondness for the now obsolete HP TC1100 Tablet PC versions of which date back to 2002.  So what can it do compared to my near identically sized 5 year-old HP TC1100?  Not much:

• it does have a fabulous touch user-interface
• it does provide access to apps from the Apple apps store
• it does have better batter life
• iTunes?  Nope, I can do that as well as with other music purveyors
• Read & download books in the ePub format?  Nope, I can do that with several e-book purveyors
• Read & download magazines & newspapers?  Nope, I can do that with Zinio, PDF and other ways
• WAN? Nope, I can do that with a USB stick or tethering with Bluetooth
• Watch TV shows and videos?  Nope, I can do that too and even more since I can watch Hulu that uses Flash.

I still use my HP TC1100 and love the form factor.  It’s virtually the same size, albeit a bit thicker and heavier, than the Apple iPad.  In other words, other than price and horsepower, HP nailed it 7 or 8 years ago with the TC1000 and TC1100 Tablet PCs.  The iPad, which will still not be available for a couple of months,  is not that much better.  I can’t wait to see what the forthcoming HP Slate (running Windows 7) that was previewed at Microsoft’s CES keynote (and previewed here) will offer and cost. 

If the HP Slate is anything close the the rumored specs.  It should blow the socks off the iPad will definitely be my next device—not an Apple iPad.