Apple has once again turned our heads with their recently revealed iPad device. Given the precarious history of Tablet PC’s, a category that the iPad has been hastily banded to, many are asking what more can it offer us should we be thinking of adding yet another gadget to our daily ensemble.

Bear in mind that Tablet PC’s are still PC’s (albeit with less advanced graphics processing) and predominantly run on a Windows OS. Windows 7 has really taken off with tablet pc operation and offers a lot more function for the average user. The iPad appears to be an inbetweener, not an iPhone but not a laptop either. Most importantly it will be run with Apple’s own operating system which as iPhone has proven can be very restrictive, it has storage capacity more akin to an iPod with 16GB going up to 64GB. The processor suits the reduced functionality of a device its size and intended use with a A4 1Ghz processor, but with a more respectable 2GB of DDR2 RAM memory. No USB connections are available.

It really sits as an extended function iPod touch. It’s not comparable to Tablet PC’s as they are trying to become an evolved version of a PC with new touch screen technologies and fully functional software to match. Not to mention the obvious cost difference, tablet PC’s are notoriously expensive. Prices for the iPad are set at about $499 for its US release, much closer to iPhone prices than the cost of a Tablet PC. It’s really more comparable to the next generation of ebook readers which are very quickly evolving into multi-media devices, of which eBook reading is just one use alongside surfing the web, emailing, you-tubing and watching video files or listening to mp3’s.

The real thing to keep in mind is; have Apple picked up a trend once again and run with it at the right time. They are masters of marketing which is why the iPod is such a success over the many devices that are equal or superior to it. They bombarded us with ad’s for the device in every medium available and the next thing you know everyone wants one. Same with the iPhone and now possibly the iPad. Steve Jobs and his advisors have an uncanny ability to spot a niche within a growing trend, turn it into something that just about hits the spot (but can fall short such as iPhone mk 1) and then hypnotize us with constant media. The thing is, we buy the Apple goods, and for the most part we love the Apple goods. If the iPad follows in the well thought out marketing steps of its little cousins then it will be as the others; a success regardless of flaws. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking the iPad will lead the Tablet PC revolution; that’s a different league altogether and probably for the best.

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