Is the iPad worth buying?

Dear PropellerHeads: I've been hearing some buzz about Apple's iPad that will be out soon. What do you know about it, and should I buy one?

A: That was two questions, now I have two for you - how much money do you have, and how's your eyesight?

I know that didn't help much, but we'll get there soon enough. Like you, we at PropellerHead Central have also heard the buzz. We're anxious to actually get to touch one and then we'll provide an actual review. Since the iPad isn't currently available for sale, we can only speculate on how amazing the iPad may turn out to be. So here goes.

If you are an Apple-lover, and you've got money to spend, you are probably the ideal iPad customer. It is expected to be just as loved as the iPhone and the iPod Touch. It will combine features from both, and do it in a much larger profile. What the iPad will NOT do is be a cell phone ... so don't throw out your iPhone yet. Although the iPad will not have normal phone capabilities, it should be able (as most computers can) to make voice-over-IP, or Skype calls.

So, you can't use the iPad for making normal calls, and there's no camera. Beyond those obvious short-comings, is the continual complaint that Apple tries to only allow its proprietary software applications. Take a look at the scathing review by the Huffington Post for its view on the other negatives for the iPad (http://bit.ly/c0k2Wm).

What will the iPad do? Quite simply, almost anything you have grown accustomed to doing on your computer, laptop, or tablet PC. But as with most of Apple's techno-gadgets, it will likely do it well and with style. Will it replace tablet PCs? Who knows? My guess is that those who think Apple is king will flock to buy the iPad, and those who believe that PCs are king will continue to feel that way.

Many people who have used the iPod Touch complain that the on-screen keyboard is really almost too small to use. If the iPad on-screen keyboard works well, the iPad should be a real winner.

If you're beginning to feel like the iPad is just a much larger iPod Touch, you're getting the picture. With the growing baby-boomer population, bigger might just be better. The iPad should be a perfect alternative to the iPod Touch. It will allow you to watch movies, listen to music, read books and surf the Web with a screen you might actually be able to see.

So boomers, this one may be for you. When everything else is getting too small to see, the iPad has taken this issue to heart and given you a 9.7 inch screen. The iPad will be available at a starting price of $499. And the Apple store will even send you an e-mail letting you know when you can buy it (store.apple.com/us/browse/notifyme). But beware: starting price is just that. Add-ons, memory, and faster Wi-Fi speeds will push your price up quickly.

So what will be next after the iPad? Let's just hope it's not the iDepends. I know Apple is targeting boomers, but please Mr. Jobs, don't go that far!

For more information, take a look at apple.com/ipad. Happy surfing!

When the PropellerHeads at Data Directions aren't busy with their IT projects, they love to answer questions on business or consumer technology. E-mail them to questions@askthepropellerheads.com or contact us at Data Directions Inc., 8510 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Visit our Web site at www.askthepropellerheads.com.