The company I'm gigging for now has an iPad to use to test our software on. The software works fine, but I was curious how the thing worked with other stuff, too. I don't mean this as a serious review, but just a hands-on test and some observations to share.

Note...this post was written on the iPad while I was playing with it, except for this comment, which is being added to point out that any errors contained within left in are on purpose, to give a feel for the device's assistance.

Physically, the thing is a good size. About the size of a big paperback or small text-ish book, but only as thick as a magazine. Well, a kind of thick magazine, like a monthly not weekly deal.

It is not too heavy, but it is a little off-balance for long input, such as typing this post, with one hand while holding it in the other. For trivial input, such as URLs in the browser or sliding or "clicking" links, it works fine. The accelerometer is much more responsive than my Droid (the only device I can compare), and, of course, the screen is much larger.

The on-screen keyboard leaves a little to be desired for longer input, but the pop-up auto-complete suggestions are handy. I don't know if either are configurable, as I've only spent a few moments with it and don't want to fiddle with it too much.since I know how to type, I'm trying to do it more like real than one-finger pecking, and it isn't too tricky.

I think I will wait, though, for something with a few extras I probably wouldn't really use, like a camera, or an OS I would be more likely to write software. I wouldn't turn one down as a gift, though.