The Apple iPad is an amazing device that will truly revolutionize the way people use computers. It’s light weight, small dimensions, big screen and great operating system make it perfect for a truly wide variety of applications, from home and mobile computing to replacing a lot of other devices in the house and backpack to specialized applications like cash registers or information pads for doctors and engineers (like you’ve probably seen in a lot of Sci-Fi movies and TV series).
The iPad is the ideal device for people who don’t know how to use computers (including old people and children), due to its very simple, uncluttered interface. It can also be the perfect replacement for notebooks and books in schools, as all the information can be held inside it and downloaded instantly from the Internet. The main problem is price, which is a bit too high for everyone to afford.
But, of course, as with all the great devices in the world, there are some things that the iPad can’t do. And I’m not talking about tasks like making you coffee or writing your documents for you, which are obviously still impossible. I’m talking about tasks that the iPad can technically do, but it lacks the necessary software or hardware (like an USB port on the device itself, support for Flash, a front facing camera, a more ruggedized case and other things that Apple could’ve easily integrated).
Here are some of the most important things you may want to use the iPad for, but unfortunately, can’t.
View Flash
This is the main beef of a lot of users and iPad buyers with the device. Nobody understands why Apple decided to leave out support for Flash content in their web browser, when it’s clearly possible, as demonstrated by 3rd party utilities for the iPhone. No flash means that not only thousands of sites can’t be viewed, but also a lot of videos and music files that are in .flv or .swf formats. There are a lot of great video sharing sites like Youtube and Metacafe that can’t be viewed directly from the browser and need to have a separate app installed (and right now, only Youtube has one on the iPad).
Multitask
Sadly, the fears of many users have become a reality: the iPad can’t be used for multitasking. For a universal computer, this is quite a disadvantage, as a lot of people may want to chat on Skype while taking notes and having a Word document and a browser window open in the background. The HP Slate will surely take advantage of this and cater to those users, which will result in lost sales for the iPad. On the bright side, iPod, Safari and Mail can be used and remain open in the background (which is sort of like multitasking), and you can switch between them. Also, the lack of multitasking means better battery life and more simplicity for new users.
Apple iPad
Use a 3rd party browser
As much as you might like Safari, you have to admit there are other, better and faster browsers, like Firefox and Chrome. Unfortunately, you can’t install them on the iPad, because it uses a custom ARM processor (not x86, which most desktop software need) and Apple’s custom OS. SO if you thought you could have the same Internet browsing experience as on your desktop, you will be disappointed, and if you really like or depend on a certain desktop utility (not necessarily a browser, anything else counts, too), you may be better off waiting for the HP Slate to be released. Its specs are the same as the iPad, it’s lighter and smaller by an inch, and it runs any programs that a desktop can run.
Print documents
This is another obviously useful feature that for some reason hasn’t been implemented. I’m sure it will be present in the next OS update, but a lot of users need it right now. With the iPad, you can’t use a printer to print your files via USB, Bluetooth or Wifi. That is too bad, as it would be a great feature. Strangely enough, you can use the iPad to output slides to a projector, which means it’s the only device you may need to carry with you on various events and presentations.
Use it in tough conditions.
OK, this one can be forgiven, as the iPad is a lightweight, slim and small device, and there aren’t many materials that would make it tougher without increasing the price dramatically. But, the iPad is very sensitive to drops, flexes and liquid spills. You can easily break the screen glass (and the screen itself) when you accidentally drop or bend it. The touch screen can also stop working completely if you spill anything on it, so you have to be very careful (and preferably have something to wipe it clean with you at all times 
.
Even with the above disadvantages, the Apple iPad is still a wonderful device that can be used for a wide variety of things. I’m sure that in time, Apple will address these problems and fix them, so the next releases of the iPad will be able to do everything including the things listed above.
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