Here at Assertive-Media, we have always sided with Microsoft, despite the million things that make them annoying, we have learned to love the hardworking team at Redmon (Microsoft). We love their innovation, productivity and the way that they really do put effort into keeping the Windows scene fresh and fun. However, with the explosion of Apple’s iPhone we wondered exactly what Steve Jobs had up his sleeve.

Apple’s simplistic approach has become nothing short of boring, especially with the launch of the iPad, which sounds more like a brand of sanitry towel then that of the device it is.

The iPhone, given its plain look does boast some good features, but with its diabolical camera, TV remote looks and mediocre battery life we expected the iPad to be something new, refreshing and different.

Looking at it leaves to the imagination, that, it really does look like an iPhone, well, an iPhone that has been squashed and stretched, which really doesn’t spring anything fun to mind. We like the glossy look, but then again, we have seen it all before. On the Microsoft side, we see a great deal of companies constantly refining and improving looks, style and functionality, especially with Laptops that boast fingerprint logins, touch screens, 8 hour battery life and more.

Looking at the iPad, we see the same restricted Apple OS chucked onto a device that resembles a dinner tray. Its ergonomic properties are in deep question, we like the idea, but we hate the design. Ok, so there is no keyboard, allowing the device to be more portable, but really, is it that difficult to carry around an extra 2 pounds of weight?

Whats more, is the price, with introductory prices as high as £400, does it really offer value for money?

Why spend £400 for a device designed to read books, play on the net and perform simple office tasks when you can spent £250 on a slim, light and compact notebook or netbook such as the Samsung NC range, MSI’s core range or even the new ultra slim Sony Vaio’s?

What’s more, the iPad typically offers 64gb for mobile storage, whilst even the lowest level notebooks often boast hard drives from 120gb onwards?

Apple have chucked on its standard OS, which, fun for many, is the same thing. There has been no refinement, whilst Microsoft really did go to town creating Windows 7, making it perfect for mobile computing.

Its sad to see Apple’s wheel, has the same design, feel, touch and look, whilst Microsoft based innovation has allowed for hundreds of manufacturers to be very creative.

So I hear, “the iPad has a battery life of up to 10 hours”, Ok, thats impressive, but what happens when those batteries are tired from frequent charges, can you replace the battery? NO, it’s an Apple job to replace, and, with lower voltage CPU’s on the market, many Windows based laptops now boast up to and in excess of 8 hours battery life, hardly anything to sniff at when most commuters need no more then 3-4 hours at a time.

The iPad in short, is an iPhone, lacking 3g and voice support, which makes its price tag something to laugh about.

Thanks to Apple’s attempt, we see a far better idea from Lenovo who have created a Laptop Tablet which is a fully functional laptop that allows for the screen to be disconnected and used as a tablet itself, meaning that when needed, the base provides multiple USB and card reader connectivity, Wifi, Additional Battery Life, A Keyboard, DVDRW Drive and more.

We give the iPad a thumbs down on this, simply because the price vs. the spec and design, simply does not weigh up value.

We found the iPad awkward to use, difficult to maintain in a usable position, and to be honest, quite boring.

We say, stick to a good brand of netbook for mobile computing, splash out on some of the new netbooks boasting dual core low voltage Intel CPU’s, along with ultra bright AMOLED screens, Solid state drives and more!.

A notebook at the equivalent price to an iPad boasts 2x the processing power, 3x the storage capacity, 3x the level of Ram, and a battery life that is almost equivalent, we say, stick to a good quality netbook for mobile computing.