Apple iPad

• It offers a maximum of 64GB of storage, a 9.7-inch screen and isn't able to run multiple apps simultaneously, so it's not going to replace many desktop computers.


• It doesn't have a cell phone, so it's not going to replace many iPhones.


• With prices starting at just $499, lots of people will want them anyway.


• With iWork, Mail, Safari, and 100,000-plus iPhone apps available, many users could use iPads instead of laptop computers.

So who is going to buy all these iPads? First and foremost, I expect lots of notebook computer users to abandon their Mac and Windows laptops completely and replace them with iPads. And I expect a substantial number of iPhone and desktop computer users to buy an iPad to use in addition to their desktop computer and/or iPhone. Ergo, I predict the iPad will become an instant best-seller.

So, if the iPad does become a smash hit, how will it affect Apple?

The biggest concern, I think, is that the iPad is going to cannibalize some MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro sales, perhaps a lot of them.

That sounds bad for Apple but it's really not, as I'll explain in a moment. I also believe the iPad is going to convert a good number of Windows laptop users, which you have to agree, sounds pretty good for Apple.

Finally, the iPad will appeal to many users who will buy it in addition to all of their other devices, which would also be quite good for Apple.

The question is how badly will those lost MacBook sales hurt Apple. I believe the answer is not much. Sure, in the short term it will mean that some Apple notebook profits are lost to the less expensive (and thus less profitable) iPad sales. But in the long run Apple will more than make up those profits selling music, video and applications to iPad.

In other words, though Apple makes a tidy profit when you buy a MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, the iPad will become a gold mine that delivers profits month in and month out, year after year, and will be one of Apple's greatest success stories.

Specs

The iPad is a beast of a machine, so here's a rundown of what makes up Apple's latest and greatest.

• CPU: Apple's custom 1GHz A4 SOC, manufactured by Samsung. And I can tell you, it's blazingly fast.


• Display: 9.7-inch, 1024 x 786 (132 PPI), LED backlit IPS with capacitive touch and oleophobic coating.


• Storage: The iPad will come in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB variations.


• RAM: No word on this from Apple (just like with the iPhone and iPod touch). We assume it's more than the iPhone 3GS's 256MB, but we won't know for sure till we see a full breakdown.


• Wireless: The devices comes standard with 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1. You can also purchase a version which has 3G connectivity (UMTS / HSDPA 850, 1900, 2100MHz and GSM / EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz). Sorry everyone, the iPad uses new micro SIMs.


• Other sensors: The iPad has a digital compass, there's AGPS on-board in the 3G version, and both versions have an accelerometer and ambient light sensor.


• Ports / input / output: Headphone jack, 30-pin dock connector, built-in microphone, built-in speaker.


• Battery life: Apple claims "up to" 10 hours web surfing on WiFi, listening to music, or watching video, and over a month on standby.


• Dimensions: height: 9.56-inches, width: 7.47-inches, depth: 0.5-inches, weight: 1.5 pounds (1.6 for the 3G model).