The iPad in Hong Kong: Our Second Review

Another reader has sent in his guest-review on the new Apple device.

As more and more Apple iPad’s find their way in to Hong Kong, so do the reviews and here is our second review (the first is here) from prominent iPhone game developer Jeff Lyndon of Humble Gaming.

How does this new device stack up to a game developer based in Hong Kong? Continue reading to find out:

I am a loyal Apple fans with my own mind. When I first saw the iPad keynote I was excited, but soon after it I start finding it flaws and became a little skeptical of the device in daily use. However, I of course was still looking forward to it.

I have lots of theories on how an iPad should be used before I have an actual one in my hand. Now with the actual device in my hand, and with 20 something hours of stress testing, I am confident to say the iPad is suitable for the following usages:

Netbook replacement:

I always wanted to use a Netbook but have never  been able to fall in love with any one of them. Reason is simple, they are all inferior laptops. Most of more sophisticated tasks cannot be carried out on Netbooks. So at the end of the day, I only use it to check mails, browse websites and instant message my buddies. Yet even such simple tasks it can still fail quite horribly: bad battery life, needs Wifi, hangs, slow, constant freezes and I am bound to Windows or Linux kinds of PC issues.

Eventually all of these “Netbook tasks” are handled by my iPhone, even though it has a small screen I get 24/7 Internet connection. Things on it just work and on top its an Apple device. iPad is a better alternative and bridges the gap even more! The big screen makes all of my tasks better, the speed of the device is much faster, the battery is great and most important it can DO 2 things way better: Reading PDF’s and working in iWorks is amazing! With the 3G version I will totally use this as a Netbook replacement.

Daily Portfolio replacement:

I was robbed (snatch and run) 2 days ago in Guangzhou, the robber probably thought my portfolio is a laptop. Now with the iPad in my hand, I am starting to see if it can replace my portfolio and for the past 20 hours it has done pretty well for me.

Artist’s or Photographer’s portfolio: I can totally see in the future when I am interviewing an artist he will just bring his iPad with his work in it. Think about it – that is pretty damn cool!

E-Reader:

I totally fell in love with reading on the iPad. I have not brought a Marvel comic for ages and yesterday the iPad broke the curse for me.

Reading comic on it is just fun and BETTER then reading on the actual paper. I also tried E-Books, it is equally pleasant. The only thing I miss about is the scent of paper, may be someone or Apple will make a dongle which spray out “paper scents” eventually!

Home and Entertainment Device:

I have been playing some HD games with my fiance on the same iPad and its pretty fun. We browsed some of our wedding photos together and watched a few clips on Youtube. Created a checklist for our wedding event together. This experience is very unique and a laptop cannot pull it off. I can totally see iPad being a great device to just sit in the sitting room as a photo frame when idle and pick up to do simple collaborate tasks between couples or family members.

App you must download (Paid/Free):

• Pages (Paid)
• Numbers (Paid)
• Keynote (Paid)
• Harbor Master (Free), the only game currently which is Free but with a Paid game quality.
• TweetDeck (Free), If you know the name, I don’t need to explain further.
• Marvel Comic (Free), there are 5 issues which is free in it. Get it to experience the joy of reading E-Comics!
• iBooks (Free), reasons are the same as above.
• Adobe Ideas (Free), Great free drawing board which supports 2 layers!
• Voice Memo, yea can you believe it…Apple didn’t put in a Voice Recording App
• Evernote, if you use the service is again unavoidable

App you should consider downloading (Paid):

• Sketchbook Pro – If you love drawing
• Things – Very expansive but is the only to-do at the moment
• Calculator – Yes can you believe it? there is no calculator… WHY Steve? WHY?
• Flight Control HD – It is great!
• A Humble’s Numble – Well is made by me and is fun, com’on show some support.
• Desktop Connect – If you have an Home computer you are already using an iPhone to remote.
• Plants Vs Zombie HD – If you like the game on Desktop and not too much on the iPhone, get this one!
• Scramble – I don’t think I need to explain this one…

Problems with iPads:

I see quite a few of common 1st gen problems with the iPad. Such as the over heating, weak wifi signal, some random crashes on some Apps, freezes and such. None are major issues but worth to be mentioned. Personally I will not go for Non-3G version (unless you have Pocket Wifi or equivalent) or less then 32GB. The problem which some comment the iPad is an ergonomic disaster is kind of true but can be improved with the “Apple iPad Case” that Apple is selling for US$30.

Technology wise, I can definitely see why without multi-tasking and Flash Support would make things a little harsh for some people. Yet there is always hope, one which is just around the corner is iPhone 4.0, If you get an iPad now expect to be spending an additional US$100 right away for: Screen Protector (US$30), Case (US$30), iWork Suite (US$30) – these 3 are essential to an iPad and there is NO ALTERNATIVE.

Oh by the way have I mention that you can only download iPad App on US accounts at the moment? If not BE VERY AWARE of this. Most of you will be using an Hong Kong account and you will not have ANY iPad apps! Now if one open an US account you will need a US Zip code, US Credit Card or US iTunes cards to get an account going. In the long run you then will need to maintain 2 accounts. If 2 accounts sounds like a big hassle, wait for the HK iPad store.

My Verdict (for now):

If you are a heavy netbook user, and hate your netbook: Get an iPad now! (and get the 32GB+). If you can wait and don’t mind ditching some extra cash for 3G version and the service, wait for that one. If you aren’t even a netbook user, get it when the big initial hype is over which by then I believe Apple will have solved some software issue with firmware update and you’ll get more Apps to choose from and probably free ones too (Facebook and Skype have not launch an HD version yet.) By then there should be an iPad Hong Kong Appstore.

Bottom line it is a luxury device compared to a laptop or a phone, and this is really the next generation of portable computing device.

Thanks Jeff! Interesting points of view! We hope to gather more Hong Kong reviews over the next few weeks as more iPad’s trickle into Hong Kong.
If you want to ask Jeff questions, please do so in the comments or via his Twitter account @jefflyndon. Also check out his game Humble’s Numble for iPhone as well as the new HD version for iPad.