iPad iBuy Not

Pre-orders for the iPad will begin in the UK tomorrow morning 10 May 2010 and will be available on 28 May. I've been struggling to justify my reason for wanting one other than fanboy-ism so I've decided not to buy one, at least not this time.

I am not pleased Steve Jobs made us wait 2 months after the US release before the launch here in the UK. I am also disappointed with the  pricing, the 16GB wi-fi version costs US$500 in the US but will cost £429 in the UK ( US$500 = £337 @ today's rate ) that's over £90 more. The absences of a front facing camera for video chat, camera for photos/video recording, handwriting recognition, pen input, flash and true multitasking gave me doubts as to its usefulness.

At the moment, there is nothing magical about the iPad (other than a bigger screen), my iPhone will do absolutely everything that the iPad can do, and there are rumours that the next iPhone (to be launched 7 June 2010) will do more than the current iPads. 

I think I'll stick to my iPhone (and laptop) for now, that's £429 not wasted.