Before I got a chance to use an iPad, I didn't think that the omission of a camera--front-facing or otherwise--would feel like a big deal. In reality, though, I'm really pining for a camera. The iPad would be perfect for snapping and sharing photos with others, and for videoconferencing with friends and family.

Another thing I didn't think was going to be a big deal was the lack of a USB port. I have a perfectly good USB keyboard at my desk that I'd like to use with the iPad. Except I can't. Sure, there's always adapters, but that's yet another purchase you have to make, and one more dongle to misplace. I'd probably be writing this story on the iPad right now if not for this omission.

As you may already know, the iPad can run all existing iPhone apps; you can run them at their iPhone-size in the center of your screen, or blown up to fill the screen. Unfortunately, Apple does nothing to smooth out the apps, so text and images look chunky. One of my colleagues mentioned that it was like watching standard-definition TV on an HDTV.