Apple iPad 1st Generation 16GB, Wi-Fi + 3G (3), 9.7in - Black

For those not wishing to use their iPad away from a wifi network, the wifi only iPad is a good choice. 32gb version holds the middle ground and is good enough for most users. As this was bought for a family member who has no Internet access whatsoever and no desire for it, the machine is still viable as a fun and simple games machine that requires little or no input beyond charging. Getting apps on the machine obviously needs a computer connection (and consequently comes back to us to get the games and apps), but as long as that is understood it is a capable performer for casual fun. iTunes is still far too intrusive for my liking, and the need to connect to iTunes to do some simple things is irritating, as is the need to remember to sign out before connecting up or it screws up other devices that use the same pc. All in all though, the iPad is a good device. Having used an iPad 2 for some months now, I can safely say that the iPad one is pretty much identical in use as the newer model. Excluding the slightly thinner case, the lousy camera (0.7mp) and a slightly faster processor on the ipad2, I cannot see any reason whatsoever to recommend a 2 over a 1. To that end, if you are in the Market for an iPad, get an original. I would say though, it's worth getting the 3G model even if you don't use it solely as you cannot add it to the wifi only model. If you have a mobile phone tariff that allows tethering, you can use the iPad with your mobile via any phone able to act as a wifi hotspot (iPhone 4 on iOS 4.3.3 works perfectly), though this only opens up Internet access and not some of the more complicated components such as locating the iPad and sat nav capabilities. Either way though, the iPad is still one of the best (if not THE best) tablets out there. If it were not so reliant on iTunes it would be all the better, but for those who hate iTunes there are alternatives like 'copytrans' to allow for alternate access to the device. Bear in mind though, even this still requires connection to a pc to move files around. Whether it be games, ebook, films, music or pretty much anything you would need, the iPad has an app for it. Printing is still something that needs work though. Those with a wifi printer have no issues though.

My laptop was on it's last legs and I needed a portable device for business travel. It was a great deal on eBay but the real deal is reducing what I have to carry when I travel. Apart from the obvious tricks (music, movies, games) with the correct apps it will do everything my old iBook will, all spreadsheets, documents, presentations can be read, changed and interacted with fully with a combination of Apple Pages, Keynote and Numbers, Documents To Go etc. The iPad Camera Kit allows me to upload pictures from my camera if memory cards are full, iPhoto and Aperture let me edit and organise my photos. All this from something smaller and lighter to carry than a hard back book! And there is even a folio case with integral Bluetooth keyboard available for those times when heavy keyboard work is needed! the battery life is amazing and I only have to carry one charger as it's the same one as for my phone. Don't let anyone tell you it's simply a bigger version of the iPhone...the larger touch sensitive surface makes it a computer that genuinely enhances...well...everything except your hand luggage! All we need now is one with a tiny bit more memory so not everything has to be stored in "the cloud"! Truly the best bargain I've had on eBay and the most useful too!

Two online petitions beseech Apple to improve working conditions in the Chinese factories that make its products.

The petitions, both filed within the last two weeks, follow a renewed round of criticism directed at the company over labor practices at overseas facilities like the Foxconn factory in Shenzhen, China.

One petition, created on Change.org, asks that Apple “protect workers making iPhones in Chinese factories.” It has already amassed 150,000 of the 200,000 signatures it hopes to gain.

The second petition, from SumOfUs.org, calls upon Apple to make an “ethical” iPhone 5. The petition argues that Apple’s record quarterly earnings mean that it can force suppliers to improve the treatment of factory workers.

According to Cult of Mac, 35,000 individuals signed the SumOfUs petition in its first 24 hours.

While reports on living conditions at the factories, suicides and factory accidents have been covered in the tech and business press over the last three years, the story has received renewed mainstream interest in the last month.

A Renewed Focus on Labor Conditions

In early January, the radio program This American Life aired an episode titled “Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory.” The episode took a closer look at the issue, using an excerpt from performer Mike Daisey’s one-man show as its base. Daisey, a lifelong Apple fan, traveled to China to see the conditions of the Foxconn factory for himself.

Following the airing of the program, Apple released its annual report on labor conditions. For the first time, Apple listed its suppliers by name. The company also announced that it would be the first technology company to join the Fair Labor Association. Many labor advocates still criticized the company, however, for not making better progress in enforcing compliance with its suppliers. The Chinese workers earn $17 a day and are forced to live in barracks, also the factory has rope nets around its massive building to stop the workers committing suicide.

Topping things off, The New York Times ran a series of articles looking at Apple’s manufacturing relationship with China. The second article took a more critical look at Apple’s role in supplier relations. In a company-wide email, Apple CEO Tim Cook promised to “dig deeper” into the allegations against the company and its suppliers.

Apple One of Many

Of course, Apple isn’t the only company that uses Chinese suppliers and factories to make its products. Foxconn, the company most frequently cited in petitions and reports, is the world’s largest maker of electronic components. The company’s major customers include not just Apple but Amazon Sony, IBM, Dell, Hewlett Packard, Asus, Samsung, Panasonic, Motorola, Nintendo, Microsoft, Vizio, Nokia and Intel.

Other companies also face labor issues in China. Between 3,000 and 4,000 workers staged a protest at a Sanyo factory in Shenzhen in mid-January. That followed a threat of mass suicide by Xbox 360 line-workers at Foxconn. Foxconn was able to negotiate deals with the protesters.

Still, Apple’s position as an admired brand — both in the United States and abroad — seems to hold the company to a higher standard. As a result, we see multiple petitions calling for an ethical iPhone yet little is mentioned about ethical Galaxy Nexus phones or ethical video game consoles.

In the apparel industry, public pressure forced companies such as Nike and The Gap to improve labor conditions in their factories. Time will tell if the electronics indus

I have just received my iPad 32Gb Wifi first generation device having waited a while before I ordered one. I was tempted to go for the latest - second generation, because it has a duel core processor, as opposed to the single core processor in mine, but to be honest, having used them both in a shop prior to purchase I could not see much difference.
I would imagine if oyu plan to use several apps at the same time, you may see more of a speed issue, but for the few apps I tested, they seemed the same speed to operate.
The first gen model is thicker and fairly heavy and the second gen does look more modern and slicker, but then like most apple product, they all function well and for the £100 saving I made on the second gen price I am more than happy with my purchase.
I have an iphone 4 and I am very pleased with that. I runs all apps seamlessly and is a joy to use.
I held off buying one because I didn't actually NEED one, but I have to say, they are very cool. It is much easier to read the larger sceen on the ipad than the phone.
If you have £300 spare cash, get one. They are a joy to use and with the wealth of free apps available they will keep you busy for hours!
10/10 as a funky gadget.
Must have. get the first gen for now and then upgrade in 6 months. then sell the firsst gen one still for a good price then!
Very pleased!

he best way to experience the web, email, photos, and video.
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A design that’s thin, light, and brilliant.
iPad has a 9.7-inch, high-resolution LED-backlit IPS display and incredible Multi-Touch capability. Yet it’s thin and light enough to take anywhere.
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Thousands of apps made just for iPad. With more coming every day.
Right now you can discover over a thousand apps on the App Store made just for iPad — with more coming every day. And if that’s not enough, you can also run almost 300,000 iPhone apps.3
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Introducing iBooks. A new way to read and buy books.
Download the free iBooks app from the App Store. More than a great ebook reader, it’s also an amazing place to browse and shop for books.