Sales of the iPad haven’t slowed down since its debut on the market on April 3rd. As of April 26th, sales are estimated to have reached 1 million, less than one month out.

As you would expect after a much anticipated Apple product launch, chatter on the Internet has been at full volume with both positive and negative feedback.

In Part 1 of this 2 part article series, we looked at the positive things users are raving about, now its time to talk about the drawbacks.

Here’s what users are kvetching about:

• Printing and Storing

Generally, those that were expecting the full functionality of a notebook or laptop computer have been disappointed, i.e., no network printing and not enough storage. You can store files on the iDisk – however, you frequently have to offload files to a desktop or laptop computer.

• No USB Port

The question is, how do you offload files when there is no USB port? Some users have been saving files to the iPad with the save feature, then emailing it to themselves or others.
The lack of a USB port also poses a problem with getting media into the iPad as well. Apple wants you to synch up with your computer through iTunes – but not everyone wants to do this. This is unconfirmed, but one user seemed to provide the solution with a jump app that remotely connects to your computer – even, hold your breath, to a PC! But as things stand now, the inconvenience is giving fuel to the haters.

• The App Store

Apps themselves are great – but users are complaining loudly and almost uniformly about the difficulty of navigating the app store. Most importantly – users are saying there is no way to look at iPad apps only, meaning you have to sort through all the iPhone apps on your way. Hate it.

• Closed Architecture = Held Captive to the Apps

Although the apps are numerous, iPad users are nonetheless held captive to them – meaning that you can’t put any other software on the iPad. Ugh.

• No Multitasking

The iPad uses the same operating software as an iPhone – which rules out multitasking. This is a serious pain.

• The Virtual Keyboard

Some people love typing on glass – citing the elimination of the “clackety-clack” noise of the keyboard. Many others insist that you need a keyboard for maximum comfort while typing on the iPad, necessitating a device to prop up the iPad in order to see what you are doing.

• There is an answer: Buy the case. But that doesn’t mean that users aren’t complaining.

No Flash

In a well publicized war of words, Apple flatly refused to work with Adobe’s flash software. What does that mean to you? Flash operates most video on the web and many websites – meaning you won’t be able to play it. Some sites, however, have switched to iPad friendly software – including Disney, CNN, break.com, and vimeo.com.

• It’s Heavy – Relatively Speaking

The iPad weighs in at 1.5 pounds versus 10 ounces for a kindle. Wrists and hands get tired of holding – you have to prop it up on your legs or use a case after a relatively short time.

• Slippery Little Sucker

Many users brought up the slipperiness of the iPad – and their fear of it slipping right off the table. Haters contend that Apple is more than a tad too concerned with looks over practicality.

• Not So Portable?

The heaviness, the slipperiness – this makes the iPad not something you want to carry in your hands or under your arm. Just like a laptop, the iPad really needs a case for portability. Another expensive piece of gear from Apple for the haters to complain about.

• Dirty Screen

As an “all touch” device, the iPad screen collects fingerprints like a sliding glass door at a kid’s birthday party – leaving some users wondering what to clean it with and how to store those cleaning solutions when carrying around their iPads.

• Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi connectivity issues have been reported – most notably when the iPad is coming out of sleep mode.

• The Glare

All that brilliant color that makes the iPad’s colors pop so much indoors also makes it hard to read in direct sunlight.

• Some users have even dubbed the iPad “a giant iPod touch with an ebook reader.”

So what’s the ultimate verdict on the iPad? Only you can decide. And if you’re already an owner, weigh in on the discussion below!

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