Now that the iPad is available for pre-order, consumers are wondering whether or not the device is worth picking up. Admittedly, it's a tough decision. There are several products available right now that could easily match the iPad on value. Even Apple's own slate of products are arguably more worthwhile purchases.
That's precisely why we've decided to take a look at some of the products on the market that might be worth buying before the iPad. It's not that the iPad is a product worth casting aside, but there are some devices that could suit your fancy a bit sooner than the iPad would. Before we get into it, we should note that the products you'll find in this slideshow are not all tablets, but rather a selection of neat entertainment or mobile devices.
iPhone
Apple's iPhone is easily one of the most viable products on the market today. In many respects, it trumps the iPad. The iPhone runs the same OS version as the iPad, but it adds phone capability. Even better, all the apps in Apple's App Store work with the iPhone and they all are displayed in full-screen. For $99 for an entry-level iPhone 3G, it's also more affordable.
iPod Touch
The iPad is little more than a big iPod Touch. It boasts the same operating system, it has all the same features, and it runs apps. And since the iPod Touch offers a more affordable price tag, the only major advantage the iPad enjoys is its bigger screen. But do users really want to carry a 9.7-inch display with them wherever they go? Isn't it much easier for users to pop the device into a pocket?
Amazon Kindle
iBooks are a key feature for the iPad. Users can download books and view them in full-color on the device. It's a nice option. But Amazon's Kindle delivers similar functionality with the same distribution model. Plus, it runs e-ink technology, rather than use a backlit display, which does reduce eye strain. If e-books are what some folks are looking for, the Kindle might be a better option.
Google Nexus One
Although the iPhone is the leader in the mobile market, Google's Nexus One is a fine, mobile alternative to the iPad. It boasts Android, which is well-designed OS in its own right, and offers almost all of the functionality offered in the iPad. But like the iPhone, the Nexus One is a mobile phone, so it might be a more attractive option to some consumers who arn't convinced that they need a tablet PC
HP Slate
Although HP's Slate has yet to hit store shelves, some would be more likely to buy that tablet than the iPad. The device is designed quite similarly to the iPad, but it boasts Windows 7. That's especially important to enterprise customers who want employees to be productive while they're on the go. At this point, the Slate seems like a good bet.
Windows Phone 7 Series Device
Windows Phone 7 Series won't be available for months, but based on what Microsoft has shown off to this point, picking up a Windows Phone 7 Series device might be a better option than the iPad. The devices will obviously sport phone functionality, but they will combine that with a neat new software interface that could easily trump the iPad on several fronts. Windows Phone 7 Series is worth looking out for.
MacBook Pro
If users are thinking about buying an iPad as a productivity tool, they should look elsewhere. Apple's MacBook Pro, for example, combines power, mobility, and the company's highly regarded Mac OS X to offer far more functionality than the iPad can muster. Granted, a MacBook Pro is more expensive, but the iPad can't perform a fraction of the tasks the MacBook Pro can.
Apple TV
Apple keeps touting the iPad as an entertainment product that allows users to view movies and television shows they download from iTunes. But with a 9.7-inch display, that experience probably won't be all that great. That's why the Apple TV might be a more attractive purchase for entertainment lovers. Like the iPad, the device features iTunes, but content can be viewed on a television, rather than a small display. And at $229, it's nicely affordable.
Xbox 360
Part of the allure of Apple's App Store is the selection of games. Users can find just about any title form a wide array of developers. But the gaming experience pales in comparison to the Xbox 360. Plus, Microsoft's console delivers Netflix streaming, online gaming, and the ability to download movies and television shows. It combines some of the best aspects of Apple's iPad and improves upon them. And for $299, it's more affordable than the iPad.
Netbooks
Netbooks might not be a single product, but just about any well-designed netbook might be a better choice than the iPad. Apple is touting the iPad as a mobile computing device. But as mentioned in previous slides, it lacks the software required to make it a viable productivity solution. Netbooks don't. Most netbooks run Windows or Linux, making them ideal devices to use when going mobile. They're fine alternatives to the iPad.
