Apple iPad hands-on: Another (viewing) angle

Consumer Reports News: January 28, 2010 04:54 AM

The iPad viewed from a side angle.
Photo: Jeff Fox

In my previous post, I described how the iPad looked and felt when I tried it out at Apple's launch event on Wednesday. Now, a bit about how I found the display.

When I viewed books and other printed material, the iPad's display appeared bright and black text crisp, at least to my admittedly untrained eye. (When we test the iPad in our labs, we'll provide a formal assessment.)

Having read Apple's patent for a new bright display technology that I posted here (back when the iPad was still the "iSlate"), I wondered whether the iPad's display would remain bright even when viewed from a fairly steep angle, instead of straight on.

To find out, I surfed to Consumer Reports.org, which may have made me the first person in the world to do that on an iPad. (Would-be Wikipedia biographers, take note!) Then, I twisted the iPad to the left and right, and tilted it forward and backward so I could view it at extreme angles both horizontally and vertically. I found it quite bright even at extreme angles.

I took a couple of lessons from this experience: You can be flexible about how you hold an iPad when using it to read a book or newspaper. Should you read in your easy chair or couch, for example, you'll be able to comfortably slouch or lean to one side, if that's your style, without having to keep the display surface perfectly aligned with your face.

On the other hand, if you're reading something on an iPad display in a public place, such as on a train, bus, or plane, assume that the person to your immediate left or right can read it, too.

I'll have more on my hands-on experiences with the iPad in my next post. Let me and other readers know what you think of the iPad's design from what you've heard so far. Post your comments below.

—Jeff Fox