First and foremost, I must tell you that I am an Apple zealot. I am a fan of the company and Steve Jobs. I use their products on the road, at work and at home. So, before anyone accuses me of being a Windows user that is simply attacking Apple because it’s Apple… you are not accurate. I love Apple, and this is why the iPad bums me out so much.

Like all of the other Apple fan boys and geeks on the planet, I spent my lunch break on January 27^th reading the live blogs of the Apple Event. I have done this many times before and I was expecting great things. Steve Jobs is back and he was to announce another game changing product. We all expected a tablet. And we all expected this tablet to follow the guidelines set forth by the iPhone 3GS. We expected it to be game changing and something we all must purchase. I felt this way when I bought my MacBook Pro, and I definitely felt this way when I stood in line for my iPhone 3GS. The only regret I have ever had with any of my Apple purchases is that I didn’t wait longer for a newer version to be released.

The iPad does not give me the same warm and fuzziness that other Apple products are known for. I am not going to buy one. I am actually looking to the HP Slate, which frustrates me. Ok, so my mother-in-law thinks it’s cool, my wife thinks it’s cool, and every non-computer person I know… thinks it is cool. Ugh. Depression sets in as I write this. Steve Jobs and company are apparently going for the non-technical market again. Another iPod, but with a big screen. Great. Call the press. Big freakin’ deal.

So, what’s to not like? It is a beautiful piece of technology after all. What’s wrong with it? Is it the name? No, I could care less what you call it. Is it the AT&T network? No, not really. The device is going to be sold unlocked and in a Wi-Fi edition. Is it that ugly black bezel that surrounds that beautiful screen? No, I need place for my fingers to hold it. Then what is it?

I will focus on my four biggest gripes with the iPad:

1. The operating system

Really Apple? You copped out and went with an iPhone OS? What happened to the Mac OSX install? Or the hybrid operating system that was rumored? Apple wimped out and went with something we already have on our iPhones and iPod touches. Can I install REAL applications? No. I am stuck with whatever the app store provides. Granted, the app store is fantastic… but on my phone! I can go to Bestbuy right now and purchase a $300 net book that has more capabilities than the iPad… now. The iPad is an oversized iPod Touch and is pointless to geeks, Apple enthusiasts and business users (you know, the people with the money to spend on this thing?).

2. No Multitasking

Are you kidding me? I mean on my iPhone, I have learned to accept that it cannot run multiple apps simultaneously and that is fine. But this is a tablet! What if I want to work on a document and research info on the web while I listen to some tunes or have my Twitter client running in the background? Can’t do it. This is a FAIL for Apple as far as I am concerned and a definite “no” for me. And you know what Steve? I have the money and desire to buy your products. And I am buying a competitor’s product now because you have failed to keep my interest in such a lame product.

3. EBook capabilities

The iPad is not a viable product for reading books. There will soon be news stories about how children’s eyes are damaged by staring at the brightly colored screen. E-Ink is the way to go on eBook readers. It is easy on the eyes and companies like Amazon, Sony and Barnes & Noble will still be putting out great devices once the newness of the iPad has worn off.

4. No Flash

Are you kidding me? So, this beautiful multimedia device cannot do Netflix or Hulu? Wow, that is really pointless. I really don’t have much to say. I am not buying an expensive multimedia device that can’t do multimedia. I have one of those, it’s called an iPhone.

5. Another Example of Under-Designing the First Model

Steve and company are so smart. Guess what the next product features will be in the iPad? Larger storage, camera, real USB port, and so on. Do you really think they are selling the best product now? It doesn’t fit their business strategies to give it all to you now. This iPad will go the way of the 50 gazillion models of iPods that have been released. Steve wants you to buy a new iPad every year.

To summarize. The iPad is a beautiful device that meets the needs of a “fad” market. It will probably sell well, but it is not revolutionary and if anything, it is a step backwards for one of the most innovative companies in technology. It is a sad day when companies like Apple make so much money by phoning it in. Hmmm. Sounds a bit like Microsoft.