Ever wonder what an iPhone would look like if it played baseball with McGwire and Sosa back in 1998? Well wonder no longer, as Apple has answered your bizarre and obscure question with their latest creation – iPad.

Jobs unveiled the eagerly anticipated device to a packed house during a press conference Wednesday. While some of the information released about the device was expected by tech insiders, what caught everyone off guard was the price – iPad starts at just $499.

Apple will release several different versions of the iPad: users can choose between 16GB 32GB or 64GB of flash memory and will have the option of adding a 3G data plan to supplement the built-in WiFi support. The WiFi only versions will be available in late March, while the WiFi/3G version will be available in April.

Surprisingly, AT&T will be the official data plan provider of the iPad, although the device is unlocked and can technically be used on any carrier. AT&T will offer an iPad data plan that will run users $29.99. Verizon, a name many expected to be associated with the iPad, wasn’t mentioned once during the press conference.

iPad will play almost all applications that are currently available in the App Store, and developers have already been given access to the iPad SDK, so look for updated iPad compatible versions of your favorite apps to be available at launch.

The feature most people were excited about was the rumor that the iPad would include an e-reader. Their prayers were answered, as iPad will have its own e-reading application, the not-so-cleverly named iBooks.

Although a price list hasn’t been released yet, screenshots from sources all over the internet have books priced anywhere from $4.99 to $14.99. There was no word on whether or not books would have delayed releases similar to books found on the Kindle.

There’s a lot more that could be discussed in terms of the facts, but you can get those elsewhere – you’re here for opinion!

So, let’s get started: first off – the name. iPad? I don’t hate it. Some have pointed out that the name was used by MadTV in a sketch about a feminine hygiene product. If you haven’t seen the sketch, check it out here: http://blogs.forbes.com/bizblog/2010/01/27/apples-ipad-not-sure-about-the-name/.

I suspect that the name will eventually become part of pop culture and we won’t think much of it. It fits in with Apple’s branding and product line and the comparisons to Tampax will probably end sooner rather than later.

Much has been made of the iPad’s look. Yes, it does look like Godzilla and iPhone made a baby, but as the saying goes – “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The simplistic design of the iPhone was one of the keys to its success, and bringing it over to iPad was a no-brainer.

One of the biggest features found on the iPad is the iBooks application. From screenshots it looks phenomenal, especially on the iPad’s vibrant screen. Whether or not it can take the place of a Kindle is yet to be seen, as the iPad’s screen may be harsh on the eyes, whereas Kindle’s “digital ink” screen is pretty appealing.

Other applications are also fairly promising, games developed exclusively for iPad looked really nice, and The New York Times should be praised for their incredible offering for the device. It was a glimpse into the not-so-different future and the transition from print to digital.

Not everything was perfect, though. This is where people having good days may want to stop reading. Welcome, one and all, to Apple’s land of unnecessary suck. First off – people run more than one application at once, Apple! When will you finally understand that? I know the word is that the iPad is blazing fast, but it’s almost as if you’ve declared the iPad a Netbook killer, then forgotten to give it a sword and shield. At the end of the day, if it can’t run more than one simple task at one time, then it’s at best a giant sized iPhone without the ability to call or send SMS.

Next – the storage sizes offered for the device are far too small to be considered as a legit replacement for a Netbook or any sort of personal device. Heck, there are already iPhone’s and iPod Touch’s that can store that much data. Yes, I know external hard drives do exist and I know that a lot of data is saved on the cloud now, but that point is invalidated when it doesn’t even seem like the darn thing has a USB port.

I’ve heard that there will be the option later on down the road to add a single device via USB, but until that day comes – this is one of the major reasons why I don’t think iPad will be adopted by as many users as Apple would hope.

The iPhone serves as a pretty respectable gaming device for users who don’t expect stunning graphics and can deal with the lack of a physical controller. Apple expects iPad to follow in the footsteps of iPhone, but I don’t think it will happen – here’s why: look at that thing. Seriously, just look at it. I don’t think I’d want to hold that thing for 30 minutes anyway, forget about wanting to play a game on it. I think gaming will be something that is there on iPad, but isn’t taken advantage of as much.

That said – the device is practically tailor made for digital versions of board games. If they don’t have Risk, Monopoly, and Checkers available by launch I’d be surprised. Come on, how cool would it be to play Monopoly on an iPad and be able to display how much money you have, what properties you own, etc. on your iPhone via a Bluetooth link. It’d be one of the most novel uses of either device to date.

Well that started negative and ended up positive, so let’s continue being happy – I hated the keyboard dock at first, but let me tell you – it’s a pretty cool idea once you think about it. Having a keyboard attached to a laptop adds weight and depth to the overall product. If manufacturers started releasing touch screen tablet computers that were more powerful than the iPad and sold a separate keyboard dock that was reasonably priced, it could eventually replace the personal computer. Now, if only they could find out where to put that hard drive. This is years down the road, of course, but probably not as far off as we’d think.

So – overall? The iPad is a novel device that will likely be a huge success for Apple, due to their rabid following. My biggest issue is that once you sell iPad’s to those users, who is left? Not everyone has the money to throw around, and the users that do may be attracted by other products. It’s a casual device at a casual price trying to do things best suited for a computer with more under the hood.

Apple will have to figure out a way to market it to everyone, but I don’t expect that to be an issue – that’s their specialty. When we look back ten years from now, the iPad will be remembered as a device that changes computers forever, but that doesn’t mean you need to hop on board right now. Next generation iPad’s may be worth taking the leap for, but unless you have the money and are in the market for an e-reader that does a lot more than that, then save the cash and buy a MacBook if you’re that desperate for a portable Apple computer.

-K