Before buying an iPad, i decided to ask my Facebook friends about what they think about owning such gadget.

[caption id="attachment_2707" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Filipino entrepreneur and business consultant LLOYDLUNA gets an iPad"]<a href="http://www.lloydluna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_6999.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2707" title="iPad owner review in Manila, Philippines" src="http://www.lloydluna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_6999-300x225.jpg" alt="iPad owner review in Manila, Philippines" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

Because they know me as a writer and a computer internet marketing geek, I got an overwhelming "yeses" when only a few "nos." People of course have different reasons. Most reasons may have taken from either their prior experience or simply assumptions.

What the survey may have said, I still bought an iPad and very much proud to be one of the very first in the Philippines to own this amazing gadget.

So in this blog entry, what I'd like to do is to give my review on iPad as used in the Philippines. In a sense, this is an advanced review because as of this writing, there's no available iPad units yet for sale in accredited Apple stores in Metro Manila for example.

I got this iPad from a friend whose brother is an accountant in the United States. So, this iPad unit is brand new, sealed, never been opened. I'm sure about this one as I opened it myself.

You can't see the full functionality or not even test it or its wifi without have to sync the iPad with an iTunes. Because I didn't know about it, I didn't bring my Macbook Pro. So all I had to do was to wait until I got home.

This is where the real fun began.

[caption id="attachment_2708" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="I decided to meet the seller in SM Prestige Lounge, SM Megamall. This is one reward as an SM Supermarket Brand Ambassador. I get to have a &quot;private space&quot; for meet ups with free Wifi, newspapers, magazine, music, and iced tea."]<a href="http://www.lloydluna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_7020.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2708" title="Filipino entrepreneur and business consultant LLOYDLUNA gets an iPad" src="http://www.lloydluna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_7020-e1277712045832-225x300.jpg" alt="Filipino entrepreneur and business consultant LLOYDLUNA gets an iPad" width="225" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

iPad is very easy to setup. Once you're able to connect it to your Mac or PC, thet set up process is as easy as ABC, just like setting up other Mac products. You see the truth is Mac is more user-friendly than other laptop or PC.

But here's the catch. You will need a Credit Card to go with your account. This is a requirement so you can easily buy applications from Apps Store. Prices of every application varies but there are free apps so you can choose from at least 10,000 in the list.

Because I'm an entrepreneur or businessman, it's imperative for me to get these applications instantly: Keynote, Pages, New York Times, Billing, Sobees, Twitter, Foursquare, Jot, CNN Money among others.

The following morning (it should be today), I composed a speech for my client, who's taking her oath of public office, using Pages for iPad. What I discovered is that it's easier to do it here rather than in Mac.

One reason is iPad screen doesn't strain my eyes as hard as Macbook Pro. I'm not if there's a difference in materials but my eyes easily get irritated and strained when I'm facing Macbook.

I can easily take my iPad and get to my bottom line for the day. This time in a more handy yet powerful tool. For mobile entrepreneur like me, I think it is important to own this kind of gadget.

I'm still trying to install some applications and exploring some more productivity tools and would be happy to share my iPad experience as soon as I have the time to create anotheer blog post.

But to those who are in the wait-and-see mode, I suggest that you get one unit before somebody else. This is a great investment and your productivity level will surely go up.

Of course, this isn't for everybody. But if you're thinking of getting a gadget to help you become more productive everyday, iPad is for you.

By the way, I was able to sync both my iCal (calendar) and iTunes music here in my iPad and now I can enjoy my Macbook Pro at the comfort of my two hands.

I was also able to create a Mail account using Gmail and it will alert you whenever there's a new email in your account.

That's it for now. I'm going to explore my iPad. Again, for Filipino businessman, this is one gadget that you cannot afford not to have. In the coming days, this may be as important as your mobile phone.

If you're looking for an affordable iPad in the Metro Manila or any part of the Philippines, I can secure one iPad unit, brand new, sealed, with Apple plastic bag, 16G wifi, for only P35,000.

Are you interested? Send me a message at +639277562777.