Fake iPad versus the real thing

Is price the only staggering difference between a knock-off and the real thing? An in-depth look at an M-003 and the Apple iPad sheds more light.

By Alexandra Savvides, Contributor on Sept. 16, 2010

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How close can a team of anonymous designers and engineers get to a real iPad for one-sixth the price? ZDNet Asia's sister site CNET Australia takes an in-depth look at both an M-003 knock-off and the real deal.

No prizes
It doesn't take an Einstein, a rocket scientist or even a degree from Bovine University to realize that the unit on the left is the wannabe iPad, while the one on the right is the real deal.

But, before we go any further, let's take it back to the start...

Credit: Alexandra Savvides/CNET Australia

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Tell 'em the price son
The fake iPad was purchased for 750RMB (US$110.25) from an electronics market in Shanghai and even from the box alone it's pretty easy to discern which is which.

Credit: Alexandra Savvides/CNET Australia

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One to the challenger
One facet in which the fake trumps the Jobs-endorsed product is in the box design. With its hinged lid, the fake iPad's box is easy to open. The top of the real iPad's box, on the other hand, must be shaken and wiggled free from the bottom half--a task that must be done fairly carefully when you're dealing with US$500-plus of easily broken glass and electronics.

What? No white power adapter!? Tell 'em I want my 750RMB back!

Credit: Alexandra Savvides/CNET Australia

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Stuck?
Don't expect much help from the fake iPad's manual. Not unless, that is, you have a passable command of written Chinese.

Credit: Alexandra Savvides/CNET Australia

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iPad Micro maybe?
The fake has a 7.9-inch (20cm) screen, while the Cupertino-designed model has a 9.7-inch (24.6cm) display.

Credit: Alexandra Savvides/CNET Australia

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Lies, damned lies
Despite its rather bold 64GB claim, the fake iPad actually only has between 1 and 1.5GB of usable storage space.

Credit: Alexandra Savvides/CNET Australia

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Google versus Apple
The fake unit runs Google's Android operating system--version 1.6, if you're really curious--while, of course, the real thing uses iOS version 3.2.1.

Credit: Alexandra Savvides/CNET Australia

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Usain Bolt and the tortoise
What can't be borne out by this photo gallery is how incredibly underpowered the fake iPad is compared to the real deal. From a cold start the fake item takes a minute and a half to boot up, by which time you could have started up and shut down a real iPad three times.

Credit: Alexandra Savvides/CNET Australia

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