Yeah ... it' not like I set my expectations all that high ... and the wretched thing still managed not to meet them.

That's so weird -- you showed the Apple genius bar person how it was not responding, and he/she said that was normal?

Well, it worked fine for him - it's not an every time occurrance, but it's often enough that it's just not worth the hassle for me.

I had really wanted to be able to read books on it, but the Kindle app kept not opening when I was on the bus. If the Apple "genius" says it's fine, and it worked all right for him, there's officially nothing wrong with it. But if I can't rely on it to work when I want it to, what's the point? If I have to carry a paperback in case the Kindle app won't open, why carry the iPad?

I would go back to the genius bar and be a little squeakier. Demand a replacement!

I am sorry you are having such a frustrating experience, Toddson. And that you feel like you have no valid choices to make it a different kind of experience whether that be replacing it, asking for general operation training at the Genius Bar or selling something that you chose to buy with a gift card and then buying a gift that truly made you happy. But if you feel obliged to keep it and don't find it enjoyable at all to use, it is probably best to put it in the box on the shelf and try to end the frustration at least.

If I gave someone a generous gift card, I would agree it's their right to use it (or not) as they wish, but I have to admit I would be sad that they didn't even get anything enjoyable with it, but felt like they had to keep something they couldn't use just out of obligation to me. (In other words, if I give you a coffee mug and it breaks, throw the pieces away or give them to someone who will make mosaics with them. But don't keep a broken unusable mug around to collect dust because you think I require you to do so.)

But I obviously don't know your friend or your relationship to him/her, so perhaps keeping something you can't use is exactly how he/she would like the gift to be honored.

I agree with Jon, go back to Apple and demand a replacement.

Honestly you have a good chance. Apple tends to be good on customer service. Not perfect, nobody is, but really you have a shot.

periodically the screen stops responding to taps.

I had an occasion when the screen on my iPad stopped responding. It turned out that the thumb of the hand with which I was holding the iPad had slid past the edge of the border and was pressing steadily on the screen while I was tapping with my other hand -- so the taps weren't recognized as input.

Thanks for the advice.

And it's not that something's pressing - I bought the thing a nice case and I cradle the case in my left hand while I (try to) tap with the right.