I purposely didn’t go out of my way to pick up the new iPad. I figured lots of people would be interested in it, and it may have even been unavailable if I went to make a move. But today, I was introduced to it by a friend of a workmate… and well, it wasn’t love at first sight.
Don’t get me wrong, the iPad seems pretty awesome. It’s cute, it’s smart, and it’s there whenever you need it. When I overheard the word ‘iPad’ in a conversation at work today, I didn’t need any more convincing. I inquired, was told it was sitting in the car, and moments later it was brought in for me to inspect.
It was smaller than I thought. Which is good, because I had visions of trying to carry around this weight-of-a-laptop object in one hand and have it crash down to the floor with the slipperiness I once thought my iPhone had (until I started using it without protection). The iPad is really a petite little thing, alot like one of those mini-DVD players – but with so much more functionality.
This particular iPad was the wifi+3G model, so it had Internet access wherever it went. The person who already owned it was a pastor, and he used it for the first time to preach this last Sunday. With a special case (protection), it stands up like one of those digital photo frames (another role which it performs with ease) and for this pastor, it provided a parallel Bible and his verse bookmarks at a finger’s touch.
The iPad’s web browsing capabilities make it almost as good as a laptop – in fact, for a fleeting moment I thought perhaps there’s really not much difference between a laptop and an iPad at all. The only problem with the iPhone is that it’s too small, right? The iPad attacks this limitation head on.
Perhaps the best thing about the iPad is it really is somewhere between an iPhone and a laptop. You can use the web browser – or any other app that you could load your own propaganda in – to present full screen presentations to a small group of people: incredibly useful – and snazzy! – for a sales rep.
You can basically use the iPad to do anything you’d use your iPhone or your laptop to do, with huge benefits:
- you save time and frustration by not scrolling around a tiny screen
- you save time and frustration by not waiting 5-10 minutes to boot up, log on, connect to the Internet, and load an application
I was skeptical about the usefulness of an iPad – and I always assumed that people would buy it just because it’s Apple – but you know what? I think it actually has a purpose. I’m not the first to rush out and get new technology – I generally wait until it comes to me some way or another, and then I’m pretty quick on the uptake after that. And today, seeing was believing.
But at $629 for the entry model 16GB WIFI … extending all the way to $1049 for the 64GB 3G+WIFI model – I can get a laptop for the same price. It’s slightly less convenient, but it does a heck of a lot more.
So pretty iPad, the cost is too great. I will continue to admire you from afar.
Photo credit: ivyfield on Flickr
I wouldn’t get one either, partly due to that laptop cost factor. Considering how a Macbook can be got for $1000, and will only take a few seconds to resume from standby + be able to be used for much more (video editing, proper audio editing, multiple devices can be connected (iPad has very limited connectivity with the Camera connection kit’s USB adapter)).
I do see it useful in some situations (for some radio presenters, TV stations, DJ’s, photographers), but in the end, it’s still not as fully functional as a laptop or desktop
I have a dell 9in netbook. I use a foamy disney pencil case for as a laptop cover, and I carry it around in my handbag. It weights less than 1kg. The only difference between it and a normal laptop is the lack of CD drive (though I could connect one).
Apart from the lack of a touch screen, how is my netbook any different to the ipad?
BTW unrelated: I want a google phone. Pretty sure my LG viewty can do anything the google phone can but I want it anyway! Do you know much about the iPhone vs Google phone?
Ken, that’s awesome that a Macbook only takes a few seconds to resume from standby. If that’s true I’ll almost consider getting one!! Is it ok now to carry laptops around while on standby? I remember the conventional wisdom (some time ago) was that it’s not good for the hard drives.
Amanda, the ease of use in terms of quickly grabbing it out to look something up is where I think the iPad wins out over the laptop. According to Kenneth that’s not an issue with the Macbook, although you still need time to plug in your USB dongle and connect to the internet.
Sorry, I know absolutely nothing about the Google phone.
Hey Tim,
Yeah, it’s fine as the hard drive has stopped anyway (I’ve been doing it on my old iBook for years and haven’t had a problem (only issue is the battery is starting to get a bit tired, but for a 6 year old laptop, it’s still quite good (2 hours or so on max performance, about 5 hours still on max battery life setting)).
Also with Macbook’s/Macbook Pro’s they have sensors to detect a shock, which then protect the hard drive.