Over the last twelve months I heard many of the rumors from tech news sources about the potential for an Apple tablet; how it would solve all our problems; how it would save us from the hum-drum of computers today; how it would blow our minds with the power and endless tools and compatibility it might offer. I, for one, realized very quickly that these were lofty dreams of the misguided masses that want only the best and think there is a specific company out there that was born to give it to them (i.e. Apple).
I took a different approach. I assumed I would not want one. The device would have to be expensive, offer few features, weighty, awkward to use, copying the best of the Touch and not much else. No one else I knew that had an opinion on the matter was apposed to the “iTablet” to be as I was. I saw it as a misdirection for Apple. I wanted them to steer towards a better iPhone, a few updates to the iPods, introduce a better Mac Pro…. Instead, at the January announcement, there was practically no mention of any device other than the all-new iPad.
I was instantly confused to hear what the device could and could not do. I was surprised just how right I had been. The device seems considerably flawed for an Apple introductory product. I reviewed Apple’s web pages describing the device, read bloggers’ specification findings, watched the announcement video from Apple.com three times. In all, the device can do most anything the iPod Touch can but has a larger screen. “What a disappointment,” thought I. Why not just get an iPod Touch, or the iPhone so you have the phone to boot? The iPad seemed to be too much hype for so little groundbreaking technology advancements.
It was at the end of the first 24 hours the iPad was public that I introduced the device to my wife, Liz. She is not keen on Apple. She was raised PC, and it’s difficult even after being married three years with two Apple computers and three iPods in the house for her to grapple with Mac machines. She dislikes that the keyboard shortcuts are different from PCs, the apps are less compatible, the features user-friendly and not functional. Then, she watched just a minute and a half of the iPad promotional video, and she was… sold?
“Turn it off. It’s making me want one,” she said, referring to the video on Apple.com, while we watched it in bed at the end of the evening.
I was incredulous. We talked about it some more over the last few days. She really sees the value in it. She saw something in the iPad long before I did. As I thought through the way I’d use the iPad, or wouldn’t be able to, I realized she was more right than any critic of the iPad I’d heard yet.
How me and my house would use the iPad
I just sold my iPod Touch a month ago when I was making plans to get an iPhone. Why the phone when I can get a free phone from at&t and upgrade the Touch to the iPad for all my mobile app needs? If I really need a smaller iPod to tote around instead of the iPad, I’ll whip out one of my forgotten iPod Shuffles stuffed in my desk. The Shuffle is for ultimate portability, and the iPad….
First, the iPad would be handy as a compromise with the wife. I’ve always thought I should give her the PC computer experience she’s always wanted for her personal use. But, I really don’t want a PC in the house since I wouldn’t know how to troubleshoot it. If we got a PC, I would not ever want to spend more than, say, $500 on it. Well, what do you know! I need a new iPod, and my wife needs a personal computer she likes. The iPad comes to my mind. It’s a win/win.
It would be unfair for me to compare apples and oranges—I mean Apple iPads and netbooks. I’ll let the tech savvy make that comparison. But as a knowledgeable Mac user, I will shed light on the price points of the iPad with the other Mac computers.
First, the iPad can do most things most people (that don’t have specialized interests in computer functionality for professional purposes) want it to. It will let you email, surf the web, read books, listen to music, watch movies TV shows and YouTube videos, play interactive games, schedule your calendar, check the weather, takes notes, operate most all iPhone apps… in short, what general computer functions can’t it do? Oh, yeah. The iPad can’t play flash video, doesn’t have a full-size keyboard, is missing some ports, lacks multitasking….
And the iPad is going to be available for $499! It is the best Apple mobile computer/media player to date for the price. It is half the cost of the lowest-end Macbook. It’s less than half the cost of the most reasonable Mac desktop computer I’d buy (the iMac). The cons I mentioned above are worth less than $500. If Mac was pricing the device how I perceive its value, the iPad would be closer to $800 for the most inexpensive model.
So, with an iPad I get an iPod, iTunes, e-Book reader, movie player, web browser, email manager, note pad, and general-purpose-app-device for $300 more than the iPod Classic, and $500 less than a basic Apple laptop. I can have my cake,eat it, and get another one too! It’s also worth noting that it’s only $10 more than Amazon’s Kindle DX. Here’s how Kevin Rose answered that matter on his blog:
Kindle DX 9.7” – $489.00
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1024×768 color display upgrade – $1.00
Internet browsing upgrade – $1.00
iPod w/16GB upgrade – $1.00
Run iPhone apps upgrade – $1.00
1Gz A4 processor upgrade – $1.00
H.264 720P HD video upgrade – $1.00
Bluetooth upgrade – $1.00
10hr battery upgrade – $1.00
Multi-touch display upgrade – $1.00
Digital compass/accelerometer – $1.00
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Your cost: iPad $499.00
It will replace my Kindle, and 3rd party development will extend the device to do things we can’t even dream up right now. I, for one, welcome our new iPad overlord – but then again I’m a card carrying fanboy.
So, how would I find a practical use for the iPad? I don’t see why I need to even answer that question; the answer is self-evident. The iPad is very user-friendly, and I don’t understand how everyday people could ask for anything more. The iPad will give me freedoms in my home and office I don’t have now. Pure and simple.
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