Do You Need an iPad?
Monday, June 07, 2010
Suzy's husband gave her an iPad for her birthday.
Ever since it arrived, we've been obsessed with the new toy but also trying to figure where it fits in the electronic pantheon of objects. We already are addicted to the Blackberry, iTouch and two Mac laptops (work and play).
If you are trying to decide whether to take the plunge here are some takeaways from our first month anniversary of owning the 'Pad:
-It's a toy. You don't need it. You want it. If you go into the purchase knowing it's a luxury not a necessity then you'll find a place for it in your daily life.
-It's the greatest gift ever for a frequent flier/traveler. Suzy uses it every day while commuting. No more toting 5 magazines, 3 books and an iPod on the cross-country flight. Everything is located in the iPad...and that leads to the third point.
-Get 3G. If you own an iPad, you want to be online at all times. It's a web browser tool. Everything flows from the ability to be online. We own an iTouch but don't use it much because we don't have wireless connectivity everywhere. For $14.99 or $29.99 (unlimited), AT&T offers a month-to-month plan that gives you constant contact to the Internet world. A must-have.
-It's a prototype. While the iPad was kept in secret R&D, the rest of the App World didn't have access to the new product so everyone is in a mad scramble to create iPad applications. They are coming to market fast & furious but it's not all there yet. The iPad has been touted as a content carrier --- i.e. the place where you can receive digital magazine and newspaper subscriptions. So far, only a select few have unveiled their iPad apps.
- It's a terrific video platform. The clarity in the video player is MUCH better than your laptop. We love watching movies while working out on the stationary bike. The photos you love on your laptop are even BETTER when viewed on an iPad. Suzy just watches slide shows of her babies over and over ... and over. (Who knew Suzy was such a good photographer?)
-It's time for an electronic book reader. Yes. You might own a Kindle. Or a Nook. But wouldn't it be cool if the Kindle also played your music, your photos, etc. It's all about simplifying our lives.
-Don't go for all the memory. As I've mentioned, a lot of what you use the iPad for is browsing and working on the Internet, so don't pay for 64 gigs of memory. Go for 32 and thank Suzy for the tip.
Ever since it arrived, we've been obsessed with the new toy but also trying to figure where it fits in the electronic pantheon of objects. We already are addicted to the Blackberry, iTouch and two Mac laptops (work and play).
If you are trying to decide whether to take the plunge here are some takeaways from our first month anniversary of owning the 'Pad:
-It's a toy. You don't need it. You want it. If you go into the purchase knowing it's a luxury not a necessity then you'll find a place for it in your daily life.
-It's the greatest gift ever for a frequent flier/traveler. Suzy uses it every day while commuting. No more toting 5 magazines, 3 books and an iPod on the cross-country flight. Everything is located in the iPad...and that leads to the third point.
-Get 3G. If you own an iPad, you want to be online at all times. It's a web browser tool. Everything flows from the ability to be online. We own an iTouch but don't use it much because we don't have wireless connectivity everywhere. For $14.99 or $29.99 (unlimited), AT&T offers a month-to-month plan that gives you constant contact to the Internet world. A must-have.
-It's a prototype. While the iPad was kept in secret R&D, the rest of the App World didn't have access to the new product so everyone is in a mad scramble to create iPad applications. They are coming to market fast & furious but it's not all there yet. The iPad has been touted as a content carrier --- i.e. the place where you can receive digital magazine and newspaper subscriptions. So far, only a select few have unveiled their iPad apps.
- It's a terrific video platform. The clarity in the video player is MUCH better than your laptop. We love watching movies while working out on the stationary bike. The photos you love on your laptop are even BETTER when viewed on an iPad. Suzy just watches slide shows of her babies over and over ... and over. (Who knew Suzy was such a good photographer?)
-It's time for an electronic book reader. Yes. You might own a Kindle. Or a Nook. But wouldn't it be cool if the Kindle also played your music, your photos, etc. It's all about simplifying our lives.
-Don't go for all the memory. As I've mentioned, a lot of what you use the iPad for is browsing and working on the Internet, so don't pay for 64 gigs of memory. Go for 32 and thank Suzy for the tip.
