So, what’s up with the iPad anyway?
As an advertising student on the copywriting track, there is no question about it– I am on the computer ALL THE TIME. Whether I am accessing e-mail through my blackberry, or using Photo Shop on my Macbook Pro, there is almost always an electronic device in front of my face (I shudder to think what this is doing to my eyes/brain). Despite all this screen time, I still can’t fathom a need for the iPad! A smart phone (especially an iPhone) can be used to view PDF’s, send and receive e-mails, go onto virtually all websites, and manage scheduling. A laptop (especially the newer, super light ones) are extremely portable, and can do EVERYTHING one could possibly need to do on a computer. Where does the iPad fit into this? After trying it out, there is little that feels “easy” about typing on the keyboard, and the only thing that it can do which my blackberry can’t is watch television shows and movies online (which I probably don’t need to be doing if I am not at home with my laptop anyway).
After pondering this expensive device for some time, I decided to do some research on it, and found some interesting information. According to Media Life online magazine, social media advertising is predicted to truly “take off” from the iPad, especially when it comes to specific user-targeted advertising (as opposed to site-targeted advertising). There are questions of privacy invasion, because of the tracking device through the iPad, and how advertising will be employed based off this tracking.
What is the general opinion of the iPad, especially from iPad owners? Do you feel your purchase was worthwhile? I’d love to hear opinions!
Meg, I felt the same way you did for a while. As much as the iPad looked cool, what use would I REALLY have for it???…until recently. I am taking an art history seminar and I have to print out 150-200 pages a week of scholarly articles and read, highlight and take notes on them. I am lugging around binders of these articles and have realized that more than half of my peers are carrying nothing but an iPad. They have downloaded the articles, highlighted and taken notes all on the iPad…it’s saving a LOT of paper, and time, and definitely much easier on the back then my multiple binders I’m lugging around! It is something I am now considering.
I’ve had mine since May 2010. I use it daily for email, Facebook and reading technology blogs via the Pulse RSS News Reader app. My iPad usually sits on my nightstand or coffee table. It is great for movies while traveling. My kids love to play games on it when I let them. I have the 3G version for those times I need Internet and can’t find Wi-Fi. I rarely activate the 3G. Once iOS 4.3 comes out at the end of February, I’ll have hotspot on my iPhone 4 and will find no reason to ever turn on the 3G on my iPad. So my recommendation is if you have an iPhone, or any other phone with hotspot capabilities, get the Wi-Fi version of the iPad 2 after if comes out in early April.
Tim, Question…if you are paying for the 3G, why wouldn’t you keep it on all the time? How does that work?
iPads are gradually becoming ubiquitous–I saw three of them today! I think I’ll eventually cave in and purchase one. I did buy a NookColor over the winter break and I certainly see the advantages of a tablet versus laptop. The iPad seems to bridge the gap really well between the two.
I find myself using my iPad at my kitchen a lot. Look up recipes online while cooking dinner. Watch movies on Netflix while drinking tea after dinner. You do need a good WiFi connection to utilize iPad for sure though. My bedroom is on third floor and don’t get good signal so I only use it to listen to music.
I also have a macbook and travel overseas few times a year. I used to take my macbook with me but now I only take my iPad. It’s really convenient way to share photos and videos on the spot with friends and family rather than carrying laptop around.
You can kind of use it as your mobile digital portfolio also. You never know when you get possible freelancing opportunities. It’s nice to be able to show what you do professionally on the spot! (if what you do involves anything visual such as illustration, graphic design, web design, photography, or filmmaking etc.)
SD card adaptor, external keyboard and mouse are useful additions.
I try to take the sd card adaptor with iPad so if someone takes photos and I want them, I can just import them to iPad right away rather than asking them to send photos by email later.
External keyboard and mouse allows you to do serious typing in emails or writing a blog post.
If you don’t have one and wish to buy, I would strongly recommend to wait for a new version with face camera. It’d be so cool to be able to video chat with your friends and family on iPad!!