I Heart My iPad

There's been a ton written about the iPad but I can't emphasize enough how much this magical device from Apple has really changed how I consume content. I'd even written about it way before its release and eerily enough, my real world usage of it isn't that much different.

All kidding aside, I actually tested how I'd fare with using just the iPad for a whole weekend. That meant my MacBook Pro and the iMac were off-limits for two days and all of my computing needs were handled by the iPad... and I gotta admit, I was really impressed with my experience.

I don't know if it's considered cheating but I also bought the bluetooth keyboard from Apple. It's supremely compact and setting it up was super easy. Having the keyboard along with the Incase Convertible Book Jacket, I had a setup that, at a quick glance, would almost look like I was working with a netbook.

I'm able to browse the web without difficulty (apparently, I don't visit sites that use Flash). I'm able to send/receive email, chat, use Twitter, and edit photos. I can play games, read books, watch movies, and listen to music. I'm able to do 99% of the things I would've used my MBP for.

This machine also attracts a lot of attention. I took mine out to a coffee shop and people didn't seem to hesitate to come up to me and ask me all sorts of questions: "Is that an iPad?" "Can I touch it?" "Isn't it just a big iPod Touch?" "What's so special about it?" "Can I touch it?" "How's the wifi?" "Can I touch it?" "Is it easy to type on?" "Can I touch it?" 

The wow factor hasn't worn away after more than a month of usage. It's not that it feels new or novel, it's really more how it just disappears. It's a little difficult to explain... It's like it magically (there goes that word again) gets out of the way and just let's you do your thing, whatever that thing you're doing is. 

In the end, you'll still need a main computer for most content creation. Lengthy writing is also advisable on a computer rather on an iPad. Flash content/animation/movie/game connoisseurs will also need avoid relying on an iPad because pork will need to soar through the heavens first before it will play Flash.

I want all my non-tech savvy family members to have one. It's so simple to use that it can actually make them be "on the computer" more. They'll want to read their books on it. They'll want to look at their pictures on it. They'll want to watch their movies on it. Apple's created the computing world's gateway drug.

I'm hooked. I carry mine with me almost everywhere I go. I'm constantly checking for new apps and I'm actually even teaching myself Objective C so I can create my own apps (I got some really good ideas). I'm almost embarrassed to say that I've spent over $100 on apps for the thing. 

I get asked a lot if people should buy one. If you're still on the fence about getting one, I say get off that fence and get one. If you don't get one, you won't regret it. You won't regret it because nothing will change. You'll go about life without knowing how the iPad will augment how you use computers and consume content. 

If you have one, I'm certain you've been nodding your head the entire time. If you do get one, well... let's say what you just read will make a whole lot of sense.