Having just got hold of an iPad this weekend ( it was originally purchased in Las Vegas ) I now realise how important this device is going to be, it really could change our personal computing habits.
I’ve had an iPhone for ages and I love it, my wife has an iPod Touch and I also have a Macbook and a Mac Pro, so as you might imagine I was pretty interested in the iPad when it was announced, however I had my doubts about getting one, I just wasn’t sure if I’d find the need for a device somewhere between my iPhone and my Macs.
I started thinking about how I use my Mac for the majority of my ‘Leisure’ computing, I still need a ‘proper’ Mac for my web design and development work, I realised that the vast majority of my time is spent browsing the web, emailing and social networking, in fact that’s what most people use their computers for most of the time.
I then began to understand what the iPad was for, it’s meant for consuming digital content, we’re used to being consumers, that’s what we do, however only in the last couple of years has the average person really started to consume digital data, we’re all hooked on youtube, facebook and the web in general, what we use our computers for now as opposed to a few years ago has changed drastically, so it’s about time that our hardware did too!
Laptops, Notebooks even netbooks have been around for ages now, they are great little portable versions of our desktop computers, but I think that’s where they fail for most of the tasks we want to use them for now, ok there’s still going to be the need for a desktop computer with lots of storage space, a fast processor and large screen that is operated by a keyboard and mouse fo a long time yet, but the majority of people only need that type of computer for professional work or for tasks which require precise control and inputs.
The iPad is the first ‘tablet’ style computer that really works, other companies have tried to create touchscreen portable computers but they just weren’t successful, the reason they failed is because they were basically just big computers made small with a touchscreen, what makes the iPad unique is that Apple know how to make a good user interface, the Mac operating system is the best around and the iPhone makes other ‘Smartphones’ look stupid with their awkward and clumsy interfaces ( Windows I’m looking at you! ).
After spending a day or two with the iPad I’m wondering if I still need my Macbook!, the iPad really is fun to use, ok it has it’s limitations and Apple really should make Multi-User and Multi-Tasking a high priority on the list for the next update, bluetooth mouse support would also be a really useful feature for many, in fact it would almost make the iPad a mini iMac if used on a desk with a keyboard and mouse.
I can’t wait to see what new apps emerge for the iPad, it’s only been out for a few weeks and there’s already some brilliant apps available, so if you’re thinking about getting a laptop or netbook for your portable computing needs then take another look at the iPad.
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