iPad Review

Pros:

• Affordable, mobile alternative to laptop (for non power users)
• Totally new class of computing device
• Gorgeous Video
• 10 hour battery life
• Thousands of incredible apps
• Email, web surf, YouTube, movies (NetFlix), gaming, news consumption from virtually anywhere
• Remote control / administration of desktops, laptops, and servers - on the go (VPN, VNC, Remote Desktop)
• Enjoy your photo, video, and music library (iTunes)
• Purchase music, movies, and TV shows right from iPad (no connection to computer required)
• eBook reader in full color
• Powerful processor for mobile device

Cons:

• No Camera
• No USB expansion slots
  
  
  
  
• No support for Flash - (Apple's response to no Flash support)
• Fingerprints collect fast on screen - (How to clean your iPad screen)
• Minor WiFi issues on some models sold - (Apple to address WiFi issues)
• No Multitasking, unified inbox, folders, or multiple Exchange support - (Addressed in OS 4.0 this fall)

I've had my iPad for about 6 weeks now (yes I drank the koolaid and stood in line on release day), and I absolutely love it. For a version 1 model, it has surpassed the expectations of most. The fact that, even with the critics shooting it down before it came out, and it being a whole new unknown class of computing device, it still has sold 1 million units in the 1st month (US only) during a recession is nothing short of amazing. It is a testament to the genius of Apple marketing, but also to the quality of product that it is. Sure 300,000 sold the first day, but after that word of mouth and personal demonstrations had to sell the remaining 700,000 over the next 30 days. It surpassed even Apple's expectations. The demand was higher than expected. Stores ran out of stock. The international release date was even pushed back. That's a good problem for Apple to have.

I have found that I spend less time behind the desk, and more time on the couch or in bed; and I still get as much, if not more done than before. I'm able to take this onsite to client sites and move about freely throughout the office while resolving tech issues without having to return to a desk to use a laptop for accessing network resources, servers, or workstations. Both productivity and personal media consumption have increased. I've even replaced my Macbook laptop with my iPad for playback of my MIDI sequences in live musical performance venues (after rendering out the MIDI sequence to audio of course).

I enjoy even the smallest of uses of the iPad, such as the photo "Picture Frame" mode for displaying select photo albums, and the Aquarium app for running in the background as I work from my Macbook laptop.

Have you ever sat at the tire or auto shop for hours wishing you had something to do besides read 3 month old magazines (most likely on topics you care nothing about)? The iPad is the perfect solution to that problem. Surf the net, check and reply to email, listen to your huge library of music, watch a movie from NetFlix, or just read news from USA Today, NY Times, or create your own paper with the Early Edition app (using RSS feeds from news sources or Twitter feeds). No more wasted, unproductive time while waiting on those auto repairs.

The question I'm often asked is, "Should I get the WiFi only model or spend the extra for the 3G model"? Great question. Look for a future posting on iPad WiFi vs. 3g.

*Apple is not a sponsor of "Mr. IT - Tech News for Busy People"