iPad is incredible – Apple has done it again!

January 28, 2010 by John Dilbeck
Filed under: Apple Computer, Opinions

I’ve been a fan of Apple and the Macintosh for a long, long time.

But, I’m not much of a fan of mobile computers, devices, or phones.

I don’t have a cell phone and don’t want one.

I like listening to music on my Mac using iTunes, but I’ve never wanted an iPod. In fact, when I won an iPod years ago, I gave it to my grandkids.

So, with that in mind, I haven’t been paying much attention to all the hype about the new Apple tablet computer that was going to be introduced.

I didn’t even pay much attention yesterday when it was announced.

Today, however, I had some free time and decided to learn something about the new Apple iPad.

I watched the Keynote Speech where Steve Jobs introduced the iPad and I was hooked.

This is the first time I’ve been excited about a new product in a long, long time.

The last time I felt this way was when I was given a sneak peek at the original Macintosh. This was back when all computers were basically text oriented and I saw how easy it was to create and include graphics in documents.

My first thought was, “I gotta get me one of these!”

So, I ordered my first Macintosh about two weeks before they were introduced and got one of the first ones that was shipped to Arizona, where I was living at the time.

Over the years, I have bought several Macs and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. I know, without a doubt, that I made the right choice when I took the Macintosh route.

I haven’t felt that feeling of excitement and admiration again until a few minutes ago.

After watching the keynote speech and the iPad video, I have that same feeling, “I gotta get me one of these!”

Most of my daily work involves browsing the web and dealing with email. The iPad looks like it will handle both of those tasks with ease and panache.

However, even though the touch-screen keyboard (in horizontal mode) looks like it would be usable, I’m so used to touch typing on a keyboard that I just don’t think I would be interested in doing much typing that way.

When I saw the keyboard dock for the iPad, that made a huge difference.

I’ll still do most of my typing on my desktop Mac, but I think that keyboard dock will make the iPad much more usable for a variety of people.

What clinched the deal was the price.

The base model iPad will be introduced in a couple of months for only $499 and it comes with 16 GB of flash memory. Two other models are available for $599 (32 GB) and $699 (64 GB).

There will be three models that have 3G included, but I’m not interested in those. The base models with WiFi will do all I would be interested in doing.

The iPad will run most of the 140,000 applications that have been developed for the iPhone and IPod Touch, but there are advantages for users that will entice developers to modify their apps or build new ones using the iPad SDK.

Personally, I’m not interested in most of those applications and never will be. I do the majority of my work using a web browser and email client, and the rest is graphics, working with photos, accounting, spreadsheets, and word processing. The new iWork versions of Numbers and Pages look great (especially since they only cost $9.99), so I’m sure I’ll buy and use them.

Many years ago, I decided to quit living on the bleeding edge of technology where you take risks with hardware and software with undiscovered bugs, high introductory prices, and other disadvantages. Since then, I’ve never bought a 1.0 version of any product and my life has been easier.

This time, however, I really want to get my hands on a brand new iPad as soon as I can.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been this excited about a new product, and it has taken me completely by surprise. I did not expect to be interested, at all, in the iPad.

What about you?

Have you watched the video and/or keynote speech? What do you think about the iPad. Is this something you would be interested in owning and using?

Act on your dream!

Tags: Apple, iPad

Comments

16 Comments on iPad is incredible – Apple has done it again!

Billy on Thu, 28th Jan 2010 5:57 pm

I feel exactly the same way, it often seems to me that 1st gen products there is always flaws but the iPad just looks like they got everything right.

John Dilbeck on Thu, 28th Jan 2010 6:31 pm

Good afternoon, Billy.

It sure looks like the iPad has the right features for the right price.

However, we won’t know for sure until we get one and see for ourselves if it lives up to the introduction.

I’m looking forward to finding out.

Act on your dream!

Kevin on Fri, 29th Jan 2010 2:37 am

I am also excited about iPad! I’m very familiar with the iPhone and Macbook Pro too but seeing the iPad wasn’t just a different form of a Macbook Pro or a glorified iPhone or iPod Touch but a whole new market and device that I think will be phenomenal.

I can’t wait to get one of these and to see how well Apple will do with this new device. Much luck to Apple and much fun to all who invest on the new iPad!

John Dilbeck on Fri, 29th Jan 2010 7:50 am

Good morning, Kevin.

Welcome to our discussions.

In addition to being able to use an iPad for most of my online work, I’m starting to realize what a great device it will be for Apple in regards to selling a variety of content to the people who purchase one.

I don’t think I’m part of that market segment, but I think the majority of people may be. After all, I believe that most people basically browse the web, send and receive email, listen to music, share photos, play games, and watch videos. I may be wrong, but that’s the impression I have.

In addition to iTunes and the apps store, Apple will be opening a new book store. That’s gotta add to Apple’s bottom line in a very good way.

I’m starting to think that the iPad will be a great device for consumers, while most producers will continue to use desktops or laptops for most of their work.

Now I’m starting to wish I didn’t sell my Apple stock a few years ago.

Act on your dream!

Susan52 on Fri, 29th Jan 2010 4:48 pm

Hi John,

I watched the presentation feed at the time and I agree that the device is slick and pretty. As for me, I don’t go out a lot, so I don’t see a reason for having another device to surf the web or check email or do word processing. I have a Kindle, which I love, so I don’t need the book reader. I guess it’s fortunate for Apple that I’m not an average consumer since, as cool-looking as it is, I won’t be buying.

Can’t wait to hear your report after you’ve received and used yours, though. Hope you love it as much as you think you will!
.-= Susan52´s last blog ..A Lensography by Any Other Name . . . =-.

Brandon | Arc Floor lamps on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 6:27 pm

Hi John,

Yes I too have watched the keynote speech and I am anxiously waiting in anticipation for the launch of the ipad. I must confess I don’t have any apple items in my household, but the Ipad may be the first.

Great post John, it’s made me even more excited for the launch.

Brandon
.-= Brandon | Arc Floor lamps´s last blog ..Setting up an Arc Floor Lamp =-.

Nathan Rodriguez on Mon, 1st Feb 2010 10:28 pm

Im not quite sure about the greatness of iPad, several resources are classifying it like just a big and expensive iPhone. I certainly would not buy it right now.
.-= Nathan Rodriguez´s last blog ..Seguro de Transporte =-.

John Dilbeck on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 1:10 pm

Good morning, Susan.

Sorry for the delay in responding.

I can understand how the iPad would not be something that would pique your interest.

About the only time I go out is to visit clients and I think the iPad would do a better job of letting me show them why they should work with me and how I’m helping them than using a laptop.

I don’t know; we’ll see. (grin)

It’ll be several months before they’re available and I probably won’t buy one of the first batch. I want to wait and see what others say, but I’m still interested and plan to get one. I’ll be happy to share my impressions and experiences with it.

Thanks for your comment.

Act on your dream!

John Dilbeck on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 1:12 pm

Good morning, Brandon.

I appreciate your comment.

I’m looking forward to getting my hands on an iPad.

Act on your dream!

John Dilbeck on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 1:14 pm

Good morning, Nathan.

You may be right.

Still, since I don’t have an iPhone or iPod Touch, the iPad still looks good to me. I like the larger form factor for showing things to clients and the easy portability as compared to laptops.

Nothing is a good fit for everyone.

Act on your dream!

Susan52 on Wed, 3rd Feb 2010 1:15 pm

Having an iPad for client visit sounds like an excellent idea. I’d love to have a reason to have one, so do let us know how it works out!

Susan
.-= Susan52´s last blog ..Turn a Squidoo How-To Lens Into an EHow Article =-.

John Dilbeck on Thu, 4th Feb 2010 3:57 pm

Good afternoon, Susan.

I’ll be sure to report on my experiences with an iPad when I get one.

Act on your dream!

Martin Kono on Fri, 5th Feb 2010 6:30 am

I was wondering for some time now how this iPad will really look and will it really be so revolutionary. You say it is. I must get one of those machines to check it out myself. Thanks for a little review.

John Dilbeck on Fri, 5th Feb 2010 5:52 pm

Good afternoon, Martin.

Welcome to our discussions.

I’m not saying that it’s a revolutionary device. It shares a lot of the features of the iPhone and iPod Touch, but I think the larger form factor will make a big difference. I know it will for me.

I’m looking forward to getting one and playing with it.

Act on your dream!

John Dilbeck on Fri, 5th Feb 2010 5:54 pm

In case anyone is interested, I just now created a new Squidoo lens for Apple Computer’s iPad and you’re invited to visit the lens and join in the duel and/or post your comments.

Vanni Flirt on Wed, 3rd Mar 2010 5:27 am

Hi John,

first of all i have to say i still have an ipod, iphone and all that stuff. i really enjoyed it. but today all the apple stuff become more and more the branding touch. you do not pay for function you pay for the name apple. i really hope that it will be change in the future again, so apple becomes a revolution of technology again.

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