I am sure many of you have reached overload status on the amount of Apple iPad information, however I plan on making a purchase (once Apple allows me) and wanted to share some of my thoughts as to why. I also purposely delayed this post a bit because I wanted to take a few days to think about this, and try and make a better decision after I came down off of the Apple Keynote high. And yes, I realize there are still plenty of unknowns. Anyway, without further adieu…
So, I have decided to buy an Apple iPad.
Naturally as a geek I am always inclined to pick the model with the highest specs, but that is not going to be the case with the iPad. I have decided that I will be making a purchase as soon as I am able to, and I am going with the lowest priced model, which is $499.
You may ask why I am choosing the bottom of the line. Well, I have a 32GB iPhone and I rarely if ever have more than a few GB of storage in use. At this point I have more storage used by apps than I do anything else. I use my iPhone (aside from as a phone) to stream music and listen to podcasts. The music streaming does not take up space, well other than a tiny little bit for the app, personally I use Slacker and my podcasts are regularly rotated in and out only keeping the newest and un-listened to episodes.
So far that means I should easily be able to get by with the 16GB model. I am also going with the non-3G model.
Yes, I mentioned streaming music, and with that you may be wondering how I plan to do that without the non-3G model. Simple, for the most part I plan to use the iPad around the house, but more on that in a minute. For the times when I venture out of the house with my iPad, I already have and pay for a MiFi, which means even my standard iPad will technically be 3G capable.
Now before I get into how I plan to use my iPad around the house, let me first share what accessories I plan to purchase to go along with it. I am going to get a dock, not the one with the keyboard, just the standard one. And instead of one, I am picking up two — one for my home office desk and one for a table that we have in the living room. I am also getting a case, I am not sure how often that will get used since I primarily plan to use the iPad in the house, but I would rather have protection for those rare trips outside than go without and risk damage. I may also from time to time use the iPad with a keyboard, but I already have the Apple Bluetooth keyboard so that will work just fine.
Getting back to how I plan to use my iPad.
Like I mentioned I will have two places that I will be able to dock it, I also plan to outfit both of those locations with a set of powered computer speakers (that I already have). As far as that living room table, that will be a setup which will be able to offer my family a mix of a photo frame and music station. As far as my home office, for the most part it will again be used as a music station streaming Slacker. But I will also use it for playing and watching podcasts with RssPlayer, listening to audiobooks with Bookmark and even for other tasks such as Evernote. Then of course, whether sitting on the living room couch, or in bed we can always undock the iPad and do some light surfing.
Just to sum this up a bit, and also to clarify — I do not think that the iPad is the best tablet out on the market today. I do however feel it is the best for me. Is it perfect? No. Am I excited about seeing the follow up model? Yes. But until that follow up model is released I am going to be sporting the original iPad.
![Jailbreaking news: Trick iTunes into thinking you have iPhone OS 3.1.3 [UPDATED]](http://www.iphonefreak.com/wp-content/themes/freshnews/thumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/iphone3gofficial.png&h=28&w=28&zc=1&q=80)
January 29th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
I too will be purchasing an iPad, but for far different reasons. My mother, who has many challenges now that she is disabled, will be able to employ he use of this device without having to worry which way she picks it up- and the touch screen is perfect since she can no longer use a mouse effectively. The ease of use, beauty and styling are all pure Apple.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
i agree, that the features available are terrific for the uses you mentioned. Also, when you compare the iPad to Kindle you get so much more for less than $150 more. I agree that it is not perfect, but it is the first step to an awesome future for tablets!
January 29th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Much different, and much more noble than my reasons. I hope your mother enjoys the iPad.
January 29th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
I also have a Kindle, and the iPad still may end up replacing that. I did not mention reading as a reason in this post because I want to see how I feel about reading on the display. Personally I am attached to e-ink.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Your whole article seems like a massive self justification because at the end of it you intend to use it as a musical photo frame?
You know you dont really have to buy everything apple makes..
January 29th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Thanks Robert. My business partner and I were discussing that this is an angle that perhaps Apple has not thought of. After I posted, I realized that my father too, who has an issue with his hands and can no longer type (and finds it hard to turn thin paper pages), will be able to utilize the iPad and be able to read to his hearts' desire. For my family- the intuitiveness that Apple brings to it's products will play a huge roll in how my parents can engage again on a new level with this product!
January 29th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
I was thinking about getting the 32GB 3G. I currently have the iPhone 3GS and after reading your article I think I may reconsider and pickup the 16GB wifi. After I read your article I checked my phone and saw I only used 7 GB out of 32 .
For me I'll be using it on the couch doing some surfing and some reading and maybe some games too. Although I must admit reading on the iPhone does put some strain on my eyes and that's one of the reasons I want the iPad. Not sure if the reading experience will be much better on the LCD screen.
The main reason for considering the 3G was for traveling. However, most if not all hotels have wifi so maybe the 3G option might not be necessary after all. Thanks for helping me make up my mind.
January 30th, 2010 at 3:29 am
fuck business
January 31st, 2010 at 12:57 am
I heard so much about the Apple Ipad.I'm actually planning to buy next week but i'm still analyzing the features and how can i used it on my daily work.It's one of a kind tablet nowadays.
January 31st, 2010 at 2:06 am
Interesting, i am in the same boat as you. I have a kindle and a jailbroken 32 gb iphone 3gs. Like you i am thinking of buying the 16gb wifi only ipad. My first impression of it was i didnt need it and that it was identical to the iphone. After thinking about it for a few days, it dawned on me that i use my iphone for everything. From project planning, brainstorming with iThoughts, gaming, movie, quick ebook reading, browsing the net, remoting in to my servers that i manage….and the list go on. Now there is one obvious problem with dping most of these with the iphone, and that is the screen estate. Imagined mindmapping on a bigger screen and connecting to my servers via wifi hotspot internet tethering from my jailbroken iphone! Shoot i can even use my iphone as my file server the in between for laptop and the ipad. The ipad will serve as mostly a workhorse for extended activities that would be straining with the iphone.
April 3rd, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Hey Robert-
I opted for the 3G "sort of" last minute also, but still have a WiFi model on reserve at an Apple store in my city, and stressing about whether to pick it up before 3pm when it becomes up for grabs!!!
BTW — What is MiFi, and can you really use with the ipad to connect with the 3G network?