Since I have been inundated with “So…the iPad is just a larger iPod touch…” I have decided to actually use my blogging area for what it was meant for and give you my thoughts.
So…basically there is a new type of “class of computers” that people are wanting. Something that is more than a smart phone and less than a laptop, and priced accordingly. This device is normally a small portable computer that does email, word processing stuff, web browsing, movies, music, and that’s about it. Up until this point that has been known as a netbook computer. HP, Sony, ASUS, and several others have a few really nice ones.
As I see it, this is Apple’s entry into this arena, and they did it very well. Unlike the iPad, the PC netbooks out there have the entire operating system, in there case Windows, installed on to it. At first glance, this seems great, and much more “practical” than the iPad, because the iPad doesn’t have the entire Mac OS installed on it. However the iPad and these netbooks don’t have the balls (power) to do anything but the previously mentioned tasks. So you are left with a computer. although priced very reasonably, has a computer that is limiting, and an OS that is more of a drain on the system.
The iPad shines where these previous NetBooks have fallen short. Because the iPad was made with these tasks in mind it is many things that Netbooks can’t be. It’s fast and powerful. By utilizing an OS that was made for the hardware it is on it is going to be snappy. It turns on instantly, and can open applications in only a few seconds. It’s easy to use and familiar to use for many because it is like the iTouch or iPhone. The iPhone opperating system is a very stable operating system. There are over 140,000 applications ready to go, and those were made not even thinking that the iPad was coming. Imagine what is going to be made with this in mind. I’m already anticipating that first iFart I will receive on my iPad…when I get one. It also integrated a really nice eBook reader into the system.
I know everyone thinks I am saying this because I would have Steve’s children, but I do see the downsides as well. It’s not an open system, so you can’t do what you want. No Flash?!? Really Steve??? I don’t know what Adobe did to get your panty’s in such a twist but pull the pine-cone you have lodged up your ass, out, and get run the Flash Installer on Safari. You looked like a donkey hitting that website and showing off that missing plugin for Flash. 3G through AT&T…yuck. Horror stories around campfires will one day start with that companies name. Anyway, I am sure there are more…but until I get one in my hands, I can’t be sure. I’ve only seen what you have seen.
In conclusion, (yeah, I said that,) am I going to get one? Yes, I have a company that is going to utilize the hell out of these. Even if I didn’t, I think it’s great. I have been toying with the idea of buying a netbook. Bottom line is that it’s not for everyone. If you have a need for a small computer that does email, browse the web, watch movies and tv-shows, read books, and more then get one. If not, it’s not for you.
Also, check out the video. It show’s off a lot of great uses. http://www.apple.com/ipad/#video
