the iPadHole

Ever since the buzz started up about the iPad’s release, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the moment to have an excuse to purchase one.  We’re a very Apple-happy household, boasting an iPhone, various generations of iPods including an iPod Touch, and – sadly to say – a dinosaur iMac that’s about five or six years old.  We also keep a “just in case” Gateway Windows Vista laptop around so that all computer bases are covered.

There has been much discussion about the ultimate purpose of the iPad – is it a gap between the smartphone and laptop, or is it an entirely new device with its own purpose?  This debate becomes profound and technologically spiritual for those fully invested in the techie world, but for most users – as in, your everyday user and non-techie like me – the iPad doesn’t become an either or, but some combination of both the gap-purchase and new must-have Apple device.

As a writer, I spend a lot of time in front of a computer – more so than most, for sure.  But my work also requires me to use the most basic of computer applications – email, web browsing, word processing, and (more play than work) gaming and social networking purposes.  Basically my use is not really any different than the average everyday person’s use, I just use my technology more often than most.

Because we already have so many Apple gadgets and various random technologies in our home, I opted to go for the most basic of iPad options – the 16 GB, Wi-Fi version.  Already owning an iPhone, in my opinion there was no need to upgrade to the 3G iPad version.  And because we already have both a desktop and laptop computers, I didn’t feel the need to upgrade to the 64 BG iPad model.  My goal was simply to have a bigger-than-an-iPhone but smaller-than-a-laptop computing option.  The most basic model of iPad meets that need fairly affordably.  The only upgrades I chose to add were the docking keyboard and the most basic cover.  My total investment was about $650 dollars.

What I really like about the iPad is that I get the fun and convenience of the iPhone but with a larger screen and easier use.  The touch screen on the iPhone never ceases to frustrate me, but the larger touch screen keyboard on the iPad is much easier to use.  Add to that the ability to connect to a lap-top sized keyboard and you’ve sold me.

The iPad’s processing is super quick, and the ease of use is exactly what I’ve come to expect with all of my Apple purchases.  Staying true to my original intent of using the iPad to act as my in-between iPhone and iMac tool, I’ve somehow managed to limit my iPad App downloads to what I see as the most basic of necessities: iWorks Pages, Numbers and Keynote, Facebook, Pandora, AirVideoFree, Google, iBooks and (guilty pleasure) Angry Birds.  It remains to be seen if I can continue this Spartan-like Apple existence, but for now these apps along with the pre-loaded apps fulfill my every iPad need.  It’s the desires that will fuel my future Apple Store purchases.

Overall I am extremely pleased with my newest Apple purchase. A word to the Apple-wise, though – thank goodness for that random Gateway laptop with iTunes already installed, because our iMac’s OS was too old to support the sync with the iPad (you need OS 10.5.8 or later).  So before you head out to get your own iPad, make sure you have the means to sync to iTunes.