The announcement of the then new iPad (I mean the original one0 had me in line with my $500 in hand. While at my age, you wouldn’t find me first in line or for that matter, even 2nd or 3rd or even in line outside, but I was ready to buy as the supply got better. As always it was your typical elegant Apple product that just wasn’t even close to any netbook I’d seen IMHO. In fact during the time I was waiting, I’d justified myself up to the very top end model! But then reality set in and even the iPad 2 couldn’t change my mind.
One of the main reasons I want one is for traveling, something lighter than my current 13″ MacBook Pro, a bag a bricks compared to the iPad obviously. I don’t do a whole lot of traveling but resigned myself to always needing some sort of computer when doing so. Some of my reasons for having some sort of portable device is for email, getting info on the internet, entertainment during layovers, charging of any USB devices, backup and review of my pictures. Having the iPad would immediately require me to have add ons which would add weight and prone to loss or forgetfulness.
During my last trip my MacBook served as my cellphone and camera battery charger. Replacing the laptop with an iPad would immediately force me to take a USB charger to handle these duties. Additionally, I’ve found my iPhone and one camera a little fickle about who they accept power from, so I’d have to remember which USB charger works, and remember to take it. No USB port? That also means I have to buy Apple’s proprietary connectors at, what was it, $30? It is my understanding that the USB connector will not work with USB flash memory so nix the backup documents I keep on my keychain (come to think of it there isn’t a file manager that allows direct manipulation of the files anyways). I guess I’d have to forget about backing up my pictures due to the lack of memory on the iPad also. Well, since I will be on vacation, maybe I should just forget about everything and live dangerously. Remember, I haven’t even mentioned editing shots, I just want to review them and back them up.
While I do like the minimalist designs that come from Apple, more and more I’ve been feeling that they need a reality check. Even with the MacBook Pro, I’ve already found that not having a modem can be a pain sometimes. I was visiting my uncle in the boonies last year, and granted this was partially caused by the fact he doesn’t want to mess with computers in his ‘advanced age’, but at least he has a phone. But MacBook was too advanced to have a modem. Along the same lines, at 2 out of the 3 hotels I stayed at had wired Ethernet but no wireless. Wireless means no connection with the iPad, couldn’t Apple have at least included a USB port? They could bring back their rather ‘antiquated’ USB modem and sell more USB to ethernet dongles! As things stand, iPad would mean taking a wireless access point. Apple’s Airport Express is not bad bagprintwise but needsto be set up beforehand with a hardwire connection (ie you are screwed if you need to change this on the road).
I suppose one could argue that the iPad is just not meant for this sort of thing so why bother? In part II,if I ever get around to it, I try to talk my way into a MacBook Air. I just kinda get the feeling that Apple is too advanced for our age, and with all the design decisions made, things would be a lot easier if Apple just got rid of the user also.
