Avid Apple Fan Weighs In on iPad

The iPad is a product I have been wanting for longer than it even existed. Three years ago I bought a MacBook because I wanted to do some word processing, reading, and web browsing portably. I ended up not liking the fact that it was not all that portable, and I was tethered to the electrical outlet more than I wanted to be. I decided if the laptop didn't meet my needs then I would rather have a desktop instead so I traded in the laptop for an iMac. I continued my search for the ultimate portable device for my needs by getting an iPod Touch. This device was close to what I was looking for and found I used it often, but the size of the screen hindered word processing. Although I knew what I wanted at the time, I just couldn't find a product to fit my needs. The iPad is exactly what I was looking for three years ago.

When I first unboxed my 32 GB WI-FI enabled iPad, I noticed right away how sturdy it is constructed. It is one and a half pounds, and although it is weighty in my hands, it doesn't feel as heavy as some hard back books. It definitely isn't as heavy as some laptop computers. I am conscious of how I am holding the iPad while walking around for fear of dropping it.

When I turned the iPad on it immediately asked me to connect it to iTunes. Although the iPad was already charged I had to transfer all the info from my iPod Touch, which took a couple of hours. This was a little disheartening since I wanted to play with it right out of the box.

The first program I checked was the photo viewer. Although I didn't get, the docking station for the iPad, I now know that I will need it. When not in use the iPad makes a beautiful display for family photos and even can be set to music if desired.

A movie I transferred from my iPod Touch looks amazing on the iPad screen. The colors are so vivid and the picture so crisp on the iPad that I thought I was watching an HD movie. I went back to see whether the movie was an HD movie, but it actually wasn't. I wonder what an actual HD movie would look on the iPad?

One of the first apps I bought was Pages. I sometimes use Pages on my iMac to write articles and thought that this would be the program I will use for writing on the go. I do like this program for iMac, but I am not sure yet for the iPad. I need to keep track of word counts and although the iMac version has a word counter I can't find one anywhere on the iPad version. The ultimate word processing program on the iPad would have both a word counter and grammar checker. There are already thousands of iPad apps in the app store including Apple iBooks. The iBooks app is Apple's ebook reader, which I have already started to use and enjoy. The screen brightness does need to be turned down though, which is easily done while on whatever page of the book you decide to change it on.

Overall the responsiveness of the iPad is quick, whether a web page is loading or typing on the keyboard. The touch keyboard is easy to type on, but for those who learned to type by memorizing the keys it may be more difficult. Unless you actually look at the keyboard, it is difficult to know if your hands are in the correct position without being able to feel the keys. At least this is my initial impressions. I think overtime I will have no problem gaining typing speed on it though since it isn't too much different in size to my Apple wireless keyboard.

The iPad is not a complete computer replacement since it is necessary to connect it to iTunes on a computer before even beginning to use it. Anyone that already has a computer with iTunes can use an iPad and thoroughly enjoy it, no matter the age. I would recommend the iPad. It's a beautiful device that makes many forms of media easily accessible and allow you to not be stuck behind a desk or tethered to an electrical cord as often.

Apple iPad