Second Thoughts on Apple's iPad

More than a week after launching its new wunderkind, Apple continues to enjoy loads of attention and a seemingly endless supply of new iPad buyers. Packed with a such features as its trademark touchscreen, a 10-hour battery, HD quality video, and the promise all the iPod apps - it's no wonder people are flocking to the store to hand out some cash.

Reality Check

With all the hype surrounding the iPad running unchecked, it makes sense to "take five" and consider some drawbacks associated with Apple's new wonder.

First of Its Kind

First on the reality check list is the fact that the iPad is the first of its kind.

Sure, since the advent of "pen computers" in the 1980s, many contenders have had their stab at tablet-style personal computers. But after nearly three decades of hard lessons learned, Apple seeks to re-kindle (no pun on Amazon's Kindle product) public interest by capitalizing on newly available ease-of-use technology.

In spite of this optimism, cautious consumerism tells us to tread slowly with a newly released product not seen before from any one manufacturer. With iPad being the first of its kind for Apple, conventional wisdom may dictate holding off on buying until Apple shakes out all the kinks and bugs with a later release of this portable computer.

iPod apps: Not Exactly "iPad" Friendly?

Unlike the more ubiquitous applications we see on the larger IBM-style PCs, Apple's retains a tight standards-driven handhold on applications ("apps") that independent developers create for Apple's iPod and the new iPad. While the Apple apps development platform does help to ensure some measure of quality and usability on Apple products, it also does leave open some questions as to whether all aspects of usability will work well with the general populous.

For example, Apple claims the iPad will run all apps developed for the iPod. But does this mean it will run well or look great? Case in point: app graphics optimized for iPod will run on iPad. At least for now these graphics will appear pixilated when run in their larger form on iPad's much larger screen. Not cool.

More Apps Features, Right? Not Really...

There is another factor to consider. With a much larger screen available with which to play, you may expect a more robust and feature-filled iPod app showing on your iPad screen. Not the case.

Due to iPod's smaller screen, apps originally developed for Apple's iPod handheld were developed with a similarly limited functionality. While running these same apps on a larger screen may enable you to locate and select certain apps functions with greater ease, you can expect to see this as the only greatest advantage to running iPod apps on the iPad for the time being.

As time passes, however, more "grown up" versions of your favorite apps may start showing up on the virtual store shelf, especially designed for the iPad's larger screen and more powerful processor.

Pricey

While you may feel roped in with a starting price (for a base model) ranging near the $499 mark, you may want to keep that wallet in your pocket for a while longer.

Apple offers the iPad in both Wi-Fi enabled and 3G-connected packages. On the Wi-Fi side, you will find pricing is $499 for the 16 GB model, $599 for 32 GB and about $699 for 64 GB. For 3G, count on handing over $629 for the 16 GB package, $729 for the 32 GB and $829 for the 64 GB model.

With 3G emerging as the preferred form of connectivity, Apple's iPad hedges on the pricey side, and may give you cause to reconsider spending your hard-earned cash on a good laptop instead.

Not Exactly a Laptop

For hard-core office workers seeking a solution to the office-hardy laptop, don't exactly expect relief from Apple's iPad. While you can easily invoke a "virtual keyboard" à la QWERTY, this by no means is an an easy replacement for your desktop- or laptop-bound keyboard hardware.

While traveling you may be able to approach office productivity by attaching an external keyboard and mouse via USB, remember that the iPad has no flip out stand allowing you to place the screen on the table in front of you. While you may get away by using a display holder such as those used for displaying pieces of expensive china, good luck on securing the iPad from falling off and possibly getting damaged from that occasional bump of the hip on the your hotel desk.

No doubt having thought a few of these contingencies, Apple does sell docking station hardware (not included with purchase) for the iPad. But would carrying around this extra hardware be worth it for the travel-bound business warrior?

So, What Is It Good For?

At this point perhaps it's best to think about those functions for which the Apple IPad seems best made.

If your job dictates casual note taking on the run, then the Apple iPad is for you. If you like the cruise the web in sleek-slab simplicity, then the Apple iPad is for you. If money is no object, then the Apple iPad is for you. If web cruising and similar fun is often on your schedule, then the Apple iPad is for you. Otherwise...

Picture this: with a Wi-Fi enabled iPad, you could be sitting in a café sipping a cup of Joe while zipping through the internet on a sporty-looking tablet look-alike with some bells and whistles. With 3G, you could sit in a park quietly doing the same thing.

Ultimately, consider your own reality before buying. Does iPad's portability factor in for you? Is a new and relatively expensive gizmo going to deliver enough fun or function to make shelling out the cash worth it?

Kudos and Caution

No doubt with all the hard work and features (current and upcoming) packed into the new iPad, kudos to Apple and its team!

On the market for a replacement for your laptop? Given that you're more prone to road-warrior style business productivity, you may want to keep your laptop. Consider the price you pay for a new and market-untested iPad versus the tested features and reliability of the work-proven laptop or desktop PC.

In time let's hope that Apple will further evolve its innovative iPad into a more worthy contender for the ages-old PC.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Melendez is a freelance writer reporting on technology, the environment, sustainability, alternative energies and "green" issues. John Melendez is a writer for hire. To email him, go to http://www.emailmeform.com/fid.php?formid=19595

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