On April 3rd I, along with many other Canadians made the trip down to the Walden Galleria Apple Store in Buffalo, New York. I was too excited about the iPad to care that I was waiting in line for the first version of a new technology product. I for one hate shopping in general, and find it distasteful to wait in line. I also feel that it is silly to wait in line for a new product on the day it launches. Waiting a few days till the lineups are gone seems much more sensible to me. Yet, the lure of the iPad served to overcome my sensibilities, and at 10AM on April 3rd I was at the Apple Store waiting in line.
I refused to write a review on the iPad in the first week. In my mind, the iPad is a paradigm shifting technology. Until I’d used the iPad for a few weeks, I did not feel I could provide the perspective I feel is important to my readers. Reviewing a new device is like a relationship. All fuzzy feelings for the first little while, then reality hits. I wanted to write a review that was not affected by initial emotions or excitement.
So, without further ado, let me tell you my experience with the iPad.
Battery life. This thing is phenomenal. I have never had another electronic device that did not make me nervous toward the end of a day of use. Even my iPhone 3GS does not provide me with the same sense of security that the device will not die by the end of a day of use. I can even charge the iPad Friday morning, take it up north (always careful with how I use it when away from a charger), and still have 40% battery left. I completely trust the iPad to be charged when I need it.
Convenience. Portability. The iPad has changed the frequency with which I take my computer with me. I rarely take my MacBook Pro from home anymore. I take the iPad everywhere. It’s like carrying a notebook with me, weight-wise. I pick it up off the desk and carry it in my hand. I don’t need a backpack to take my computer with me. This has changed my perspective on using my personal commuting device. It has become a permanent companion, rather than a tool to be utilized when needed. Similar to my iPhone.
I have begun to reevaluate my need for the MacBook Pro. All my data is stored on my Ubuntu mediaserver (hosted on VMware ESXi along with my Windows VM’s). I now utilize the iMac for managing my virtual servers and ESXi. I have Air Video Server installed for streaming movies from the media server to the iPad, and FileBrowser installed for browsing the network files from the iPad. The only real need that I have for the laptop is for import of my photos from my Nikon D40. I’ve begun to question whether I really need the laptop solely for immediate import of my photos. My Aperture 3 library is synced across my backup server, iMac, and laptop. I’ve begun to think that as long as I can wait to import my photos from a weekend out of the city till I get back home, I have no justifiable need for my laptop. I will be continuing to evaluate this over the next month or so, but I’m afraid that the laptop will be going. Never thought I’d say this.
I can extoll the various features of the iPad. However, I feel enough other reviews have done that. This piece is about how the iPad has changed the way I’m using technology. The next posts that I write will likely be shaped from an iPad user’s experience.
Really interesting post, thanks! Do you mind if I publish it in my blog, with a link back to you?
Yep, go ahead!