Why I need an iPad
There’s been so much talk about the iPad over the past few weeks; mostly by myself – so much so in fact that the guys in the office; my 7 year old son; my wife; the girls in the cafe – are all sick to death of me talking about it!
So I stopped.
Actually, no I didn’t.
I ordered mine on Monday at 05:19am:
My iPad is due on Friday 28th May – exactly 14 days from now!
Orders must be high because since I ordered mine, the due date has been pushed back to June 7th for those who didn’t get in early.
Anyway – I came across this article in the Telegraph titled: “10 reasons why I won’t be buying an iPad”, so I thought I’d respond with my version:
10 reasons why I can’t wait to get my iPad!
I’ll be using the same titles, taken from the Telegraph article:
1. I don’t need one:
Actually I do.
Picture this:
Get up – and access my email in seconds. Don’t even need to bother opening my laptop. That takes at least 60 seconds (unless you have a PC then say 5 minutes).
Read the papers while eating breakfast without appearing rude by bringing my laptop to the breakfast table.
Walk to the station (leave my heavy laptop and power cable at home) – iPad in my bag.
Read Godel, Escher, Bach – The eternal Golden Braid – on my iPad. It’s far too big and heavy to carry!
Catch up on any breaking news on the Sky iPad App as I pull into the station.
Arrive at meeting and plug my iPad into the projector – give presentation using keynote (way better than PowerPoint).
Talk about iPad for first 15 minutes.
Check and answer emails before leaving, following successful keynote.
Watch a movie on the way home on the train.
Get home relaxed – hand iPad to my son to play some games on then leave on the coffee table still charged.
2. No Flash:
Thats probably a good thing! See this open letter on Flash by Steve Jobs
Apart from issues with battery life, reliability, security and performance – Flash was created for PCs and Mice. I prefer more modern technology
3. Open source is gaining a foothold:
That’s true and all very well. But I don’t care – I’m happy with open standards like HTML5, CSS and JavaScript.
4. Price:
See 1 above. It’s worth every penny! Just think of the increases in productivity!
5. Missing camera:
I don’t want to turn it into the biggest camera in the world. I have an iPhone for that!
6. It’s style over substance:
It’s beautiful!
7. No multitasking:
Haven’t you been listening to the news? It’s out in June as part of the OS upgrade
8. Lack of compelling content:
What more do you need? There are thousands of Apps available – just look at these.
- Popular Science
- The Wall Street Journal (see my next blog on the reason why the IPad could just save newspapers)
- Epicurious
9. It’s not a laptop replacement:
Actually, it is!
I have a keyboard (built in – or even wireless)
Word processor
Spreadsheet
I can run presentations off it
Why break my back carrying a laptop around?
The article goes on to suggest:
“The iPad is not a computer in the truest sense of the word“.
Now that’s exactly why I want it
I DONT WANT A COMPUTER!!!
10. Things will only get better:
And indeed they will – on Friday 28th May when UPS arrives with my shiny new iPad. I think my life is going to change forever!
I’ll keep you all posted on how I get on with it! My next post will be made from my iPad somewhere more comfortable than my desk.
oh – here’s a picture of the case I ordered while waiting for my beautiful shiny new productivity enhancing iPad to arrive:
Tags: iPad


i agree
Great piece Jon. I love the idea of the Ipad – and can’t wait to buy a second hand Ipad if one ever makes it to the market.
However you state near the top:
1. Catch up with breaking news
2. Deliver presentation
3. Check emails
You forgot to say:
1.b Close Sky news app before opening Pres software (as there is no multi-tasking)
2.b Download Presentation from email (as there is no USB key)
3b. Close email and open presentation.
4. Email myself the pres to make a compatible copy of the doc to send to clients as they wont have this software. (close pres software first)
Hey Sam
I can tell that you’re not a fan!
In response to your comments:
1.b Close Sky news app before opening Pres software (as there is no multi-tasking)
OK granted – but this is just a temporary challenge. Multi tasking is already out in Beta and due for full launch next month. I’m happy to wait just a few more days!
2.b Download Presentation from email (as there is no USB key)
I use Cloud Computing (USB keys are too easy to lose and not secure) and always download presentations from Mobile Me. This has the following advantages:
I can download my deck to any device (including my iphone)
Its a secure environment
Foolproof backup
Keep my iPad as a thin client
I really think you need to stop relying on old insecure technology such as USB keys
3b. Close email and open presentation.
See answer to 1.b above
4. Email myself the pres to make a compatible copy of the doc to send to clients as they wont have this software. (close pres software first)
Oh dear oh dear! Have you not heard of Mobile Me?
I can do all this from my iphone or my iPad and include a secure password for download. trust me – thats difficult on any pc or netbook.
OK tell you what – next Friday on launch day – I’ll show you how its done!
Jon
Thanks Jon i look forward to seeing it work at full pace.
However, i don’t think it will be friday – as knowing you, you’ll be like a child on Christmas morning. I’ll wait a week.