Apple Tablet Review
I’ve been meaning to write about my Apple Tablet Device (ATD) for some time now, and just haven’t had time to get to it. There’s been no shortage of coverage for it however, and you can find way too much written about it already: either praising it as passed down from the right hand of God, or reviled as an incomplete tool for which there is no real use. I still hold to my original premise. This is a great tool for folks who simply want easy-to-use technology. That audience isn’t necessarily the Technorati - although some of them may use one.
For my part, I’ve been surprised that I have liked it as much as I have. I’ve found it eminently useful. I can’t do any real development work on it - but then again, that isn’t the majority of my time on a computer anymore. I’ll always need a desktop machine for my development work; but my laptop has increasingly become the tool for my professional work which consists largely of email, web work, word processing, along with the occasional spreadsheet thrown in. This little machine handles all of that. I’ve found it particularly useful for the activities that you can tend to when you find yourself with 10 minutes to spare and want to get something done.
I should emphasize that this works for me because I rarely use a cell phone (unlike most people). So, I don’t see this replacing a phone, but replacing my laptop. I will also avoid the hyperbole of stating that this device will kill the Netbook - because that simply isn’t true - but this device will play a significant role in shaping the future of computing where our daily devices will look a lot more like this and desktop or tower machines will become increasingly rare.
In any event, here is a brief list of a few articles that I’ve found interesting over the past few months. You can check them out if you are interested, but take note of the dates - some are going to be less valuable through time:
Ann Kirschner shares her impressions through an article in the Chronicle
Omar Wasow explains The Techies Are Wrong about the iPad
Jean-Louis Gassée has been around a long time, and gives a reasoned review here
...and there are hundreds more. Articles regarding the features and specs, opinion around the usefulness of the device, and invective concerning how this changes everything - we’ve heard it all before. But you should go see this device and play with it a little bit. With the other tablet machines that will soon hit (or are already on) the market, it’s clear that this is the next big thing to figure out hardware-wise.
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Comments:
Hey Rus -
I agree with all you’ve got here. I’m interested in seeing where this goes market-wise: if folks want a device that is more phone-link (Apple) or computer-like (HP) or an internet device like the JooJoo.
Like you, the issue for me, is that I would rather do these things on a tablet than a phone. So my pre-paid cell works in a pinch, and I get more functionality with the tablet. And, I only have to carry around one device!
You’re right about Apple and Adobe not playing nicely - I’ve got a follow-up post on that coming. They are both wrong, and I’ve become increasingly disenchanted with both companies as a result.
It is an understatement to say that you “like” your iPad. I’m glad you are already married to *me*, or I would have had some stiff competition.
BTW, I am amused that you “only have to carry around one device!”
When I saw the product launch, my reaction was “hmph, it’s a giant iPod Touch. I already have one of those (and an iPhone), so why would I want a bigger one?”. I happened to be at an Apple store looking for a car charger for my iPhone, when I saw their display. I went over and played around with one for a bit. And guess what I bought with a chunk of my high school graduation money. I use it all the time at work, as it completely replaces the clipboard that I always carried around to all of my calls. It has nearly completely replaced my laptop as my nightly couch internet surfing device. And, alas, the thing is pretty dang cool and fun to use. So much use out of a device I originally thought I had no use for, huh?
Aaron - haha! I understand though. I had been excited about the idea for a long time, but I was surprised out how useful overall the device has been. I really think it’s going to replace my laptop this year!
To continue the lovefest…(I’m not an insane Mac guy like some would accuse our host of being)...I just got back from a conference in Kansas City. I don’t believe I pulled out a pen the whole time I was there. Previously I would pull out a notepad because pulling out a laptop was just overkill and way to high maintenance. I would then have to try to sort out the notes when I got back so I could report on the conference to the boss. This time I used the pad with Evernote and Popplet…downloaded the pdf of the program to iBooks and the rest was cake. Beautiful.
Sam,
I too was surprised by this. Our university has a mac store and I went and checked it out. For 90% of people who use laptops on campus, I contest this device does everything that’s needed. Besides, in a pinch you can even remote in to your desktop. I’ve done it a few times now that I have one.
If I were in business for myself, I would probably buy a 3g version of the iPad and then a simple cell phone. There’s much redundancy between this and a smartphone and frankly, this is much more user friendly than trying to read Arranged Delirium on my droid.
My only gripe with it right now id that Apple is not playing nice with Adobe.