iPad Review – First Observations

Fan Boyhood

I have to admit at the debut of this blog that I am an Apple Fan Boy. But, it may help to explain my history with the forbidden fruit tattooed tech company. I was first introduced to computers when my father first brought home a Radio Shack TRS-80 with a whopping 4K of memory. Then, in college I got my first geek job in a Macintosh Lab in the Business School at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona. At the time, Macs were squatty, beige boxes with green screens… but I was hooked. Even though my experience with and knowledge of Apple Computers pre-dates the Genius Bar, I think I can give fair assessment of the good, bad and the ugly of the Kingdom of Jobs.

Goal: Replace the MacBook

I pre-ordered the 64GB WiFi iPad with an extra USB power block. I primarily use my laptop at home, at the office, or at coffee shops. So far, I’ve only regretted not having the 3G a couple of times. And that is primarily because I’m spoiled by the full screen view of Words With Friends. My goal was to replace 75% of my daily laptop use. If I read the tealeaves correctly, the strategy of the powers at Infinity Loop is to lure us to purchase 3 distinct products: MacBook/iMac, iPhone, and to complete the tech trinity; an iPad. And then to nickel and dime us with the iTunes store. Having bought all three, I was determined to defy what most are saying about the iPad: that it is for consuming media only, not creating it. Yes, it does a superb job surfing, YouTubing, and game playing, but my needs as a portable pastor (midweek offices and rented Sunday space) are greater.

Connecting Relationships

Tech tools fit a very specific place in my pastoral work flow: connecting and creating. The Email app is super easy to use and fits my style of quickly scanning, filing and replying as the mountain of mail threatens to bury me daily. I recommend landscape mode where the inbox and message stand side by side. One swipe to delete, two taps to pile to file, or reply. My only request would be to add the flag for important messages. Email and iCal are a dream on the iPad, and I have stockpiled an arsenal of planning tool apps as well.  Two standouts are Todo from Appigo ($9.99 on iPhone, iPad version due anyday) which syncs w/ Mobile Me and Priority Matrix ($2.99). My wife and I gladly pay the $99/yr. to keep all our Macs and iPhones in sync.  The iPad has also been great for Twitterific. Blogging on Blogspot and WordPress has been effortless.

Creating Communication

If you are not into typing on a virtual keyboard, you will not consider the iPad a creation tool. I, personally, don’t need the tactile feedback of a real keyboard. I do prefer to work in landscape mode, but I happen to be typing this blog primarily in portrait. Here are two awesome advantages and two drawbacks:

* PRO: The “predictive text” is ruining us all, but addictive. It corrects most of my typos, diminishing the need for a backspace or delete key.
* PRO: Sitting on the couch with the iPad in my lap is much more comfortable than an overheating laptop. (side note: battery life totally surprised me, in the good way)
* CON: The ergonomics of typing with my head and neck bent will probably be a source of increased chiropractic care.
* CON: If you are fast with the mouse but slow with the highlight bubble you may be frustrated when editing what you have written.

Parting Shots

There is much to process and examine in Keynote and Pages which are two naturals in the content creation game. I will leave that for a future post. I will say that I have already used Notepad enough to save countless trees.

Finally, the purchase of the Apple-made “Folio” case was a good call. It protects well and the folding front cover gives the perfect slant for the keyboard when typing. The thin design allows me to carry it separately or place it within my letter sized Folio.

To sum up, the iPad is infinitely more portable, lighter, and faster on the draw for mobile computing. I do think it is a reasonable goal to replace up to about 75% of my daily use of my laptop with the iPad. Only time will tell.