The iPad Dilemma: Part 1

To buy or not to buy: the eternal dilemma. There’s been a lot of back and forth about whether to jump on board the iPad bandwagon or keep your wallet in your pocket. Some of the oft-mentioned drawbacks include the cost associated with buying the device, the ability to multi-task with apps, choosing to wait until the second generation when the kinks are worked out, etc.

Below is a rundown of how I made up my mind.  This is not an extensive list of the ups and downs, just the ones that mattered most to me. To each his own, as they say.

First off, the iPad is not necessarily a new device (theoretically). As you all know, it was built off the backbone of the many iterations of the iPhone and the iPod and effort that the Apple team put into improving those technologies over time. So, it’s in better shape than more first generation devices probably would be. Additionally, a lot of problems can be fixed OTA (over the air) by software pushes, etc.

So, now we’re down to the hardware itself.  Let’s be honest here …  any first generation device is going to have some hardware limitations. For the iPad, not being able to hook directly to a USB device is one.  But, really consider the purpose of your purchase. Is it to carry around a heavy USB drive ,or, will your content through iTunes be sufficient?  Personally, everything that I need exists within iTunes and the other apps available on the iPad. Also, the iPad doesn’t have an integrated camera, but I don’t consider that a big loss.  I promise you, the only person who wants to see me in my jammies reading a book is … well …  I married her.

Multi-tasking. At first I was worried that I may not be able to run simultaneous apps through the iPad.  On my Motorola Droid it’s crucially important that I can, but when I’m reading a book, do I really want annoying pop-ups telling me that something else is more important than what I’m doing at the moment? Not so much. So for me, the multi-tasking issue wasn’t a necessity.

Now, there’s question of waiting for the second generation.  Sure the cost is going to go down, and the hardware will improve,  but that could be a year from now.  Do you really want to wait a year to get your hands on an iPad?  Staring at the reviews everyday, jealously watching strangers type away, walking by the display model in Best Buy or the Apple store and gently waving goodbye with a tear in your eye as you leave …?  NO.  When the second gen comes out you can put the old one on eBay or sell it to a friend and augment the cost of the newer model.  That’s what we as a society do … we upgrade.

So I made up my mind.  I was ready to buy. Next I just had to figure out HOW I was going to make it happen, and quickly! (to be continued in Part 2).

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