I have now been using my iPad for three months. It has become my constant companion, my steady assistant—even a conversation
starter. I read with it, I check my mail, take notes. It is appointment book, writing organizer, weather forecaster and plaything. I read the New York Times with morning coffee, watch a movie in bed when I’m too lazy (or it’s too early) to get up. I write on it; I tweet on it. Do I sound like a girl in love?
Because I’m not a techie, I feel that I’m uniquely qualified to be your guide to the goods (and not so goods) of the iPad experience. So allow me to start by directing you to my first feature on the iPad, back when my love affair was new.
The most compelling thing to me about the iPad is its size—it is big enough to be a credible writing/viewing/surfing interface, but it’s much smaller and lighter than my MacBook Pro. I can carry it in my purse or in my hand easily; it’s about the size of a slim magazine, although it weighs as much (to me) as a book. Its size makes it a very credible jack-of-all-trades—a hybrid that can do the work of a laptop with the portability of a leather portfolio.
The first thing that people say to me (after the obligatory oohs and ahs—since the iPad is still pretty novel) is that they’ve heard it’s just a big iPod Touch—no more, no less. It certainly does what my iPod does; all my iPod apps work (and work well) on it. My tunes and videos are there; so are my games. But that’s where the similarity ends.
Raise your hand if you like typing on an iPod (or, for that matter, any smart phone—even the best)? Thought so. The first very cool thing about the iPad is its keyboard. In landscape mode (which is all I use for typing), the keyboard is nearly full size. Yes, it’s smaller than even a netbook keyboard. But it’s very functional and I can type relatively quickly on it with few errors—and using most of my fingers, not just my thumbs. I can take notes at meetings, write emails longer than two sentences, even write using a word processor without frustration. I would never think of writing an article, much less anything longer on my iPod or my Droid. But my iPad is doing a good job of making my legal pad obsolete.
Article comments
1 - marykir
Do you have any problems with the reflective screen? I was using one yesterday indoors, with no lights on & just ambient sunlight through window shades, and was still getting mirror-like reflections anywhere the screen was dark. For example, while watching a TV show I could see my reflection in people on screen wearing dark clothes.
2 - barbara barnett
I haven't noticed that as an annoyance, but I'll check it out. I tried using an antireflective screen because I was told that was an issue and I ended up removing it.
I usually use it in the dark for playing games (usually in bed before nodding off) or watching videos. I actually did find the iPod Touch annoying for its reflectiveness when watching movies.
My iPad cover (see product highlighted below) forms a base so the iPad is at an angle in landscape mode, and I use that base alot for a better viewing experience, so maybe any reflective issues go away with that sort of angle.
3 - Christopher Rose
What is the operating system of the iPad?
Is it able to run software that Macs can't, ie software that would only run on Windows or does there have to be an iPad app version of said software?
4 - barbara barmett
iPad shares an OS with the iPhone. The OS, which is being updated (and the iPad release is due in the fall) is called iOS-4. iPad runs all iPhone apps. But iPhone doesn't run all iPad apps. Mac staples like Pages require their own version. I've tried Pages for iPad and its quite good (tho I'm more of a Microsoft Word for Windows person, and use it even on my Mac).
5 - Martin
Hi,
I have been using the ipad for a week now and I use it to read magazines whilst travelling to work...great app Zinio. It is a good device if you just want consume data but I find when I am at home I often go back to the pc or laptop. Of course install Logmein and you can get your can control your PC from the ipad. I think the main limitations of the device are lack of a built in USB connection, lack of an SD card slot, only being able to install apps that been approved by Apple in the app store and having to install iTunes. It works well for what is destined to do but it is also quite expensive compared to a better equipped laptop/netbook.
6 - piper dinny
Barbara, thank you very much for sharing the experience. really helps. ;)
7 - Boeke
Good report, Barbara, thanks for publishing it.
Does the iPad require a wireless contract with ATT, Verizon, Sprint, etc., or will it use home WiFi/DSL and coffee-house WiFi?
Could I use it outside for reading eBooks? Is the contrast good, is it bright enough, are reflections subdued?
8 - barbara barnett
The wi-fi works with any wi-fi. I have comcast in my house and it works just fine (as it would anywhere else). The contract part comes in for 3G, which is what AT&T and Verizon are offering (or thru Mi-Fi or your hot-spot enabled phone for example). That helps if no Wi-Fi is available.
I use it for book reading all the time. I have iBooks, nook and Kindle on it. I have access to all of my 200+ Kindle books, which is nice. Just took it on vacation and read in the very bright sunshine of Puerto Vallarta. Yes, there's glare, but it's actually quite readable. Although not as good for really bright light as the Kindle. A non-reflective surface protector might help, although I didn't use one.