iPad: Hate, Love?
Going old school
(above image from myoldmac.net)
Apple released its heralded/hated/much-discussed tablet computer, the iPad, on Saturday.  Admittedly, I’m not the biggest techie, so I usually flock to the authorities for these matters.  Digitals bible Wired headlined an iPad release recap with “Apple’s iPad Arrive — and Mostly, it Delivers”; I slogged through their review only to wonder: will students shell out for the $499-and-up (a 64GB retails at $829) product?
That’s a trip or two to Panchero’s, suffice to say.  So, while I’m combing my couch cushions for loose change to save up for my iPad purchase in, say, 2034 (by when it’ll be obsolete as this), I’ll welcome reviews, opinions, and regrets  from student recipients of Steve Jobs’ latest wallet-throttling doohickey.  In the meantime, I’m just going to fumble around with my iPod Touch.  Which seems a lot less cooler now (cries into drink).
Making sure he was current with the times, my dad ordered the iPad. It came in the mail today, and I got to tinker around with it a bit. Surprisingly, I really like it!
The iPad is ridiculously easy to use, and the touch screen is so much more fun than a laptop or desktop. Typing on a touch screen was a little weird at first, but I bet anyone could get adjusted to it very quickly.
However, I probably wouldn’t buy one right away. A lot of the applications for iPad haven’t been adapted from the iPhone so they’re quite small on the screen. It does give you a zoom option, but the clarity isn’t always great. Also, no camera. If the iPad is going to someday replace the laptop, they need to add that. How else would I skype?
Overall thoughts? Great product. But, maybe I’ll get one for a graduation present next spring. For now, I can wait.
- Megan Staake
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