Apple’s iPad has had many people (clients, friends, etc) asking us whether we would be getting iPads or if they should. While there is never a general yes or no for any piece of kit, it’s really what your needs are, we’ll give it a go.
Before we go any further we should make it clear we aren’t Apple fanboys, though many of our designers do use them, we also use PCs and have Android, Windows and iPhones. Basically if it’s the right tool for the job then we’ll use it without prejudice.
What is the iPad for?
This is perhaps the most difficult question to answer, it isn’t a fully fledged computer (that’s a Macbook) but it isn’t a phone either (that’s the iPhone). Comparisons with a netbook also start to fall down pretty quickly due to its soft keyboard and touch-screen interface; but then so do comparisons with ‘magical devices’!
The iPad is more of a content-consuming device. It’s great for: surfing the web; browsing your emails; watching video (unless in flash online); and generally entertaining yourself while travelling on large trips. It’s a fun item to keep on the coffee table, have around the house, watch in bed, etc.
It’s so gorgeous, is it perfect?
It is a very desirable piece of kit which hopefully a lot of other manufacturers will learn from. But, of course it isn’t perfect, particularly due to the following key issues:
- No USB port, so you can forget plugging in things unless you buy an adapter which kind of ruins the feel. It does have bluetooth but that’s not quite reached its potential yet
- Curvy back means you need some form of backing if you want to try and type on a table, though the idea is that it’s mostly on your lap or with a holder which opens like a wedge (thing a folder / binder)
- The current software, iPhone OS 3.1 doesn’t allow you to ‘multitask’, but it is coming in OS 4 which should be release September 2010ish. This is key as if you want to do any work then productivity speed is key. Although Apple have made an admirable attempt with their office suite it is far more a case of editing an existing presentation/ spreadsheet/ document than writing one from scratch
- Multitouch is great for most things, but if you’ve ever tried to specifically position things in a presentation using your fingers versus a mouse pointer you’ll see the performance issue.
Should I get one?
With most Apple devices, version 2.0 – when they’ve had some user feedback after being so secretive in development – tends to be the one to buy. For example the first iPhone was gorgeous but didn’t quite do everything (copy & paste, 3G, etc) but the iPhone 3G after a software upgrade became the phone to beat.
Price-wise it really isn’t bad for what you get, certainly not a lot of hard-drive space but then that isn’t really the point. If you do need a mobile computer then a netbook with an 11.6inch screen is much better but for fun or to break you away from your desktop then go for it.
All the software comes as ‘Apps’ which are small dedicated pieces of software; they’re great for single functions but not yet fully integrated with each other. While there are a lot of Apps (200,000 plus for iPad) some are just blown-up versions of those made for iPhone so it’s worth checking whether the software you want is available and adding that to the cost of the iPad, not to mention the cost of a 3G contract if getting the Internet connected version.
Also we’d encourage people not to follow the adverts and hold one while on the back of a moped … not sure what part of the Apple marketing team thought that one made sense.
