6 Reasons to Buy an iPad
I know you probably are like me in many ways. I was sitting on the fence when Apple announced the iPad and decided it may be better to see how Apple’s new category shapes into a market. Well, the numbers are in. iPad is hot! Even further, the iPad app eco-system has exploded since launch with over 20,000 apps available to you. And thanks to Apple’s Genius technology, discovery is so much more effective nowadays in finding common, relevant or interesting apps for your own use.
1. The iPad is easy to use. Yes, you might be thinking this isn’t new. But many people may have missed the point Steve Jobs made when he released this product. Millions of users have already experienced the iPad without ever buying it! Because the iOS platform is very similar between iOS devices, the learning curve to use the iPad is minimal. Let me put things into perspective. My mom never used a computer in her life yet was playing a game on the iPod touch. She’s now graduated to puzzle and word games on the iPad because it is easy to use! It’s that simple. Something that is easy to use is productive if you think about how this device will be used. It simply means casual use and consumption of media – whether it is a book, a video, a song, or an app that makes you productive or keeps you entertained.
2. The iPad replaces newspapers, magazines, and books! I really like this one. I can’t stress how simple life has become in accessing specific information with the iPad. News apps like USA Today are ten times more functional and useful than the a print newspaper or even their website on my laptop! The way you actually interact with the news content in the app is far more efficient than browsing and I find my reading is more focused because I am spending time on this one app versus a website which I can simply click away from. For newspaper companies, eyeballs mean money because advertisers want your attention! As you can imagine, the print and publishing industry is abuzz with this new device and how to secure more eyeballs in return dollars. Also, do you remember the days of lugging around books on your vacation? While I enjoy the book, the idea of packing 3 to 4 books on my trip just does work for me anymore. Now, with iBooks (from Apple) on my iPad, I can sync .epub books purchased previously, other PDFs, or direct purchases from the Apple store and take them anywhere – on a plane, train or in a cab, or transit. The luxury of having all this information in one convenient device with a long-life battery is very appealing. And news organizations like the Economist have released an iPad app which now allows you to download their weekly magazines for a subscription fee. It’s far more convenient than having a stack of magazines piling up in your office or home office. I love the convenience and you will too!
3. It’s large. At 9.7 inches. And that’s the point. All the silly remarks about it looking like a large iPhone and iPod Touch were childish. Think about it. Do people really want to read books and magazines while squinting on their iPhone or iPod Touch? Not really. Now, let me validate that remark. People do actually do this but the point of access on the iPhone/iPod is different value proposition than the iPad. The iPhone/iPod Touch gave you convenient access to consume media and information and to have access at any time. The iPad provides this access conveniently in the comfort of your living room, hotel, or bedroom where you don’t want to be lugging a laptop to browse the Internet. It truly is a paradigm shift in how content is consumed.
4. It has thousands of apps. Let’s face it. This debate between web and apps is between the CEOs of two competitive companies. And egos are at play. What you need to realize is this. The iPad without the apps would simply be another browser. And is that what you really want? No. Yes, you will use the Safari browser on your iPad including many other competing browsers which add extra functionality. But the app ecosystem that Apple has built, first with the iPod and then with the iPhone is the real reason why these devices have performed exceeding well. Sure, the devices look beautiful but you would get bored of that real quickly if the device had nothing else going for it. Ask yourself a simple question. Are you really using your iPhone to talk alot anymore? Or are you doing more things via the Internet on your phone with mobile games connected to the Internet or social media apps like Facebook for iPhone. The iPad has experienced a surge in apps and each give you wonderful opportunities to explore and discover new music bands, or new methods of productivity away from the office or home office. Let alone the fact that you can still buy music and movies, you have an all-in-one device that fits into your social life.
5. The battery life is amazing. The iPad definitely has the power to run you for the day. I have personally used my iPad for a full day and that worked out to vary between 8 and 9 hours. This is far better than the iPhone. In fact, the iPad has replaced my laptop in some cases when I need to draft up some short presentations or documents with Apple’s wonderful iWorks for iPad series of office productivity apps.
6. The iPad is amazingly portable. Not only is it 9.7 inches but it weighs approximately 1.5 pounds. Because it is so light and has the appropriate accessories for portability such as sleeve jackets, an extra long Apple power supply plug, and bluetooth functionality for a wireless Apple keyboard and Magic Mouse, I literally can walk around with an extremely light device which replaces lugging my laptop to browse, consume content, send emails, and even write up presentations or documents. I never thought I would see the day when I’d replace my Macbook for the iPad for certain scenarios but it has happened.
In conclusion, the iPad is priced well for WiFi or WiFi+3G combinations as an early adopter technology. Yes, you could buy a Macbook if you went with a high-end iPad but there is simply a difference in how the iPad is used to do things and consume. I am more at ease with my iPad when I simply want to lay back and enjoy the wonders of the Internet or what’s available from innovative developers. It is not a disappointment. So if you are sitting on the fence for an iPad, I hope I was able to convince you to make it a perfect purchase for yourself or a loved one or even for a great birthday or holiday present. The person who gets it will love you for it!
