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Apr 12 2010
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My iPad Adventure So Far

I broke down and bought Apple’s iPad device. Hey, I’ve some willpower, I waited until it had been on sale for a couple days.

ipadI’ll share a few quick thoughts about the device, not so much for the cool factor, but because I know a number of small biz folks are considering the purchase.

Here’s what I think

It’s not a laptop

I’m sure people at Apple made this clear in the marketing of the iPad, but I didn’t get it. The iPad is a great device to consume content and do a few chores at the coffee shop, but it does not compute. There’s no internal file storage, it’s not a good device to write, edit or design on. The characterizations of being a big iPhone are pretty accurate, but the display and ability to read much larger blocks of text, make it worth the price for me.

It’s a very cool presentation device

Sales people and anyone that makes presentations to small groups should jump all over this device. Add the Keynote app for the iPad and you’ve got the slickest demo machine on the planet. It’s lightweight, stunning and delivers stunning visuals. You can load your PowerPoint presentations to a folder in iTunes, sync, and open them in Keynote. For the moment I couldn’t figure out any way to pair the iPad with an iPhone to use an app like Keynote Remote as a remote control so the use of an iPad, even with the optional VGA adapter, is limited for using a projector, but look for this to happen soon.

I also use dropbox for online file storage and dropbox iPad app allows you to view must files you can use it to store files you want to show to a prospect of customer.

It puts pressure on the iPhone

Even the biggest Mac geeks don’t have much good to say about AT&Ts iPhone service. So, since the iPad does about everything the phone does, but make calls and take pictures, I’m hearing rumbles from iPhone devotees about ditching the phone for a device that does that function better. Should be interesting to see how Apple handles that. (Hello, Verizon calling!)

Amazon made a good move

The biggest device that took a hit in my world is the Kindle. I was an early adopter of the Kindle and still like reading better on the non backlit screen, but I can’t afford to keep it around in the bag. Amazon’s iPhone/iPad app allows me to bring my entire Amazon library now and into the future on to the iPad. iBook library is pretty thin at the moment so now I still get to dig into Amazon’s entire set. This is a brilliant move and I’m wondering if Apple will throw up some roadblocks when they actually get iBook built up a bit more.

General impression – I like it alot and think there’s more to come, it’s kind of middleware, but I worth the money. Get the 64G wifi version and add the Sprint Overdrive 3G/4G Hotspot so you can use the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook on the same network wherever you are. I don’t think there’s much reason to get the 3G version when you can do what I’ve described above and power up to 5 devices for the same money.

You’re views and app suggestions greatly appreciated!

Image credit: renatomitra

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  • jimkimmons

    John,

    I agree that the iPad isn't a laptop. But, I've been giving it a thorough run-through for a week, and I'm using the Pages app as a writer with great success. The only thing I couldn't do with it that would have been a big problem was word count, as that's how I get paid by most clients. However, “there's an app for that,” so a quick copy/paste, and I have a word count.

    I've also tested an app for drawing floor plans for real estate, and written about that and other ways that it can become a great tool for real estate professionals…and presentations is one of the biggest. Thanks,

    Jim

  • http://www.wbpsystems.com/ Ben Smith

    Hey John -

    I got one too, but I have to admit that I bought it primarily because I wanted to make sure our apps worked on it (and the simulator is just not a substitute). However, I did want to comment the grumbling about the iPhone. What people don't like, as you said, is the service. Being the 3g version is still running on AT&T, I can't see how we can expect the service to improve. In fact it may be worse because I find i download larger things on my iPad verses my iPhone. (And, I really don't think the average user is going to carry around a MyFI or Overdrive)

    So, I suspect that the idea of dumping the iPhone for the iPad is better in concept than in reality and once a few people try it out, such talk will end. The real fear for Apple (as certainly highlighted by the items in the 4.0 announcement) is Android on Verizon. Nearly every item they listed was something that was a either a direct response to a feature Android has or solution to a problem that Android solves (the exception being the GameKit).

  • Todd

    Overall, I agree with you, John. From experience though it's a good idea to never buy a 1st generation Apple product!

    I can see the iPad being a big hit for those who do demos, especially in the trade show circuit. It could also be great for wireframing.

    What makes the 3G version so enticing is that it's only $30/month and no contract. The Sprint Overdrive is $60/month with a 2 year contract. I've heard people talk of dropping their $80+/mo iPhones for a pay-as-you-go dumbphone and using an iPad with the 3G and cutting their monthly bill in half. Very clever.

    Personally as a content creator and not consumer, I am much more excited about the Microsoft Courier (assuming it ever comes out). I guess that's the difference, the iPad is available now!

  • http://bobfirestone.us/blog BobFirestone

    John,

    Good review. I think the ipad is really the device that salespeople have been promised since the mid 90's.
    I personally cringe when someone is selling me one-on-one and pulls out their laptop. I might be the only one but the presentation always feels awkward, unnatural and the flow is wrong.
    The idea of doing a presentation with the intimacy of a flip book and the animation of keynote gets me excited.

    The one thing I would like to see someone develop is a bluetooth wireless projector or adaptor for projectors so you can use the ipad as it's own remote.

    Personally I am waiting for the 3G version. I don't have a mobile hotspot and don't really feel like signing a 2 year contract when I can pay half the price and turn the it on and off at will.

  • http://www.mikestenger.com Mike Stenger

    What's this iPad you speak of John? :-)

    For me, I just can't justify spending that amount of money on it when I can buy a decent laptop for the same price, just doesn't make any sense IMHO.

  • dallonchristensen

    Nice review, John. As someone who continues to look at Apple products more and more, the iPad is an intriguing option after the MacBook I hope to purchase. The one big question I have is screen resolution. How does reading on the iPad compare to the Kindle? I think the key for some people will be ease of reading.

    Also, let's assume I'm standing in line at Panera. How easy is it to pull the iPad out and do some busy work like I'd do on an Android phone (I'm a Verizon customer)?

  • puregeniusmarketing

    Thanks for this post. I have been considering the IPad for business purposes. I get the sense that the IPad was more sizzle than steak. I guess I still haven't made up my mind mainly because of the though you posted regarding it's usefulness for sales presentations.

    Thanks Again for the post. Keep it Up!

    Andres Garcia

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/FirstFound-SEO-Manchester/112773592075518 Andy

    I dunno, I still prefer using a book to an eReader, and I can't see any advantages the iPad gives me over a laptop.

    Then again, I'm probably the only person on Earth who doesn't like Apple's design aesthetic. It's just so boring…

  • http://www.not-just-pretty.com Erin Ferree

    Using the iPad as a presentation tool is the second great application that I've heard of. It would be a great tool for my brand design portfolio presentations. The first is that you can play Scrabble on it, and use iPhones to hold your racks of tiles!

  • http://fastforwardacademy.com/index-page-irs-enrolled-agent-exam-course.htm Monique

    Interesting point about it putting pressure on the iPhone. I'd never really considered the fact that Apple might make two COMPETING products, but it totally makes sense– especially with all the rumors about Verizon picking up the iPhone. Nice.

  • http://www.officedeskreviews.com Lloyd

    It's not a laptop and it shouldn't be. From my point of view, as long as it covers the niche between laptops and pdas, it's fine. Moreover, it shouldn't compute. We all expect better performance from each and every device we buy, but this one states clearly what and how much you actually can do with it. It's a cool solution, after all.

    Lloyd
    http://www.officedeskreviews.com

  • motiontech

    Great review. This is one Apple product I have kind of wanted to add. I do think I am going to wait a bit though before making a purchase. It was interesting to see the first comment about the Pages app for writing. That is something I can benefit from.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kenneth-T-Marshall/703029031 Kenneth T Marshall

    Nope. Not me. Not yet.

    I love the concept, but I want to see a little more laptop-like functionality.

    I keep picturing Yeoman Rand with her stylus and pad. :)

    Kenny
    http://www.cpasitesolutions.com

  • http://www.PersonalSuccessMarketing.com/ Dr. Marc Kossmann

    I am holding out for generation II of iPad – but it's really, really hard for me because I LOVE gadgets. I wrote a blog the other day about iPad because I really think it is a game changer that all marketers should be paying serious attention to. I don't feel a need for one at the moment because my life right now is so focused on creating content. My MacBook Pro is THE tool for that. But I think iPad is the ultimate social media playground and the ultimate information consumer's device. Read more at http://personalsuccessmarketing.com/blueprint/i…

    Love to know your thoughts.

    All the best,

    Dr. Marc Kossmann
    http://PersonalSuccessMarketing.com

  • http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog ducttape

    Marc, I don't disagree and the iPad will evolve as all Mac products do.

  • http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog ducttape

    It will interesting to see if Apple goes this route. I don't think they want the $600 iPad to replace your $1800 MacBook

  • Stefan F.

    I think the Ipad is something that people are able to flash around and show how cool and trendy they are. Groundbreaking electronics always make peoples lives easier or replace something. This doesn't seem to do either. They keep saying “its not a laptop” but its obviously not a phone either…So its stuck in this kind of useless gray area. The one perk I can see it being useful for is presentations and showing off portfolios.

  • http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog ducttape

    Certainly can be looked at that way but time will tell – it's replaced my Kindle and my TV so far.

  • http://www.slymarketing.com Jens P. Berget

    I'm waiting, I want the iPad as well. But living in Norway, I have to wait for a few more weeks. I didn't know much about why I should buy it, but I have an iPhone and a MacBook, and that's the reason really.

    Everything I've bought from Apple has been amazing. I don't have the problems that people using AT&T might be experiencing. To me, my iPhone is close to perfect. When I first viewed the commercial for the iPad, I thought I had to have it and that I would find the reasons why later :)

    (thanks to you I've got the reasons)