Detractors aside, I have my new iPad 64/3G now and am already hooked on it. It's amazing how many people are missing the point of this type of technology. Don't expect it to be net book if you're after a net book. It isn't one, and neither should it be. It's a truly portable display connected to the Internet that relies on an absolute plethora of applicable software to do some pretty amazing things for the way I live. For that, it absolutely shines. If you need a unit to run PHD, Maxim and other Astro software, stay with your laptop. I have this unit now - in ADDTION to my desktops and laptops. I'll take it everywhere with me, and with the keyboard stand it's actually a very, very good portable word processor. I don't see too many net books with portrait displays. Laptops have their uses, and if that's what you need, then maybe stay with them. I don't think that iPad users are going to go back to them because others disagree.
Bojan - it's not a gimmick I don't think, and it's not a "real" PC, thank goodness. "Real" PC's can't run what it does - the hundreds of thousands of apps designed for mobile use. Real PC's aren't designed to be truly mobile - and both Windows Mobile and Tablet are jokes. After using these for years, I sincerely believe that they're awful - modifed desktop O/S's that weren't designed from the ground up for the task at hand. Android will fill a big gap here for non Apple users, and it's catching on pretty quickly as a real alternative to iPhone/iPad application. Net books also don't allow you to dynamically scale the display to suit the task at hand like "pinching" on iPad/iPhone does. Again - if you're after a PC get one - but I think that it's unfair to judge the iPad in a direct comparison. It was never intended to be put there. 3G? It's just there for emergencies - in addition to 802.11, and is not the sole method of communication at all, which is what I think that you're possibly assuming. I run the 802.11 network all the time at home and in my office. No 3G required. On occasion, I'll be out in the field and download my email headers- about 200k on average. No big deal on 3G and not expensive. You don't sit there downloading movies via 3G... no-one is asking you to.
As far as waiting for the 2nd generation, why? This is already a reasonably mature operating system, with a mature app architecture that has been around for ages now with the iPhone. Multi-touch is familiar to most now, and there is no learning curve going from iPhone to iPad. It's a natural. Newer models will probably go faster, but at the end of the day its the external services that will need to mature in order to keep up. Telstra and other carriers need to see the light and offer unlimited download plans to users. This will really kick off the revolution - and I think that the iPhone, iPad and other HTC devices and such will see to that.
For my work (IT director) it is brilliant for remote control of my network, servers, email, documentation, spreadsheets, etc,etc. Fabulous. Screen real estate is ideal for business use. This device let's me get away from my desk with a unit that doesn't require a desk to sit it on.
What is really impressive is the way you can manage content on it. Applications like iBook, Zineo magazines, Early Edition (newspaper feed) make it incredibly easy to view all the content that you otherwise have to buy in paper form. I've just subscribed to National Geographic and SkyNews (Canadian astro magazine) for small money. I'm in advertising, and I dare say that the future of many magazine titles is in this type of device. Magazines that I've downloaded are full-featured and colored. They are absolutely LADEN with interactive content and links. It's a rush actually reading MacWorld, PC World, National Geo and others on this device - and going to off-site links and returning to right where you left off. Brilliant.
Do I think that it's a good buy, even at $1,048? Absolutely. It suits my needs superbly. I don't want USB ports and connectivity to my day to day doohickies. This lack of functionality wasn't an omission, it's good design. Caveat? You need to run iTunes, eMail or a remote internet disk storage account to make document transfers. Once you get your head around that and accept it, it's all too easy. Some don't like it, and simply refuse to embrace it. That's OK - there will be other devices for you one day soon. What iPad has done is open up new possibilities for the really mobile user. I can't wait to put it to use during an average business day. I've only had it 48 hours and can already se its potential. You do need decent WiFi comms around to get the best out of this machine, as the
amount of data you'll be pushing up and down to satisfy the wildly graphical nature of this thing is substantial to say the least. If you depend on a modem to connect to the internet, then forget it. LOL!
Did I mention how well it runs a whole bunch of astro apps like Voyager? Wow. It also remotely controls my ArgoNavis via SkyFi, and my 40D via DSLRemote. I can set up a complete shooting schedule on my iPad and the camera responds - even sending back the photos to my iPad as they're exposed. Yes, it requires a net book to be connected to the camera to serve the local WiFi network, but it's there anyway running PHD. Roaming around the field talking to people and showing the public what's coming off the camera as it does is wonderful. The screen size makes it a natural for mapping too. Try TomTom or Navigon on this thing - the maps are phenomenal. Not too sure of many net books with accelerometer, compass and GPS built in...
Of course it's pricey Trevor - it's brand new technology.