Originally I was very highly excited about the iPad release and the multitude of ways it would be useful to me. I played with it for a very long time after purchasing and quite enjoyed the time I had with it. It made my iPhone 3GS feel obsolete, small and ugly. For days on end I preached about how great the purchase was and how I did not regret investing my hard earned cash and it didn't bother me what so ever.
This was up until of course about a month or so after purchase date. Within 3 weeks I started to notice how there were not very many apps available that really took advantage of the iPad. I saw Flipboard (a social network magazine) and immediately that changed my mind and gave me hope that new things would surely come that could replenish my wonder in the iPad.
Although, nearly 5 weeks after purchasing it I noticed that the "magic" disappeared. Holding the iPad/sitting with it was awkward and I never really felt that I could take it outside or that it was "portable". Web browsing almost now felt like a chore on the iPad, no longer a convenience. It felt more like something I'd sit in a dock and use on occasion, which is actually exactly what happened. I propped it up in my iPad dock and just let it collect dust. Still, there were very little apps that actually intellectually stimulated me into using the iPad. It just really felt like I've seen it all before, but now on a bigger screen which really wasn't that amazing.
In reality the iPhone suited me just enough that I felt more comfortable taking it outside and doing daily tasks on it, even though I had less screen real-estate and some things took a little longer to do; it didn't bother me because I was able to do them conveniently. My iPhone was a MUCH better iPod (the iPad version looked like a really ugly version of iTunes something I don't think a lot of us love to use on a daily basis anyways it's more a necessity), a little worse Internet Browser (but I mean, I don't do a lot of internet browsing on the go anyways! Most things are just a quick look up here and there maybe a post on a forum or two) but a much more functional device all around. I mean the iPhone is a phone too, do we forget that often?
All in all I returned my iPad. I decided to upgrade my iPhone to an iPhone 4 and haven't looked back. The Camera both front and back with flash, nice retina display and more versatility over all swayed my return. Honestly if the iPad was actually more "portable" maybe a tad less heavy, but honestly it's not SO bad I didn't notice it too much other then prolonged use with one hand and smaller size would defiantly make me want to try revision 2.
Please understand that I am not bashing the iPad, or trying to sway you from purchasing one. I really hope that my opinion doesn't sway you from a purchase of an iPad. This is just my personal experience/opinion and obviously others will feel much different then me but I, as the average consumer did not feel that iPad version 1 wasn't really worth my money or time. Hoping for the future though.
PROS:
CONS:
This was up until of course about a month or so after purchase date. Within 3 weeks I started to notice how there were not very many apps available that really took advantage of the iPad. I saw Flipboard (a social network magazine) and immediately that changed my mind and gave me hope that new things would surely come that could replenish my wonder in the iPad.
Although, nearly 5 weeks after purchasing it I noticed that the "magic" disappeared. Holding the iPad/sitting with it was awkward and I never really felt that I could take it outside or that it was "portable". Web browsing almost now felt like a chore on the iPad, no longer a convenience. It felt more like something I'd sit in a dock and use on occasion, which is actually exactly what happened. I propped it up in my iPad dock and just let it collect dust. Still, there were very little apps that actually intellectually stimulated me into using the iPad. It just really felt like I've seen it all before, but now on a bigger screen which really wasn't that amazing.
In reality the iPhone suited me just enough that I felt more comfortable taking it outside and doing daily tasks on it, even though I had less screen real-estate and some things took a little longer to do; it didn't bother me because I was able to do them conveniently. My iPhone was a MUCH better iPod (the iPad version looked like a really ugly version of iTunes something I don't think a lot of us love to use on a daily basis anyways it's more a necessity), a little worse Internet Browser (but I mean, I don't do a lot of internet browsing on the go anyways! Most things are just a quick look up here and there maybe a post on a forum or two) but a much more functional device all around. I mean the iPhone is a phone too, do we forget that often?
All in all I returned my iPad. I decided to upgrade my iPhone to an iPhone 4 and haven't looked back. The Camera both front and back with flash, nice retina display and more versatility over all swayed my return. Honestly if the iPad was actually more "portable" maybe a tad less heavy, but honestly it's not SO bad I didn't notice it too much other then prolonged use with one hand and smaller size would defiantly make me want to try revision 2.
Please understand that I am not bashing the iPad, or trying to sway you from purchasing one. I really hope that my opinion doesn't sway you from a purchase of an iPad. This is just my personal experience/opinion and obviously others will feel much different then me but I, as the average consumer did not feel that iPad version 1 wasn't really worth my money or time. Hoping for the future though.
PROS:
- Great looking device, very sleak.
- Very good screen size, takes advantage of some apps that do indeed need a larger screen.
- Adds another Apple Device to your collection.
- Great to show off to friends and lurkers that take a glance at you using it in public (never took mine out though..)
- Flipboard. Enough said.
- Decent upgrade from the iPod touch in terms of everything but the iPod.
CONS:
- In reality isn't as portable as you'd want/hope it to be.
- Useful for some, painful for others and all around not amazingly average consumer friendly.. YET.
- No where near a computer/laptop replacement.
- Back gets dirty VERY easily, even with generally clean hands.
- Smudges, EVERYWHERE. Can't avoid them, pointless to clean them as they just reappear within 5 minutes of usage.
- Seems fragile still, but hopefully this will change.
- Very very limited selection of apps that actually interest the average user.
- Re-buying "HD" apps at almost the same price as the app you purchased for your iPhone.
- Horrible music device with gross looking refurbished iTunes UI.
