At first I was able to ignore it, after all, it does nothing I can’t do on my laptop already.
But the reviews keep coming in, people can’t seem to get enough of it, and the more I look the more I consider it to be not that expensive anyway.
I think I have finally given in, after much looking around, review-reading, and “OMG it does this” moments I’ve decided that the 16 GB 3G model would be best for me, I’m not overly bothered about the storage as I don’t want to shove a whole ton of media on this thing, and would much rather have the flexibility of 3G mobile broadband and GPS built in.
Theres just one thing stopping me, well, 529 of them to be honest, but hey, hopefully I’ll be able to get rid of some unused stuff on eBay, and I henceforth declare the iPad fund: Open.
So, any readers of this purchased, considered purchasing, or had any experience of one of these “magical” devices?
That’s one of the things putting me off, by the time I have the £529 to spend it will no doubt be coming towards the end of the first generation. I’m going to assume that eventually it will settle down to June/July releases like the iPhone (or maybe as soon as this september along with iPods if we’re lucky) so we could be less than a year before the next gen!
But, second generation aside, I can’t think of any features which would make me want to purchase even more, although no doubt apple has something up their sleeve to prove me wrong! 4G data would be nice, but absolutely useless in the UK, heck, I can barely get 3G in most places. Again, camera sounds nice, but if it’s front facing like a webcam then it is something which I don’t think I would ever use. Rear-facing would be great if introduced on the iPod touch because of portability, but with the iPad it’s not so practical to carry around for a few snaps here and there.
In the end I hope I do end up holding out for the second generation, as, like you say, I’m sure it will be a huge improvement, its just that if somebody gave the money today I think the temptation would be far too much!
The iPad is great. It really is — I completely understand why you want one. Hell, I _want_one.
But…
I don’t think you should get one (now). The iPad is only just ahead of the competition this time, unlike with the iPhone. The second generation hardware will probably add something like a camera that will be killer for a load of apps.
Well, OK, that’s my reasoning for not getting one today anyway. I just feel like this is ‘only’ a first gen release and that waiting for the next generation hardware will in the longer term be the better bet. Look at how the original iPhone was quite quickly made obsolete when the 3G came out. I could be wrong, of course, but to me it seems like now isn’t the time, unless you do have the money to immediately replace the device when it is succeeded, or the self-discipline to stick with what you have at that point!