You should know right off the bat that I am biased. The first generation iPad was the only gadget I have ever asked for. Since I am married to the king-of-all-geeks, we have gadgets in abundance at our house. Usually, the gadgets appear before I realize a need, and I gradually come to appreciate them. (I’m looking at you, Google TV.) But the iPad – small, light, video, email, work apps, play apps, all in the guaranteed to be elegant form factor Apple is famous for? I knew I wanted one.
I was not disappointed. I carried the iPad everywhere.
- It is great to travel with, providing hours of entertainment on the plane and between flights.
- It was handy to use for directions on road trips, with a dongle because I decided not to get the WiFi. (I use my Android as a mobile hotspot – which, in fact, is the feature that caused me to switch from my iPhone to the Droid.)
- The traffic option helped me see how long a given route was *really* going to take, as opposed to the more basic GPS in my vehicle.
- I have a little bluetooth keyboard which lets me set it up as a mini-laptop; however, beause the keyboard does not seem to hold a charge very well, I usually use it simply to prop the iPad up so I can watch video content.
When the new iPad arrived, I was unsure if I wanted to upgrade. I did not need the cameras. I did like the idea of more speed. Most of all, I was curious. So, another first: I bought a gadget purely for the novelty.
The new iPad is even better than the first generation iPad – faster, even more lightweight, and the cameras are a hoot for the amateur photographer I am. My husband and I took it on a road trip in Colorado. We encountered a herd of cattle on a dirt road that were being ushered to a new pasture by their beleaguered owner. I videoed the entire adventure, and it was fun to then instantly play it back on that big ol’ screen.
Is it practical as a video camera? Who knows. It is undisputably fun.
So, if you are considering a tablet, the new iPad is worth checking out. It has a low price point compared its competitors. They are not as fully featured, nor as elegant in design, as the iPad. I would recommend the 64 GB of storage because you will use it. I would not recommend the 3G. You will use your WiFi connection almost all of the time you need connectivity. Much of what you do on the iPad does not require an Internet connection. You can always get a wireless dongle and use it on your current plan to connect whatever device you need to provide wireless connectivity.
Already have an iPad? Here are some great tips from a variety of experts.
GizModo: 10 Essential iPad Tips and Tricks
TechRadar ups the ante with 50 Really Useful iPad Tips and Tricks
The How-To Geek claims to have the Complete List of iPad Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials.
Enjoy.