Do I need an iPad?

RIVER BENDER - August, 2012

Our daughter and granddaughter visited recently from Maryland and both brought their Apple iPads and connected wirelessly (Wi-Fi) to my router to use the Internet. I was very impressed. I'm not fond of tiny smart phones but the iPad is a much larger tablet with beautiful graphics and a 9.7-inch touch screen. It does everything a smart phone does and more. It is very different from a PC and fun to use. It is said that last year the Apple iPad held a 62% share of the world-wide tablet market.

My present dilemma is whether I need an iPad or not. I never gave it a thought until I got a chance to play with one. I'm impressed but I have two PCs and two laptops so I'll probably just hang in and see how Microsoft and Google's new tablets stack up because they're expected to compete with Apple's iPad and be less expensive. No problem because I'm usually the last guy on the block to have the latest technology anyway, or anything else new for that matter.

Let's digress briefly and make sure everybody knows what an iPad (EYE-pad) is. There are three models, each with variations. Apple released the first one in April 2010 and sold 300,000 units the first day and 3 million in 80 days. This was followed by iPad 2 which added dual-facing cameras along with a faster processor and improved graphics, but the biggest jump was with the iPad 3rd generation, which increased display resolution, storage up to 64GB and added voice recognition. Basically, what is available today is iPad 2 and a 3rd generation unit simply called "New iPad." Prices range from $500 to $700 for WiFi access units but cost more if it can also connect to 3G or 4G mobile service. But wait, as I write, Apple just announced they are preparing for mass production in September another tablet smaller than the iPad. What to do?

So why bother getting an iPad anyway, especially if you're happy with your PC? I think what impressed me most was how fast one could flip pages by touching the screen and instantly bringing up a nice keyboard display to start typing email or documents. Then I learned the iPad had to be associated with application programs (apps) available only from Apple. There are thousands of apps but I'm sure you can't depend on them to replace all the software you've been accustomed to in your PC or laptop. I think the iPad is probably best to supplement your PC or laptop or for a person not computer literate since one can pick it up and start using it immediately. It turns on and off like your TV and is very friendly. Also one doesn't have to learn to use a mouse or even a keyboard since most iPad navigation is done by letting your fingers do the walking. It's perfect for connecting to your home WiFi network to check email and access Internet. Stop by the AT&T store at the mall on MLK Blvd and see a demo of the iPad, but of course it will be a top of the line model to connect into their mobile network for $50/month. It will also include GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite mapping.

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