Apple iPad…the Gift that Keeps on Giving

Okay so we’re testing out the speed of the Apple keyboard….looks good.

That was the first sentence I wrote on my new Apple iPad I got for Christmas from my lovely wife.  She’s the best and I am in love yet again with Apple’s work.  I know, you’re probably thinking, “Why didn’t he just wait for the second generation to come out in February?”  Well I have a good reason, trust me.  As is apparent I’m a writer and I travel a lot; mainly just through the city but will be gone for most of the day (at least the productive part).  So my options are to take our laptop, which my wife uses most days for her work, and since I’m gone all day training in Jujitsu I don’t want to carry two bags.

So this is where the iPad comes in.  It was novelty item to me for a while.  I mean, I could see some creative uses for one; however, it just wasn’t practical for me.  Then Tammy (my lovely bride) got me a Kindle.  Loved it, still do for strictly reading, even though I sold it.  I found out during the past few months, I absolutely loath writing in a notebook for my blogs and novels (Sorry to my writing league compatriots that espouse the superiority of hand writing).  But I learned I needed to be able to type, and guess what my iPad can do, very well, when paired with a wireless bluetooth keyboard?  That’s right, it works perfectly as an uber portable computer, but with a much more enjoyable interface for reading books, comics, files, and surfing the web and other social media sites.

Yes the MacBook Air would be nice, but it costs significantly more than an iPad and doesn’t have the touch screen and page format for reading. Ever since I got back into comics last year, I’ve been avoiding getting too many as I don’t want them cluttering my small NY apartment.  Digital comics were the answer thanks to Comixology app for my iPhone, but still it wasn’t as satisfying.  Here on the iPad though, it’s amazing.

Reasons the iPad fits nicely into my lifestyle:

• Since I have a Mini attached to my TV serving as our “desktop” and primarily a media center, the iPad serves nicely as a portable keyboard, mouse, and remote for the computer.  Now if I could only get this things to control my TV….
• Next up would be my desire for a reading device.  Now while I immediately admit that the Kindle is a more enjoyable reading experience for books due to the e-ink, the iPad serves just fine in this function with the iBook store and Kindle apps.  The only caveat I’d add is that when reading in low light situations the back-lit screen can become uncomfortable after extended periods
• As I mentioned the comic book\Manga reading experience is amazing thanks to some great apps by Comixology and IDW.  Speaking of which look for an upcoming interview with Comixology developers
• Almost all of my gaming books (D&D, Pathfinder, Little Fears, Star Wars, Warhammer, etc.) I’ve gotten transferred to PDF format and again the reading experience is much more enjoyable than on the iPhone and laptops
• It’s a great cookbook…Epicurious
• It allows me to stream video from Netflix, my home computer via Air Video app, and miscellaneous other web sites
• Thanks to Pages app, paired with the interconnectivity of Mobile Me and Drop Box, all my writings are available instantly between all my devices
• Last and not least, it’s a single device that handles all these needs, and in my ultra mobile, portable life, that’s a must

I’ll be the first to admit that the iPad isn’t for everyone.  At the dog run this morning we were talking about how for some it’s a very expensive Solitaire player, for others it’s an armchair web device, then for some, it’s an answer to prayer.

The Macbook Air offers unique potential in the near future I believe.  With this years launching of the Mac App Store, most apps available for the iDevices will be accessible via your desktops.  My prediction, with Apples move to fewer devices\computer lines and cloud hosting, is that we’ll see in the near future the Air become a fully functional tablet combining the abilities and touch screen UI of the iPad and processing power and capabilities of a laptop.  On that day I will upgrade to an Air, when I can still scroll my comics in a single hand book style read and use an attached keyboard and USB to type my documents.  That’s my prediction for the future of the iPad and laptop lines for Apple.  For what it’s worth.

If you’re a iPad user, what functions do you enjoy most about it?  If you’re not what keeps you from becoming one?  Let’s talk it up!