Amy J. Bennett

Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life

iPad Schmi-Pad

by

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iPad is all the buzz today and you’d think as an iPhone and MacBook owner, I might be rushing over to my local Apple store to get one.  And I keep wondering if I should.  But as far as I can tell, there are only 2 reasons why I should and lots more why I shouldn’t

I should

  • iBooks – Apple has basically released an iTunes for books.  It’s an online store and reader and namely Apple’s answer to the Kindle.  I, for one, am not in the market for a book reader.  My friend Allison recently got a Kindle and she sings high praises of it but I’m not sold on them yet.  My eyes are already on a screen too many hours a day.  I like that I can loan and resell my paperbacks.  If I were in the market for a book reader, I’d for sure be going for the iPad.
  • NetFlix – With the iPad you can stream movies from NetFlix.  SO much better than carrying around a DVD Player and a bunch of DVDs.  The problem is I don’t watch too many movies on the go.  In fact, I’m not on the go for that many hours at a time very much.   When I am on the go, I prefer reading one of those paperbacks.  It just wouldn’t be worth it for me.

I shouldn’t

  • No phone – This is definitely not a replacement for your iPhone.  No cell service.
  • No camera – Again, not a replacement for your iPhone or even your camera if you don’t have an iPhone.
  • Too big – Look, it’s 1.5lb and much larger than my iPhone.  If I’m going to have to carry around something larger than my iPhone I’m much happier with my 13” MacBook.
  • Too expensive – In order to get wireless service you have to rely on WiFi but that seems silly as the two features I would be interested would be “on the go” and require a data connection.  In that case, I’d have to add another $30/mo service plan.  No thanks. 
  • No flash – One downfall of the iPhone is you still can not view Flash web sites.  Well, iPad doesn’t solve that.

So I could probably go on but I think I’ll rest my case and just say iPad Schmi-Pad. 

It’s not for me.

If you’re on the iPad train though, convince me otherwise!  I’d love a reason for another Apple toy!

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Comments

  1. SO not on that train, you are right with the Schmad part even being a Mac Family it's a no no. I think it's something just to tide us over until they come up with something more AMAZING.

    BTW found your site through Pete Wilson's Blog Without Wax

  2. SO not on that train, you are right with the Schmad part even being a Mac Family it's a no no. I think it's something just to tide us over until they come up with something more AMAZING.

    BTW found your site through Pete Wilson's Blog Without Wax

  3. I think the iPad is just not for people like us. "People like us" being people who already have iPhones and aren't e-book readers. I will admit I'm slightly curious about the iPad for the exact two reasons you mentioned, but as you said, carrying around a laptop isn't terrible and I can watch movies from there. But for someone not lucky enough to have AT&T :), or for someone in the market for an e-book reader … I think it's great.

  4. I think the iPad is just not for people like us. "People like us" being people who already have iPhones and aren't e-book readers. I will admit I'm slightly curious about the iPad for the exact two reasons you mentioned, but as you said, carrying around a laptop isn't terrible and I can watch movies from there. But for someone not lucky enough to have AT&T :), or for someone in the market for an e-book reader … I think it's great.

  5. Good point. I suppose if I didn't have AT&T, didn't have a laptop and HAD to have some other cell phone then I would choose this over an iPod Touch.

  6. Good point. I suppose if I didn't have AT&T, didn't have a laptop and HAD to have some other cell phone then I would choose this over an iPod Touch.