Why I bought an iPad - the perfect second computer - or the only computer for some!

I was somewhat tempted by the iPhone when it first came out, but the combination of the high initial price, expensive data plan and the small screen made me hesitate. Prices did come down, but the data plan remained expensive and of course the screen didn't get any bigger. The iPhone just didn't quite hit my sweet spot.

When I first heard rumors of the iPad, I wasn't sure I wanted that either. At that time pricing was estimated to be over $1,000.00 and actually the size seemed too large - you can't fit an iPad in your pocket. It seemed interesting, but I didn't think it was quite right for me.

On the other hand..

An iPad is smaller and lighter than my MacBook Pro. As I started investigating the software available on iPhone (almost all of which would be available on the iPad), I realized this device would let me do most of my work while away from my computer and I would not be hampered by a small screen and an expensive data plan.

A price surprise is a nice surprise

When the pricing was announced, it turned out to be cheaper than projected. I was able to buy the largest capacity model with 3G for quite a bit less than $1,000, including all the software tools I need. For me, that's things like ssh, vnc, rdp and Webex - and of course email, the web and Twitter.

Most of the time I'm at home and don't absolutely need the iPad. However, I find myself using it often because my MacBook is all hooked up to external drives, a usb hub and a larger keyboard. It's really not convenient to unhook all that when I want to go work on the porch in nice weather or perhaps answer a few emails during TV commercials later in the day. The iPad is often perfect for that.

Ubiquitous Internet

The 3G capability is particularly nice. When I'm out at customers sites, they often have wireless, and there are certainly plenty of wireless hotspots at Starbucks, McDonalds and many other places, but sometimes there is no wireless available and it isn't convenient to wait. As you can get 250MB of data for $15.00 (expires after a month) and it literally takes seconds to turn that service on or off, it is easy for me to imagine that I might only do this a few times a year - that's much different than a locked in iPhone data plan. That 250MB is more than enough for a months worth of email and browsing, but if you needed to watch movies or videos, you could get the $30 a month unlimited plan - still less expensive than the iPhone.

There really is an app for that

I also realized that I have a few apps in mind. As I already own a MacBook and Apple provides the developer tools for free, all I need is the $99 a year Developer Account at Apple to sell or give away iPad, iTouch and iPhone apps. I don't expect to make to make a ton of money with that (the apps I'm thinking about would have a small audience), but I might make enough to pay for this and then some.

Warts

No, the iPad isn't perfect. It's a first generation device with warts and limitation. Some of its defects went away l when the upgraded IOS was released, and many of its defects can be corrected with better application software, but it still may not be everyone's best choice. I do think that for many of us, the iPad is a perfect second computer. It's a great semi-laptop to have around the house or with you if you go out to visit customers like I do.

My only real problem is that now that my wife has seen this in action, she wants her own. I guess I better get started writing those apps!

Traveling Notepad

I have been making extensive use of this as a note taker. I also use it to write almost all of my HubPage posts. At the present time, something in the HP interface prevents me from using the Hub editor from the iPad, but I just write them in SimpleNote, email them to myself and then pick that up on my Mac and post it.

I use it to jot down post ideas and of course use the Calendar frequently. The iPad is never far from my hands.

Remote Support

People are often surprised to learn that I can use this for remote support of my clients. I have ssh, VNC, RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), Citix and even Webex. On a recent trip to Virginia, my wife drove while I worked on a client's machine all the way down the New Jersey Turnpike.

As it also has VPN capability, there really isn't much I can't do.

Save the cost of a high end laptop

I wrote more about this at Thinking about a Macbook Pro? Save 40% or More. No, I don't have a secret place to buy MacBooks at an incredible discount. That article points out that the cost of a high end laptop is more than a very nice desktop machine and an iPad.

The point is that the iPad is an ideal portable device. It really is the ideal second computer.

Though I have to say it is a bit funny for me to call this my "second" computer. I use it far more often than I use my MacBook Pro.

Cartoons

I did the penguin here for a hub I did about Linux. I'm no artist, so if I can do this, you could do even better. See my post on People like pictures for why you might want to do that.

I used a $7.99 app called Brushes. There are free drawing apps too and of course Brushes doesn't begin to compare to apps like Corel Draw or even The Gimp (wonderful free graphics software) but it has enough features for a dabbler like me.

Incidentally, I bought a stylus for drawing, but quickly realized that a stylus is useful in ordinary typing and web browsing also.

The only computer?

For some, an iPad is the only computer they need. I've been seeing more and more of that at the retirement community we live in: there are now several folks who only own iPads.

If all you do is use the Internet for browsing, shopping and email, an iPad is perfect. Obviously it can do more: photos, games, music. With IOS 5, you no longer need a computer to back it up or update it, so this really can be your one and only computer/

I have been seeing this frequently when I visit friends or call on people requesting free help from our community computer club. Often they describe the "old" computer as something they use less and less since acquiring the iPad.

iPad 2

The iPad 2 is now out. This adds a camera, has more RAM, a more powerful cpu and is a bit thinner and lighter also.

The original iPad is still holding strong resale value, however. I checked eBay in late January of 2012 and found these still close to $300.00.

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