My first impressions were very similar to this person too. At first I thought it was a funky laptop.
I now understand that this is nothing of the sort! The iPad isn't a laptop at all, or even meant to be it's replacement. A laptop is still a necessary piece of technology that won't ever be replaced in my opinion. It'll just become smaller and more efficient... but it can't ever be replaced unless it is absorbed and or consolidated into another piece of technology like the iPad. The iPad isn't a computer, but more of a digital replacement for our need of a briefcase really. A laptop is still a tool that would be needed in addition to your briefcase.
Much like the iPhone was meant and intended to replace the big bulky wallet... the iPad is different in the way it was meant to replace a briefcase.
One very cool and interesting fact that I heard was how the iPad was a new "thing", and wasn't anything that consumers have seen before. According to a spokesperson I heard on the news yesterday, he was saying how the iPad was something that people might find themselves trying to relate the iPad to things which we already use and know... when in fact it is a new "thing" and cannot be compared or relative to other "things" we currently understand and have. Many people are making that comparison to notebooks and laptops and he was discussing how that's the common misconception, but it is simply not something to be mistaken for.
Technology is going to advance to the point where these amazing digital devices such as the iPhone and iPad are part of our every day items which we as consumers come to rely on and live with in our daily lives. They WANT you to replace your wallet, keys, etc, with a simple "All-in-one" device like an iPhone.
Just take a minute and ponder all the cool things you can do with an iPhone. There's an app for just about anything you can think of. You can think of your iPhone as the extension of your wallet and keyring. No need for those silly add ons that make my house keys bulky and annoying. I have my iPhone and an app that turns the LED screen all white... I can actually use it to find my keys in the dark when I drop them which is a lot more practical then having a keyring flashlight that does me no good when it's on the keys I'm looking for!🙄
Once technology advances far enough to utilize every day life and the things we rely on into a digital crossover... all you need is a simple app which can unlock your house... start your cars... view your security cameras where you can monitor your house... make a phone call... navigate your destination... check your checking account balance at the bank online; all while you are listening to music... viewing your family photo album... doodling... reading... or even watching a live streaming video of your college professor giving a lecture. That is the vision for these types of devices.
I even overheard a fellow make the comment about his iPhone and comparing it to the iPad saying, "it's just a big iPhone!" I think that's probably not what they wanted the iPad to be compared to either, but it is probably a lot closer to what it does then comparing it to a notebook or laptop.
The vision here is this... You grab your house keys, wallet, sunglasses, briefcase, and whatever. Replace that vision with the iphone and iPad.
Here is where the iphone has literally replaced the need to carry a big bulky wallet and someday in the very near future... even keys. The iPad is going to replace the need for a briefcase. Quite literally!
There is my two cents... which turned into a long winded buck fifty. Sorry! 🙄
I love technology!!!
I will however... wait until the bugs are fixed and the new version or "updated" iPad is released. My instant gratification itch didn't need to be scratched just yet for this one. But I will be buying one for sure!
they have an idea when they will ship, just want to drive us nuts a little....