What was one thing that you didn't expect?

[bowlerman625]

That it would be so fun to use...and take up most of my free time in the process!!!!!!!

 

[Ports]

I was not ready for the screen. Much better than I expected it to be.

The battery life was also a pleasant surprise. Glad to know that someone UNDERestimated!

+1 Everyone that has used it comments on the screen

 

[Dillenger]

That I had no intention of buying one until I actually messed around with it at Best Buy on launch day. Then I was shocked that at 2:00 pm, 4 hours after opening, they still had over 35 left in stock. Now, the fact is I find myself using it more than my MBP. Lastly, some of the apps that are available within the first few weeks are pretty amazing, and from a price perspective not too bad. I mean how long has it been that you can by software for .99 and up. Sheesh!

 

[UnstrungHarp]

I expected it to exceed my expectations, so no surprise there.

The only negative surprise for me was due to a lack of research/understanding on my part (in spite of the fact that I obsessively read iPad-related articles throughout the weeks leading up to delivery). I didn't understand just how much of a downer it would be to have no file management system, probably because I hadn't thought about what "file management" meant. So there are a few limitations I hadn't planned on, but then again i still have my MBP sitting right there to take care of those things. Also, I have now discovered Desktop Connect which is pretty awesome...

Oh, and I wasn't expecting to want to use the iPad's online capabilities everywhere I go...I get spoiled at home playing Words with Friends, so I really want to keep playing when I leave the house. Not that buying the 3G version would have helped because there's no AT&T service anywhere in my town (or county, honestly). I was so upset when I realized that you can't even pass-and-play offline, because it apparently goes "online" to check every word's validity. Boo!

 

[aperry]

One pleasant surprise is that I have felt no heat coming out out of this thing. Given Apple's history with overheating products, I really expected this thing to be warm or hot to the touch after hours of use, but mine has stayed cool.

I'm also surprised and disappointed that it only has 256 MB RAM, which shows itself in Safari and crashing apps.

Lastly, I'm very disappointed that Apple hasn't released an iPad version of iTunes Remote. I'm dying for this.

 

[jrboddie]

Did not expect it to feel so heavy.

 

[3460169]

Did not expect it to feel so heavy.

That, and didn't expect colossal Wifi failures!

 

[citi]

What I didn't expect -- is that I would use it more as a web browser than a book reader. I thought it would be a good book reader but I can't get use to the "glow," the backlight puts off. It's weird b/c I have no problem reading the web, or WSJ, or magazines on it, just books. Maybe Apple could tweak it a little so that the background in more grayish in iBooks.

like instapaper. The first ipad version was white on black, then they got a production model ipad and realized it was too much, so now they have it on a soft grey background

 

[citi]

I was surprised to find what an excellent book reader it is, both with iBooks and Kindle.

totally agree. I bought a book from Amazon and I wasn't sure it would translate as nicely as ibooks but in some respects, it's better. The bookmark feature is definitly better in Kindle, but I miss my swiping.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

like instapaper. The first ipad version was white on black, then they got a production model ipad and realized it was too much, so now they have it on a soft grey background

Exactly. I wish Apple was a quick updating its apps as the 3rd parties.

 

[Arran]

?.. Maybe Apple could tweak it a little so that the background in more grayish in iBooks.

Have you tried Settings--> general--> accessibility --> white on black? Worth a shot. Maybe turn on "triple click home" to toggle it?

 

[Lakeland*won]

The fact ******* works.

LOL!

 

[citi]

That, and didn't expect colossal Wifi failures!

I must have a good model, because I don't have connection issues, and I use several different routers and wi-fi options everyday.

 

[vijay007]

I would have to agree that the experience of using it is completely different than watching someone use it. Using it for the first time at Best Buy actually changed my mind at the spot. I went there to just check it out because I love Apple products and had no expectation of buying it. Thought I would hold it for a minute or two and then go home, but once I played around with it, it completely changed my mind. I actually went back to my car to get my credit card to buy it only to find out it was sold out at the moment. So I went home, contemplated buying it and after thinking about it for a while, decided to drive about an hour to the Apple store to buy it.

+1

The only difference is, the Bestbuy I went to on day one had them in stock. But, I drove to an Apple store from there to buy it, since you cannot beat the experience of buying from an Apple store, that too on Launch day

 

[ClaireL]

I wasn't expecting first of all to be able to afford the iPad right away much less get it on Launch day but by serendiptious events that day, I got my iPad on April 3!

Second of all, I wasn't expecting to be this addicted to my iPad! I gotta control myself or otherwise I would be on my iPad forever! LOL

 

[H00513R]

While not perfect, I definitely think it's in the realm of magical - but only from the standpoint of having a new gadget out that hasn't quite been seen yet. The most surprising thing was A) Finding out that it was fully charged as I waited for my wife to go into numerous other stores after I bought it. I can't believe I was in the car that long and could have potentially been using it! and B) discovering how easy the keyboard was to use. Very intuitive.

 

[gtsipad]

What I didn't expect was running into an old high school flame at my 20 year reunion and waking up the next morning in a hotel room beside her...oh...wait...what was the question again?

 

[antwon412]

i wasnt expecting to go buy it at lunchtime (without my wife knowing!) then not being able to use it for 4 looooong hours since you had to sync it with Itunes which I dont have on my work PC.

But Ive been loving it ever since!

 

[ScrewTheDaisies]

I was surprised at how cool it stays, and also by the battery life. I can't believe I can go all day with it! Also, I didn't get mine till the fifth (no Saturday delivery here), so I read tons of comments on it's heft while waiting for it to arrive, which set me up to expect it to be heavier than it actually is.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Didn't expect how much it feels like I'm "living in the future" every time I use one. Seriously, the only thing that would feel the same is buying my first flying car or something.

 

[mikethebigo]

Have you tried Settings--> general--> accessibility --> white on black? Worth a shot. Maybe turn on "triple click home" to toggle it?

Whoa! Cool! I didn't know that was an option. I'm now going to freak out all my friends with the wacky colors.

 

[danpass]

the first surprise was the immersive effect the screen has on you. its magical (hehe )


the second surprise was actually bigger ........... that my iphone felt SO much smaller.

It would be obviously be smaller but it seemed WAY smaller

 

[EthanNixon]

So, I finally got one after waiting two days for an email to pick it up. I can say again, I am still amazed at this device. Upon purchasing it, I also purchased a case, Incase Protective Case to be exact. After using it for about an hour, I decided against using a case for a short while.

I appreciate the device a lot more without a case, it feels more natural and even makes typing for me a little bit easier. With a case on it, the iPad won't spin when I need it to for typing, and without a case it turns much like I do with a real keyboard. This is just my personal preference, but I find typing on the iPad extremely easy. It isn't that much different then a small laptop, and I could easily take notes on this thing.

I hope everyone likes their iPad as much as me!

I typed this on my iPad as well, seeing as how I will probably never use my PC unless it is for gaming.

 

[citi]

So, I finally got one after waiting two days for an email to pick it up. I can say again, I am still amazed at this device. Upon purchasing it, I also purchased a case, Incase Protective Case to be exact. After using it for about an hour, I decided against using a case for a short while.

I appreciate the device a lot more without a case, it feels more natural and even makes typing for me a little bit easier. With a case on it, the iPad won't spin when I need it to for typing, and without a case it turns much like I do with a real keyboard. This is just my personal preference, but I find typing on the iPad extremely easy. It isn't that much different then a small laptop, and I could easily take notes on this thing.

I hope everyone likes their iPad as much as me!

I typed this on my iPad as well, seeing as how I will probably never use my PC unless it is for gaming.

IMHO, the only case that works right, is the Apple Case.

 

[xraydoc]

Most unexpected for me was (is) the speed. The pinch and zoom on things like the browser and maps is soooo much faster than on the iPhone 3GS or my (overclocked) Motorola Droid that I actually said "wow" out loud when I first did it.