Apple iPad – Wi-Fi or 3G Model

In just a matter of hours the Apple iPad goes on sale for the Wi-Fi models only.  People are once again lining up at Apple stores, just like when the Apple iPhone was released back in June of 2007, but there are still many questions needed to be answered before some enthusiasts can decide which model will be right for them or if the purchase of an iPad even makes sense during this first release.                                                                                        

I’ve been an avid Apple fan ever since their inception.  My first computer was the MacPlus, which had a whopping 9″ gray and white display, 1 MB of Memory and Microsoft Word in its entirety, came on a single floppy disk!  In those early years, I was considered an outcast because I didn’t own a PC and everyone told me that Mac’s were a joke and would always be an underdog if they could even survive in the world of computer technology.  It was hard to get a good assortment of software for the Mac, because developers believed the PC would be the way of the world.  That was 25 years ago.

Today, Apple is responsible for changing the way the world uses digital technology.  The iPod, iPhone, iTunes, iStore, iMacs and now the iPad.  Let’s take a look at what the iPad has to offer.  The Wi-Fi models being the first to be released will be able to use all of the iPad’s features and with a stable Internet connection you can enjoy everything it has to offer.  If your connection is down, you’ll still have the use of some embedded applications in offline mode, such as contacts, email, calendar and video plus photos and the new iBook Reader.  Of course, the Wi-Fi hot spots near you could be accessed, some are free, others charge a monthly fee.  If you’re an AT&T customer in good standing, you will be able to use the many Wi-Fi locations they have available at locations like Starbucks, Barnes and Noble and many more.  There are also internet cafes, coffee shops and even some restaurants and hotels offer Wi-Fi.  If you’re not sure if there’s a Wi-Fi hot spot nearby, you can check JiWire’s Global Wi-Fi Finder or AT&T’s Wi-Fi Locator.

The iPad’s user interface is said to be so natural, that it just disappears.  Being built on the same operating system as the iPhone,  the iPad is even easier to use than a Mac.  There seems to be something for everyone (maybe this is why Apple’s preorders are reported to be around 240,000 iPads) from browsing the web, checking emails, playing interactive games, downloading and reading books, apps for the office and reading the paper or magazines.

Although I did not jump in on the first round of iPad purchases, I definitely can see one of these babies being part of my daily regime in the near future.  Why? because I believe that the iPad concept will be the way of the future.  I’ve heard a lot of people saying “it’s just a bigger version of the iPod Touch,” well, maybe, but I sure would rather be able to carry something around with me that dosen’t have a screen the size of a cell phone.  I absolutely hate being chained to my desk computer, whenever I want to browse the web, check my email or work on my blogs.  Although I have a wireless PC laptop that I can take to another room in the house and have done so on occasion, I still find it uncomfortable and cumbersome to balance in my lap, so I end up with a tray table, but then I still end up plugging in the PC’s power cord in order to get the brightness from the screen.  It’s just not the ease and level of comfort an iPad would offer when sitting down on your sofa or recliner to read the paper, a book, check your email etc.  The iPad brings computing to a whole new level.

When you think about it, the possibilities are enormous for this ingenious device.  I can see everyone in the future having an iPad, which they carry around just like they do now with their cell phones.  It’s no different than women carrying around a purse (and may be lighter than most purses) with all of the things they need inside, the iPad would give you the world at your finger tips.  Let’s say you’re driving somewhere and you can’t find the place, pull out your iPad and get a map and directions, or maybe you fly quite often on long trips, fire up the iPad and watch a movie to pass time or read a book or paper.  Maybe you have work to catch up on before you land… there’s an app for that!

Regardless of what others think, I believe that Apple and the iPad will, once again, revolutionize the computer technology world and with it, the world wide web.  What if, in the future, you could even watch television with your iPad?  I could envision hooking up a set of Bose headphones and putting on my favorite TV show, while my spouse is immersed in another show on our home TV.  Maybe there will even be a way to record your favorite shows for future viewing like on a DVR.  You may even see the iPad replace your current cell phone with video conferencing like on Skype, built right into your iPad!

In the meantime, you can bet that I will be looking forward to the release of the 3G models coming out in late April, 2010.  I don’t want to be limited to just the Wi-Fi and I’m really pleased Apple decided not to force an ongoing monthly data plan down customers throats.  I chose not to buy the iPhone for this very reason.  I like knowing that if I need the data plan because I’m traveling, I can choose to have it for just one month.  Thanks Steve Jobs, smart move on that one.

Want to see the iPad in operation?  PC Magazine did a great job in this video showing you up close.

What about you?  What’s your view of the iPad and where it’s future lies?  I would love to hear your comments.