iPad

The iPad is not
a laptop. Unlike other tablets, Apple's new iPad just isn't even
trying to do all the things another computer might. Yes, you can use
the iPad to write up documents, play music or podcasts, and enjoy
games of all kinds. However, you may do these things only through the applications that are
purchasable in the app store. While a great many different apps are
certainly available (with more to come each day), you should not
expect the software you are used to using to be available on the
iPad.

This
is not to say that the iPad isn't a great device on its own merits. Yet, you should not purchase it thinking that it will do the same job
as another tablet might. Most specialized needs new laptop purchasers
have--whether it be for real estate, tax preparation, or even
business presentations--cannot readily be had with the iPad. This is
because specialized needs are usually run by specialized programs,
which generally are available only on specific platforms. In the
future, the app store may start offering programs suited to high-end
professional needs, but until then, the iPad just isn't capable of
doing everything your laptop can.

Unlike
a laptop computer, which allows you to do whatever computing need you
require on the go, the iPad is geared more toward light computing of
a different kind. The iPad will go places your laptop never would,
and will allow you to do many things in many places that you never
could do with your old laptop. But this is no substitute for a good
laptop computer. Typing for extended periods on a non-tactile screen
just isn't the same as having a full-size keyboard, and even if you
use the keyboard attachment, it still doesn't quite live up to what
you need when doing serious work. The iPad is geared more toward
casual usage, and any true business use will be optimized only in
places where you need an absolute minimum of computing power and a
maximum of portability.

With
all that said, most computer experts and enthusiasts have fallen for the iPad
fever. If you're familiar with the iPhone/iPod Touch interface, then
you'll already be well aware of how the iPad handles, and of how it
differs from a typical tablet computer. The iPad is an ingenious
device that creates its own market space, rather than competing
against other laptops for the same share of the market. If you're not
already familiar with using an iPhone or iPod Touch, I highly
recommend you try out the iPad before rushing out and purchasing one. If you are unable to imagine life before your iPhone,
then the iPad is probably for you. It will then only take a few test runs of book-reading and game-playing
before you also partake of the Apple iPad Kool-Aid. Just remember
that it isn't a laptop, and is definitely not a substitute for doing
real work on the go.

Plenty of discussion about the iPad has been going on lately, but the bigger story here is that magazines and newspapers are investing time and resources to develop digital versions of their publications for Apple's tablet computer. The hope is that this will revitalize interest in their publications. But at what price?

This is, perhaps, a huge deal. This could really be the beginning of a new way for magazines and newspapers to generate money; however, it could also prove to these publications that people want their content for free and are completely satisfied with Web-based versions.

Either way, the next few months are going to be crucial for the print industry, which is exploring unknown territories in the hope of generating money with newer media formats while replacing older failing formats.

But the price of these digital versions of publications might be a barrier to entry.

The average price for a magazine or newspaper subscription can vary, buut how about some examples. The Wall Street Journal is $29 per month. Men's Health is around $4.99 per issue. Not bad, right?

To compare, the iPad version of the Wall Street Journal will be $18 per month while Men's Health will cost the same as iPad's version.

That isn't as cheap as many had hoped.

Let's consider for a moment that we wanted five magazine subscriptions. Let's assume each magazine subscription for the iPad will cost us around $8 on average for a month's worth of content. That could easily add up to $40 a month or $480 per year. Ouch!

Is $480 per year for five magazine subscriptions worth it (again, nothing this is only hypothetical)? To some people, sure it will be. But to others, it doesn't make any sense considering that anyone could fire up a browser window and view this content for free.

I pay around $20 a month for a Netflix subscription that allows me to watch as many movies as I want. So, where is the value with iPad's digital magazine subscriptions?

Let me make something clear though: I don't have a problem with magazines or newspapers making money. No problem at all. But these publishers must realize that the cost of their content must be considered with the cost of other publications. If these publishers invest a lot of time and resources into creating these digital magazines, it will certainly require plenty of subscriptions, but an increased price, however, might mean less overall subscriptions.

Sure, people will pay to be able to experience these cool magazine features with live video integrated, but I believe the appeal will quickly wear off.

Yet I assume that supply and demand will work these things out on their own. But I, for one, will not be having any of it. Apart from the fact that I am waiting for the 2nd generation of the iPad before I even consider purchasing it, I believe that the investment required is far greater than the price of the iPad itself.

The iPad is supposedly selling very well from pre-orders: Around 150,000 people have estimated to take the plunge. Guess what though? I'm not one of them. I am not going to pre-order the Apple iPad, and I am not changing that. There is simple and logical reasoning behind this as well, but most are ignorant to the facts.

So let me begin by explaining why I wouldn't pre-order the Apple iPad, even if I was willing to in the first place.

First off, the iPad is a first-generation device. And like most first-generation devices, it is bound to have issues. I can't recall a single product launch that has gone flawlessly, and it takes several iterations of a product to get it right — there are bound to be complaints and, quite possibly, serious issues with the iPad. Sure, that isn't the risk-taking, edge-of-your-seat mentality that most technology enthusiasts share, but I am certainly an exception to that.

After all, isn't this thing merely a jumbo-sized iPod Touch? Sure, it will have new capabilities — it will have applications better designed to handle the large screen. But at the end of the day, it is still an iPod Touch on steroids, and there isn't much that is revolutionary about this. No one better dare attempt to tell it differently. People make this thing out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but we have already had this device for the past few years — the iPod Touch. Who knew?

The next issue I have with the iPad is the price. So it might be drastically cheaper than we all expected, but that still doesn't automatically make it a worthwhile purchase. What we have here is a gadget that most people will be unwilling to take out of their house. What value is that in a world where gadgets are designed with portability in mind? Seriously? If you have an e-reader, an iPhone, or even an iPod Touch, there is little reason, if any, to buy this thing.

Also, with the Lenovo Ideapad U1 Hyrbid coming out — where you can get a laptop and a slate in one package — I'm not quite sure that the Apple iPad will be the most worthwhile product in the tablet category. The Microsoft Courier is really looking special as well. Why does Apple get the favoritism? Well, of course we know why, but it only proves consumers are less intelligent than I would have hoped.

Beyond that, the most important reason that I am not pre-ordering it is because pre-ordering is stupid! It doesn't matter what the product is!

Why is someone going to slap down the big bucks for an unknown product that they have never touched, never experienced, and never read a single review about? What is the logic behind this? Are people afraid that if they don't pre-order now that they won't ever have an iPad to purchase? It's ridiculous! Who cares if you don't have one in your hands on the third of April? I can assure you that they will have plenty in stock in following month, if not in April.

So why not wait until other people get their hands on it and see what the overall consensus is? It costs you nothing, and it gives you the satisfaction of knowing you waited for a great product that you will use.

While the Apple crowd will probably look down on their fellow Appletons who go this route, I would applaud it. It is both the right and the smart thing to do.

Are we prepared for the tech industry to be rocked again? Well, Apple is ready to take the stage with the approaching release of their highly regarded iPad. Both Wi-Fi and 3G-enabled models will begin shipping in April, but anyone can throw down cash in March to secure their pre-orders.