So call me ignorant, but I just can't understand what is so great about Apple's new iPad. For business purposes, it seems to me that something like a flip-screen laptop or mini-book would be much more useful- especially given the cost of Apple's newest toy, they start around $500.
The iPad is being branded as, "The best way to experience the web, e-mail, photos and videos. Hands Down." Funny in their marketing they mention hands, because I still don't see how you can safely use this device when you need to press buttons on the monitor itself supposedly while holding the device upright with the other hand... Maybe i'm just not that flexible.
More to the point however, just because a product has a nice GUI (graphical user interface) does not make it the best way to experience the actual content being delivered. I'll give Apple some credit here- the larger screen at 1024-by-768 pixels does help surf the web and run desktop applications over other portable devices (say a cell phone for instance), but that resolution size still pales in comparison to a standard laptop screen resolution which usually can run much higher- i.e. my resolution now on my Dell D620 is 1280 by 800 which is excellent for watching videos, surfing the web or looking at photos. Keep in mind that with my laptop, I can easily connect to a projector, TV, or other external device for presentations essential for work- the iPad out-of-the-box does not support video out (at least not as easily as plugging in a VGA adapter to a projector).
Well what about the content itself? The iPad does not support Adobe Flash. Epic mistake, period. Sure, perhaps at some point someone will design an application or a work-around, but if we are truly talking about a world-class way to view and interact with the web- Flash, for right now, is a must. For those of you who are not familiar with flash consider that in order to use these websites you must have flash installed: YouTube, Hulu, Amazon, E-Bay and many main-stream others.
Content delivery aside, what about extendability and flexibility? Want to load your favorite pictures from a USB drive directly to your new iPad, sorry. Want to watch your favorite DVDs, sorry there too. What to load up your iPad like you would your laptop with content? Only if you're willing to pay for the highest-end model to get that 64 GB hard drive (which by the way, for $600 you can get a mini with a 160 GB hard drive). I can already hear the criticisms coming- but what about the loads of free applications? Well sure, but you'll need to get them from the iTunes store and if Apple doesn't like an app you want, sorry out of luck!
This brings me to another problem I have with the iPad that isn't necessarily about the technology, it's with Apple's business model. Much like requiring users to utilize a third-party proprietary technology in order to manage content on their devices, the iTunes store, Apple only offers the internet connectivity through AT&T. So, you're stuck stealing free internet from others using the built-in wi-fi or paying the big bucks to AT&T for connectivity via their cell phone network. One disclaimer here, I was very encouraged to see that AT&T was not going to require a contract for their access services- hats off in that regard, but keep in mind AT&T still has a monopoly with Apple and that's not something I want to encourage.
If I was running my own small business and needed a portable and highly flexible device, I would look at HP's tm2t series laptops. Their base system at $900 will enable you to do so much more than the iPad at $800 (highest end device). Because it's a laptop you can purchase your own wireless card from the carrier you choose, install whatever applications you want or need, be able to utilize the very advanced touch features with the added option of being able to have it sit on your desk upright without having to worry about dropping it as you hold it in your hands and attempt to type at the same time. This is all without talking about the technical specifications that are included: 500 GB Hard Drive, 3GB RAM, 1.3Ghz Processor, 6Cell/9Hr Battery, USB ports, Built-in Webcam/microphone, built-in memory card reader, and of course ethernet ports for super fast connectivity.
As I said at the start, maybe I'm totally ignorant about this iPad craze, but this iPad just doesn't seem like that great of a deal.