| In the sleek beauty of the "iPad", I saw a | | | | a Mac, it was a "Mac Lisa" (showing my age |
| potentially unmatched sales aid. Whether you are | | | | now...). I figured maybe I was just missing a |
| an entrepreneur selling your own business, or a | | | | simple key or touch gesture combination. |
| corporate sales professional selling for someone | | | | Following hours of research, I discovered that I |
| else, I want you to think about getting rid of all | | | | wasn't missing anything. There is no desktop. |
| those "sales pieces" and instead having a smooth | | | | In fact, there is no user accessible file |
| slide show or even a short movie to start your | | | | management system. |
| next cold call, educate a customer, and close the | | | | Are you kidding? I have to go back to my main |
| deal. Aesthetically, the "iPad" offers all of that. | | | | desktop computer, download the attachment |
| There you are. You are confident in your | | | | from my webmail, and then sync it to my "iPad" |
| product and your company. Your client isn't quite | | | | through "iTunes" using an "app" if the file is |
| so sure. You have your presentation ready and | | | | compatible? What?! |
| your talking points memorized. This time, instead | | | | Ten years ago, I had my favorite palm device |
| of handing over another spiral bound flip book or | | | | ever: the "Casio E-100". I loved that device. |
| clunky laptop, you hand your prized customer this | | | | "Windows CE", "Office 95" compatible, full stereo |
| beautiful convergence of form and function. | | | | sound, and the ability to download, save, and |
| The immediate "wow" factor in this device cannot | | | | even edit all of my documents. That was back |
| be overstated. An "iPad" as a sales aid can be | | | | in the last century. Now, eleven years later, I |
| the next "must have" in the sales wardrobe. It is | | | | don't even get a simple file manager? |
| an awesome first impression. That, at least, is | | | | Several hours of research later, and I discover |
| how we see it. At home, I already have three | | | | that the lack of a file manager is by design. |
| "iPods" and two "Apple TVs". The "iPad" is a | | | | Then things get even worse. Having some |
| fantastic improvement on even their interface | | | | programming skills, I contemplated developing |
| and display capabilities. If you have a slideshow, | | | | some code to provide the extra features we |
| a webpage, or even a movie you want to show | | | | wanted. My contemplation stopped when I |
| in an intimate setting, there is nothing better. | | | | learned that absolutely every application for the |
| I am disappointed to observe, though, that it | | | | "iPad" had to be approved by "Apple" and hosted |
| doesn't provide much more than that. | | | | on the "iTunes" store. The only exceptions |
| This isn't about gigs and networks. This isn't | | | | granted were for larger businesses under very |
| about a camera or other hardware things it | | | | tight controls. Of course, to even begin |
| doesn't have (we already have a HD videocam, | | | | developing code, I would need to go out and buy |
| thanks). I could easily make it about that, but | | | | a Mac. No, thank you. My hand made |
| that would miss the point. This is about what | | | | "Windows XP" system is still doing great. |
| the device does given what it could have been. | | | | What a disappointment. I am really surprised |
| And that is what is disappointing. | | | | that Apple aimed so low in this device. If this |
| It certainly is quick. Not fast. Quick. The | | | | was a brand new company, I would have done |
| difference is that fast implies speed across a large | | | | some more research prior to purchasing. |
| number of complex tasks. This device is quick; it | | | | However I "assumed" Apple was really going to |
| is optimized to do exactly what you want | | | | make their mark and leave "Android" device |
| precisely when you tell it to do so. However, it | | | | owners gasping. Instead, they should be laughing. |
| won't do two or more things at once. Ok. | | | | Going in, I knew it wasn't supposed to replace a |
| Since getting the device, I did later go through Mr. | | | | full laptop. I knew it didn't have a camera. I |
| Jobs's statements regarding the "iPad". It isn't a | | | | knew it only had 64 GB. I understood that going |
| computer. Understand. Copy. However, this is | | | | in to the deal. You probably understand the |
| 2010. If I pick up an electronic gadget this size, I | | | | same if you are looking into buying one. I at |
| am thinking: computer. At $800, I am thinking: | | | | least thought it was a minimally functional |
| computer. So, yes, I did struggle trying to figure | | | | computer with great display capabilities. I was |
| out how to open both the Safari web browser | | | | wrong. Here's the bottom line: it's a toy. You |
| and an application at the same time. Can I keep | | | | probably already have GPS in your car so the |
| my e-book open and surf the web? Well, no. | | | | map application is of no real use. The web |
| Can I even begin to have two or three things | | | | browsing is nice, but your laptop and portable |
| open at the same time? Well, it doesn't do | | | | phone probably each already do that. The "app |
| that. Sigh. | | | | store" is full of games but who has time for |
| So I'm past the first point. Quick is a good thing | | | | that? Speaking of the "app store", if you want |
| so I can tolerate some symptomatic shortfalls. I | | | | your "iPad" to do anything other than play music |
| guess I can manage doing just one thing at a | | | | and movies, then you are going to be spending |
| time. I went to the internet using the 3G. | | | | loads of frustrating time in the "app store". |
| Wow! The page downloaded faster than I | | | | The "iPad" isn't a miniature "Mac Book"; it is more |
| thought. I used it on my wi-fi network: again, | | | | accurately an enlarged "iPod" with 1/4 of the |
| wow! There was absolutely no problem going to | | | | storage space. Sorry, but that is my honest |
| even the most detailed websites. The "iPad" is | | | | opinion. If you really list the capabilities, it is far |
| looking better! I went to my webmail site to see | | | | closer to the "iPod" entertainment device than to |
| what was new. I had an important email with an | | | | anything resembling a computer. |
| important attachment. .... somewhere, some of | | | | At the end of the day, we are able to use it as a |
| you are chuckling because you know what is | | | | pretty sales piece. However, it is a purchase I |
| coming next ... So I decided that I needed to save | | | | would not recommend.p.s. Apple, I nearly bought |
| the attachment to my desktop. What? Huh? | | | | an "iMac" the same week as buying the "iPod". |
| Are you kidding? | | | | Sadly, I've lost faith in your judgement with this |
| As much as I love our "iPods" and "Apple TVs", I | | | | overpriced device. I will instead be upgrading to |
| have a Windows PC. The last time I really used | | | | Windows 7 in the future. |