iPad pits geek vs. geek

Apple’s announcement of the iPad has created quite a stir. Many of us have had the time to reflect on how we might use or not use the new tablet. For a look at two opposing views, I asked our editor Robert Nelson to point/counterpoint with me.

Are you going to get one?

JG: I dont’ think I’ll be getting an iPad. The device is neither my smartphone nor a laptop I can bang out “work” on. I just don’t need an entertainment device that is bigger than my iPhone.
Robert: Am I going to get one? I am slightly upset that I cannot place my order, or even a pre-order yet.

The iPad is neither smartphone nor laptop. Debate.

JG: And that is the problem. Apple is really good at taking a popular existing product and making it remarkable. They’ve deviated this formula with Apple TV and now again with the iPad and it might suffer similar consequences. They are trying to find a third screen and beyond my smartphone, laptop and HDTV, I don’t need one.
Robert: And that is the reason I want one. I like my smartphone, both the HTC Hero and iPhone 3GS that I use, but there are times when I want to surf on something bigger and do not need or want to use a netbook or laptop. That is where the iPad will fit in. I do agree with JG though, this is not a case of Apple taking an existing product and making it better. Honestly this is not the most appealing tablet right now, but it has the apps.

Are we seeing the future of Mac computers?

JG: The only thing that makes sense to me, other than Apple is out to Kindle-bust, is this is how they see the future of computers. Forget the desktops/laptops, Apple could be creating computers that are on the go. The keyboard intro’d on day one starts to lead me toward that idea. Now maybe thats an idea that could stick, a tablet that is your primary home computer but we’ll need to see more peripherals and ports for that to happen, right?
Robert: I hope not. Personally I still use a desktop (iMac) for my primary computing needs. But at the same time could see this replacing my netbook or even a regular laptop, well it could replace them assuming at some point Apple will allow us to run multiple apps.

There was a lot of talk about Apple as a mobile company. Just how mobile is the tablet?

JG: I’ve got issues here. When I am mobile, 95% I am after specific answers, so I grab my phone and get it. When I am in my car and my kids ask for the 987th time, “are we there yet”, my iPhone gets handed back and serenity is restored. For plane trips, my phone (along with a battery backup case, like the one from Energizer) is pulled out for games and movies. It does all these things OK. Not amazing, like the iPad would but OK. Plus, I already have the smartphone with me that can do the job.
Robert: I think it will be mobile enough for my needs. As far as around the house use, the iPad will be lightweight and small enough to easily use, say, while lying in bed. As far as being on-the-go, I am certainly not going to be running around the store carrying an iPad like I would my iPhone, but at the same time it would be nice for my kids in the back seat, or my to distract my wife from my crazy driving. I could also see this being added to a gear bag in addition to my netbook, after all its only an extra 1.5 pounds. So, yes, I guess its mobile enough — at least for me.

No Flash means no Hulu

JG: Right now, there is no Flash on the iPad. Adobe seems steamed about it as they have been over the exclusion on the iPhone. Without Flash many of today’s sites, such as Hulu, means we can’t access them. As an entertainment device without Hulu is frustrating. Won’t the JooJoo have Flash?
Robert: Flash and Hulu, little loss for me. I would say that people put far more desire into getting Flash support than needed. Sure there are times when I would like to have it, such as when I am trying to follow a link to something, but those are rare for me. No offense to all the Hulu fans, but there are plenty of other ways I can entertain myself.

Summary
Just because Robert and I don’t agree doesn’t mean that the iPad will win or lose. We recognize that the product was only demo’d briefly and there are tons of things we don’t know about. Apple has a pretty good way of building enthusiasm before launch and we expect that will happen again. The question is, will it be enough to entice you.