The iPad is a revolutionary product. It allows me to do things I’ve never been able to do before with a PC. While it has it’s limitations, I find myself using this device more and more instead of my Windows computer. Here is a list of six things that Microsoft and the legion of PC makers should take into consideration when designing new products.
1. Instant On. This is a big time saver. If I had the time I’ve wasted over the years waiting for computers to boot, I could take a long vacation. The main factor here is OS design and the use of flash memory. My iPad starts instantly when I open the smart cover. My netbook either tries to boot from hibernation, locks up, or has to boot from scratch. My last couple of notebooks had trouble with suspend mode. My desktop PC has trouble in power-saver mode. While things are getting better, PC operating systems should boot and recover quickly.
2. No Moving Parts. The iPad is a solid state machine utilizing flash memory. There are no moving parts to wear out, such as hard drives or cooling fans. This helps the machine last longer, run quieter, and start quicker. While many PC manufacturers are moving this way, it is something to consider when buying a new computer.
3. Simple Touch Interface. The iPad is a complete machine. I don’t have to have a keyboard, mouse, or other interface to work with it. I can type quickly on the glass screen and use my fingers for navigation. There are no keys or moving parts to wear out. My desktop PC has cords, plugs, and peripherals all over the place that collect dust and grime over time. Just getting rid of the cords is a major step forward.
4. App Store. This is huge. I can choose from thousands of free or low cost applications from hundreds of vendors, and download them to my iPad in just seconds. I don’t have to leave my home, go to the store, and pick up an overpriced software product. There are no installation hassles, rootkit protection, or CD problems. Once my iPad is initially setup I can buy what I want, when I want. Try doing this with Windows, MS Office, or many other PC software products.
5. Instant Uninstall. Have you ever tried to uninstall a program in Windows? It’s not very intuitive and can leave behind lots of baggage. On the iPad, I just select the icon of the program I want to uninstall, hold down my finger and select the red x. The iPad asks me if I really want to uninstall, and Viola… the program is gone. What installs easy also goes away easy!
6. 10 Hour Battery Life. For a mobile device, this allows me to work all day without having to worry about power cords or recharging stations. I can leave my charger at home. This takes the hassle of adapters and cords out of my work environment. The closest thing I have to this is my Netbook with a heavy extra capacity battery that will go 5 to 6 hours. This doesn’t quite cut the cord.
Overall: The iPad has revolutionized the way many people interface with technology. While it hasn’t replaced the PC yet, for many people it’s really all they need. For reading e-mail, surfing the web, and conversing on Facebook it’s hard to beat. Tomorrow, I’ll put up my iPad wish list for some things that are missing and should be included on the iPad 3.
Question: Have you tried an iPad yet?