For the second time since it went on sale, I got a chance to spend a lot of time with an iPad earlier this week. I still think it’s gorgeous, and I still love that it’s using the iPhone operating system. If I can ever afford one, I’ll be creating all sorts of cartoons, movies, and photo-manipulated images on it.
What I won’t be doing with it is reading ebooks, because it’s heavy. It’s heavy and thick and just plain uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time. If you can prop it up on a table or your lap, you’re golden. If you plan on holding it the way you would a Kindle 2, you’d better start strength-training your forearms and wrists.
Let me provide some context here: I’m not just an iPhone user, but a gadget-obsessed geek who runs my 3GS at full speed pretty much every day of the week. (The Kindle product review videos on this site are made on my iPhone.) I know the iProduct lineup pretty well, and I could probably temp at the Apple Store in a crunch. I’m not a fanboy, but I don’t hate Apple either. They make nice things.
And so, like millions of other people out there, I’ve been sort of pining for an iPad since it went on sale. I can’t say I need one, but if I had an extra $500 lying around I’d probably be playing with an iPad right now instead of typing this.
I’m not trashing the iPad, I guess is what I’m trying to get across. But after about half an hour of holding it non-stop while I tested various apps and settings, I realized I was putting it down on the table whenever I could to give my arms a rest.
Obviously this shouldn’t dissuade you from an iPad purchase if it’s what you really want. My larger point is just that when it comes to consumer electronics, you really need to comparison shop in person if you can. I would have never known about the weight issue with the iPad had I simply bought it online.
(Note that all Target locations are supposed to start selling the Kindle in June 2010.)
(Photo: Veronica Belmont)
The iPad: a beautiful ebook reader for people with strong arms
For the second time since it went on sale, I got a chance to spend a lot of time with an iPad earlier this week. I still think it’s gorgeous, and I still love that it’s using the iPhone operating system. If I can ever afford one, I’ll be creating all sorts of cartoons, movies, and photo-manipulated images on it.
What I won’t be doing with it is reading ebooks, because it’s heavy. It’s heavy and thick and just plain uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time. If you can prop it up on a table or your lap, you’re golden. If you plan on holding it the way you would a Kindle 2, you’d better start strength-training your forearms and wrists.
Let me provide some context here: I’m not just an iPhone user, but a gadget-obsessed geek who runs my 3GS at full speed pretty much every day of the week. (The Kindle product review videos on this site are made on my iPhone.) I know the iProduct lineup pretty well, and I could probably temp at the Apple Store in a crunch. I’m not a fanboy, but I don’t hate Apple either. They make nice things.
And so, like millions of other people out there, I’ve been sort of pining for an iPad since it went on sale. I can’t say I need one, but if I had an extra $500 lying around I’d probably be playing with an iPad right now instead of typing this.
I’m not trashing the iPad, I guess is what I’m trying to get across. But after about half an hour of holding it non-stop while I tested various apps and settings, I realized I was putting it down on the table whenever I could to give my arms a rest.
Obviously this shouldn’t dissuade you from an iPad purchase if it’s what you really want. My larger point is just that when it comes to consumer electronics, you really need to comparison shop in person if you can. I would have never known about the weight issue with the iPad had I simply bought it online.
(Note that all Target locations are supposed to start selling the Kindle in June 2010.)
(Photo: Veronica Belmont)