For

With the early reviews in, the iPad just looks downright fun. The apps seem amazing and are far deeper and more immersive than what is on the iPhone. One thing I was already sold on was the form factor: I believe the nature of the web and media make a slate-device a welcome addition. The web is now something we read, watch, and interact with throughout the day. This very well could be an enjoyable way to consume media content. Many reviews also indicate that light productivity is possible, and that the keyboard doesn’t totally suck. I’m still skeptical of that one (oh sorry, this is supposed to be the For section).

Also, the 3G pricing scheme is very tempting. The flexibility of ordering 3G coverage for just a month is outstanding and just right for travel bugs such as myself. If I do decide to get one, it would definitely be a 3G iPad (which of course means waiting until the end of April, sigh).

Against

The iPad is an Apple product, so of course that means some mind-boggling limitations. And as expected, there are plenty. The most glaring being the lack of multitasking or Flash support. As I type this blog post on my Windows 7 desktop, I can’t help but think the way the iPad functions is a bit counter-intuitive to how I use the web. Being able to quickly flip through tabs in Google Chrome to access new content, respond to an email, IM, etc. will be hard to live without. I can live with the iPhone’s limitations because it’s a phone. But I wonder how limiting this will feel on a larger device. Apple claims the iPad is the best way to surf the web and experience e-mail. It will have to do a phenomenal job to complete with my 23-inch Samsung LCD monitor.

Finally, I already have a mid-range device in a 12-inch ultraportable laptop. It’s starting to show its age, but I’m not sure replacing it with an iPad would be enough. With a wonderful desktop display and a laptop, both running Windows 7, I currently have no restrictions on content. For all the wonderful things an Apple device can do, it always comes with trade-offs. And by the looks of things, there are many.

Wrap-up

The final thing to remember is that comparing the iPad to a notebook is not necessarily accurate. Steve Jobs placed this device as its own category, between a notebook and iPhone (of course I’m not sure where that leaves us who use a desktop and ultra-portable notebook). The idea is that the iPad will excel at activities that may be too small on an iPhone, yet be more comfortable and fun on a slate computer. I believe it is a great device, I’m just not sold that I need another gadget to haul around.

Those are my thoughts for now. I’ll update this post after having some hands-on time.

I have returned from blogging purgatory. The past month I was swamped with teaching two University classes – one online and one on-site. Needless to say that, combined with the day job, left me time for little else. One class has wrapped up and the other is in its last week, so I am looking forward to getting back into the writing game; especially my posting to this blog and AppCraver. Especially since there is quite a bit going on with Apple’s new iPhone, Windows 7 (which I’m sporting on my new desktop), President Obama’s Mideast travels, you get the picture. I am looking forward to the conversation.

This is starting to feel like my pursuit of an iPhone.

I especially like how it is not even “check back later.” Instead it is, “we’re completly overrun, give it up for today.” Anyone else out there having success? Thoughts on the download?