iPad is a strange device. I’ve already read a few reviews from critics and pundits and it seems they all agree on a few things. First, it’s pretty cool. Second, it’s going to have an impact on the PC industry in general as folks follow Apple’s innovation. Third, a few point out that it’s not for geeks like me and it’s okay if I don’t get it.

Here’s the thing, I get it though. I get that many of Apple’s loyal fans are geeks like me. I get that Apple needs it’s core audience just as much as it needs to branch out. Apple’s been doing really good at doing this and it’s the reason why they’ve been so successful in recent memory.

But what I didn’t get is how the iPad will be used and who will be using it. It’s too many things and suffers from an identity crisis of sorts. So, I was having a heck of time trying to explain it to myself, not with-standing that I have to write about it for Tech Bucket Blog.

The best way I could explain it is actually by looking at typical buyers of Apple stuff and say to each one where iPad is going to fit. From there, it should become clear. I didn’t break things down into age groups, but more based on the kind of thoughts that were running into my head while I was playing with iPad. To me, it felt like something a frequent traveller would want, an avid reader, a student, a general business/corporate kinda person (office, meetings, work type), and of course us general gadget hound geeks.

Here goes:

The Business/Frequent Traveller


Actually makes a lot of sense for a someone who’s traveling a lot. Simple digital note taking means you don’t need to whip out your laptop everywhere you go. iPad offers ultra portability with note-taking in a digital format. Easy to type, easier to get onto your computer when you’re done (no need to retype into an e-mail later). You can watch movies on the plane, listen to music, read books, or play games. Typically something you need 3-5 items for in your carry on if you want to accomplish all of those tasks. iPad means you won’t have to fight for limited overhead bin space or you can actually put other stuff in your carry-on instead of gear.

Benefits:

• Ultra-portable pack and go “lite” computer.
• Leave laptop in your rental or back at the hotel room.
• Easy note-taking interface, no need to type notes in later.
• WiFi+3G at $24/month means cheap on-line access everywhere you go.

Drawbacks:


What? Do you see any? I don’t. Being a frequent business traveller, I welcome the iPad to my breifcase!

Students


I can’t see the iPad really making an impact on education. Of course many colleges and Unis already put courses on iTunes and you’re able to access it with your laptop or iPod Touch/iPhone now. Having an iPad for a student seems like a luxury, more want than need. But I’ve never been a student that liked digital formats for learning. In fact, I prefer books and hand written notes. If professors had PowerPoint, I always printed them ahead of time to take notes on. It just was easier for me to process information and pick it up. I found I retained better when I wrote it myself than when I just listened and watched. There’s science to prove me right, I just don’t know where it is. But it’s there!!!

Seriously though, I’ve tried taking notes on my laptop, but it just never worked for me. Too many distractions and I’m not that fast of a touch typist. It was just easier and quicker to take notes on pen and paper and I liked it that way.

Besides, most professors I had actually made you close your laptop in class to keep you focused. C’mon folks…how many times did you do something else while in class? Be honest.

For books, I personally prefer paper text books. I can flip quick and write/highlight in the book itself and keep it forever if I wanted to. Digital format, I’m just not keen on digital format for text-books. Books to read for fun and leisurely learning, okay, but paid course work? Give me a physical text every time.

(Sorry no benefits/drawbacks bulleted list here, just don’t think iPad will work for students more than a gadget/gear that they’ll want)

Readers


If you like to read and carry a lot of books around, then iPad might be for you. There are cheaper readers out there that will allow you to read public domain books, they also have their own stores as well. And these readers do one thing, displaying text like books, really really well. Simple easy to use, but single purpose. That’s not really a bad thing.

With any e-book rader, there are drawbacks a plenty (not being able to share, DRM’d so securely you’d think you were at Fort Knox, and the list goes on). Eye-strain, running out of power, purchasing books that you can’t share, and stuff that I haven’t even thought of.

There’s plenty of positives too. Perhaps none more so than being able to carry around a whole bunch of books in a digital device. But still, the selection is limited and you might not be able to get “Studies In Anthropology” or “Grey’s Anatomy” on iBooks or any e-book reader’s store for that matter.

So, it’s tricky really as what iPad will do for these folks.

Benefits:

• “Pack” a ton of books in your iPad and go anywhere/find anything.
• WiFi+3G at $24/month means cheap on-line access everywhere you go.
• Check e-mail and read books in one simple device.

Drawbacks:

• Might not have the book you’re looking for (limited publishers, but a lot of big ones)
• You really can’t share a book in iBooks like you do with a real one, it will be limited, just not sure how yet.
• Display is sharp, but not paper like, so you might get eye-strain if you’re reading like a book for extended periods of time
• Will eventually run out of power.

Four walls and a cubicle type?


For business people around the office in general, iPad makes a lot of sense. It’s about as big as a compo notepad and about as thick too. Just heavier, like you put a metal plate inside a notepad and you’ve got the iPad weight. Not really heavy, just heavy-er.

Going from desk to meeting, I can imagine someone just carrying an iPad around and docking it with their desktop upon returning. All their notes would be transferred without having to lug their laptop around. But beyond that, I can’t really see how someone in an office would use an iPad.

So, if I were an office manager, I couldn’t really justify the costs when pen, paper and laptop (or desktop) are pretty much what most office people would need. Mobile messaging and communications are pretty well covered by a smartphone anyways.

(Sorry! No list here either!)

Gadget Hounds
Us geeks, general gadget hounds. We’re going to want an iPad just because it’s new and cool. Apple fans are going to enjoy this and maybe it’ll get them to read more or read in a different format that Apple’s pushing.

Sure, most of us will be confused a little and some of us with iPhones already will probably not want one. Those of us without iPhones will probably get one these, and that kind of split will be common when it comes to iPad.

Still…I gotta tell you…this thing is going kick ass on the can. Really. I can’t imagine a better devices to read newspapers, e-mail, browse the web, play games, watch movies with on the can. Really. So, you geeks, get it.

Benefits:

• Awesome “on the can” experience. We didn’t test, but we can imagine.
• Lots of functionality on a bigger screen than iPhone/iPod Touch.
• All kinds of geeky coolness
• Paired with a cheaper iPod for music, iPad is probably the better choice than an iPhone (cheaper in the long run)

Drawbacks:

• I can’t vouch for ATT’s 3G coverage. Might be faster than Verizon, but you have to find it first.
• Pretty costly just for reading and browsing web.
• Not really as on-the go as your iPhone/iPod Touch, kinda big.
• Size is going to make you look like a doofus when whipping it out waiting in line.
• If you don’t frequently carry around a bag, it’s weird. Men, find a man-purse. Women with bigger purses, might be okay.
• WiFi alone or 3G added cost? Debatable.

For me, I don’t need 3G as it’s pretty darned awkward and goofy looking to whip out an iPad like I do my smartphone. I’m not going to be taking iPad out everytime I’m looking for something, so WiFi is really all that I need. I have a phone that travels with me wherever I go to look up stuff or find myself if I get lost. I don’t need an almost 10″ high device to whip out (oh boy..that phrase just looks wrong).

So…after having said all of that, what are we looking at with the iPad? It seems to me like it’s really destined for a certain few groups while others will just awe and stare. Unlike the ubiquitous iPod, I think most folks will want one, but not get one.

I’m still not sure if I’ll get one, but I already promised the Editors here a 16GB, WiFi one, and they’re making me keep my word. We’ll definitely have detailed reviews when iPad ships.

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