Don't Be Disappointed by iPad
Most people are disappointed by iPad. They shouldn't be. Here's my take:
"Kindle is better."
Sure, Kindle has a longer battery life and uses e-ink. If you're an avid reader, then Kindle is what you need. But if you like to read every now and then, iPad will still be a comparable e-book reader. And since it's connected to the internet, you'll be able to add a bit of social to it. iPad isn't meant to be just an e-book reader, it will allow you to use it for more than just one purpose. It's impossible for one device to be better than everything and have every possible feature.
"It's just an oversized iTouch."
This one is my favourite. The size of iPad is key. It's 7.47x9.56", so it's a bit smaller than a regular 8.5x11" paper, but the ratio is almost exactly the same, which means it's going to feel very natural in your hands. The size is what's going to make iPad such a joy to use; it will just feel right. And since it has multi-touch, iPad is going to make computing feel less like using a machine and more like using any real object (book, magazine, agenda, photograph).
Desktops require a "workstation" and aren't portable at all. Some laptops are portable, but it still feels like you're working on a machine. Netbooks are smaller but they burn your lap and it still doesn't feel natural; you still have a clunky keyboard and mouse/trackpad. Smartphones like the iPhone and Droid are too small to achieve the level of intimacy that iPad will bring.
Eventually, you'll be able to replace common objects like novels, textbooks, magazines, newspapers, photo albums, all with an iPad(s), and it will still feel very similar because of the size and multi-touch screen. You cannot say this about any other category of device. The size makes all the difference!
"WTF, NO FLASH!?"
Although there will probably be apps for Hulu and all other big Flash-using websites, this is kind of a bummer because it would be nice to have the full web in your hands when you use iPad. It would be nice to use the browser to visit any site without having missing content or opening a separate app.
It's going to be great for students
Imagine not having to carry around textbooks. Imagine replacing your agenda with something that's likely the exact same size. Imagine your desk with just iPad (containing your textbooks, agenda, school files, and the web), paper, and a pencil. iPad will make this a reality very soon.
Most people don't need a full-fledged computer
As mentioned by Daniel Tenner, most people don't need a full-fledged computer. Take a moment and think what you actually use on your computer. For most people, it's simply:
- Browser - Email, social, news, shopping, banking, maps
- Productivity - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Reader
- Entertainment - Music, movies, games
All this is available on iPad. For most people, this is enough, and that's why iPad will be a success, whether or not it has all the features on your wishlist.
If you need more, say, a camera for video chat, a bigger screen for graphics design, more resources for software development, then you'll need to get on your laptop or desktop; the "workstation."
Conclusion
iPad has created a new category of device because it's the first to make computing feel natural given its size and multi-touch capabilities. It also has everything most people need when they need a computer, including me. My laptop has a lonely road ahead...