As the title suggests, I have had my iPad for a week, and am testing out Steve Jobs comments that it is going to change everything. Let me put into context that my interest is in the iPad as a business tool – more than an entertainment device. If you want something to help you kill time with video, audio, and ebooks, it is a great option over a Kindle. And I love my Kindle. If you are trying to make a decision on buying one, and you have a Kindle, you will love this because it will give you eReader capability and lots more. From a business viewpoint, and this is a business blog after all, I will stick with discussion the iPad as something that can actually help with productivity in some way.

My general comment is that it seems to be a combination of an iPhone and a computer. It is more than an iPhone, and less than a laptop – maybe that is more succinct. Out of the box, you really must buy a non-glare screen. It fingerprints horribly without one. You also need a case or binder with it because it is just not safe to be carrying it around naked. Drop it once, and you will be heartbroken. Apple really should have included both of these with the device in my opinion. I found it interesting that iTunes synced my iPhone apps over to my iPad. That caused me to delete a bunch of them that were not relevant to an iPad. Other than that, the setup is pretty easy. The applications that you normally use, Safari, iMail, and iTunes, etc, work in different ways than on the laptop or iPhone. That took me a bit to get used to.

I carried it around with me at a client’s office for a couple of days just to see if I could use it instead of my laptop. For many things yes, but those are the same things I would have done on my iPhone, just with a smaller screen. Without having MS Office, or my files in the device, its value in meetings was limited somewhat. It is great for looking things up on the Web, and doing email while in a meeting. I downloaded the Wall Street Journal and USA Today apps and like the way those work on the iPad. I used Fring to make a phone call to my office on the iPad. That was kind of fun. Then I tried keeping it in the living room with me at night so I could check things, and kill time during boring parts of my evening with it. For me, that means checking Tweetdeck or the like. I guess I would have to say that it does replace the laptop in about 50% of the cases that I might have that device in my lap. Now, let’s talk about what it does not have that it needs to have…

In no particular order… It needs a front facing camera so we can do video calls with it. Clearly needs Microsoft Office. It needs a better way to move files on and off it from your laptop. A clever version of the Magic Mouse that would let you keep your fingers off the device and be more concise with pointing would be nice. This one may sound a little fuzzy, but we need some applications that are built specifically for the strengths of the devices – areas where it is unique to an iPhone or laptop. I want to see these apps in the area of productivity. How can it help me be more efficient or informed.

I guess I need to give my “buy or wait” decision now… I am glad I have one – although I did get it for my birthday. I suspect that I will make it a useful part of my life over the next month or so. The decision probably has less to do with is it valuable, and more to do with is there a return on investment for the price. The reality you cannot escape is that you can do just about everything on your iPhone and laptop. So maybe you should just ask for one for your birthday, Mothers Day, or Fathers Day so you don’t have to wrestle with the decision.

Scott Klososky
Scott@klososky.com