As this is written the iPad is about 2 weeks old and I have owned one since the first day of release. That first week was spent while on vacation and I got plenty of time to interact with the setup, apps, and "relaxed" use cases. Week 2 saw the iPad torture tested in a work environment.
Unlike so many that had to be "first" to say something about the iPad -- even if they didn't own one -- mine has been a measured silence on the machine. After years of writing and reacting, I try now not to be the typical tech blogger; fast on the trigger with first impressions that are often wrong headed. I'm hoping somebody might read this a few months or years from now and find some guidance in these words as they consider getting their first iPad or xPad or MagicPaper or whatever it will subsequently be called.
Let's deal with this whole business of iPad envy. If you've got it, please admit it. I've heard from a few that are waiting for the "second" or "next" generation of iPad. You know; the more capable one. Well... This one is pretty capable. Please, name a new technology that wasn't improved in its follow-up iteration. Holding and using an iPad, I am constantly reminded that this is not a first generation device. It is a forth generation touch mobile device from Apple. (After the original iPhone, the iPod touch and the 3G iPhones.) While it does show applications immaturity, the hardware combination is one of the best I have ever used. That almost never happens with a first generation device and with the iPad, we can see that Apple has done its homework. I will grant that there are technology skeptics out there that don't want to be burned by a new device but please make sure that you have thoroughly test driven the product at a store before you pronounce it not ready until version 2.
What about those who just cannot find something to do with the iPad? Well, fair enough, provided you haven't had much time to test it or you just don't have a work flow to support it. If however, you are someone like Jeff Jarvis, then please spare us the goofy stunt of re-boxing your iPad because you don't know what to do with it ( http://www.buzzmachine.com/2010/04/10/reboxing/ ). Coming from Jarvis, that video sounded insincere and I'm sure that is not what he was going for. Opinions like Jarvis' and the much yammered Doctorow's ( http://www.boingboing.net/2010/04/02/why-i-wont-buy-an-ipad-and-think-you-shouldnt-either.html ) seem more rooted in politics than use cases so they just are not very contributory.
My initial assessments -- before release -- have been substantially validated with heavy use. This is a device that will wow you on first use and continue to deliver.
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