Are you a dedicated Mac user?  Recent studies show that the iPad is currently selling at a much quicker pace than the Mac desktops. The iPad is also quickly gaining speed on the iPhone; the iPad is averaging sales close to that of the iPhone.  200,000 iPads are estimated to be sold each week while the Mac is averaging 110,000 being sold.  Apple announced, in just a few short days, May 28th, the iPad will go international being sold in Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, U.K., Japan, Italy, and Switzerland. Now that sales of the iPad are being calculated and graphed, the first prediction of sales in 2010 of 5 million has now boosted to 8 million according to RBC Capital Markets analyst, Mike Abramsky.  In some areas of the countries iPads are consistently sold out. 

There are many different versions of the iPad serving people in different ways.  You can buy the iPad with 16, 32, or 64 GB and with 3G and/or Wi-Fi.  It has a 9.7-inch LED screen; it is .5-inches thin and weighs only 1.5 lbs.  The major differences between the 3G and Wi-Fi version are the SIM card board, 3G chip, and an antenna.  The antenna is attached to the display assembly.  When buying the 3G iPad you can purchase 3G service from different wireless companies such as AT&T.  When purchasing the 3G service from AT&T it will cost you $15 a month for limited use or you could spend $30 per month for unlimited use.  Prices of the iPad range from $499 to $899.

With all of the hype and soaring sales from the iPad, is it everything it is made out to be or is it just eye candy? Is it just a bigger version of the iPhone or is the iPad a happy medium between the iPhone and a Mac, making many people’s lives easier and simpler? 

I will start with the disadvantages of the iPad. First, the iPad is very awkward.  When using it you have to place it on a solid surface in front of you or on your lap because it is too big to use like your iPhone.  When you are out and about it poses as an inconvenience not being able to prop the iPad like a laptop.  This makes this “handy” device difficult for use.  Also, the iPad is very fragile.  It is very sleek with smooth surfaces and weighs more than your iPhone which is a set up for disaster.  The iPad is not shock proof so if it slips through your hands your very expensive device is doomed.  

On the flip side, the iPad is a great place to keep everything and anything in one dedicated space. You won’t need all of those sticky notes and books lying all over your desk.  You can download all of your favorite books, photos, music and games and use them from the iPad.  You can manage your work and entire schedule, as well as your families and employees schedules through the iPad.  If you love “to do” list, like me, there is a dedicated place to keep all of your different notes.  Here you can keep your grocery list, recipes, and even quick tid bits you need to remember. For a device that can store all of these features, it is worth the money to have this life organizer.  Think about the money wasted on books, printing pictures, sticky notes and daily newspapers.  In the long run, the iPad is a great way to save time and money.