Why I Won’t Be Buying the iPad

I think the iPad and devices like it will be the future of mobile computing. However, the technology is not there yet. The power isn’t there yet, so in essense you will be walking around with iTouch XXL.

Let’s dive into all the reasons that I will not buy one and then see the positives that will come out of the release.

Reason For Not Buying:

• 1st generation products are notoriously problematic. They are expensive and don’t have many features that people want.
• 2nd generation iPad will have more features and will be cheaper.
• The app store will be established and you will know what you are getting into.
• The price is actually pretty good, so that means the 2nd generation will be ridiculously low.
• How will the 3G network handle the extra bandwidth that the iPad apps will require. AT&T already has issue with iPhone apps, what will happen with the new data intensive apps like hulu, Netflix, and others?
  • I know that there is WiFi connectivity, but I see the iPad as mobile tool and as such there are many places that simply don’t have WiFi or it is blocked from public use. I see major issues here.
  • I’m sure this issue will resolve itself…
• What does this replace/How will I use it?
  • The iPad doesn’t replace my laptop.
  • Not my phone.
  • I would use it when I travel. But, because I still have to bring my laptop I would be taking both, even when my laptop can do everything that the iPad can do.
  • I have a Kindle so that might be another reason that I am waiting this one out.
• Other manufacturers are going to come out with some great products within 6-12 months.
  • We already have these products: http://jkrums.it/c2yJj5
  • Think how the smartphone industry was revolutionized by the iPhone. The same could happen after the release of the iPad. Other manufactures will see how the iPad is built and be able to take the best functionality from it.
  • In a year we could have 5-6  comparable devices.
• Closed v. Open
  • You can only buy iPad apps from their market place.
  • Developers will start to get fed up with the approval process and leave if there is a viable alternative. I’m thinking it will take a year to get something that could be on the same level.

I’m sure I missed a lot of things, but these are my main reasons for not buying it yet.

Positives:

• Reading magazines/interactive media becomes an event. SI and others have spent a lot of time to develop their apps and I think this will be one of the shinning stars of the iPad.
• Replaces about 70% of your laptop. If we can get that percentage higher it would be very attractive as a laptop alternative.
• Watch movies, tv shows, etc… It’s a great multimedia device. It’s a portable dvd player on steroids.
• Potential for a lot of very powerful apps that could control your house
  • Schedule your air conditioning, remote for your TV, monitor your electric usage,  etc…

Overall, there are a lot of positives that the iPad will bring to the market. It will put pressure on other companies to get serious about the tablet market, which will benefit everyone. Even tho I’m not buying this one, I would say there is a very high chance that I will by the 2nd generation iPad.

Let me  know what you think.