The "iPad": Beautiful but... sigh

In the sleek beauty of the "iPad", I saw a potentially unmatched sales aid

. Whether you are an entrepreneur selling your own business, or a corporate sales professional selling for someone else, I want you to think about getting rid of all those "sales pieces" and instead having a smooth slide show or even a short movie to start your next cold call, educate a customer, and close the deal. Aesthetically, the "iPad" offers all of that. There you are. You are confident in your product and your company. Your client isn't quite so sure. You have your presentation ready and your talking points memorized. This time, instead of handing over another spiral bound flip book or clunky laptop, you hand your prized customer this beautiful convergence of form and function.

The immediate "wow" factor in this device cannot be overstated. An "iPad" as a sales aid can be the next "must have" in the sales wardrobe. It is an awesome first impression. That, at least, is how we see it. At home, I already have three "iPods" and two "Apple TVs". The "iPad" is a fantastic improvement on even their interface and display capabilities. If you have a slideshow, a webpage, or even a movie you want to show in an intimate setting, there is nothing better.

I am disappointed to observe, though, that it doesn't provide much more than that.

This isn't about gigs and networks. This isn't about a camera or other hardware things it doesn't have (we already have a HD videocam, thanks). I could easily make it about that, but that would miss the point. This is about what the device does given what it could have been. And that is what is disappointing.

It certainly is quick. Not fast. Quick. The difference is that fast implies speed across a large number of complex tasks. This device is quick; it is optimized to do exactly what you want precisely when you tell it to do so. However, it won't do two or more things at once. Ok. Since getting the device, I did later go through Mr. Jobs's statements regarding the "iPad". It isn't a computer. Understand. Copy. However, this is 2010. If I pick up an electronic gadget this size, I am thinking: computer. At $800, I am thinking: computer. So, yes, I did struggle trying to figure out how to open both the Safari web browser and an application at the same time. Can I keep my e-book open and surf the web? Well, no. Can I even begin to have two or three things open at the same time? Well, it doesn't do that. Sigh.

So I'm past the first point. Quick is a good thing so I can tolerate some symptomatic shortfalls. I guess I can manage doing just one thing at a time. I went to the internet using the 3G. Wow! The page downloaded faster than I thought. I used it on my wi-fi network: again, wow! There was absolutely no problem going to even the most detailed websites. The "iPad" is looking better! I went to my webmail site to see what was new. I had an important email with an important attachment. .... somewhere, some of you are chuckling because you know what is coming next ... So I decided that I needed to save the attachment to my desktop. What? Huh? Are you kidding?

As much as I love our "iPods" and "Apple TVs", I have a Windows PC. The last time I really used a Mac, it was a "Mac Lisa" (showing my age now...). I figured maybe I was just missing a simple key or touch gesture combination. Following hours of research, I discovered that I wasn't missing anything. There is no desktop. In fact, there is no user accessible file management system.

Are you kidding? I have to go back to my main desktop computer, download the attachment from my webmail, and then sync it to my "iPad" through "iTunes" using an "app" if the file is compatible? What?!

Ten years ago, I had my favorite palm device ever: the "Casio E-100". I loved that device. "Windows CE", "Office 95" compatible, full stereo sound, and the ability to download, save, and even edit all of my documents. That was back in the last century. Now, eleven years later, I don't even get a simple file manager?

Several hours of research later, and I discover that the lack of a file manager is by design. Then things get even worse. Having some programming skills, I contemplated developing some code to provide the extra features we wanted. My contemplation stopped when I learned that absolutely every application for the "iPad" had to be approved by "Apple" and hosted on the "iTunes" store. The only exceptions granted were for larger businesses under very tight controls. Of course, to even begin developing code, I would need to go out and buy a Mac. No, thank you. My hand made "Windows XP" system is still doing great.

What a disappointment. I am really surprised that Apple aimed so low in this device. If this was a brand new company, I would have done some more research prior to purchasing. However I "assumed" Apple was really going to make their mark and leave "Android" device owners gasping. Instead, they should be laughing.

Going in, I knew it wasn't supposed to replace a full laptop. I knew it didn't have a camera. I knew it only had 64 GB. I understood that going in to the deal. You probably understand the same if you are looking into buying one. I at least thought it was a minimally functional computer with great display capabilities. I was wrong. Here's the bottom line: it's a toy. You probably already have GPS in your car so the map application is of no real use. The web browsing is nice, but your laptop and portable phone probably each already do that. The "app store" is full of games but who has time for that? Speaking of the "app store", if you want your "iPad" to do anything other than play music and movies, then you are going to be spending loads of frustrating time in the "app store".

The "iPad" isn't a miniature "Mac Book"; it is more accurately an enlarged "iPod" with 1/4 of the storage space. Sorry, but that is my honest opinion. If you really list the capabilities, it is far closer to the "iPod" entertainment device than to anything resembling a computer.

At the end of the day, we are able to use it as a pretty sales piece. However, it is a purchase I would not recommend.

p.s. Apple, I nearly bought an "iMac" the same week as buying the "iPod". Sadly, I've lost faith in your judgement with this overpriced device. I will instead be upgrading to Windows 7 in the future.

The "iPad": Beautiful but... sigh

By: Robert Casper

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