The iPad: It's not a question of if, but of when

The iPad is here. FT reports:

Brandishing an iPad, which appeared similar to an iPhone but with a bigger screen, Mr Jobs said the device would have a wide range of uses, from emailing and web browsing to viewing video and reading e-books....

The iPad will start shipping in the US in 60 days, with a price of $499 for a bottom of the range model which can only connect wirelessly using WiFi and Bluetooth technologies and has 16 gigabytes of storage, Apple said. The top of the range version, with 64 gigabytes and the ability to connect to AT&T’s 3G wireless network, would sell for $829, it added. Mr Jobs said Apple hoped to launch the product internationally in June or July.

The iPad has a screen measuring 9.7 inches diagonally, weighs 1.5 pounds and has 10 hours of battery life, Mr Jobs said.

I want one. I don't need one. But I want one. I love my Mac, my iPod, and my iPhone. They look great. They work great. Very high hedonistic value.

I see no reason to think the iPad will be any different. The iPad will be fun to use at home as an entertainment adjunct and on short trips as a laptop replacement. (Even if the name does sound like a feminine hygiene product.)

The only question is when to buy. There's bound to be a few glitches for early adopters and, if the iPhone is any precedent, the price is bound to come down sooner rather than later.

Apropos of which, the FT article continues:

“Apple generally gets it right the first time, they usually only make minor adjustments later,” said Roger Kay, an analyst at Endpoint Associates.

So maybe wait a month after first release?

Comments

[Surly-curmudgeon.blogspot.com]

No Flash, no multitasking? No sale!

[Steve Bainbridge]

Also no USB port, which sucks.

[Cornellian]

I'll probably wait for a few in-depth reviews and, assuming no serious problems are identified, grab one. Can't say I really need one, but I kinda want one.

[Charles]

Six months -- enough time for Apple to work out unforseen major problems, like the overheating CPUs on the first generation of Intel-based laptops.

[save_the_rustbelt]

After fine tuning this will be a game changer, no doubt.

Hey dear, about my birthday........