New iPad better than expected

I converted to Apple 5 years ago and quickly became an Apple advocate. Over the years I have bought an iPod, an iMac, a Mac PowerBook, 2 iPhones, a MacBook Pro as well as iLife & iWork. 


However, I had a lukewarm response to the pre-launch hype about the iPad. I couldn't see how the iPad could help me: as I always carry my iPhone around and (when working) a MacBook Pro. I just saw it as a 3rd device I don't need and I already carry around too much stuff.


Today, I wandered into the Apple Store at Cribbs Causeway, picked up the iPad and immediately fell in love with the device. It looked great, was very light and given my iPhone experience I was immediately able to use it without much thought.


Web pages looked great on it. Photos were brilliant. The keyboard was great. Even a KeyNote (PowerPoint) presentation looked good and I could imagine using it in a 1 to 1 situation. In a 2 minute scan, some of the apps / games loaded onto the device looked amazing. Reading a book was good too. I couldn't see a downside.


Before launching my web marketing agency Brand New Way, I worked in large corporates and spent all day rushing from meeting to meeting carrying a heavy, slow Windows PC without wifi access. If I worked in that sort of environment today, the iPad would be a brilliant mobile tool with the 'laptop' machine remaining at my desk.


So, having seen the iPad and spent 15 minutes using the device I am very, very impressed. However, given my current usage, I am not sure I could justify buying one today but watch this space...


Remember...web marketing is about solving customers' problems profitably. Peter Hawtin is an internet marketing specialist with Brand New Way, a UK web marketing agency which helps companies to attract and keep valuable customers online.