So, I got my tax refund a few weeks ago. It’s one of those things I both love and hate – I love getting money that I didn’t have in my pocket, but I hate that I gave the government an interest-free loan. Nonetheless, we have extra cash, and that meant it’s time to get my deferred Christmas gift! Woo-hoo!
So, I ended up getting the iPad with Retina Display (a.k.a. iPad 3), with 128 GB storage, and Verizon Wireless cellular connection. I have to say, it’s pretty sweet, and I was reluctant to become a tablet user for a while.
A big part of my enjoyment is this little number – Logitech’s Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad. This links up via Bluetooth to the iPad, and is a comfortably-sized keyboard. My biggest hesitation for getting a tablet was the awkward soft keyboards they typically have. With this Logitech item, I have a nearly-perfect replacement for a laptop.
Right now, as I type this, I’m at Coco Key in Mt. Laurel, NJ for a belated birthday celebration for my middle daughter. Due to a killer headache, I’m on the side of the pools and rides, in pain but bored. So, I decided to activate this iPad’s cellular connection. Since I’m using this new toy, I wanted to share it with you!
What strikes me at this time is how easy it is to connect to and communicate with the world, AND how many people, myself included, take this for granted. I shudder to think of how we would react if it were suddenly taken away from us! :-O
So, anyway, if you have an iPad, take a look at Logitech’s keyboard. If you’re thinking of getting a tablet, look into the iPad, or, if not the iPad, look at a keyboard for a tablet. For me, it makes the difference between an awkward, expensive, but useless piece of technology and a useful tool capable of replacing a laptop.
Final note: If anyone knows of a way to insert pictures and change the options in the mobile WordPress app in the same way as the web interface, please let me know. I wanted to post this using solely the iPad app, but I’m not happy with the look, and may modify it once I get home.
Here's The Beef 
Looks nice. My tax return wasn’t so nice so I got myself a Chromebook.
I like the Chromebook, too, and wouldn’t mind having one if I didn’t have my iPad, as long as I could use an external keyboard with it.
I really like the iPad, though I don’t think I would give up a laptop to use one full time. The other week I had to configure a bunch of iPads and while I don’t know if it sped things up significantly, it did feel a lot quicker with a bluetooth keyboard attached.
For me, the jury is still out as far as replacing my laptop goes, but it certainly works great for the more utilitarian functions, like e-mail, Twitter, web browsing, etc..
Yay, I love my iPad. Although I a) wish I had a mini and b) would never give up my laptop either. There are some things you just can’t do on a iPad, as annoying as that is.
More than a few people looked at me weird and asked, “Why didn’t you get an iPad Mini?” I suppose I like the larger screen, and the Retina display was just too delicious. 😉 And I’m certainly not ready to throw away my laptop, don’t you worry about that! 🙂
Congratulations! I was also reluctant to get a tablet until the iPad mini came out. Then I got one, and just as I was beginning to ponder keyboard options, I killed it in a tragic gravity-related incident that made me choose between potential hip replacement surgery for my 92-year-old grandpa and the aforementioned piece of hardware. Oh, well.
I’ll get another one next year (no tax returns here in Mexico), and maybe they’ll have retina on the iPad mini 2… 😛
Enjoy it, Mark!
Re: WordPress on iPad/iPhone: the functionality is rather limited. The only way I know to add the photos is to upload them in the “media” section (I’m using a self-hosted blog) and then insert the code for them into the text. Boring and time-consuming… I’m waiting for them to add that functionality. I’d love to replace my laptop for that on the road.
M