I was at the Apple store, trying to find out why my 3-year-old iMac had suddenly stopped going on the internet via wireless. (Turned out to be a software glitch in the router rather than the iMac.) While I waited, I tried both the iPad and the new iMac 27" with the i7 processor.
Result:
Couldn’t be more ho-hum about the iPad. I can see using it for a document reader on my job, but it’s too gen 1 for me to spend actual money on it. As for writing with the thing while traveling or out and about; Why? My Macbook is great, and, if I need almost weightless, toss-it-in-the-bag easy, I have an Alphasmart.
If I could use the iPad for database work while on the move, that would actually serve a serious purpose, but it doesn’t run Filemaker. Even if it did run Filemaker, the hard drive’s too small. As for reading, watching movies on the go; I like iPhone and paperbacks. Maybe, the improved version to come will offer some usefulness that will make my life easier. But not now. Not for me.
On the other hand, I am in lust for the iMac. The machine I have now was loaded up with the biggest hard drive, most ram, etc, when I bought it. The payoff is that it not only runs like a new machine, it’s still, after all these years, all I need. Sooooo … I won’t throw it over for a shiny new model, not yet. But in a year? When the iMac will be even more lust-worthy? I’m already saving my pennies.