subject: It's not a sweater for The gift of iPad [print this page] It's not a sweater for The gift of iPad It's not a sweater for The gift of iPad
Though theiPad certainly trumps a sweater as a gift, its utility can get lost on some people.
Why? Apple's tablet doesn't fall neatly into the well-worn parameters of personal computers of the past. So, here are five things to consider when giving and receiving the cool, new device.
iPad gift-giving--a few things to keep in mind:
Stump the user: I was pretty clueless when I first started using the iPad. I was convinced it was a solution seeking a problem. That changed, but it took time. Don't expect to find the iPad as an eminently useful device right off the bat.
Writer's block: After I started using the iPad more and more, I naturally wanted to use it as a productivity tool. You know, just like a laptop. Wrong. Though I do some writing and other light productivity, it ain't a laptop. That's what my MacBook Air is for.
Flash fan (not): So, how's that lack of Adobe Flash support working out for ya? That's what I always want to ask other iPad owners, to see if it's as big a non-issue as Apple claims. Generally, it's not a giant issue for me, though I know that some people see it clearly as a deal breaker.
3G for me: Maybe it's just me, but I think an iPad without 3G is like, well, aniPhone without 3G. I use my iPad when I'm on the road constantly. I just can't imagine using an iPad to its full potential without it.
Safari light: Remember that the iPad's Safari browser is not the same Safari that's on theMac. Because of the iPad's relatively large screen (compared to the iPhone) I forget sometimes that it's really just an oversized smartphone and that it has a smartphone's stripped-down browser.
