I want to begin this post by saying how I first felt about the iPad. When it was first revealed, in all it’s slim, shiny glory, I was definitely impressed by the design. However, I, like many others, was very underwhelmed by what I thought it could do.

I mean, after all, isn’t it just a glorified iPhone?

It seemed like it did just what the pocket sized iPhone or iPod touch does. But with a bigger screen. And no camera.

However, as I began to investigate more, I realized- it’s a very different animal after all.

Where I believe the real potential of the iPad lies is in it’s apps, and how they utilize the lovely large sized iPad screen. As a web developer, I was instantly impressed when I saw the Gusto app, which is kind of like Coda or Dreamweaver, but slimmed down and put on the iPad for mobile development. After I bought my iPad, I greatly enjoyed bringing my new toy to a coffee shop with a friend and tinkering with my websites. No more lugging my laptop around to do the same simple work on the go.

Of course I have lots of other development apps I can ogle about, like Sketchbook Pro which let’s me draw out my ideas and zip it over to an artist by email or send to a client for approval or adobe ideas which has similar functionality. But instead I want to also touch on the entertainment factor of the iPad.

I. Love. The ABC and Netflix apps.

There’s few things I enjoy more than relaxing and watching movies and TV shows, and with these apps I can do that ANYWHERE with an Internet connection. I’ve already enjoyed watching things while lying in bed and sitting on the couch. Plus, with my Bluetooth headphones, there are no wires to fumble with. I only wish that other networks, like NBC and FOX would jump on the bandwagon.

My final point in my mediocre review is the portability factor of the device. The iPad is one of the few devices I can honestly consider highly portable. The battery life on this thing is crazy. I feel like I rarely need to charge it at all. Even watching movies, I get amazing battery life (10-12 hours on a single charge). This means when I take it somewhere, like a coffee shop, there’s no need to bring any cables or worry if there’s an outlet by my table or chair.

The thing also doesn’t seem to generate much heat at all, if any. I can’t say I enjoy when my laptop nearly sets my lap on fire, and my iPad stays cool no matter what I’m doing with it. Plus it’s very light and seemingly sturdy.

Overall, the iPad is exceeding my expectations and definitely meeting my needs. I can’t say it will be the same case for everyone, but for what I do everyday, this is the perfect in between machine.

And… I’ll probably regret saying this, but I don’t miss flash on my iPad.