Apple New IPAD

I bought the latest Retina Apple IPad Wi-Fi with a MacBook Air at the same time last April 2012. That really wasn't the plan. I only intended to buy a new laptop. Something lighter, upgraded and virus-free. I'm not into technology, so the best and the hassle free tag line always works. However, I was in Hong Kong when the 3rd Generation IPad was released. I was a witness to the long lines and the cheers of the techie-nation. 

I had a vague idea what an iPad was. For me, it's like an electronic book you take with you that could connect to the internet. You could play games, exhibit presentations, practically it's something a very mobile person should want. Knowing my lifestyle, I knew I really didn't need it. People would nudge me into get one just because of E-Books. It sparked an interest, but I never really gotten to the point of actually getting one. Until I had that competitive feeling of entering into a daily lottery in the Apple store of HK. It seemed everyone wanted one and what's the harm if I just submit my name every single morning. What are the chances I will be picked in an online lottery anyways? If ever I did, I could just sell the unit back in the Philippines. While I prepared to get my Macbook Air, I was submitting my name online in the Apple website every morning before I go to the office. It's like a routine without much desire or purpose.

Then I got it. 

Two weeks before my scheduled flight to Manila, I already had with me my white 16 GB 3rd Generation iPad and a Macbook Air packed. As for my Macbook Air, it can wait to be opened in Manila. I still had my old laptop with me. But for my IPAD, I wondered what the fuss was about. I figured I could still sell it in the Philippines even if I wanted to see for it myself first. So for two weeks, I read tutorials and explored the device. 

And I loved it. I could take it in a restaurant with me and read my favorite online sites. I could look at my email, scan at my social networking sites, compose emails and blog at a certain level of adjusted difficulty. Most importantly I can store e-books, a perfect opportunity for me to transition and enjoy both worlds of actual books and electronic ones. 

To cut the story short, I didn't sell my iPad. When I adjusted to home, the IPAD is always at my bedside table. It came to a point that it's the first thing I fumble with when I wake up and the last thing I play with before going to sleep. I read my news online. I read the 50 Shades of Grey series there. Before I go to sleep, I check on my sites. IPad become my initial and ending device for the day. As for my laptop? I only use it once a month. I felt guilty. My parents got their own iPad and my brother and sister use mine for online research and reference purposes. IPad had become so mobile and versatile that if you're just into information and connection and NOT into home business, blogging or downloading, you'd really forget the use of a laptop. 

But I noticed through time, it's kind of heavy. My dad and mom are addicted to their 2nd Generation IPAD, which is a bit lighter. If not for the Retina slogan and the weight, I wouldn't really know the difference. I would understand that some of my friends have targeted other tablet brands just for the mere functionality of being mobile on line, read ebooks, or being able to exhibit presentations just like what IPad does minus the weight. A 7.5 inch tablet out in the market still finds a niche to those concerned only with the functionality and not with the brand and the additional multimedia specs Apple brings. Reports even reflect in America that Kindle Fire and the Nexus tablet hold a huge market for the smaller version tablets. 

And what did Apple do? I bet you already know. And I bet it realized that there's a strong market out there who wants the function of the IPAD minus the size. To get into that market, they have joined the bandwagon by releasing the new IPAD Mini. It's slimmer, smaller and screams Apple. Definitely it's lighter and more mobile. It poses a huge threat to those small tablet makers who latched on a following and these makers should have seen this coming. Everyone knows that Apple will always innovate their products to get a taste of every market out there. Now with this move, Apple can sustain those who want the original sized IPad at the same time they can suck out all the market in the smaller type of IPAD. If the latter market didn't really make a difference, I doubt if Apple would even care. This sudden move by Apple just proves that there's is a huge market and it's getting a bite at it.

The question is, will I get one?

Nah. Two huge tech splurges in a year is already too much for me. If you're my type of user and you can bear with the weight, I don't think there's an immediate need for you to get one. I won't. I'm still pretty happy with my old one. And now that I'm blogging, I'm reconnecting with my Macbook Air more, I already have found the balance of using my iPad. I still use it for the same reasons and I won't go through the usual lottery and pre-order conundrum just to get a smaller version. iPad Mini is nice to have, but it's not a need at this point. In purchases like this, it's always a must to think of how you are as user and the level of dependency you have with an iPad. If your work always requires you to bring an iPad for mere presentation or research, probably the weight is your main concern and this IPad mini will address that. If you're just a simple user like me who only uses the iPad on targeted times and the weight is something you've adjusted to, I think it's best to wait and reassess if you really need one. But of course the Apple Fanatics and tech freaks are a different matter.