Why I Didn’t Buy An iPad

Despite the guy’s insistence, I didn’t seriously consider an iPad. I was at the Apple Store a few weeks ago, explaining that I wanted the low-end MacBook for some writing projects. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on capabilities I didn’t need, just let met me have some music playing while I type.

“Have you considered the iPad?” Well, no, I replied. “You ought to.” And he proceeded to tell me the cost and weight advantages of the new device. Since it wasn’t out yet, though, he couldn’t be sure about some of the specs, and since I couldn’t hold it or try it out, I told him I’d pass.

A few days later, I was on the phone with a rep from the online Apple Store. I had tried to purchase a refurb’d MacBook, in my price range, and with the portability I desired. Unfortunately, the transaction didn’t go through – I suspect I had two (or three) browser tabs opened at the store, and that such a tactic prevented the site from accepting my purchase.  I explained that I liked the price on that entry-level MacBook, and the gentleman kindly offered to call me when that particular model, now sold out, is back in stock (I’m still waiting on that call). He then suggested that “maybe an iPad is what you need.” With only a couple of weeks until the launch of the iPad, perhaps it would make sense to pre-order one, it sounds like a perfect solution to my pricing concerns.

“No,” I replied, “I don’t think the small screen and the awkwardness of lugging a keyboard around and the limited capabilities of the iPad are for me. Besides, I need something now, and I’m not inclined to wait another few weeks.”

After that second exchange, I realized that the company has been – rightly, and I don’t fault Apple for this – rallying the sales team around the new device. And why not? The profit margins on the iPad are surely quite decent, and for Mr. Jobs to stay the prophet that he is, Apple has to sell a lot of iPads so the “change-the-world-I’ve-got-an-iPad” mentality is inescapable. Apple wants – needs – us to be unable to imagine life with iPad. So, press the potential buyer, pitch this as the perfect item, and appeal to their (low) price as a way to meet my needs AND save money.

Look, I like Apple products a lot, and have for years. We have a bunch of Macs and iPods in our family. In fact, a couple of months ago my dad who is 79, surprised us all by buying a new 24 inch iMac (and now he has a better computer than me!). But I know what I need – repeat, need, and it ain’t an iPad. As seductive as the hype and ads and speculation have been, I just thought it through and decided I would not be happy owning an iPad, especially in light of these specific projects. And, having been an early adopter on a couple of other Macs, I’ve learned that waiting a year will always…always….always…save me money and get me a better Apple product. That’s how it has worked on computers, iPods and iPhones.

So despite my previous post about getting an iPad, I’ve decided to wait on the thing. Maybe next year.

BTW, if you are unpersuaded by my thoughts here, read this piece over at Fast Company that outlines some good reasons to wait on that iPad purchase.

And if you already have an iPad, check this out and see if you are really irritating people with your iPad love.

Optimize Your Blog

No matter if you are a budding blogger, or a seasoned blogger, here are some great tips for reviewing and optimizing your online work. Good thing to do as we enter 2009!

Gen Y At Work

Here’s some required reading for every boomer who -like me – manages a “younger person” in their 20s or early 30s. Or just wants to know more about the values Gen Y is bringing into the workplace.

Are we ready?

What’s Your Business?

Seth Godin is quoted in this insightful piece about the need to have a “digital application” to every bit of content you create:

“Smart organizations are investing time and energy into transforming their assets. They know the New Marketing is more than a hot topping. Instead they use New Marketing to dig deep, to redefine what they actually do to add value. The new rules are here and they’re not going away. If your assets are synchronized with what you can do with the New Marketing, you win.”

The folks at Jacobs Media are right. It’s similar to what I’ve been telling folks. It’s what will need to happen if “radio people” want to stay relevant and employed.  Radio is just one of many vehicles for audio content.

Broader application: What business are you in? Print? Video? Audio?

Truth is, if you do any of those, you need to – at some level – do them all.

Time to call in some help?

Watching Video Online

Fact: 61% of high speed Internet users watch/download online video content at least once a week.

Source: Horowitz Associates’ Broadband Content and Services 2007 report

Media Violence Influences Behavior

Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the shooting victims in Omaha. What a horrific event, so random and so unnecessary. May God give grace and comfort to those who are hurting and grieving right now.

I had written this draft a few days ago, and in light of the horrific news from Omaha, it seems all the more timely to post it now.

From Focus on the Family’s pressroom earlier this week:

According to a new study released yesterday from the University of Michigan, children’s repeated exposure to violent television and video games is the strongest predictor of violence in adulthood. The study supports what has been long suspected: viewing violent “entertainment” and participating in “virtual violence” have profoundly serious implications for society.

Check out the entire article for some compelling insights about the influence of the media on behavior.

What are you letting your children (or grandchildren) watch? And when we will awaken to the factors involved in senseless killings?

Meaningful Distractions: Old Time Radio

If you have ever listened to “old time radio” and enjoyed Jack Benny, Dragnet, The Whistler and more, you’ll want to check out this site and search.

Caution: don’t go to this site unless you have some time. It is fascinating stuff, and I suspect you could spend hours digging for gems to download. I sure could!

Comparing Mobile Mail

If like me you don’t have a Blackberry or Treo, you sometimes feel…inadequate. C’mon, admit it. You can’t really do as much as you’d like with that tired old cell phone you are clinging to. You’ve had “techno lust” as you see the latest gadget in action, wanting to upgrade but not really being able to justify the extra costs for a new PDA/phone and the associated service.

Good news for you: You don’t need a fancy smartphone to get your email. David Pogue compares three free – FREE! – services that allow you to access your email easily. There are shortcomings associated with these offerings from Google, Yahoo and Teleflip. Read more here.

Technology to the rescue!

Nice Experiment in Music Distribution

A friend has produced a new “album” (why do we still use that word?) of folk/pop music. Nice feel to his work, and I am happy that he was able to complete the project. Even happier, though, that he is distributing the work through a variety of sites.

Amie Street is a site for independent artists to post their music. When they do, it is available at an escalating rate…free in the first few hits of the music, and increasing in “price” as the download traffic increases. I say “price” because you can earn download credits by recommending music…or do it the old fashioned way (cha ching, put the credits on your MasterCard).

Jeff is enjoying some popularity, and if you want to buy the digital album, hurry up — waiting will cost you! Jeff’s webpage is here, and here’s the link for Amie Street. Check ‘em out, and tell me what you think?

Overall, I like this little project – and the distribution method. Help indy artists. Get music cheaper when you take a chance on an artist. Utilize the web’s word-of-mouth power.

A wave of the future?  I hope so.

Some favorite Bookmarks

I am finding that I use only a handful of bookmarks on a daily/regular basis. They include:

Netvibes, a customized home page that offers RSS feeds and more. This is my default place to go when I check in

Instapundit, one of the more heavily read bloggers with a conservative perspective and some good links to a wide variety of other sites

Hugh Hewitt, another major conservative voice and a radio talk show host

Dealmac, a handy and very reliable site for discount deals on Macs and other tech equipment

Google News, for a nice summary of current happenings at a glance

Woot, which is a lot more than it seems (One Deal Per Day). Sheer entertainment value is high!