It's been almost one month since I purchased my iPad at Best Buy in Los Feliz and the novelty has yet to ware off. Initially, I wanted an iPad simply because I wanted one, and with its touch screen monitor, lightweight and sleek design, I just knew I would look so much cooler than with a silly little... what are those called?

Now, that being said, many are going to believe that I am just about as superficial as they come. And although this may be true to a certain extent, the iPad is much more than a slick design touch monitor novelty item for show. The iPad, with thousands of applications, is actually a mobile solution for people on the move who need knowledge at their fingertips. Especially this particular version of the iPad, currently the most capable of iPads, it has the most memory at 64 GB and has wi-fi and 3G built in to complement a person on the go.

This version of the iPad is perfect for students and business professionals alike. By simply installing an application from the App Store, business professionals can remote to their office desktop and have full access to all office applications, and the office printer too! This goes without saying that students can take courses through the iPad as well, aside from taking notes, dictation, and numerous other capabilities.

Some important things to remember about the iPad, are that:

(1)    Although this version of the iPad is perfect for people that are mobile, making it the perfect mobile solution, the iPad is not intended to replace a computer, but rather, is the mobile extension of the computer that is fully functional and capable of almost everything the computer is capable of.

(2)    The iPad, when first turned on, must be connected to a computer running the latest version of iTunes in order for it to turn on. Once turned on, an entire new world awaits the iPad owner who will decide how best the new iPad fits in their lifestyle.

Limited Technical Jargon:

"Size and weight
Height:
9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
Width:
7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
Depth:
0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
Weight:
1.6 pounds (0.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model

Wi-Fi + 3G model
§ UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
§ GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
§ Data only2
§ Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
§ Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology

Battery and power
§ Built-in 25-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
§ Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music
§ Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using 3G data network
§ Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system."

The rest of the iPad specifications can be found at the Apple website at http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

Since this is the first generation iPad, there is hesitance in placing an Excellent rating for the purchase of this mobile solution, because it may not fit into everyone's lifestyle and the price may play an important factor as well. However, if you are a student or a professional who is frequently on the move and have a need for readily available information or a need to be able to communicate with your desktop at work to put together the last minute changes to an agreement, or in order to attend a business meeting and didn't find it practical to lug around a suitcase full of paperwork, the iPad more than likely has a good place in your life. From children to grandparents, the iPad truly has a little something for everyone.

The only drawbacks at present are that there is no integrated webcam and all applications come through the App Store and syncing takes place through iTunes on the main computer. A really good plus, however, is that by downloading the Skype application, I now use my iPad as my mobile phone as well, and have since cancelled my mobile phone contract.

iPad, how I love thee!

Lastly, since I am really not a fan of Flash, I don't see any drawbacks by the iPad not being compatible with Flash - although there are ways to view files encoded in Flash on an iPad. Honestly, this is not a problem even though the press has turned this small issue into one of epic proportions.