It’s been almost six years since the iPhone hit the street, and yet the world is still talking about the iPhone on every possible corner. There’s no doubt that the iPhone has truly changed the way people use their mobile phone. With its exhilarating user interface, which really blows you away, which really blows you away, the burning flame of frenzy has finally led to the birth of the iPad, the giant version of the iPhone (but without a phone function). Well, some still argue that the iPad is distinguishable from the iPhone – and based on size alone, this is true.

Apple had sold a whopping 14.8 million iPads right before launching another successful successor model, the iPad 2, in March 2011. Sales figures are recorded at roughly 30 million units sold by end of the year 2011. Based on Apple’s regular practice, we would expect to see an upcoming model of iPad on the market next year — another exciting battle-of-the-year in the tablet market. However, why would I still discuss the need for an iPad??? People clearly want it!

Alright, everyone wants an iPad, but do I need an iPad, already?

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and here is the essence why I’m still ‘iPad-free’.

First of all, for a daily-operational device, the iPad is not really all that portable (“What?!” you ask, and you’ve probably jumped on the table by now. Be cool!). What I mean is, in my opinion, a portable device here must be ‘seriously portable’ most of the time, even when answering the the call of nature! The iPhone is a notch above iPad in this case. There’s no doubt that the iPad is more capable than iPhone. Its large screen offers more capacity to do more tasks. However, portability remains the highest concern when it comes to selecting a device for daily operation needs. I own an iPhone 4 and it does execute most of my daily tasks wonderfully, or I would say, way beyond my expectations. I can call, text, listen to my iPod, use Google maps, play games, surf the Internet and much more, with thousand of apps (on a smaller screen, of course,  but with the same function that the iPad offers). Technically and truthfully, the iPhone just does everything ‘on the go’. But with an iPad, does this mean I’ll have to carry another device around just for the sake of its larger screen? I have a device called a laptop and it complements this deficiency quite well.  Maybe that’s why other manufacturers see plenty of potential opportunities in the evershrinkingtablet design…

Secondly, iPad users spend so much time spent on synchronization. As a frequent business traveler, I always see people with an iPad in their arms at the airport. What I notice is, most of them do gaming, watch movies and read magazines in waiting lounges. For me this is ironic — why would you spend hours stuffing  games, movies, magazines or books via iTunes into your iPad just to kill some time – especially when these are already available on your laptop? What’s more, the Internet is only accessible in the airport, not on the plane. In other words, you cannot do clouding after departure – as of today’s technology, this is one big limitation. All contents must go through cable and this process in the ‘Appleverse’ is taxing enough. Even with a minimal number of devices, this synching would have sufficed to ‘kill my time’, not to mention the fact that good-quality movies simultaneously consume more space and transfer time.

All in all, do we spend time to kill time?

This just doesn’t work in my philosophy.

Thirdly, it does not have Office. It is undoubted that most of the people work with Microsoft Office at work. Does that mean iPad users have to be limited to merely internet browsing but not some serious work? iPad users are already forbidden from reading Flash contents on the internet and still, barred from the Office. iPad or other tablets should not restrain their users to certain entertainment only but a wide variety of real works that assists people, better. Or perhaps, Microsoft has better offer – read here.

Lastly, less physical interaction with people has a negative effect on children’s behavior. For example, many couples leave parenting to the iPad nowadays, as they think this device magically creates instant peace in the household without much effort. I’d doubt if this didn’t work with your own kids – don’t underestimate how mesmerizing an iPad would be to a child. However, an addiction to electronic gadgets can have a negative impact on a child’s growth, both, mentally and physically if this addiction is not regulated properly. Trust me – it worries me more when I come across articles such as this one from The New York Times on the physiologicaleffectsofelectronicsonyoungminds.

In conclusion, you can argue, “Why the iPad? The iPhone does evil, too” – I’d say kids own the iPad these days, not iPhone. Let me know what you think.

Okay now, the original question: do I need an iPad, already? My answer is simply,

“Erm… Not yet”

Check this out if your answer is otherwise.