When the first iPad came out, I was one of those who was like, “I’m not getting caught up in the hype.  I’ve got a MacBookPro, and the iPad is just a big iPhone.” Blah, Blah, Blah..

Then one day, while with friends, I tried one.  I played  Angry Birds; I checked my email; updated my Facebook status and from that point on, I knew I had to have one.  As I did the research I learned that a new model was predicted to come out 1st Qtr 2011.  So I waited. Sure enough the predictions came true and I was in line on March 11th enthusiastically anticipating how great I was going feel once I had that gadget in my hands.  This new toy was going to be my new travel companion.  No more carrying my heavier MacBook, or having to take it out at the airport for additional TSA screening.  I could carry it everywhere.

I decided to put my “iPad only” experiment to the test on a 4-week vacation starting from San Diego to Las Vegas to San Diego to Seattle to Santa Rosa to Hawaii to San Diego to Las Vegas.

There are so many features that I love about the iPad; all the different apps, FaceTime, it’s lightweight, and it’s cute.  But cute doesn’t cut it if you want to get any real work done.  The touchscreen keyboard is not conducive to quick typing, and I thought I would just scream each time the screen flipped one way when I needed it to be in another direction.

I am old school, in that I like to hold my books, so reading books on the iPad book reader is a new experience and one I did not like too much. I found the glare and back lighting to be a distraction

I purchased my laptop because of its portability.   I also purchased the iPad for the very same reason, but not only is the iPad not just a smaller computer but it I had less functionality, less efficiency, and the one window at a time set up is not really good for longer term, regular daily usage.

Do I regret that I purchased it?  Absolutely not.  I’ve actually found it to be a more useful tool while at home.  On numerous occasions I’ve needed to look something up and I was not in my office, but my iPad was right there.  And, If I’m going away for a few days or an extended weekend vacation, the iPad is a great carry along.   However, if I plan to be anywhere more than 5 days, I need my notebook.