Apr 16
10
Back in March 2012, I bought a third generation iPad to serve as a “family room” computer — for checking email, looking things up while watching TV, checking the weather, etc. Â It served extremely well in that role — even better than I had expected! Â In fact, I was so impressed by this concept of a lean computer that was optimized for certain tasks, that it went on to influence an entire re-thinking of my household technology infrastructure. Â I now try to focus on devices that bring technology out of the office and into the places where technology is needed, and I give a lot of thought to what each device will be used for, not just tech specs. Â That iPad, Clifford, had a lasting impact on my technological worldview.
But, after 4 years and a lot of use, that third generation iPad was having trouble keeping up. Â Newer versions of iOS didn’t run as fast, modern apps (designed for modern tablets) weren’t as snappy as they were four years ago, and some features that I care about (like the front-facing camera for videoconferencing) had become eclipsed by other, newer, devices. Â So, I decided that it was time to replace Clifford.
I still feel that Apple’s iPad is the best all-around tablet available, and is supported by an extremely strong ecosystem of software, services, and other devices. Â So, I decided to stick with the iPad, and ended up getting a iPad Pro 9.7-inch, which I’ve named Concordia. Â I feel that, for my needs, the 13-inch iPad is too big (that goes beyond “family room computer”, and the 8 inch iPad mini is too small (that’s a good size for reading books, but I have a Kindle for that). Â The 9.7-inch size is perfect for setting on the coffee table while sitting down to watch a movie.
So far, so good. Â The screen is the best computer screen I’ve ever seen. Â The new 4-speaker setup produces that best tablet/laptop sound I’ve ever heard. Â It’s thinner and lighter than my old iPad, which I didn’t think was possible. Â and the front-facing camera is great for videoconferencing.