iPad or Not?
Hmmm. Today the iPad developed a twitch. While typing, I’d get extra letters (like key bounce on a mechanical keyboard). Then I’d get spurious inputs while not touching the keyboard (like a poltergeist was taking control). I contacted Apple, and they had me do a hard reset (problem persisted) then a restore of the OS, firmware and factory software. The problem still persists. I turned off the network, in case it might have been a malicious intrusion. Still a problem. So, I contacted Apple again, and I have an appointment for tomorrow to exchange the unit for a new one.
Well, that brings me to a decision — exchange it, or return it (with possible restocking charge associated with the latter).
Honestly, I am quite impressed with parts of the iPad and disappointed with others. Unfortunately, I find the things I do most with a computer in the disappointment column. Entertainment applications appear to be well done; productivity applications are less impressive — though, I’ve not purchased the word processing or spreadsheet from Apple. I find having one app for downloading a file while browsing the web, another for ftp transfers and yet another to mount a shared drive on my network a bit tedious. Add to that that the transferred files can be captive to the application that they were downloaded in, and it’s even more frustrating. Printing requires a separate app and not all applications can access printing. Typing will always be a compromise unless I add a $70 optional keyboard.
I think odds are better than even for a return. Slick as the iPad may be, I do more (of what I want to do with a computer) with less hassle on my Linux laptop. Dang, Apple. You can do better.