This weekend the first version of the iPad was released. The price starts at $499 for the Wi-Fi 16GB version. Later this month a Wi-Fi + 3G version will be available for $629. One article I read said that the unlimited data plan for the 3G version will be $30/month. Now that I have gotten to spend some time with an iPad, I feel like it is the first signs of the death of the laptop.
Due to the clam shell design of the laptop, it puts a physical barrier between the user and a person on the other side of the table during meetings. This often leads to what feels like a social barrier as well. The tablet design of the iPad eliminates this barrier. In addition it is no bigger than a pad of paper which makes having computers in meetings feel as comfortable and natural as notepads.
The iPad boots up as fast and is as easy to use while standing as an smart phone, so productivity during short opportunities is better than a laptop.
The price of an iPad is so low that it can be less expensive to purchase an iPad + desktop computer than it is to buy a powerful, large screen laptop. This combination offers the benefits of a small portable device for casual use and a powerful large screen computer for longer term work sessions. In addition, if the user’s data is stored in the cloud then it is easily accessible from multiple devices.
I don’t think laptops will disappear immediately, but as I look toward the future I’m thinking in terms of phones, tablet devices, and very large screen desktops rather than 15″-17″ laptops. In addition I see all corporate applications being delivered via the browser and data being stored in the cloud rather than applications and data running on the user device.
April 7, 2010 at 3:40 pm
I really agree with your statement, “In addition I see all corporate applications being delivered via the browser and data being stored in the cloud rather than applications and data running on the user device.”
In an organization that engages volunteers and has staff “on the ground” being able to store data in the cloud and access it through multiple interfaces is really key.