So here it is: iPad 2

So...I did it.  I waited in line with my family for around 5 hours on Friday in front of the Apple Store in our mall. We made an event out of it.  Bought some cheese-cake from the Cheesecake Factory (we had a gift-card lest you think we're wealthy), listened to music, played games, watched movies and relaxed together with our iDevices that we had with us.

Why did I get it? My high school daughter needs a laptop.  So we plan to do a little shifting of the tech in our home.  While I use the new iPad2 (32Gb wifi in black), my wife will begin using the original iPad (16Gb with 3G) as her main computer.  This does incur a learning curve and a little bit of a change of patterns and habits, but she primarily uses a computer just for email, calendar and browsing news and such, which the iPad is perfect for.  I will let you know later how this transition is going.

Why did I get the new one instead of saving a little change with an original model?  Here's a little thinking about my choice:

1. 32GB: I do travel at least a few times a year and although I have Netflix (at least for now) and use my iDisk often, I also know that having media and files on the device is really handy when on a plane or in other areas where I know a data feed isn't always easily attained.  My 16GB model was often very full, and with the cameras it gives me a more ability to store those all-important photos and videos.
2. Wifi: I splurged on the original for the 3G, but I'm not made of money so I found that I only activated it two times in the 9 months that I had the device. Wifi is almost everywhere I go, especially in my local town.  With iOS 4.3 having the hotspot ability I can for less money ($20 for tethering instead of $25 for 2GB of data get the same effect, and not pay the $130 upgrade fee for a 3G model). I also have to admit that I'm seriously considering a jailbreak of my iPhone 4 to enable this feature naturally so that I don't have to give up my grandfathered unlimited data plan, but don't hold me to that because I'm still weighing the issues.
3. Black:  It's simple, it's classy and my wife's white macbook always seems so dirty after our kids and life get in touch with the device.  The black bezel also helps with viewing quality some "experts" report. 
4. iPad2: Instead of just getting the original I upgraded. I view this as a semi-longterm purchase.  The iPad is a great device. I use it for reading, entertainment, news, preaching, presentations, taking notes in meetings and sermon preparation. With iMovie now enabled, I can also use the screen real-estate for editing videos on the fly.  Basically I wanted the power for long-term sustainability.  I'm a power user and the power is noticeable.  The feel in the hand of the thinness is also a wow factor.
5. Smart Cover: I splurged and bought the black leather version. I wanted the classy and simple look that doesn't draw more attention to the device, it does enough of that on its own. Color is great, and I may eventually get another one with some color, but the color selection of the polyurethane versions weren't that appealing to me, I'd rather have bold colors than pastels. The design of the smart cover is fantastic.

I have a few things that I will eventually order though, but these things take time:

1. High-def & VGA video connector: I plan to use this for more teaching tools during our bible study time
2. Photo-card reader: sometimes you just need a place to store and view those awesome photos while on the go.

Overall I am extremely satisfied with the device. No complaints...at all. I really have found a lot of use out of my iPad and look forward to sharing with you in the future about more uses for my iPad within my student ministry.