I Want an iPad. I Think. Should I?

Okay. Yes. I think I want one. Like everyone else the country, I was mesmerized when Steve Jobs introduced us to the iPad earlier this year. Today I got the email telling me that I can order one now before it hits the shelves on April 3. Hmmm.

As a frequent business traveler, I really do think this gadget could change my traveling life. Here are five reasons why:

1) It’s small enough for me to use in a coach seat. I love in-flight Wi-Fi and am a heavy user but only when I’m upgraded to a roomy seat up front or on the exit row. Have you tried to work on your laptop in coach lately? Nearly impossible. Since the iPad is about as big as a magazine, I see it as a salvation and escape from the horrors of a tight coach seat.

2) It’s got 10 hours of battery life according to Apple. Not all airlines that offer in-flight Wi-Fi offer in-flight power plugs. That’s a big problem for me because my MacBook only gets 2-3 hours of battery life when I’m using Wi-Fi. So I pay the $13 for a 5-hour cross country flight, but only get to use it for about half that time. The iPad could solve that dilemma for me.

3) It’s light. It’s a “reader.” It’s got iBooks and magazines. I’m always tossing a stack of magazines and the book I’m reading into my carryon bag. You know what? Those magazines are HEAVY. Sometimes the book I’m reading is so fat that I rip it in half so it will fit in my bag. Now I won’t have to do that anymore. I’ll have access to zillions of books and magazines in a slim 1.5 lb package.

4) It’s not a phone, but it does have Wi-Fi, a headphone jack and a microphone, so I can use it to communicate via Skype and even participate in VOIP conferences on planes. (I know I know, you are not supposed to be able to do this, but I’ve heard from several people who have found ways around blocks to VOIP inflight.)

5) It’s not tied to AT&T, so when I go overseas, I can buy a prepaid SIM card and get online with another network without paying outrageous roaming fees. But that might be a while off. The iPad has what’s known as a “micro SIM card” about half the size of a normal SIM, which is so new that it might be hard to buy overseas. For now at least. Nonetheless, I really don’t need 3G access anyway, because I’ll still have Wi-Fi which does not require a SIM.

So, that’s a list of “pros.” Can you all help me with any “cons?” Should I take the leap and say YES, drop $500+ and check this thing out. Or should I wait?

Let me know what you all are thinking about the iPad in the comments box below.

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