Does the iPad need fixing?

Paul Thurrott at Supersite for Windows website (hint: the website name is a clue) has an article titled How Apple Can Fix the iPad in 2011. The title refers to the second-generation iPad estimated to arrive in 2011. Also, Thurrott obviously thinks there are a number of things wrong with the current iPad model. I have an iPad and I disagree with him. 

Here is my response to some areas that Thurrott describes as problems:

• Pricing.
  Thurrott: “far too high for a device that is essentially a large-screen iPod touch.”
  My take: The iPad is not a large-screen iPod. It is a better netbook. Compared to a netbook, the iPad has a much longer battery life, is lighter and emits no heat. It also turns on in 1 second, unlike the 2-5 minute boot time of a Windows machine. Obviously Paul Thurrott and I start with a different perspective on the iPad. 
• Form factor.
  Thurrott: “too big and heavy.”
  My take: The iPad is already smaller and lighter than a netbook. The screen size is perfect because it’s almost the same as a netbook’s, so I can read legibly what I usually read with a netbook. The article suggests a 7”-screen iPad, but to me 7” is too close to the size of a big mobile phone. Sure, the iPad could be lighter, but I can already use the iPad comfortably while lying in bed. 
• Storage.
  Thurrott: “simply too small.”
  My take: We are moving towards cloud storage and Apple is just meeting us there. I have Dropbox, Evernote and Google Docs and I never find a problem with the iPad’s storage space.

The article also mentions cameras, screen and expansion as features that Apple must have in 2011. Although I agree that would be nice, I don’t think of them as a big problem for the current iPad model. A lot of people are dismissive of the iPad because of its light specs and features. However, to me, the great experience of using the iPad beats horsepower, storage space and other technical features. 

[Image courtesy of Appertunity]