I've joined the iPad club!

By Mike Jastrzebski

I'm not the first to blog on this site about the iPad. Christine Kling wrote about her purchase a year ago when the iPad first came out, and she followed up that post with information about apps for boaters and apps for writers. Last week Richard Jordan wrote about his purchase of an iPad just a couple of weeks before the iPad2 came out.

Up until yesterday I've steered clear of Apple products. At first it was mild rivalry. My neighbor bought an Apple computer and about the same time I bought a Commodore 64. I was convinced I'd bought the right computer, and he was sure the Apple was the answer. Obviously on that count he got it right, Apple's still going strong and let's face it, not many people have even heard of the Commodore 64.

Throughout the years I've stuck with PC's and avoided Apple. I have never even used an Apple computer, I don't own an iPod and I don't own an iPhone. To be truthful, when I went out and seriously began looking for a tablet I was sort of set on the Xoom. I went to the Verizon store, compared both items and I couldn't help it, the iPad was just a little sexier, a little thinner, maybe even a little smarter than the Xoom (more apps available). I played with the Xoom but my eyes kept straying to the iPad.

Still, I figured I had time. I've always had good luck with Verizon so I decided on the 64G-3G Verizon model. I was actually relieved when the Verizon Salesman informed me that he didn't know when they would have more iPads in. He took my name and number and said he'd call when they were in (ha, haven't we all heard that story before), and I went home empty handed.

Then along came Christine Kling! We are both members of Mystery Writers of America and since our local chapter was meeting for lunch on Saturday we decided to drive together. Everything was fine until we were driving home and I mentioned that I had pretty much decided I was going to buy an iPad when they become available again.

"Why, Mike," she said. "I've heard the iPad's available at the Apple store right here in Fort Lauderdale."

"Maybe I'll drive over and take a look after I drop you off," I said, figuring probably not.

"Why, Mike, I wouldn't mind going there with you." She pointed up ahead and added, "Just get off at sunrise."

Who could have guessed that the only iPad they had in stock was the 64G-3G Verizon model.

An hour later I called my wife, Mary, and told her, "Chris made me do it. She lured me to the store, put the Apple in my hand, and said, try it you'll like it."

I have to admit that it only took me an hour to fall in love with the damn thing. It's like a cute little puppy. You keep asking it to do something and it jumps up and down and you know it wants to do something else for you. Hell, since my wife's out of town for a few more days I may just sleep with the thing. You know, just to make it feel at home.

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