For my birthday, my wife decided to splurge and get me the latest object of my interest.

An iPad.

I must say, this is quit an amazing tool. That’s how I like to view computers and their brethren, as tools. They cost too much and I use them and gladly put them down when done to think of them as anything else. They are certainly not toys as some might insist.

Nevertheless, it should be pointed how I plan on using this new tool. Well, it immediately relegate my MacBook Pro to development. And other processor intensive duties. Is this. Good idea given my purchase of this expensive laptop? I think so. Every tool has it’s use and I plan on using my laptop and pad when the job suits me. (The fact I am fortunate to have both is not lost on me.)

In addition, I will use it to conduct my Sunday School lessons for the youth group. It will be much easier to carry this into class instead of my laptop. Whoo hoo!

Finally, I will teach my kids to use it. They immediately wanted to play with me at the Apple store when I showed them what it could do. My son and I played “air hockey” and then I showed my daughter the Dora the Explorer paint app. They were hooked.

I’ll update often how this new experience feels for someone who has transitioned from multiple desktop systems, to a laptop and finally, a pad device. Technology is truly advancing, even within my short lifetime.