Does Anyone Really Need an iPad?

This weekend, the long awaited iPad, Apple’s newest must-have technology, finally hit the shelves. Reading the news over the last few days I came across stories entitled “10 Things You Need to Know About the iPad” and “Why We Need the iPad.” A quick stint at a social function quickly turned into the haves and the have-nots as the glorious instrument had been out for 24 hours and those who were in possession needed to share knowledge of their newfound gain. Those without quickly proclaimed that the only reason they didn’t have one yet was because they were waiting for the next model or they hadn’t had time over the weekend to get one.

As I listened, I had to ask myself, does anyone really need an iPad?

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a Luddite at heart but I have the soul of a techie. I grew up wanting every new tech gadget out there because I am absolutely amazed by technology. I think the iPad is not only revolutionary (from what I have read), but truly means we are now living on the cover of those 1950s Popular Mechanics magazines with the flying cars and the wristwatch TVs. So the problem I have is not as much with the iPad itself, but with what these new technogadgets make us believe.

You see, no one, and I can truly say this without having to verify my facts, truly needs an iPad. I say this because in the grand scheme of things, “need” and “iPad” don’t belong in the same sentence (unless we’re talking some bizarre ransom note I don’t know about). We may want one, may covet it, may desire it, and may think erroneously that we can’t live without it, but in fact, none of us need it.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Michele W.

8:02AM PDT on Sep 7, 2011

Personally, I do not want (or need) an i-pad. I have a laptop, a mobile phone, an i-pod, and a kindle. I do use these, especially the i-pod and the kindle, and I can sort of justify having these to myself, as I have donated all CDs and books that filled my shelves to charity, so I have decluttered my home, and maybe helped a charity or two as well.
I need nothing more.

send a green star

Madalena S.

3:15PM PDT on Aug 24, 2011

Loved it!

Samantha H.

5:14AM PDT on May 16, 2011

interesting

Anastasia V.

5:36PM PDT on Oct 11, 2010

I agree that we don't need the ipad. I don't think I need it, but unfortunately, that doesn't stop me from thinking it would be nice to have.

Nicola P.

12:45PM PDT on Jul 31, 2010

Lets face it.
A lot of the things that humans have invented have made us lazy and in some ways, less knowledgable.
For example, the SAT NAV. People now rely on the sat nav to take them to places, so without it, they wouldn't be able to direct themselves anywhere.

Nobody needs an iPad but it is a great invention that we should embrace if we want to. It does make us lazy yes but so does a lot of other things we've created. Basically, humans are destroying themselves.

liz j.

3:09AM PDT on Jul 25, 2010

Ahmen

Beng Kiat L.

1:19AM PDT on Jul 9, 2010

thanks

10:57PM PDT on Jun 27, 2010

Thanks.

Logan B.

10:54PM PDT on Jun 20, 2010

Great article. I really liked the ending.

Cheryl B.