I was on the fence about the iPad and really didn’t want to form an opinion until I actually got to use one. Kid one needed an iPhone case last weekend, so we visited the Southdale Apple Store and I got to check it out. After about 20 minutes (and some advice/prodding from a couple of Apple employees I know), I left with a 16GB model and Apple case.

Most of the first day was spent syncing, configuring, tweaking and installing apps and media. The kids had it the next few days and then I left town on business for a few days and didn’t take it with me. So I still haven’t spent much time with it, but here are some initial thoughts:

• Initial sync took a really long time.
• It’s heavy if you try to hold it with one hand for any length of time – it really needs to sit on your lap or sit tilted up in the case on a tabletop.
• The screen is gorgeous, but needs to be cleaned after almost every use.
• The battery is as good as everyone says – and the device never gets hot.
• I don’t like using any of my iPhone apps on it, with the exception of a few games.
• The lack of caching more than a few pages in Safari is supremely annoying.
• With the right set of apps, this is an awesome education tool for $500.
• Speaking of apps, The Elements for iPad, by Touch Press, is incredible (and almost 2GB in size).
• I like typing on it better than the iPhone, especially when it’s on a tabletop.

My hope was that this would be a good, affordable laptop substitute for my kids and I think it is. Strong apps, digital books, email, internet access, music, movies and more in a sturdy package for half the price of a Mac Book.

In my brief time using it, my favorite things are viewing photos, the New York Times app, watching videos via the ABC and Netflix apps and the Foxtrot iPad wallpaper I see every time I turn it on. I can’t wait to see what developers come up with next…