The Five Stages of iPad Grief – On Apple and Buying

This isn’t exactly Superhero or Comic Book commentary, other than the fact that I would love to read comics on an iPad.

This is adapted from The Five Stages of Grief by Kübler-Ross.

1. Denial

Prior to the iPad’s announcement, I followed all the rumors, I’d decided that it just wouldn’t make sense for me as a product.   I could see the potential, but I didn’t think I’d be tempted at all.  “I have a laptop, I have a smartphone, what do I need with another device”.

2. Anger

Watching the announcement, there were two stages of anger.  The first stage was the fact that the Steve Jobs reality distortion field was in full effect; I was very quickly falling in love with the iPad.  I didn’t want to, but I started envisioning all the scenarios this device could work in my life.  Then the second stage was when I realized the limitations and the things I thought would bug me too much to work for me, the additional cost for the 3G version, the lack of the forward facing camera for the absolutely natural video conferencing that the device would be perfect for, etc.

3. Bargaining

This is when I started thinking about the ways I could justify buying an iPad, if I get rid of my smartphone, and go back down to a regular phone, I can justify the 3G fee.  My 1^st Gen MacBook is really old and out of warranty, so I need a new main machine, can the iPad function as my main machine?  Can I justify getting work to pay for it?  If not, can I sell my wife on it?

4. Depression

I just don’t know if I can convince myself to buy it, I mean, believe it or not, I’m not actually an early adopter, I never buy the 1^st generation of any technology, I was one of the last people to have a CD player.  I only just recently bought my first plasma TV.  I still don’t have an iPhone.  Plus I really want the 3G, so if  I order a 3G model and I don’t get my iPad when everyone else gets their Wifi model, will I still get that satisfaction in being one of the first?

5. Acceptance

You know you’re going to do it, just figure it out.