Photo by: Apple.com
The Apple iPad went on sale at the DU Bookstore on Saturday and ranges in price from around $500 to $700, the same as at the Apple Store.
The iPad currently is available with Wi-Fi capability, but the bookstore will get the Wi-Fi and 3G capable model in late April.
The iPad comes in three sizes, 16 gigabytes for $499, 32 gigabytes for $599 and 64 gigabytes for $699.
Barry Cirillo, technology manager at the bookstore, said he did not currently know how many iPads were sold, although it has been very popular.
Cirillo does not expect the iPad, which has an iBooks app for purchasing and reading books, to compete with bookstore sales. Not many digital versions are available of the books the bookstore stocks, especially textbooks.
The device is in the tablet format, with no mouse or keyboard, and only a touch panel to operate its software and applications.
Like the iPhone, iPad users can make applications to perform different functions on the iPad. Apple also sells iPad apps through the iTunes store.
Jeff Neil, sophomore computer science major, said he got the iPad as soon as it was released.
“It’s really nice because it just sits in your lap,” he said. “It’s less bulky than a computer.”
His purchase was the 32 gigabyte size, and he said he will upgrade to the 3G capable version when it comes out later this month.
The iPad is a good replacement for a computer when taking notes in class, and he has already used it in some of his classes, said Neil.
Though Neil is happy with his iPad for classroom use, it definitely is not a necessity for all students to have, and will not replace his computer for home use, he said.
The drawbacks of the iPad are that it cannot print or be used for computer programming, as his major requires.
Some of the books required for his classes are available through the iBooks app, and Neil said he will save money by purchasing his books through the iPad.
According to Digital Media Studies Professor Chris Coleman, the iPad is going to change the way we deal with computers, which will change the way we deal with technology in the classroom.
Coleman envisions a model where students can use technology like the iPad to supplement professors’ lectures and enhance learning.
“Some teachers don’t like technology in the classroom, but the fact of the matter is, it’s because they still believe in a certain kind of teaching model that’s inapplicable to the generations coming up,” said Coleman. “In a real 21st century classroom we need devices like these that allow the student to have a back and forth discovery of knowledge with the teacher,” he said.
