Yes, I’m going to buy the iPad and it may even replace my MacBook Air…

As I mentioned on Twitter yesterday, I am going to buy an iPad. No, I don’t need really need one given that I already have 2 Macs. For me, it will probably be an ebook reader first (I had been toying with the idea of getting a Nook recently and I used to own a first-gen Kindle). It *could* replace my MacBook Air (my secondary Mac I use when traveling or to spend the day working at a cafe or the library) if a few things happen:

1. Easy access to my iDisk and MobileMe OTA synchronization

Now, I can’t see Apple *not* making the MobileMe synchronization happen. Plus, the iPad should already be able to use Apple’s existing iDisk app anyway, so the iDisk access should be a non-issue. However, what will be key for me will be the ability to open and edit documents stored on my iDisk (I’ve previously ranted about how this isn’t possible on the iPhone, which still drives me crazy). This is how I already use my iDisk – I store work documents exclusively on my iDisk so that I can access them from my desktop or my MacBook Air without needing to worry about document version control. (Before you start to worry, my iDisk is backed up regularly in case Something Bad happens on Apple’s end.)

2. Excellent document editing capabilities

I know Apple demo’ed iWork for the iPad yesterday, but I’d really need to get my hands on it to see how well it worked for me. However, iWork may not even be an option for me since I use some relatively complicated Excel spreadsheets for work and I’m not even sure that Numbers could handle them without losing some of my formulas and macros. I’m hoping that Dataviz (the developers of the Documents to Go app for the iPhone and other platforms) will optimize their app for the iPad, AND that Apple allows 3rd-party apps to access iDisks (or some file storage on the iPad itself).

3. Decent text entry functionality

I saw the on-screen virtual keyboard and it looked like it was pretty quick, though those announcing the iPad and demonstrating it at the hands-on event afterward had the benefit of getting used to it for a good while, I bet. I definitely do not expect to be able to type 90+ words per minute on the iPad as I can on a full-sized mechanical keyboard, but I’d like to be at least as fast on it as I am on my iPhone, on which I’m about half as fast as I am on a regular keyboard.

I’m sure I won’t be patient enough once the iPad is released to confirm these things before I go ahead and buy one. I am, after all, an Apple fangirl.

I’m eyeing the 64GB version with 3G. I had expressed hope yesterday on Twitter that I could use my existing SIM card from my AT&T 3G modem in it to avoid paying for yet another internet connection, though the iPad will only take “micro* SIM” cards (I have never seen one of those in person) and my 3G modem’s SIM card is a standard sized one. Now, if AT&T will give me a micro SIM version of it and I can get a regular-sized SIM adapter for it, that might work, though I don’t think AT&T will be nearly that cooperative in my devious plan to avoid giving them more money.

I’ll head to my local Apple store to see an iPad in person as soon as they’re available. I already know it will be VERY hard for me to not buy one of the Wi-Fi only versions but I will try to stay strong.

Will you get an iPad?