I’ve had my iPad for some time now and, in that time, I’ve managed to thoroughly shake it down, load it up and, in between reading a ton of free ebooks, assess whether or not its been a good buy (for me) or just another useless fad toy that will sit on the coffee table, unused, gathering dust.

No dust bunnies gathering here!

The iPad has, for me at least, become an invaluable tool and asset. And yes, it’s true it goes just about everywhere I go. And that’s not just because I’m reading a number of ebooks catching up on a few of the Classics (among others) but because I can, while working on the big screen iMac in the office, use my iPad to go surf for information, do research, download email, carry on an IM conversation with friends and family (on Facebook) all while I work.

Then, of an evening, when my Honey is monopolizing the big screen TV watching her Bon Homme (cartoons to you and I) or playing one of her PS3 games (six months of Oblivion, any one?) I can read a book (Jane Eyre, Postcard Killers, Hammerfall) flick through the latest issue of a magazine I downloaded (SFNow, Wired, Popular Science) while listening to music I downloaded direct from the iTunes store (Renee Fleming). Or, if I want, I can watch my own movie (with headphones on) or play any number of games: sudoku and bejewelled being two of my current favourites at the moment.

All in all I would have to say I have had, and continue to have, my money’s worth with the iPad. The apps I’ve downloaded and use have been of a consistent high quality, with plenty of follow through and commitment from the developers (Photopad, Pocketmoney, Dropbox, SketchbookX) and, for the most part, I think, reasonably priced given you can usually try out a ‘lite’ version of an app, for free, to see if it’s what you’re looking for. The most expensive app I’ve download came from Apple (Pages) and, at $9.99, was well worth the money. I plan on writing a book, editing a magazine, and doing a family newsletter on it, to push it’s limits. So more on that, later.

As for cropping, editing and doing touch-ups of your photos, on the iPad? It’s a breeze with the touch-sensative screen. Throw in the two-pack camera adaptor kit and you can also load up your photos directly from your camera minutes after taking them. Something, I think, a wedding photograph would find a blessing. I mean, what could be better than showing your clients a fabulous slideshow of shots you’ve just taken of their wedding?

So what are the downsides, if any?

Well, maybe, in three years time, when the lithium battery will no longer take a charge, I’ll have (quite possibly) a mild panic attack about loosing any data stored on my iPad when I take my baby into the Apple dealership to have it changed. But, other than that? Nothing, so far. And if you’re worrying about how long the battery lasts, on average? About 10-13 hours depending on whether you’re doing a lot of surfing, reading, watching a movie, or the least power draining activity, listening to music.

One good thing? I’m glad Steve Job stuck to his guns and refused to allow Flash to suck up battery time. I can’t say as I’ve missed not having that available when visiting this or that web site.

So, dear reader, there you have it. One person’s personal view of her iPad and what it means to her: freedom.