I’ve owned the iPad for a few days now, and here are my initial observations. These could change as soon as tomorrow, and many more will be added, so don’t take anything too literally.

• Feels great in my hands, which I expected. I bought the official Apple sleeve/protector, but hardly use it.
• I don’t notice the excess weight that many have reported, but that’s mainly because it’s almost always resting in my lap.
• The battery drains quick, and re-charges very slowly, and only seems to charge via power outlet, and not USB.
• Typing is not as bad as I thought it would be – although I haven’t mastered natural, 10-finger typing yet – I’m still pecking away with my index fingers.
• The selection of apps is slim so far – that is, iPad-optimized apps.
• iPhone-only apps look pixelated and blurry when zoomed in to twice the size. I guess it’s better than not supporting them at all.
• The Netflix streaming app seems amazing, but it crashes a lot in my early exposure to it.
• Many mobile sites remain in their mobile version – I tried accessing many of Google’s suite of products as the full version, but there’s way to do it.

Overall I’ve been leaving the iPad at home, even though I commute to work via public transportation, and many would assume I’d take it along. I don’t feel it’s a true “mobile device,” and I haven’t really established a set use-pattern for it, other than when I’m sitting on the couch.

Plus I still use my iPhone regularly, which fits in my pocket, so it seems pointless to carry both the iPad and iPhone around at once.

I do have visions of how I could use it, such as visiting a client for free-lance work, and being able to showcase what I’ve worked on using a slim device and beautiful large screen. I also envision my iPad completely replacing any need for pen and paper ever again.

Conceptually, my opinions of the device haven’t changed much since day one, but it’s one of those things you have to experience to understand.