I am a full-stack Web Application Developer and Software Developer, currently living in Austin, TX. I have a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Austin University, and my primary focus and inspiration for my studies is Web Development. In my free time, I study astronomy and the psychology of human computer interaction.
When it came to deciding to buy a new tablet PC, the Apple iPad, including ratings on app promotion site was really the only choice. Tablets come in all shapes and sizes, and trying to find the best option was a bit of a trick. The volume of tablets in the market is pretty impressive, and playing around with the various tablets was a lot of fun. Screen size was a deal breaker and the 9.7 inch screen of the iPad 2 stood out among the other brands. Although the Acer Iconia A500 was tempting with a great looking 10.1 inch screen and a nice price for a 16GB model.
Of course, the Iconia retails for significantly less than the $700 price tag of the 64GB iPad 2. Wi-Fi was the only important option, since a wireless hotspot accompanies me on any trip, so a data plan was not needed. Despite the price difference, the iPad complimented existing Apple technology in the house. The only problem was finding $700 to blow on a tablet computer.
Usually a new piece of tech starts out with a modest $20 a week commitment, but that kind of volume was going to need move a little faster because it was going to take more than half a year to save up for. Charging was out of the question because a television was still being paid for, so a new plan had to be put into action.
After a few thrilling moments of math on the dry erase board, it became pretty clear that ten weeks was going to be a good waiting period. Which meant about $75 per week was going to need to be put away, then realism set in and by Christmas 2011 seemed like a better option. The spare change jar was going to be getting a work out, and with any luck around $100 could be saved up. That would cover tax and the back portion of the purchase.
Just like everybody else, selling things that had been in the basement or attic seemed like a good place to start, which meant some Craig’s List activity was going to be happening. Along with contributing $20 a week, selling some things and some spare change, I was confident I could pull the purchase off by Christmas. Of course, that decision was made in July.
While the iPad 2 fund has been up and down, thanks to life issues like tires for the car, water tanks, and a new sump pump (an unfortunate requirement of the location I choose to call home), New Year’s Day was seeming like a more realistic timeframe. A little over halfway to the $750 goal (with tax), the deadline may or may not happen, but since the device is superfluous and redundant to a number of other tech devices in the home is purely a luxury. Still, with any luck, I will have the new iPad 2, before the iPad 3 gets released