photo © 2010 Steve Paine | more info (via: Wylio)Did you know the iPad 2 was released in the US on Friday?
...if you didn't, than you're the only one in the country that didn't. The amazing popularity of this unnecessary luxury item astounds me! I read in the Wall Street Journal, that analysts are estimating that Apple sold close to 600,000 iPad 2's in 3 days this past weekend. It is also estimated that 6 million will be sold before March 31st, and 30 million by year's end. Wow.
Let me give you 2 reasons for the title of this post and why it may not be appropriate for you, as a husband and father, to buy an iPad 2 (or any other expensive unnessecary item):
A Financial Burden
It really impresses me that 30 million people have enough disposable income to spend $500-$830 on this device, especially in today's economy (sarcasm). I know I don't.... and I don't think 30 million people do either. I wonder how many husbands and fathers are living paycheck-to-paycheck, struggling to provide for their families, and will be blowing at least $500 on a toy?
Did you notice the peculiar release time? Friday at 5:00. Apple is not dumb, they know Fridays are paydays... and 5:00 means that 9-5'ers had a chance at them too.
A Distraction
Technology is inundating our lives. TVs, computers, net books, smart phones, and iPads can all distract us from what matters the most - your relationship with God and your Family. With the iPad, 65,000 apps provide endless mind-numbing, time-sucking entertainment.
Where does this time come from? As Dustin Riechmann explains in a great article posted on Simple Marriage, our time is limited and, like money, we should create a budget for it! how big is the iPad/technology line item in your time budget? and how big should it be?
Note: If you have the extra money and time required for an iPad2, it looks like a pretty nice toy, enjoy it for me :)
