Which iPad Accessories are Necessary?

Some of the Apple iPad accessories are delayed but does this matter to you?

expect the vibrant third-party market to step in and offer cheaper alternatives once the device is available.

Not every accessory offered by Apple is necessary for you to purchase in order for you to be productive or to have a comfortable environment while reading your favorite website. However, Wired put together a list of five essential accessories.

First, the Pogo Stylus is a great suggestion. I ordered mine from Amazon over the weekend and it should arrive today. Actually, I bought four of them because I thought others in the family might want one, too. Is this essential? Hardly. Will it improve the experience of the iPad? I’ll let everyone know on April 3rd.

However, placing your iPad into a plastic bag if you are using it around water is a great idea but are you really going to use the iPad while in the bathtub? If you answer yes then you definitely need to protect the investment. Sorry but I’ll keep mine away from the tub.

The rest of the suggestions seem moot or dependent upon the type of use for the device. For example, I plan to try using the Kindle app to see if reading on the iPad is better than on the Kindle device itself. I’m not sure this is essential but an idea in need of testing.

I do believe, though, that an Apple iPad dock is going to be essential for everyone. The device is meant to be a companion and I foresee using it at the same time as I am on my desktop. I don’t want to hold the device while trying to type on my desktop. Instead, I expect to flip between screens.

Actually, I hope to use the device as a research tool while writing on my desktop computer. I need the large screen at times to write.

In fact, as an aside, wouldn’t it be cool to be able to control the iPad from the desktop? If I could copy text from the iPad and place it into a document open on the desktop then I’d really be happy.

Besides the dock, OtterBox and others are releasing cases, bumpers, shields, and other protection for your iPad. This is absolutely essential. I’ve dropped my Tablet PCs more than I care to admit. Without protection – well – I’d be really upset with myself. Instead, my Tablet PCs continue to chug along.

What are your plans for accessories? Are you buying a case, a dock, screen shields?