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Don't do it. It's worse than a laptop for using in the house (underpowered, limited iPhone-ish OS), and it's worse than an iPhone for walking around with (waaay too big). It makes no sense.
Don't get a car. A car will be worse for carrying passengers than a bus (not enough seats, limited engine size), and it will be worse than a motorbike for driving in traffic (too big and too slow). No-one will want one.
i think iPhone uses find themselves picking up and using their iPhone a lot which gives the illusion of a bad battery - i'm not sure it's stellar, but I think the consensus is that all the smartphones are about the same.
Don't get a car. A car will be worse for carrying passengers than a bus (not enough seats, limited engine size), and it will be worse than a motorbike for driving in traffic (too big and too slow). No-one will want one.
iLike this analogy 😀
Ordinarily I try not be one of the naysayers. But in this instance I can't see it being a great success, other than the iFanbase that'll no doubt have to have one.
I do think that the iPhone being as successful as it is will mean that casual users won't super size (for want of a better way of saying). And those that are into gaming, browsing and the likes will compare with netbooks and other small devices, and not sure it'll be favourable to them without really looking into it.
Now if it had been rubbery white then it would be killer.
i must admit it made me look at my iPhone and think, wow, it's a mini iPad but with a camera!
Yes - I want something that is a pain to browse on (no mouse), a pain to type on (no keyboard),
I find browsing with my iPhone a lot easier than my laptop, and just as easy as using a mouse.
Typing is the best thing ever, I can type just as fast on my iPhone as I can on a full size computer, almost......
Took me a couple of weeks to get used to it but I love it. The ipad is something that geeks won't like as it's not the same as everything they already have (but in a different box and more ram), it's a genuinely useful thing. My wife when I told her about it thought it would be ace for us.
Big iphone without the camera or GPS. What's the point?
Big itouch that you can pull out on the train and look like a total knob. What's the point?
The bus analogy is rubbish. A laptop will do everything that an iPad will do, better, and that's the whole point. Not true for the bus.
The forte of the iPad is the format, which may be more attractive and usable, sometimes. If you're willing to blow a few hundred quid on something which MAY occassionally be more convenient than your laptop and iPhone, go for it. But my guess you'll play with it for a couple of weeks, and then it will become a really expensive paperweight.
I might buy one for the Mrs. She's a technophobe but is determined to discover what the Internets are for. I reckon this might be just the thing.
"But my guess you'll play with it for a couple of weeks, and then it will become a really expensive paperweight."
Wow - I bet you're WAY out on that! - those that buy it will use it loads.
I have an old macbook that gets used after work from 9 - 12pm every night for casual browsing, email, facebook etc - the battery's had it and it burns your legs. for us the iPad would be something that quietly gets used a LOT!
And then there's the fact the screen resolution, though ok for its size again, is only 1024x768... Who uses a computer at that res these days?
Erm.. any netbook user? e.g. Samsung NC10 (a forum favourite and one of the most popular netbooks) is only 1024x600.
battery life is easily the weakest point with the iPhone.
Agreed. Though I also agree that it's probably cos I use it so much.
Annoying bu not really a huge issue. Charger at home, charger in the car, USB cable at work, extra Kensington battery for long flights etc. Sorted. 🙂
Big iphone without the camera or GPS
I thought it had GPS? [URL= http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/ ]Apple website says "Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model)"[/URL] 😕
Big itouch that you can pull out on the train and look like a total knob. What's the point?
How would you look any more of a nob than someone using a laptop, netbook or tablet PC?
a pain to type on (no keyboard)
Yeah, imagine that, how awful. 🙄
(Sent from my iPhone)
I will be getting one, for certain. It fulfills exactly my requirements', which is something biggerer than my iPhone, that I can properly read books, magazines and newspapers on, watch movies at a decent size, see OS maps at a decent size, and browse the web, also at a decent page size. All these things I do on the phone, but the screen size is limiting sometimes. Yes, I could get a laptop, but they're bulky by comparison, and even a MacBook is going to be a fair bit heavier, and lugging my 17" PowerBook around in my bag for casual use is utterly out of the question; a 7lb fragile laptop with poor battery life by comparison? No contest. The pad in a padded case will just sit in my bag unnoticed until I need it, it's just exactly what I need.
no usb is the big kicker; pack light go to a conference, do some last minute changes to work, but then you need a laptop to sync and then put the presentation across.
for a travel/work device its too limited. that then leaves it as a web browser/video viewer, which is (more) easily done on a netbook.
robdob - Member
Typing is the best thing ever, I can type just as fast on my iPhone as I can on a full size computer, almost......
Thats great. For you. On the other hand, I can use both hands and most of my fingers when I type, which means I can use a real keyboard properly. Therefore, no comparison.
I like the unibody construction as a reason why it is of robust construction. That just means it is (essentially) not repairable and another example of poor design to satisfy disposable society. It will sell and lots of people will buy it as they 'need' it. Just like lots of people 'need' an iphone. Clever marketing indeed.
[i]I think that the only other second computer I would consider would be a MacBook or another MBP, and it would only get used for web browsing 99% of the time.[/i]
Ah I see the real reason for you getting one. A true apple fan boi.
How would you look any more of a nob than someone using a laptop, netbook or tablet PC?
Bit less of a knob, I'd say, as you will actually be doing something and not just staring out of the window waiting for the thing to boot.
Thats great. For you. On the other hand, I can use both hands and most of my fingers when I type, which means I can use a real keyboard properly.
Have you got a camera like Ti29er?
Has anyone else mentioned the inability to multi task? One thing at once - thats not really very good is it? No booting up, but one thing at a time after that. Poopy indeed.
Has anyone else mentioned the inability to multi task? One thing at once - thats not really very good is it? No booting up, but one thing at a time after that. Poopy indeed.
You're spending a lot of time and energy criticising this thing, TT. People might start to think you have an unhealthy obsession.
for a travel/work device its too limited. that then leaves it as a web browser/video viewer, which is (more) easily done on a netbook.
that's the market it's aimed at IMO. Don't really see how a netbook is easier though?
And then there's the fact the screen resolution, though ok for its size again, is only 1024x768... Who uses a computer at that res these days?
It's the second most popular resolution on stw with 17% of the pie.
Flash support? Many sites are moving away from flash because it is bloated, particularly on OSX. And proper video support in HTML5 will show a big decline for showing video. That is when internet explorer catches up...
though ok for its size again, is only 1024x768... Who uses a computer at that res these days?
me
Thing about most of the naysayers - no matter what the tablet was like they probably wouldn't have bought one anyway - they're not the target market.
They're pitching it between an iphone and a MB(P). For anyone that can afford these, it's a cheap cool gadget and many will buy them.
Personally, I can see me replacing my MBP with one. I already have a (powerfull) desktop too, and given I can do entertainment and comms tasks on the ipad, and crucially use it to not only give, but also tweak presentations, makes it tempting.
http://www.stephenfry.com/2010/01/28/ipad-about/ has a great write up about the launch and the device itself. He touched it you know.
i wonder if you can run pirate software on it ... See what i did there pirate..ipad.. oh dear igmc 🙂
I think a case in point is Mrs Flamejob.
Me - Bit of a Mac geek; work on Macs have iPhone, TimeCapsule + 3 Airport express house, admin an OS X server etc
Her - Works on a windows network, has a posh Dell laptop for work and a Macbook which she only uses for email, browsing and photos etc. She has no interest in computers, but just wants to be able to sit on the sofa/stand in the kitchen pick something up and use it instantly.
This morning she said 'I think I'm going to give my parents my MacBook and buy one of those iPad things', with no prompting from me at all.
[i]That[/i] is the target market, not a group of tech obsessed middle aged geeks who ride bikes that make life more difficult for themselves.
The iPad is, unfortunately, the inevitable future of general computing.
Flash support? Many sites are moving away from flash because it is bloated, particularly on OSX.
Will advertisers also stop using it to make irritating ads which use all your processor time? You might have come across one or two sites where that's a big problem, Tom.
but then you need a laptop to sync
Or a cloud?
http://www.stephenfry.com/2010/01/28/ipad-about...........He touched it you know.
...and by the way he gushes about it you would think he was fellated by it also.
Who says there's no iBook reader? I think you'll find there's an iBook app built in, and iBooks equivalent of iTunes for buying and browsing stuff from.
Or a cloud?
Ah, that wouldn't help in your case, would it? You need to plug in projectors and the like…
I think it's their biggest fail to date. Most of the 'negative' comments above I agree with.
It'll be interesting to see if the blinkered fanbois still make it a success - that'll reinforce all my unhealthy cynicism about fashion in the marketplace.
It'll be interesting to see if the blinkered fanbois still make it a success - that'll reinforce all my unhealthy cynicism about fashion in the marketplace.
Hahaha - bitterest post so far!! Consider yourself King of the Haterz!! 🙂
"Who says there's no iBook reader?"
Apple do. Only announced for the US release so far. Currently other country's pages have it conspicuously missing.
i like apple. i don't have an iPhone, but I have a macbook. think the iPad fails from an ergonomic point of view. my mac book in my lap has the screen pointing at my eyes and i can alter the angle easily - same if it's flat on a table - resting nicely with the keyboard/trackpad easy to use. an iPad on my lap will be at the wrong angle to view/use unless one hand is holding it. same if it's on a table. i still think they should have gone for a slim netbook with a decent hard drive running snow leopard. also how happy would you be chucking it in your man-bag without it being in a case - scratchy screen anyone?
It's the second most popular resolution on stw with 17% of the pie.
Blimey! That is a surprise...
Don't think I've had a computer with that low a resolution screen in 7 years probably! 1920x1080 here right now, 1440x900 on my laptop, even computers 2 generations old of mine were still 1280x1024! I'm still tempted by one of the little Samsung Netbooks, but to me that's more about being a portable workstation than a computer.
..think the iPad fails from an ergonomic point of view.. an iPad on my lap will be at the wrong angle to view/use unless one hand is holding it.. would you be chucking it in your man-bag without it being in a case - scratchy screen anyone?
I don't actually thing the tablet ergonomics is a big deal. By the same argument it's a bugger to use a netbook/laptop when you're lying down or sitting where you don't have a table to put it on (laptops actually used "lap top" are a killer on the back).
But would you be happier if it had a stand available?
[img] 
[/img]
http://gizmodo.com/5459192/oh-yes-the-first-ipad-kickstand
Or perhaps a nice case to protect the screen in your manbag?
[img] 
[/img]
http://gizmodo.com/5458496/griffin-announces-its-first-ipad-accessories-cases-sleeves-screen-protectors
Or a case that turns into a kickstand?
[img] 
[/img]
http://i.gizmodo.com/5458344/ipad-kickstand-accessory-doubles-as-a-nice-leather-case-too
so it works ergonomically if you buy extras....
By the same argument it's a bugger to use a netbook/laptop when you're lying down or sitting where you don't have a table to put it on (laptops actually used "lap top" are a killer on the back).
I disagree - use mine like that all the time, whilst sitting in much the same position as I normally do in a chair (is how I'm typing right now). The iPad will lead to much more of a hunch. Of course if you want to use a computer whilst lying down, an iPad is probably better, but it's still not exactly great.
But would you be happier if it had a stand available?
If it put the keyboard bit flat and the screen bit upright whilst sitting on a table or my lap, then you're right it would solve all the ergonomic problems. From the look of either of those offerings they wouldn't even hold the screen upright whilst sitting on your lap.
http://gizmodo.com/5455844/tablet-sutra-how-are-we-supposed-to-hold-this-thing
I feel the need to point out that I'm not particularly a hater (which is how I might be coming across) - if I was in the market for an expensive smartphone I'd certainly be very tempted by an iPhone, which is something they did a superb job with. Just very unconvinced by this.
[url= http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1928558 ]I'm still enjoying watching [/url] people work themselves into a lather defending this thing. You'd think they were shareholders with a vested interest in it's success.
"It's the second most popular resolution on stw with 17% of the pie.
Blimey!" That is a surprise...
Indeed - I'd have guessed the top two would be 1280x800 and 1280x1024, but maybe that's just because they're what I use!
Fraser Spiers has a good go at attempting to explain why everyone's up in arms about the iPad:
The Real Work is not formatting the margins, installing the printer driver, uploading the document, finishing the PowerPoint slides, running the software update or reinstalling the OS […] The Real Work is teaching the child, healing the patient, selling the house, logging the road defects, fixing the car at the roadside, capturing the table’s order, designing the house and organising the party.
http://speirs.org/blog/2010/1/29/future-shock.html
Spot on I reckon.
Spot on I reckon.
Completely missing the point I reckon. The thing is that a closed architecture doesn't mean you avoid having to format the margins, finish the powerpoint slides or upload the document. If your work involves writing documents or doing presentations, then he can rant all he likes about them being unnecessary jobs (compared to the important things which obviously don't involve any documentation), but a closed architecture doesn't get rid of them. Maybe the iPad will have software which makes some of these things easier, but I'm less than convinced and see no evidence as yet, in any case that will be a s/w rather than a platform thing.
Meanwhile I don't generally have to install a printer driver or re-install an OS on a Windows platform - if I did have to install the printer driver, I'd surely have to also do so on an iPad, which has the disadvantage of the smaller customer base meaning drivers less likely to be updated. The fact I can re-install the OS is an advantage not a disadvantage.
Of course that is all totally irrelevant anyway, since the iPad isn't a laptop. If it was, people might be levelling those criticisms, but they're not - the criticisms are all about the ergonomics.
In reality he's just as deluded as he seems to think the critics are. Quite clearly a fanboi, given the suggestion that this is the future because Steve Jobs says so. I also found myself confused by the comments about "Pages" and "Finder" and some peculiar behaviour you don't get on a normal computer, until I realised these must be Apple specific problems.
I probably won't buy one, at least not until version 2 or 3, but I love the idea of a bigger iPhone - something that is as simple and reliable but with a bigger screen and bigger keyboard.
I've wasted weeks of my life faffing around with computers, and I'm more than willing to trade a spurious sense of control for something like this. I travel huge amounts for work, and need something small and light on which to edit documents, deal with emails, and tweak the odd presentation while I do.
Just as I used to fix my own car but now have little idea (and less interest) what goes on under the bonnet, i've moved on from the machine code programming I used to do on a 6502 processor 30 years ago to just wanting the blasted thing to work. I have a samsung nc10 but found using windows unbearable and running it as a hackintosh a pain, so gave up using it. These things are all compromises, but I reckon an iPad is probably a pretty good set of compromises for what I want.
aracer, i think you missed the point a bit there. His article was that the ipad's an attempt to get to where things should be with computers. To take some of what you said:
"doesn't mean you avoid having to format the margins, finish the powerpoint slides or upload the document. If your work involves writing documents or doing presentations"
My work involves writing documents, and i would LOVE never to have to worry about formatting. And I shouldn't have to, the machine can do it for me.
"The fact I can re-install the OS is an advantage"
Why? Seriously. Why? I don't want to faff about with that if I don't have to. And the only reason I have to is cos something was wrong with the software in the first place. And if it needs updating, why can't it do it itself, silently on my behalf?
Now I don't claim (or even think) the ipad is going to bring all this in, but it's a step in the right direction.