Why I would consider buying an iPad...

[vandyblackandgold]

...or another tablet for that matter.

At first glance, I look at the iPad and, like most people, say whats the point!? Yes Apple has chosen to "create" a new category that fits between a smartphone and a laptop and so must of us just perceive it as a luxury item with no necessity involved.

Now, a while back I read an interesting article that spoke of Apple's (presumed) attempt at killing Kindle with the launch of the iPad and subsequently the iBook application. this sparked my attention as my wife and i are avid Kindle fans and users.

here was the ultimate point that was made. the KindleDX is $489. the iPad starts at $499. so for most people this would become a no brainer. for $10 more, look at all the extras you get and get to do. i think this is valid and fair point.

if i were in the market for a new Kindle, or similar device, heck yeah I look at an iPad or similar tablet depending on what it has to offer. someday, it seems for me at least, there is a spot for a tablet in my backpack.

what are your thoughts?

 

[El Blacksheep]

Too many people are missing the main point;

iPad doesn't use an e-ink screen.

I personally love the thought of one uber-device replacing dozens of dedicated-purpose devices, but the iPad makes for a really shitty e-book reader with it's normal screen.

It consumes more power:
- full charge / battery doesn't last as long
- batteries can't be swapped out if away from an outlet for long periods of time

It's more harsh on your eyes:
- reading for long periods of time will cause strain
- reading in sunlight won't be as easy as an e-ink screen

There's a lot more I could rant on but I'll sum it all up in one statement; a tablet at one point may be able to replace e-books, but the iPad does a really terrible job of it.

 

[Codi Direct]

Though I dont love the iPad, it has some great features. Movies, music and books are great for long commutes. Just remember when considering the price, the iPad has a monthly fee for data usage. I agree that the lack of an e-ink screen makes reading more of a task than an enjoyable past time. There are alot of great blogs that delve into the good and the bad aspects of the iPad, check them out.

 

[Pryomancer]

Let's make this the 'nice things to say about the iPad' thread. Yes, it is flawed and pointless, but you can't argue it doesn't have some good features and uses. By fervently denying this, we're no better than the Apple fanboys who so blindly try to defend Apple at every opportunity.

 

[Dromineer]

I love the concept of the iPad, I hate what it can, or should I say is incapable of doing. I wanted something that was capable of drawing on a professional level, so something with pressure sensitivity, higher dpi, and at least a proper operating system. This device has a long way to go, but it is a good step ahead as the iPad has brought some form of awareness on the future of devices, as tablets are not new, but are getting popular

 

[SoulTerror]

I've never messed with one. When I first heard about it, I thought it would probably do good, just because of the face that it's an Apple product. A guy at my work has one, need to play around with it one day.

I must say I do like the size of it, but I don't like the silverish color of it, I'd rather have a black one. Easier to keep clean.

 

[vbetts]

The ipad would honestly not be bad in my book if Apple at least supported flash for it. It won't happen in this life time sadly...

 

[gordon green]

people have gone crazy over it but when i first read about it they said it was a in-between of the iphone and macbook, but if you ahve a iPad then you wouldn't need your mac.

 

[El Blacksheep]

people have gone crazy over it but when i first read about it they said it was a in-between of the iphone and macbook, but if you ahve a iPad then you wouldn't need your mac.

i wouldn't even give it that much praise. it doesn't compare to any macbook, and its too large to be as mobile or convenient as an iphone. it's just a really big ipod touch. i'm just waiting to see someone strap it to their arm and go jogging.

 

[gordon green]

i would rather have an iPhine just because of the size of it and less chance of it being stolen when on the go

 

[legacy]

I'll probably be picking one up in a couple of months for the following reasons.

1. I want to make a mount for it in our SUV and use it instead of an overhead DVD player.

2. Another mount in the kitchen and use it for recipes.

 

[bluenova]

2. Another mount in the kitchen and use it for recipes.

This is probably the one and only reason I would concider the ipad (or any other kind of pad), to use as a family message board/kitchen aid kind of tool.

I'm glad this thread has started well, lets keep it this way. Constructive criticism is welcome but no haters.

 

[Thefoodman52]

I think it would make for a good toy to entertain small children with games on a trip or something, just bring a car charger with a long cord to reach to the back seat. Hand it to them, then just enjoy the quite bliss that is a human vegetable well, vegetating in the back seat mindlessly entertained with a game or two.

 

[vandyblackandgold]

Well my wife works in publishing. She brought one home from work as they are researching where they need to go to publish on the iPad. So currently i am typing this post from said iPad. I am laying in bed and typing without having to have my MacBook open and i am not bothering her. This is nice. Yes its a toy, but i would use this thing on a daily basis and still have a need for MacBook as well as my phone.

 

[Snow_Fox]

My biggest problem.. is that because it doesn't replace your phone or computer anyway..


I would opt for an Archos 5 over the ipad.

Sure ipad is more powerful.. odds are more "refined" as well.. But, archos 5 can do all the major things I would want ipad to do.. I'm sure there is capability to read ebooks, watch movies and listen to music.

I suppose I just can't justify an ipad.

SUre if I got one for free, I would probably find a use for it/enjoy it..

But, a travel dvd player is 100$.. a Nintendo ds is 130$.. your still ahead by 200$... I suppose that would be my biggest issue..

 

[vandyblackandgold]

after a whole weekend with it, i have come to a conclusion...

yes it may be a little indulgent, and yes it may be a little closer on the side of toy than it is practical, but i will definitely be getting one.

the battery life on this thing is phenomenal and i would use it everyday. there are times when it would be necessary to use the laptop to do major typing, working on stuff for work, etc. but then at night while watching tv, cruising the internet, playing around etc, or on saturday mornings, drinking coffee on the back deck reading the newspaper.

i love it. it is so fast and responsive and the accelerometer on this thing is the best I have ever seen. it orients itself no matter how you hold the iPad, even upside down.

 

[wiretap]

If they actually had made it semi-useful, it might have been worth buying:

 

[IOWA]

The notion adam ink is a much better option, it has pixelqi, so it can actually be a viable e-reader, it has more power than ipad, and it runs android! now about that release date...

 

[ari-free]

In general, I wouldn't want to buy any kind of computer with an app approval requirement.

 

[ashykat]

I've used a few iPads for a good amount of time, and it is a very handy device. I definitely classify it as a want over a need, but I could absolutely see many cases where it would be great to have. When it comes to multimedia it's great. Show pics from the vacation type of stuff. What I'm looking forward to now is good competition in this field. I think what the competitors need to realize is that it's not enough to throw Windows 7 on a tablet with a touch screen and say it competes with the iPad. The two are different beasts. I cannot wait to see what happens with an HP tablet with webOS. The cards interface, non-intrusive notifications, etc are going to be great on a tablet. But getting back to the point of this thread, I can definitely see owning an iPad, although I'd probably wait to see the competition, plus what Apple ads to the next gen version.

 

[Snow_Fox]

I spoke with a co worker recently..

He mentioned getting one for xmas.. I pointed out the sheer cost makes it somewhat unpractical.

His main defense was he wouldn't be paying for it, and it would be great for when studying at the local coffee shops..

I asked why not a netbook.. his only response to that was he dislikes windows.. and didn't want to have to turn something on.

I must admit.. I am somewhat envious of the people who can afford to toss around 500$ for something they plan to not use very often :/.

I mean the majority of what I read about the ipad is uses that would be minimal.. 500$ is just too much for what equates to a spare computer laying around..

 

[ashykat]

I spoke with a co worker recently..

He mentioned getting one for xmas.. I pointed out the sheer cost makes it somewhat unpractical.

His main defense was he wouldn't be paying for it, and it would be great for when studying at the local coffee shops..

I asked why not a netbook.. his only response to that was he dislikes windows.. and didn't want to have to turn something on.

I must admit.. I am somewhat envious of the people who can afford to toss around 500$ for something they plan to not use very often :/.

I mean the majority of what I read about the ipad is uses that would be minimal.. 500$ is just too much for what equates to a spare computer laying around..

I don't really see it as a "spare computer" laying around because the iPad is for media consumption, and in all honesty being able to touch, swipe, pinch, etc is great for those uses. It can't be used as a serious work computer obviously, and I do think for around the coffee shop it would be great.

As far as the netbook thing, if he's tech savvy at all he can do what I did. I got a Lenovo Ideapad S10 when they were first released, and I made it a hackintosh. I like being able to duel boot and I use OS X a lot more than windows.

 

[Snow_Fox]

I used spare computer a bit loosely. I was more referring to the fact that it would be picked up and used instead of walking to another room to go use another computer..

However, this particular guy refuses to use ubuntu because, he does not "understand it".

He is fairly tech savvy.. however, he seems to have excuses as to why he wants to buy apple products..

*Edit*

I don't really "like" windows but, it suits my needs (gaming) more than anything else.. I have no objection to mac if you have reasons for using it.. but, I personally go with my wallet every time.

 

[IOWA]

Most people who opt fr osx aren't very tech savvy. As bad as it sounds, when osx gets hit with a mega virus, (and it will happen) it'll finally prompt apple do do something about that poor security they have vs other operating systems. But then again with osx you still have lack of compatibility etc. And I think its only a matter of time beofre jobs puts a "app store" like policy on osx.

 

[Snow_Fox]

Actually it is illegal to download osx to anything besides a mac..

Oh well XD