iPad or iFad, what do you think?

jock101

Do you think the iPad is a passing fad or rich mans toy. Or do you think its a really useful tool in this digital media age?:rolleyes:

grizzly

I think it's a fun gadget. Although for light users it could easily replace a laptop, except for the fact it needs a computer tied to it.

rordeb

Agreed it will keep slot of people away from their computers. The days of sitting at a desk waiting for something to power up are fading.

IamMetaldave

I think if you have an iPhone there's no need for them. I know there's a bigger screen for films or whatever, for travel etc a phone is handier.

displaced dub

I don't think it's a rich mans toy,I have one and I'm no rich man.

I also don't think it's a fad they've sold too many with massive interest still in unlaunched countries.

I also think the day of the desktop/laptop is coming to an end for home/ personal use, when they get this cloud computing sorted your iPad will back up to the cloud instead of your computer.

As I've said before in other posts I've had this 3 months now and anyone and I mean anyone who gets there hands on it say two things

1. I want one
2. It's not just a big iPod/iPhone

My wife my kids my mother her mother all love it, the mothers are on the notify me on the apple site waiting for the day they can order it.

I use it for travel with work and I will be sitting on the plane tomorrow am and Friday pm watching either breaking bad or modern family.

Basq

I started thinking it was a decent little gadget but as I've used it more and more, it's a superb device.

The problem with the iPad is that out of the box, it's grand - impressive but with obvious limited capabilities. But until you pick up some apps - both official (RSS readers, Twitter clients, Keynote, Docs2Go and various great looking games) and some unofficial (Backgrounder) - it becomes an extremely capable device both for business-orientated people (the amount of great looking stock applications, applications to edit any document type sent to you, dictation applications etc) and not so business orientated (OPlayer HD to play almost any audio or video format, Comic Zeal for glorious looking comics etc).

People said it'll never replace a netbook.. with how much it has came on in 3 months after release, I'd starting to think it'll go pretty damn close to doing so IMO.

It's certainly not an iFad.. but I do think you need to spend a fair amount of money to make it a "capable" device.

Einstein

Hoping to pick one up when they're out here...Was in California and NY over the last couple weeks and they were out of stock

Ideal for me for sheet music in PDF format, and also instructional videos...that alone is a bonus for me...anything else I can use it for will make it even better

naasrd

I'm with displaced dub & basquille. While it's taken over from the laptop in our house for internet use, it's also, due to an app called Pages, proven itself to be very useful for my work, something I never expected and was bowled over when I discovered it. When I heard about it first I did wonder where/who it was aimed at, but now, 1 month on the iPad has become an integral part of my Internet use. Banking, email, work, surfing; the whole 9 yards, it's a serious piece of kit. I've said it elsewhere on other threads it's made my laptop seem clunky and redundant, that's my experience of it.

As for the cost; I've stayed in a couple of weekends since I bought it, cut down on a night out here and there and in doing so have made up more than half it's cost already.

Dades

Tablet devices will become huge over the next couple of years. They'll take a lot of business from laptops and netbooks, but by no means replace them.

There is a niche for "couch surfing" and the iPad and forthcoming similar devices will fill it.

Branoic

Both my wife and I have iPhones and I've got a kindle and we use the iPad on a daily basis. Certainly not a fad for us.

The device is complete and utter marketing bs.
Just came across this:

Obviously not having one I cant check this out. But if I wanted something small and light to browse net with I would spend 50% of the cost on a netbook and get 10 times the storage space,webcam,card reader, USB Lan and extension ports, removable battery,flash support, video out and be able to do more than one thing at a time with proper full multitasking!

BrianD

I think you can safely say ifad until other competitors enter the market. Reports indicate that 3m have been sold (lets up that to over 3m) which means they are but a small drop in the ocean. Hardly a game changer.

It remains to be seen if apple will spur other manufacturers into the tablet market. The tablet has been hanging around for a few years with no uptake but Apple may well be the ones to lead the charge.

naasrd

Deleted User wrote: »

Obviously not having one I cant check this out. But if I wanted something small and light to browse net with I would spend 50% of the cost on a netbook and get 10 times the storage space,webcam,card reader, USB Lan and extension ports, removable battery,flash support, video out and be able to do more than one thing at a time with proper full multitasking!

Good job I don't use my iPad for watching movies then, huh?

Pittens

I am a big APple fan and I have one, but for me - though I use it quite a bit - it wont replace the desktop. I need the desktop to work anyway ( i.e. to code) but I also write documents on the desktop - that is what I am doing all day today - and wouldnt use pages. I just dont like the keyboard on the iPad.

And thats enough for it not to replace the machine I am working on. Also it doesnt print. And also - copy and paste is easier with a keyboard.

I realise I can buy one - a keyboard. But I have spent enough this year.

Anyway it is great for surfing and for email etc. Short emails of course. And videos. TV. That brilliant. I dont really use it for music as it is kinda pointless being so big. Apps, so far, are good but not great. Developers have yet to come to terms - for the most part - with the extra screen real estate.

One major flaw. I want to see something online and pass it around to other people. Or leave it lying around. If I do they can see my entire history, or use my emails etc. Rather than a full multi-user experience a lock for safari and email would do it.

Pittens

But if I wanted something small and light to browse net with I would spend 50% of the cost on a netbook and get 10 times the storage space,webcam,card reader, USB Lan and extension ports, removable battery,flash support, video out and be able to do more than one thing at a time with proper full multitasking!

look, haters like you are never going to buy an Apple product. So why dont you not post in the Apple Media Devices forum. Your post was typical stupidity. Apple make the dimensions of the iPad clear, and I have no problem - nor does anybody else with a brain - with black lines on top of screens - my TV does that for movies too even though it is widescreenish.

The ANGRY UNWASHED HATERS OF APPLE are getting a bit sad and tired now. go and play in your own sad little sandbox.

And if the response to my post is Fanboy, I point you to my last post where I criticised the iPad from actually having used it, rather than picking up some nerd crap online from comic book guy type losers.

naasrd

naasrd wrote: »

Good job I don't use my iPad for watching movies then, huh?

I don't mind what you use it for. But you did get ripped off!

Pittens

Reports indicate that 3m have been sold (lets up that to over 3m) which means they are but a small drop in the ocean. Hardly a game changer.

3M is after - what - about two months sale in the US, and one month in 8 other countries? Seems to me they are on to sell tens of millions next year, and a hundred M or so the year after.

I hope they fix the multi-user problem.

Pittens

I don't mind what you use it for. But you did get ripped off!

No he didnt. Now piss off out of here to the netbook thread where you can talk with the rest of the comic book guys about evil apple.

Graham

Deleted User wrote: »

The device is complete and utter marketing bs.
Just came across this:

Obviously not having one I cant check this out. But if I wanted something small and light to browse net with I would spend 50% of the cost on a netbook and get 10 times the storage space,webcam,card reader, USB Lan and extension ports, removable battery,flash support, video out and be able to do more than one thing at a time with proper full multitasking!

The Mrs and I both get several hours of use a day out of our iPads, obviously this is purely because "the device is complete and utter marketing bs". :rolleyes:

Of course my experience is based on several months of actually using the device and not on the ramblings of a few screen-shots I've found on the internet.

Basq

Deleted User wrote: »

Obviously not having one I cant check this out. But if I wanted something small and light to browse net with I would spend 50% of the cost on a netbook and get 10 times the storage space,webcam,card reader, USB Lan and extension ports, removable battery,flash support, video out and be able to do more than one thing at a time with proper full multitasking!

Well.. the device isn't for you - it's as simple as that!

No-one's gonna convince you that you need one. But just to clarify some of your points for other people:

Deleted User wrote: »

But if I wanted something small and light to browse net with I would spend 50% of the cost on a netbook

Very true with regards to cost.. but with regards to "small and light", you'll be hard pushed to find a decent netbook at 0.63kg in weight.

Deleted User wrote: »

and get 10 times the storage space

Good point but I've an NC10 with a 120GB hard-drive, and it's about half used - and it's full of movies and music. I think most casual users will find 64GB's more than enough.

Deleted User wrote: »

webcam

Again.. I suspect the reasoning they left out webcam was that it'd add bulk (same reason I'd say it's never been added to the iPod Touch). They are external cams in development if you plan on using it for video calling etc.

Deleted User wrote: »

card reader

It is available - at a cost. I suspect third party components will surface soon.

Deleted User wrote: »

USB Lan and extension ports

The camera connection kit has support for USB devices (albeit very limited right now) and LAN is not something that concerns me (and I wouldn't say a lot of people would be too concerned about this).

Deleted User wrote: »

removable battery

This was not a surprise given Apple's history but yeah, it's irritating nonetheless.

Deleted User wrote: »

flash support

Let's not get into this debate! I do think Apple made the right decision in omitting it but there are arguments for and against it.

Deleted User wrote: »

video out

Video Out is available either by VGA or Composite cables - e.gh. http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/d9e8/

Deleted User wrote: »

and be able to do more than one thing at a time with proper full multitasking!

Well.. I've been hugely impressed with Backgrounder (third party app) and apparently it's much better than Apple's suggested method for multi-tasking in iOS4.

BrianD

Deleted User wrote: »

The device is complete and utter marketing bs.
Just came across this:

Obviously not having one I cant check this out. But if I wanted something small and light to browse net with I would spend 50% of the cost on a netbook and get 10 times the storage space,webcam,card reader, USB Lan and extension ports, removable battery,flash support, video out and be able to do more than one thing at a time with proper full multitasking!

Leaving aside the 2cheating2, I'm surprised that Apple didn't go with a widescreen format. Most laptops are going this way

vinnycoyne

Lads, leave out the personal attacks. Thanks.

Minstrel27

Pittens wrote: »

No he didnt. Now piss off out of here to the netbook thread where you can talk with the rest of the comic book guys about evil apple.

Best not have a bad thought about an Apple product when you are around. One might mistake you for a fanboy.

Pittens wrote: »

And if the response to my post is Fanboy, I point you to my last post where I criticised the iPad from actually having used it, rather than picking up some nerd crap online from comic book guy type losers.

Denial is a terrible thing.

Basq

Christ.. can we not have a civilised fecking discussion without it descending into a goddamn Apple / PC flaming match?

Seriously.. it's the Internet equivalent of a pissing contest. Who gives a shiny sh*te?!

Pittens

Pittens wrote: »

look, haters like you are never going to buy an Apple product. So why dont you not post in the Apple Media Devices forum. Your post was typical stupidity. Apple make the dimensions of the iPad clear, and I have no problem - nor does anybody else with a brain - with black lines on top of screens - my TV does that for movies too even though it is widescreenish.

The ANGRY UNWASHED HATERS OF APPLE are getting a bit sad and tired now. go and play in your own sad little sandbox.

And if the response to my post is Fanboy, I point you to my last post where I criticised the iPad from actually having used it, rather than picking up some nerd crap online from comic book guy type losers.

Lol, pretty much the response I expected!

Graham

Deleted User wrote: »

Lol, pretty much the response I expected!

Nixmix, you're obviously not in the market for/interested in an apple product. Just out of curiosity what brings you to the Apple Media Devices forum?

Gurgle

jock101 wrote: »

Do you think the iPad is a passing fad or rich mans toy. Or do you think its a really useful tool in this digital media age?:rolleyes:

Its what Apple do best, showcase technology that everyone else *nearly* has, funded by extracting silly quantities of cash from the wallets of fanboys.

If it doesn't drop massively in price in the next year, it will be eaten alive by Win 7 / Linux tablets with open content and application access.

Multi-touch tablets in general are here to stay, but not in this form.

Bulktohulk

It's not a fad. It's also the first generation of what will no doubt be a long line of iPad products. And that's just from apple, lots of companies are making tablets now. So do I think the iPad is perfect? No, far from it. However, I believe it's the best tablet on the market right now, and while tablets haven't fully caught on with the mass market yet, they will in the next few years as the devices get as thin as paper, the price comes down and more features are added. Again, not talking about the iPad specifically here, just tablets in general. If you're an early adaptor and have some spare cash, the iPad is a great buy. I know I love mine.

Basq

Gurgle wrote: »

If it doesn't drop massively in price in the next year, it will be eaten alive by Win 7 / Linux tablets with open content and application access.

Engadget did a big comparison (will try and dig up the link) of all the competitors for the iPad - both about to be released and in-development - and the ones that had prices announced didn't seem too far off from the iPad's base price.

I certain wouldn't be an early adopter of Windows 7 tablet regardless. Android definitely appears to be stable and reliable, but who knows how the former will perform?

Graham

Graham wrote: »

Nixmix, you're obviously not in the market for/interested in an apple product. Just out of curiosity what brings you to the Apple Media Devices forum?

To try and understand why people pay over the odds for hamstrung devices.

Basq

Deleted User wrote: »

To try and understand why people pay over the odds for hamstrung devices.

Well.. it's your opinion that's it's a hamstrung device - but plenty of people have made informed decisions (myself included) to buy one, and enjoy it.

You could sit here and point out it's flaws.. I agree with some of them (as I've pointed out above) but it's sounds like you've made your decision already that it's a hamstrung device so no-one here can convince you otherwise.

Graham

I see, can I ask how much you paid for the emminantly more capable Nokia N900?

naasrd

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't mind what you use it for. But you did get ripped off!

Yes, nixmix, now run along like a good boy.

Gurgle

basquille wrote: »

Engadget did a big comparison (will try and dig up the link) of all the competitors for the iPad - both about to be released and in-development - and the ones that had prices announced didn't seem too far off from the iPad's base price.

These things are brand new, with Apple first to market. I wouldn't pay much heed to pricing for devices that aren't in MP yet. Theres a year worth of market skimming left on tablets, maybe 18 months. Most of that money is going to go to Apple.

After that, you've got a netbook sized tablet with similar RAM / Storage / Processor specs, they'll be priced to compete with netbooks. Apple will still be priced at the top end, regardless of actual features, functions, capabilities or performance. But it will be closer to €300 than €700.

basquille wrote: »

I certain wouldn't be an early adopter of Windows 7 tablet regardless. Android definitely appears to be stable and reliable, but who knows how the former will perform?

Windows 7 with multi-touch is extremely good.
Is it worth €100 or so over a free Linux distro, for a multimedia / internet gadget... Linux isn't quite there yet on multi-touch but it will be soon, so probably not.

Deleted User wrote:

I don't mind what you use it for. But you did get ripped off!

To try and understand why people pay over the odds for hamstrung devices.

The iPad is what it is, 'hamstrung' is meaningless. I'm sure they'll make an iMac tablet when the marketing department tells them its time to put that on the shelves. That will be a different device with a different purpose and target market.

Ripped off? How?
You can't be ripped off on something you don't need. It has a price and you can choose to pay it or not.

Graham

Graham wrote: »

I see, can I ask how much you paid for the emminantly more capable Nokia N900?

You can, I paid €375 sim free in December. I got it tax free and 10% off
And yes, imo, it actually is more capable!

Gurgle

Gurgle wrote: »

Ripped off? How?
You can't be ripped off on something you don't need. It has a price and you can choose to pay it or not.

Its very easy, look at technical specifications. If one has more features than the other and costs less then simple logic dictates that if you purchase the expensive one you are getting ripped off.

elderlemon

maybe a dumb question but can the ipad be used "unconnected". What if you are on a plane with no wifi/3g. What can you actually get done in airplane mode? Does it have local storage so that you can create/edit files? How about the email - can it be used in offline mode (read mail, respond) and then sync up once you get a connection?

thanks

Basq

Deleted User wrote: »

And yes, imo, it actually is more capable!

You paid €375 for that? That's almost the same price I paid for an iPad but your Nokia is slower, almost a third of the screen-size and dire internal memory.

But hey - it can make phone calls and play Flash video on that glorious 3.5" screen!

Deleted User wrote: »

Its very easy, look at technical specifications. If one has more features than the other and costs less then simple logic dictates that if you purchase the expensive one you are getting ripped off.

You're starting to make less and less sense as you go on.

elderlemon wrote:

maybe a dumb question but can the ipad be used "unconnected". What if you are on a plane with no wifi/3g. What can you actually get done in airplane mode? Does it have local storage so that you can create/edit files? How about the email - can it be used in offline mode (read mail, respond) and then sync up once you get a connection?

You can do everything that doesn't require Internet / cellular access.

If you choose to send an e-mail in Offline mode, it'd be placed in your Outbox til you go online (at least I assume so - can't test it right now!).

Graham

You can't seriously be recommending the N900 over an iPad for the majority of people, surely not with a straight face?

You obviously have very different needs to the average iPad buyer.

Engadget on the N900:
This is not a smartphone for the masses; it's for tweakers, hackers, geeks, nerds, and people who want as much control on their handheld device as possible -- and aren't afraid to get their hands dirty in the process. In fact, we'd go so far as to say that the N900 is a proof of concept -- a reference platform for Maemo that just happens to be sold in stores.

Gurgle

Deleted User wrote: »

Its very easy, look at technical specifications. If one has more features than the other and costs less then simple logic dictates that if you purchase the expensive one you are getting ripped off.

Tech specs tells you what went in there, nothing about quality of parts or how well its put together. And thats before you even consider the software / OS.

Basq

Spot on..

If there's a "aPad" on DealExtreme for €100 that does Flash, but is plagued with a piss-poor processor, smaller screen and terrible OS (etc) - I'm not gonna buy it!

Graham

Graham wrote: »

You can't seriously be recommending the N900 over an iPad for the majority of people, surely not with a straight face?

You obviously have very different needs to the average iPad buyer.

I havent recommended it over the ipad! You are the one who brought up the n900,not me!

Graham wrote: »

Engadget on the N900:
This is not a smartphone for the masses; it's for tweakers, hackers, geeks, nerds, and people who want as much control on their handheld device as possible -- and aren't afraid to get their hands dirty in the process. In fact, we'd go so far as to say that the N900 is a proof of concept -- a reference platform for Maemo that just happens to be sold in stores.

I agree 100% with what engadget say. It is a fantastic device.

basquille wrote: »

That's almost the same price I paid for an iPad but your Nokia is slower.

900mhz processor, I have it overclocked so not much of a difference in speed.

basquille wrote: »

almost a third of the screen-size and dire internal memory.

Its fits in my pocket so screen size is perfect.

As for memory, if its RAM you mean then it has 256MB of RAM but when apps run out of physical RAM, they can use some of the flash disk as virtual memory. AFAIK ipad has the same amount of RAM but I am not sure if it allows it to use flash disk when needed, I doubt it.

If its storage memory then it has 32gb,same as high end ipad but it also allows memory cards to be used. I have an extra 16gb card in it so 48gb in total..

basquille wrote: »

But hey - it can make phone calls and play Flash video on that glorious 3.5" screen!

Yes it sure can

Anyway this isnt an ipad vs n900 showdown.

rordeb

In my view the masses of people want a foolproof device.

Apple did that with the iPhone - people were able to pick it up and start using it. They also started out in the phone business with much more limited functionality than other phones on the Market. This did not stop people buying them and in time they continued to add additional functionality.

The same for the iPad - updates will continue to enhance the functionality.



I reckon the majority of iPhones worldwide have not been hacked - ie common people are happy to go along with what Apple dishes out. I know I am and I am wee bit technical

fatboypee

Reminds me of this:


Wholly and utterly pointless piece of kit really..

Graham

Troll

Sad Professor

Ya know, I'm not blind to the current iPad's failings, but it is boring reading the same recycled rubbish posted on here over and over again. Comparing it to a giant phone, comparing it to a laptop, comparing it to a cinema display, etc. For f**ksake, guys, it's a tablet, wait until the competition arrives (whenever that happens) and compare like with like.

This forum really needs a "Whine about the iPad" thread stickied for all those people who don't have one, don't want one, think it sucks, and wants to "understand" why everyone doesn't agree with them.

I love Apple

I really want one but I think it needs some improvements such as front facing camera and Retina display like iPhone 4. Saying all that I will more than likely pick one up when I'm in America in October and sell it on if and when Apple make iPad 2:)

I love Apple

I love Apple wrote: »

I really want one but I think it needs some improvements such as front facing camera and Retina display like iPhone 4. Saying all that I will more than likely pick one up when I'm in America in October and sell it on if and when Apple make iPad 2:)

I wish you the best with it.

But this is exactly how Apple gouge so much money out of their customers. Release a product with certain features missing saying those feature are not important. Watch as fanboys lap it up and claim best thing ever, then release V2 next year with the missing features included and watch as people drop another $500-800 on Apple!

Basq

Deleted User wrote: »

But this is exactly how Apple gouge so much money out of their customers. Release a product with certain features missing saying those feature are not important. Watch as fanboys lap it up and claim best thing ever, then release V2 next year with the missing features included and watch as people drop another $500-800 on Apple!

That's exactly what they do! :pac:

Every single company out there does the exact same thing. Nokia releases a N95 (4GB memory slot, plays music, plays videos including "Internet Videos") but releases an N96 soon after (16GB internal memory, plays music.. with album art, plays videos and also "Live TV"). "Nokia fanboyz" then lap the N96 up.

What's the difference between this and what Apple are doing?

basquille

basquille wrote: »

That's exactly what they do! :pac:

Every single company out there does the exact same thing. Nokia releases a N95 (4GB memory slot, plays music, plays videos including "Internet Videos") but releases an N96 soon after (16GB internal memory, plays music.. with album art, plays videos and also "Live TV"). "Nokia fanboyz" then lap the N96 up.

What's the difference between this and what Apple are doing?

I agree with you there but I do see Apple as being the most egregious. EG there is nothing stopping them from including something like a front facing webcam or decent RAM on the ipad and given the cost you pay it wouldnt hit their profit margin much. Which brings me back to one of my original points, feature for feature, pound for pound the device is not good value for money. But I guess you do pay a massive premium to have that Apple badge on it!

Graham

Deleted User wrote: »

I agree with you there but I do see Apple as being the most egregious. EG there is nothing stopping them from including something like a front facing webcam or decent RAM on the ipad and given the cost you pay it wouldnt hit their profit margin much. Which brings me back to one of my original points, feature for feature, pound for pound the device is not good value for money. But I guess you do pay a massive premium to have that Apple badge on it!

You're ignoring the fact that in 2 or 3 years the Apple product still retains a good proportion of its value.

Your N900 cost about the same as my iPad, in 2 years the Ipad will likely have a 2nd hand value of around €200 - €250 whereas the Nokia will go where all Nokias go to die, the back of a drawer somewhere.