iPad or iFad, what do you think?

Graham · 07-07-2010 01:02PM

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

naasrd · 07-07-2010 01:19PM

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 · 07-07-2010 01:52PM

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.

07-07-2010 02:42PM

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!

07-07-2010 02:45PM

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 · 07-07-2010 02:58PM

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 · 07-07-2010 03:02PM

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 · 07-07-2010 03:09PM

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 · 07-07-2010 04:24PM

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 · 07-07-2010 04:29PM

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!

07-07-2010 05:19PM

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 · 07-07-2010 05:31PM

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 · 07-07-2010 05:34PM

Reminds me of this:

Wholly and utterly pointless piece of kit really..

Graham · 07-07-2010 06:31PM

Troll

Sad Professor · 07-07-2010 06:31PM

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 · 07-07-2010 09:09PM

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:)

08-07-2010 09:35AM

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 · 08-07-2010 09:45AM

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?

08-07-2010 11:41AM

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 · 08-07-2010 11:56AM

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.

adox · 08-07-2010 12:15PM

Deleted User wrote: »

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!

As said before, thats how most companies operate.

I`ve no problem with you not liking the ipad but you seem to be making huge assumptions about people who are buying it.

Most, I would suspect, knew what they were buying, with their research done, a notion that seems oblivious to you.

Anyway, I`ve had mine a couple of months now and use it everyday at home. Fantastic for web browsing, e-mail, streamimg media from my Mac, watching media from BBC iplayer and ABC. Ive also Jailbroken it in the last week and that opens it up a lot more.

I`m delighted with mine. Went in with my eyes open with regard to spec and price.

Its not for everyone and I respect that. On the flipside, if I didnt want one and didnt think they were value for money, I`d state my case but again respect peoples decision to buy it, something which you may consider before posting more or less the same points over and over again.

Basq · 08-07-2010 12:21PM

Deleted User wrote: »

I agree with you there but I do see Apple as being the most egregious.

That's because they're the most successful at doing so.

Deleted User wrote: »

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.

The front-facing camera debate is not as simple as that. the iPod Touch is in it's third generation and they're yet to add a camera.. why? A camera would add bulk. Compare an iPhone and iPod Touch - and the only difference you have is camera and antennae (phone). And yet the iPod Touch is considerably sleeker due to the absence of a camera. People love the slimness of the iPod Touch.. why jeopardise this?

The RAM is something I have an issue with - especially given the iPhone 4 has twice the RAM of the iPad.. but truth be told, having had an iPad for a few weeks, not once has it felt memory intensive or in need of more memory. If it was buggy, slow, "stuttery".. then I'd be complaining - but it's really not!

Deleted User wrote: »

Which brings me back to one of my original points, feature for feature, pound for pound the device is not good value for money.

Your opinion maybe!

When I take a Netbook on the road, I intend to use it for Internet / e-mail / music / movies / games. I got a device that does all that and is lighter, slimmer and every bit as usable and cost not a whole lot more than my Samsung NC10.

Yeah.. you're not gonna be editing Photoshop on it.. but you're not gonna seriously be doing that on a Netbook anyways.

Deleted User wrote: »

But I guess you do pay a massive premium to have that Apple badge on it!

Now who's the "fanboy"?

The Apple badge bollocks is thrown about so often that it's laughable.. I use Mac's because they're a far superior and more reliable OS than Windows.

Don't get me wrong.. I am an avid Windows user (both at work and at home) but as to which I prefer? Have a Dell Studio Hybrid running Windows 7 and a Macbook running Mac OS X? The Mac wins hands down every time!

Nothing to do with a "badge".. it's to do with usability and personal preference.

sean corcoran · 08-07-2010 12:30PM

has nobody noticed that the ipad is pretty much 4 itouch's taped together, i thinkapple will only last a short amount of time i they keep making these sh1t gadgets, example: itouch became an itouch with a really bad phone in it, itouch then ate one of the mushrooms super mario used to eat and became 4 times its size and got the name ipad. people say its revoloutionary but its not, its battery lasts about an hour or 2 if you are using it, its VERY slow browsing the internet, the screen decides tho turn to a different angle on you alot and when you turn it to that angle it turns back, it cant even play internet videos. I ask why did apple put so much money into making what they had even worse? the thing is so unpractical, at least with the itouch you can put it in your pocket.

Sorry about the big long arguement but i just think the ipad is a peice of sh1t

vinnycoyne · 08-07-2010 12:33PM

sean corcoran wrote: »

has nobody noticed that the ipad is pretty much 4 itouch's taped together, i thinkapple will only last a short amount of time i they keep making these sh1t gadgets, example: itouch became an itouch with a really bad phone in it, itouch then ate one of the mushrooms super mario used to eat and became 4 times its size and got the name ipad. people say its revoloutionary but its not, its battery lasts about an hour or 2 if you are using it, its VERY slow browsing the internet, the screen decides tho turn to a different angle on you alot and when you turn it to that angle it turns back, it cant even play internet videos. I ask why did apple put so much money into making what they had even worse? the thing is so unpractical, at least with the itouch you can put it in your pocket.

Sorry about the big long arguement but i just think the ipad is a peice of sh1t

There are so many things wrong with that "argument". Have you ever used an iOS device?

sean corcoran · 08-07-2010 12:38PM

lackofcolour wrote: »

There are so many things wrong with that "argument". Have you ever used an iOS device?

yes, and i still hate the ipad:mad:

Basq · 08-07-2010 12:38PM

sean corcoran wrote: »

has nobody noticed that the ipad is pretty much 4 itouch's taped together, i thinkapple will only last a short amount of time i they keep making these sh1t gadgets, example: itouch became an itouch with a really bad phone in it, itouch then ate one of the mushrooms super mario used to eat and became 4 times its size and got the name ipad. people say its revoloutionary but its not, its battery lasts about an hour or 2 if you are using it, its VERY slow browsing the internet, the screen decides tho turn to a different angle on you alot and when you turn it to that angle it turns back, it cant even play internet videos. I ask why did apple put so much money into making what they had even worse? the thing is so unpractical, at least with the itouch you can put it in your pocket.

???

sean corcoran wrote: »

Sorry about the big long arguement but i just think the ipad is a peice of sh1t

It's not an argument.. it's nonsensical misinformed ramblings from someone whose clearly never used an iPad.

vinnycoyne · 08-07-2010 12:40PM

sean corcoran wrote: »

yes, and i still hate the ipad:mad:

Don't be hatin' :cool:

Basq · 08-07-2010 12:47PM

I predict this conversation might have a chance at progressing if you direct your comments at this:

adox · 08-07-2010 12:55PM

[QUOTE=sean corcoran;66812702 its battery lasts about an hour or 2 if you are using it, its VERY slow browsing the internet, the screen decides tho turn to a different angle on you alot and when you turn it to that angle it turns back, it cant even play internet videos. I ask why did apple put so much money into making what they had even worse? the thing is so unpractical, at least with the itouch you can put it in your pocket.

[/QUOTE]

You obviously havent tried one out, but to indulge you on the above points, the battery lasts at least 10 hours with heavy usage.
It is actually very fast for browsing the internet, a lot faster than the latest incarnation of the ipod touch.
There is a rotation lock button on it for the alleged problem that you think there is.

dermCu · 08-07-2010 02:37PM

In the 3 weeks I've had mine it I've enjoyed using it a lot more than the netbook I have. I'm not an apple fanboy, I'm well aware of its shortcomings but it does what it does very well. To answer the original question I personally think its not a passing fad. Not for any outstanding technical brilliance but because its the first step in a trend towards changing the way the masses consume media. I was one of the "its like a big itouch" people. Using it for an hour made me see why that comparison does not hold true.

Will there be better devices out soon?? - Probably
Is it over priced? - Yip, but hey - that's economics for you.
Even so its a better first effort than anyone else has been able to make in this area to date.

adox wrote: »

Ive also Jailbroken it in the last week and that opens it up a lot more.

How so? Just curious about what Jailbroken ipads are being used for.

iPad or iFad, what do you think?

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