I see no reason why anybody would buy this. Appears very gimmicky - no practical use, or other devices do same task better for less $$$. In short, lame.
I keep thinking that to myself. But the more I read some of the reviews that explain some of the differences between the iPhone and the iPad, the more I want to own one. I still have yet to try one out, but from what people are saying, once it's in your hands, it's something you'll fall in love with. But if you have an iPhone, why would you want this thing? It does perform the same tasks on a much larger screen, I think it's more of comfortability more than anything. It's kind of like a car. The iPad would be the Mercedes-Benz and the iPhone would be the Lexus. I mean, it'd me more convenient to use on your bed or something (one reason why I wanted to get it) because it just makes it easier to watch movies and such on a device with a screen size so perfect to watch on while you're resting comfortably in bed. I mean a laptop is similar, but it's just a pain for me to watch a movie on my MacBook without having a big ass tray table on the bed which I lay the laptop on... But the more I think about it, the more I think it's just a waste of money because I'll be getting a new phone this summer (maybe an iPhone depending on how great it looks when they announce it). Not to mention, later generation of iPads in the next few years will be able to do more, then you'll have this thing sitting around. The other factor would be how much I'd be using the iPad. I do have a MacBook in which I use most daily for almost everything, take it to class occasionally. I use my phone daily... like anyone else... but when would I use the iPad? Would I use it just when I felt like watching a movie? I mean, it really baffles me that it can't do more. The device itself just looks so nice and right to be able to use while you're taking a **** or chilling in bed, but it just doesn't do enough to differentiate from the iPhone. This article kind of explains what I mean. http://www.slate.com/id/2249822 It's really something that everyone has created to be such a device that you'd love to use, but if you look past that, there's really no reason to buy it. If I didn't have an iPhone, I would seriously consider getting it though.
If folks are considering buying a Kindle (especially a DX), why wouldn't they want an iPad instead? There are reasons to buy one.
Yeah, I wanted to edit that part. I was throwing that at folks who had an iPhone... not the general population. Of course there's reasons to buy one if you're in need of a reading device, the thing that Kindle has though that the iPad doesn't is that it's reading experience is beyond amazing. It's almost like you're reading a book, while on the iPad it's more like reading on an LCD screen, at least from what people have said that's the case. But the iPad can do so much more and yes it costs more, but for the cost, it's worth it because of what you get with it.
Eye strain? One of the things that sets the Kindle (and Nook and Sony E-Reader, etc) apart and made e-reading a reality is the e-ink type technology which gives the feel of reading an actual book. Beyond that, you also have battery live. You can go weeks on a single charge with a Kindle.
Yeah this is the point I was trying to make when you're considering on buying just a reading device. The Kindle is a clear-cut winner. It has like two weeks of battery life.
Look at the specs for the HP Slate, and please give me an argument on purchasing an ipad over the slate. This is for those that want a "pad" device, obviously a laptop can do all these things and then some. But i really would like to hear the argument for a Ipad over a Slate.
I'd argue that this Lenovo Hybrid U1 is better than both the iPad and the HP Slate. http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/04/lenovo-ideapad-u1-hybrid-laptop-by-day-unhinged-tablet-by-nigh/
My point, which I didn't make too well, is that folks tend to compare the iPad to an overgrown iPhone or Touch and it appears to be much more than that. If all you want is an eBook device then a Kindle may be the way to go. However, if you can get an iPad and all of its' other features for $10 more than a Kindle DX, then I think many folks would choose the iPad.
Ah sorry - yeah, that's definitely true. I think the iPad does a lot of things, but none as well as other standalone devices. But that's not necessarily a bad thing - if you don't read THAT much, but want an e-reader, it's a good solution because you can use it for so many other things, etc. I'm curious to see the adoption of it. I think it's a really great specialty device, but I'm not convinced it will have mass-market appeal. Then again, I didn't think the iPhone would do well either...
My whole post was on the perspective of an iPhone user/iPod touch user. Someone that already has a device such as the iPad, what's the point of buying the same thing just bigger in size? If I had a choice between an iPod touch and an iPad, I'd choose the iPad any day, even for its price.
Specs don't tell the whole story, but a prudent consumer should wait for the HP Slate before buying an iPad, IMO. Ease of use, price and other things will determine how the Slate compares to the iPad. If HP does it right, they should hit a grand slam.
Microsoft's courier might also be announced on April 12th... this thing might be a grand slam also from rumors and such.
Shame on me for not being prudent. I always thought a prudent consumer would consider how a device fits into their workflow/computing environment. My home setup is Mac and Linux based. We use iWork for our office suite needs. Given how the device fits into our iLife, iWork, and general computing habits, the iPad was a prudent call for us. These devices are just a next wave of redefining the mobile computing experience. Hate Apple? Roll with an MS device. Hate both? Roll with an Android device. Hate the tablet idea all together? Stick with what you've got. Like big number specs? Wait and pick the winner there. Get what tickles your fancy without judgement on others' decisions. You'd think this was Slashdot.
off the top of my head, HP will forget about it and move on as soon as if fails to sell millions across the country and become a pop culture mainstay. I think it has the potential to be a great machine, but HP has nothing proprietary about it; like the Instinct or Storm, it will be lost in the shuffle as tons of branded devices (such as the Droid, Nexus One and other iPhone iterations) start hitting the market trying to get those $$$. HP has no idea how to market the thing with any sort of longevity, or support it going forward, like say Google does with Android. This would be crucial, especially since it's going to be pushed out so much later than the iPad, and probably when a ton of other players are going to get in the game. At that point it will be another 'me too' item, especially if the iPad takes off. That changes, of course, if the Slate suddenly becomes a huge hit. HP will have no choice but to stick with it. But there is no real reason to have confidence that will happen. Second reason, all we know about the Slate is that it runs Windows 7, which of course is not a slate/pad OS. So...do you trust HP to build an interface on top of that to maximize the hardware?
Dude, take a chill pill and do whatever floats your boat. Just stating my opinion. If someone is already immersed in Apple, go for the gusto and get an iPad. The vast majority of us will wait and see. I guess you didn't notice my post was a response that the specs of HP's Slate aren't the whole story when comparing vs. the iPad. Like I said to blathersby, keep us updated on your iPad experience, good and bad.
Don't misread me. I am chillin'. The internet isn't serious enough for any other response. I noticed what you wrote. In case you hadn't noticed, I was simply taking offense to the prudent comment/opinion. On another topic, I am really hoping that the MeeGo project takes off. Would be nice to have devices not dominated by single manufacturer or OS maker.
OK, read the thread and will be returning for updates on the experience the owners of the iPad have. Why? I'm planning on buying one, but I'm going to wait. I have a few reasons, but first, why I want one... I'm pretty much a PC guy, doing most of my work, net surfing, playing RTS's, etc., at the desk in my study in front of my glorious 24" IPS display. I seriously need a new laptop, but wanted something very, very light. Something very easy to use. Something I could relax in my bed with late at night, after my significant other has has gone to sleep, and surf the web, read a book, watch a movie, general stuff like that, with some headphones on that wouldn't wake her up. With a bad back, it's one of the few places I can really be comfortable and relaxed if it's acting up more than its usual aches and pains. E-books readers? If I were simply going to read, that would be my choice, but I want to be able to do far more than that. Almost everyone I've met that has a netbook hasn't been satisfied with them, not really. Underpowered, slow, lousy keyboard, lousy display, crapped out after a few months. I've heard all of that and the iPad looks like the answer. Fast, beautiful IPS display, very, very light, easy to use, long battery life. It fits my needs. So why am I waiting? For the new improved model. Using the iPhone (we have two of them) as a template, I've seen that "new and improved" comes along rather quickly. Unless some nice fellow like blathersby, who works for Apple, can assure me a version 2.0 won't be coming down the pike in less than a year, it seems like the smart play.
