Why not to buy a iPad

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reven

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#368556 17-Aug-2010 10:19

michaelmurfy:
chiefie: @jofizz and @stuzzo, from all the postings by the OP (@michaelmurfy) that I have seen, there seem to be traces of pro-Linux and pro-OSS feel. In fear of being called for calling anyone name, but he does exhibit borderline Linux-zealot behaviour in many posts...

That's my observation. I do wonder his validity as it doesn't look like he had even give the device a go to give an informed opinion, but merely just drawing "conclusion" from a distance hear-say without true experience with the device.

The first part you got totally right, I use Linux and have done for years on end (since I was 14 or something) - I have also had a iPad for a week for testing a web-app on it. I also did try out some apps on it but it seemed to me it was more of a toy then a actual productivity device, in fact it's actually just a iPod Touch with a super-sized screen and a faster processor.

I did buy a 13" MacBook - It's running Linux like everything else I own. I just see the iPad for the price and specs a waste of money, with that money you could grab a cheap android tablet + still have money left over to go towards a HTC Desire or a 64gb iPod Touch.

different things for different folks.

sure the specs of an ipad arent all that great, not for the cost of it. but specs arent everything, especially with apple stuff. its also about the design and quality (you know except the iphone4 antenna design problem :P).

also with the ipad you get: great software (iOS is really nice, easy to use, can't wait for iOS4 on it, folders and multitasking), itunes and the app store. you really need to factor those into it, sure a android tablet/pad might be cheaper and better spec'ed but the design wont be as nice (could just be my opinion) and the app store isnt as good.

people always talk about "apple tax", and yes you do pay a premium for apple stuff, but once you factor in quality and the software isnt not that bad (sure the upgrades are ridiculous, ram, hdd, and 17"+ macbooks are too pricey, 15" ones are affordable though).

why not to buy an ipad?: because you dont want/need one or like it.
why to buy an ipad?: because its cool and you want/need it.

mattk

255 posts

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#368574 17-Aug-2010 11:07

michaelmurfy:
I did buy a 13" MacBook - It's running Linux like everything else I own.

Thats like buying a nice car with climate control, and rather than use the aircon just drive round in the sweltering heat of summer with the windows down.

You'd be better off buying a cheaper car in the first place. With no windows even.

stuzzo

534 posts

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#368585 17-Aug-2010 11:23

michaelmurfy:- I have also had a iPad for a week for testing a web-app on it. I also did try out some apps on it but it seemed to me it was more of a toy then a actual?productivity?device,?in fact?it's actually just a iPod Touch with a?super-sized?screen and a faster processor.

I did buy a 13" MacBook - It's running Linux like everything else I own. I just see the iPad for the price and specs a waste of money, with that money you could grab a cheap android tablet + still have money left over to go towards a HTC Desire or a 64gb iPod Touch.

I don't think the iPad has ever been touted as a productivity orientated device though it can cross over into the productivity area enough to suit many purposes eg business away from home, internet input ( I write this on an iPad with a dock just as easily as I could on a PC).

I certainly think many people could use it at home in the future without the need of any other computer ( there is a strong rumor that next year's model update won't require a PC to activate) and at about 2.5W it certainly seems a very efficient way to get Internet access.

I look forward to tablets from other manufacturers but, personally, I'm really only interested to those that work like an appliance ie no housekeeping ,and in that area the incumbents have a lot of work to do.

jonherries

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#369169 18-Aug-2010 10:34

I suppose that the only other thing I would note is the number of them for resale (ie. used) on trademe (8 as of my rudimentary scan just now).

Doesn't seem like a lot, and this may be an indicator that most people find them useful?

I would guess if they were rubbish there would be many more of them.

I suppose the only other thing to note is the expected lifespan of the HP netbooks owned by the PSA ~ apparently 15 - 24 months.

Apple's retirement policy came into force for the first time this year when the original iphone won't run the latest version of the software. This seems to suggest a four year lifecycle for these devices.

Maybe with the ipad part of the premium price is the assurance it won't break down too quickly?

Jon

NonprayingMantis

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#369709 19-Aug-2010 10:23

jonherries: I suppose that the only other thing I would note is the number of them for resale (ie. used) on trademe (8 as of my rudimentary scan just now).

Doesn't seem like a lot, and this may be an indicator that most people find them useful?

I would guess if they were rubbish there would be many more of them.

Jon

It could also be an indicator that not very many people have bought them. :P

alasta

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#369745 19-Aug-2010 11:29

stuzzo: I certainly think many people could use it at home in the future without the need of any other computer ( there is a strong rumor that next year's model update won't require a PC to activate) and at about 2.5W it certainly seems a very efficient way to get Internet access.

If they do this then hopefully they will add support for the iPad to sync directly to a Time Machine device rather than through a Mac.

I have found that I've ended up using my iPad a lot more than my Mac, but there are still some crucial tasks that I need the Mac for:

- Processing RAW files from my camera.
- Topping up my Snapper card.
- Setting up iTunes playlists.
- Watching TV3 On Demand (requires Flash)
- Tasks requiring MS Word/Excel (as an advanced user of these products I'm really not sold on the idea of mobile Pages/Numbers).

Nety

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#369775 19-Aug-2010 12:49

NonprayingMantis: [snip]

It could also be an indicator that not very many people have bought them. :P

Judging by how hard it is to get one (at least when I got ours a couple of weeks ago) I think you will find a surprising number of people have brought one.

I am guessing Apple would not really be to forth coming on what numbers have sold but it would be interesting to find out.

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

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scotteffone

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#369825 19-Aug-2010 14:43

michaelmurfy:
I did buy a 13" MacBook - It's running Linux like everything else I own.

Riiight. That says a lot. Truly.

rgoulter

105 posts

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#369871 19-Aug-2010 16:09

michaelmurfy:
I did buy a 13" MacBook - It's running Linux like everything else I own.

^^ LOL !

michaelmurfy:
I just see the iPad for the price and specs a waste of money

I sold my HP mini netbook to buy a 16gb 3g IPAD. Best thing I ever did, the ipad is way more versatile, with the instant on and do stuff rather than having to wait for windows to load, the screen is nicer, its lighter, it has 3g built in and my old HP Mini had to have an ugly USB vodem stick, the apps are cheap and very useful, i pair it with bluetooth headphones on the train and listen to music, check email, surf web play games etc etc I also use it in meetings to take notes and check emails.

I'm not saying the IPAD replaces a PC cause i still have a PC to do all the hardcore stuff like photoshop, photos, encoding, downloading large files etc

The only thing the IPAD cant do that i miss is multitasking but hopefully that will be resolved with OS4

After having a netbook and now an IPAD i can give an informed comment on this thread, you havent owned an ipad so your either trolling or jealous or both?

The IPAD has been out now for a while, theres not a huge group of people regretting their purchase and dumping them on trademe, on the contrary they are sold out most places.

Im sold on it and would never consider going back to my crappy HP netbook.

scotteffone

215 posts

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#369906 19-Aug-2010 17:13

rgoulter:
I'm not saying the IPAD replaces a PC cause i still have a PC to do all the hardcore stuff like photoshop, photos, encoding, downloading large files etc

What I like to do is upload the photos on Flickr after processing them on my computer. Viewing them on an iPhone/iPad is a nice way to go about things.

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