Why not to buy a iPad

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michaelmurfy

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#65904 8-Aug-2010 21:49

So, a heap of you will be asking yourself "Should I get a iPad?" - Well to be honest, I don't think most people should. I will explain.

The iPad has a 1GHz "Apple A4" Processor, which is the same as the iPhone 4, it has a 9.7" screen at 1024x768. They come in 16/32/64gb models with either Wifi only or Wifi+HSDPA being a option. In store they look quite cool, they act real responsive etc.

Here's the gripe. The iPhone 4 has 512mb of ram, hence why it can pull off Multitasking + a heap more. Why haven't Apple released iOS 4 for the iPad yet? It comes down to 1 mistake they made, the iPad has a hefty 256mb of ram.

They also continue to say "The iPad is better than a Netbook" - this is in no-way true, unless if you are wanting to surf maybe a few websites + play some games. What I am trying to say is the iPad is just a overpriced toy, or a übersized iPod Touch.

With a Netbook you can get a heap more out of it, you can hook up a USB Modem and have Wireless Broadband, you can install any OS you desire such as Windows/Linux or even OSX.

I guess what I am trying to say is, why spend $799 and get a 16gb iPad when you could spend a extra $50 and get a ION Based Netbook complete with a faster CPU/GPU and quite a bit more ram.

The iPad is just hype, if you're wanting one it's best to wait until next year when they add a bit more ram to them. Don't get me wrong, the iPad is a nice wee device with a heap going for it, but it needs to be baked a bit more before it can actually be called a "Netbook Replacement"

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#365139 8-Aug-2010 22:12

I agree. Add an SD card slot and maybe even a couple of USBs to make it more competitive against the netbooks.

Right now there is a lot of hype. When you take it home, you may be wondering to yourself, "Hmmm, I have my PC and my laptop... why would I need to use an iPad?"

iPad is great for browsing the web while you are on the couch or in bed but really, $799 for that luxury is quite pricey.

It's a great device though in terms of portability.

miguelwrang

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#365142 8-Aug-2010 22:23

Agreed for the most part. The tech in the iphone 4 really exposes the ipad's limitations. A second gen ipad with retina display, 1GB ram and front facing camera is pretty much a given next year. And as I said in another thread, a laptop trumps it in pretty much every usage.

HOWEVER, I see two scenarios where it is superior. 1)browsing on the toilet. 2)Computing for people who have trouble operating a mouse.

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#365152 8-Aug-2010 22:52

Apple never say it is netbook replacement, the geeks hyped it all up expecting Apple to release a netbook replacement. Apple went and explore different direction and like its iPod range, iPad is a media consumption device.

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Buttonmash

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#365154 8-Aug-2010 22:54

Relaxing on the train home with your 3G iPad.... Fantastic.

miguelwrang

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#365160 8-Aug-2010 23:03

chiefie: Apple never say it is netbook replacement, the geeks hyped it all up expecting Apple to release a netbook replacement. Apple went and explore different direction and like its iPod range, iPad is a media consumption device.

Steve Jobs himself was the one to make the comparison.

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#365161 8-Aug-2010 23:05

@MiguelWrang, I think the geek community ramp up the hype themselves as well to hope that whatever Apple was gonna announced to be a netbook replacement. Apple never reveal it, even to the day it was announced. There were a lot of people disappointed with the iPad launch keynote.

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corksta

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#365171 9-Aug-2010 01:00

Do you actually own an iPad or are you basing everything off the tech specs and from playing with one instore?

I would never dream of using a netbook in the places I've used my iPad so far (plane, train, car, couch, bed - too bulky and awkward) so for me it destroys netbooks.

The iPad is definitely not "just hype". I think your analogy is flawed because you're basing it solely on cost versus tech specs, rather than what the iPad can actually do. I can't read books on a netbook in the same way as an iPad, I can't get 10+ hours of battery on a netbook, I can't play games in the same way, I simply can't interact with a netbook in the same way I can with the iPad.

If an iPad fills a niche for some people based on what it can do for them then they should get one, not be thinking that for $50 more they can get a netbook with a more powerful CPU/GPU as you've suggested. Anyone with half a brain should at least know if they want one first before plonking down a minimum of $799 instead of buying one, taking it home and then wondering what they can use it for.

It probably is a safe bet that next year it will have a retina display, more RAM, SD slot, etc, but if you kept waiting for the next revision of anything you'd never actually buy it. So I say if you have a use for one now then buy one, next year's version will still come with the same amount of hype.

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michaelmurfy

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#365176 9-Aug-2010 01:51

corksta: Do you actually own an iPad or are you basing everything off the tech specs and from playing with one instore?

I would never dream of using a netbook in the places I've used my iPad so far (plane, train, car, couch, bed - too bulky and awkward) so for me it destroys netbooks.

The iPad is definitely not "just hype". I think your analogy is flawed because you're basing it solely on cost versus tech specs, rather than what the iPad can actually do. I can't read books on a netbook in the same way as an iPad, I can't get 10+ hours of battery on a netbook, I can't play games in the same way, I simply can't interact with a netbook in the same way I can with the iPad.

If an iPad fills a niche for some people based on what it can do for them then they should get one, not be thinking that for $50 more they can get a netbook with a more powerful CPU/GPU as you've suggested. Anyone with half a brain should at least know if they want one first before plonking down a minimum of $799 instead of buying one, taking it home and then wondering what they can use it for.

It probably is a safe bet that next year it will have a retina display, more RAM, SD slot, etc, but if you kept waiting for the next revision of anything you'd never actually buy it. So I say if you have a use for one now then buy one, next year's version will still come with the same amount of hype.

You do have a point here, but how many people are going "Oh iPad, I can surf the net on this as well as a normal laptop" (Read..) - at the moment I think the whole iPad is being overhyped, it's doing Apple well, but the consumers are just spending money without actually knowing what they are buying.

Most consumers think that the iPad is a bit like a Laptop Replacement, you can surf the net, write emails, type documents etc but you're not going to get the same internet experience out of one of these compared with a normal Laptop/Netbook with a "* Proper" browser, more ram, and more grunt.

The iPad is locked down, you buy a product and you still have to abide to rules to use it (App Store) - You could jailbreak it but Apple like filling those holes.

I guess what I am trying to controy is that the iPad is not a laptop/netbook replacement, let's face it - It's a iPod Touch with a bigger screen and a faster processor **.

I have also had a iPad for a week to help write a Web App for them, so have used one. It made my wrist pretty sore while holding it on those late nights.

*Yes I know the iPad's web browser, Safari, is actually not bad since it's based off Webkit. I am more talking about the plugins (flash cough)

**The 3rd Generation iPod touch also has 256mb of ram, fancy that?

PenultimateHop

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#365178 9-Aug-2010 03:20

I'm somewhat indifferent to the iPad. I bought one a few weeks ago and haven't got round to opening the box or using it yet; and no idea what I'll actually use it for.

I bought it mostly because I had seen some coworkers playing with it and it seemed like a nifty toy; and somewhat easier to use on flights than my laptop for watching movies/TV shows. It will probably eventually get some use but I haven't figured out anything in particular yet.

I do agree wholeheartedly that it is is not a netbook/laptop replacement, and it certainly isn't going to work for even replacing the notebook (of the pen and paper kind) for taking notes - I just don't find it fast enough to type on.

However it does seem to have it's place as the "in-between" device from cellphone to laptop, when I want to do something lightweight to entertain myself or simply need more screen real-estate. I can easily see it becoming a control device for home theatre / entertainment.

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#365181 9-Aug-2010 06:00

Hmm you need to ask yourself what do you do with your netbook laptop. I have a netbook win 7 2 gig ram atom processor sep graphic chip all for about $1300 dollars worth and what does it do for me, turn on surf the web, check email, check bank statements, play games and sits at home hardly used.

Brought the iPad goes with me everywhere at work on the bus for a hour can read check email, surf web and generally am more productive, I don't live in spreadsheets or databases and the iPad can ply play my movies.

It's a wifi only version hooks up to my iPhone with a wifi hotspot.

I now don't even use the netbook sits at home turned off prob is going on Trademe.

For consuming info and general run of the day things the instant on iPad is a winner yes won't replace a road warrior office worker completing office documents and spreadsheets or writing code or supporting a web site design etc but for most people it's a great content consuming device. Yes this is written on a iPad and typing on this is a pleasure maybe I wouldn't write war and peace novel but for 500 Odd words etc fantastic keyboard with two finger typing.

I would say it's a companion device.

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#365185 9-Aug-2010 06:30

It's very clear from your post that you've obviously never sat down and used one for any long periods of time.

While I agree with many of your claims I'm finding myself using it more and more often.

JimmyC

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#365202 9-Aug-2010 08:42

sbiddle:

While I agree with many of your claims I'm finding myself using it more and more often.

Couldn't agree more. I'm a bit dissapointed they didn't spec the iPad higher in the first place, but doubly so because the iPhone 4 blew it out of the water so shortly after release. That bit doesn't make a lot of sense, however, I'm finding more and more things I love about the iPad, none the least of which is just sheer convenience.

No lids to open, no hibernate to come in\out of, no silly trackpad to negotiate. Apps like Flipboard, NZ Herald and Tech Junkie all make content instantly accessible and useable. Apps like LogMeIn Ignition are wicked for me as a sys admin. AirVideo means I can stream content from my PC anywhere I have wireless. And even tho I consider myself more of a hardcore type gamer, some of the games for iPad are very well done and entertaining. Add to all that the Apple case which props it up on my lap at the perfect angle and I'm in convenience heaven.

michaelmurfy

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#365204 9-Aug-2010 08:52

JimmyC:
sbiddle:

While I agree with many of your claims I'm finding myself using it more and more often.

Couldn't agree more. I'm a bit dissapointed they didn't spec the iPad higher in the first place, but doubly so because the iPhone 4 blew it out of the water so shortly after release. That bit doesn't make a lot of sense, however, I'm finding more and more things I love about the iPad, none the least of which is just sheer convenience.

No lids to open, no hibernate to come in\out of, no silly trackpad to negotiate. Apps like Flipboard, NZ Herald and Tech Junkie all make content instantly accessible and useable. Apps like LogMeIn Ignition are wicked for me as a sys admin. AirVideo means I can stream content from my PC anywhere I have wireless. And even tho I consider myself more of a hardcore type gamer, some of the games for iPad are very well done and entertaining. Add to all that the Apple case which props it up on my lap at the perfect angle and I'm in convenience heaven.

I <3 my 13" MacBook - You open the lid and it's there, it's running Linux and plays HD Video, plus I can get 5hrs out of it's battery which is enough for most users, plus if I am on the bus or something all I need to do is pull it out, I have got Internet (Teathered through my phone) and also all of my music there, when I want it. If I want to keep listening to music when I close it, it steps down the CPU clocks and all the sudden I have got a excellent media player that doesn't quite fit in my pocket, but fits in my bag without feeling like it's about to break my back.

I don't mind spending the energy opening the lid on a laptop, plus since I can Touchtype the physical keyboard is superb. The iPad is right for some people, but for others who really just want something to replace their Laptop or Netbook then it's not the right thing to buy.

1 Question I have though, I wander how long it will take before there's a Android powered replacement that kicks ass?

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#365228 9-Aug-2010 09:28

michaelmurfy: The iPad is right for some people, but for others who really just want something to replace their Laptop or Netbook then it's not the right thing to buy.

The iPad is not a replacement for a laptop or netbook and should not be seen as such. From your comments you're comparing the iPad to a laptop/netbook which is why you don't see a use for it.

The iPad is fantstic for browsing in front of the TV and some of the apps such as the NZHerald one are great. I can stream Live TV to it in my house and find it a brilliant way to catch up on a lot of video podcasts that I never used to watch because I didn't have the time. The form factor makes it perfect for watching these in bed.

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#365232 9-Aug-2010 09:32

michaelmurfy:
I don't mind spending the energy opening the lid on a laptop, plus since I can Touchtype the physical keyboard is superb. The iPad is right for some people, but for others who really just want something to replace their Laptop or Netbook then it's not the right thing to buy.

1 Question I have though, I wander how long it will take before there's a Android powered replacement that kicks ass?

But your topic said not to buy an iPad [Fullstop]

I don't think anyone has been suggesting that it's a "replacement" for a laptop, it wors together or instead of (if you don't need one).

How do you find spending energy opening your laptop lid to change the song you are listening to while you are walking down the street? Or replying to an email on the cramped seats of a bus? Or showing off a youtube clip while at the pub?

There are plenty or reasons TO buy an iPad, for me it replaces a laptop because I wouldn't use $1000 worth of laptop hardware. I DO however use $999 of iPad's features

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