How 'bout that iPad?

[Prngr44]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/27/apple.tablet/index.html?hpt=T1

Looks pretty sweet and isn't horribly priced!

[cheapie]

ugh. no thanks.

no camera
no multi-tasking
no OS
no expandable memory storage
still requires a real computer to sync itunes, calendar, etc!!!!

[cheapie]

no flash support. i USB port

[Prngr44]

Bah. I thought it had MacOS on it.

It's just a ginormous iphone....without the phone part.

[mcs328]

Bah. I thought it had MacOS on it.

It's just a ginormous iphone....without the phone part.

So basically the iTouch then. Yeah a crippled laptop but a better netbook.

[cheapie]

better...in some ways. can't browse sites w/flash, download items, print, run programs other than the ones approved by apple and sold through the istore, etc.

[InfiniteNothing]

better...in some ways. can't browse sites w/flash, download items, print, run programs other than the ones approved by apple and sold through the istore, etc.
Well, I'm glad about the whole flash thing. The iPhone has done a great job of driving all major websites away from that CPU sucking scourge.

Why assume you can't print? If you can't now, I expect you will be able to do so.

Does kinda suck about the store though. I can totally see why they do that from a product/financial perspective though.

I really don't think this is supposed to be a computer replacement.

[ray]

I don't see how this is even better than a netbook when you can't multitask on it. For a device that was supposed to be better than a laptop and better than the iphone, it does both of them half-assed. They just made it look pretty. That's about it.

[attgig]

it's pretty limited in its uses.

also, wondering if it has bluetooth... headset with google voice makes it a cellphone =)

definitely needs a camera/webcam. that really sucks.

and i wonder if this will cripple att any more than the iphone already has...

[ray]

I really don't think this is supposed to be a computer replacement.

During the announcement, Jobs mentioned that the new product was supposed to do some things better than a laptop and better than a smartphone.


10:08AM "SO all of us use laptops and smartphones... the question has arisen; is there room for something in the middle. We've wondered for years as well -- in order to create that category, they have to be far better at doing some key tasks... better than the laptop, better than the smartphone."

10:09AM "What kind of tasks? Browsing the web. Doing email. Enjoying and sharing pics. Watching videos. Enjoying music. Playing games. Reading ebooks."

10:09AM "If there's gonna be a third category, it has to be better at these tasks -- otherwise it has no reason for being."

10:09AM "Now some people thought that was a netbook -- the problem is that netbooks aren't better than anything!" Big cheers! Ha!

10:11AM "So, gonna give you a little overview. It's very thin -- you can change the homescreen to whatever you want. What this device does is extraordinary. You can browse the web with it. It's the best web experience you've ever had."

10:11AM "Way better than a laptop, way better then a phone. You can turn it any way you want. To see the whole page is phenomenal."



Honestly, for all the hype surrounding the device and all the talk about doing certain things better than a laptop and smartphone, quite frankly, i don't see how the iPad does anything better than a laptop or a smartphone with the proper software on it. I wouldn't buy an Apple product in the first place, but a device that has so many available features that won't let me simply multitask is complete fail imo.

[LPMiller]

it's not trying to be better than a laptop, as you yourself quoted, it is trying to be better then a netbook. Depending on what you use a netbook for, it is and it isn't.

Netbooks suck to me, because they come off as weak laptops. I hate them. Too small, too slow. iPad is better in that regard. Also, you can game on one.

It doesn't have a keyboard though, so it is worse there. But no touch interface will ever, ever be better than an actual keyboard at typing on a keyboard. So people expecting that were doomed to be disappointed.

I don't know why it needs USB - it syncs to iTunes. What are you going to use it for? However, there is an adapter for both USB and memory cards. But it seems to me, if you intend to use USB or memory cards a lot, then you might as well be getting a netbook anyway. But many, many people are buying netbooks for 2 reasons - email and internet. They don't use it for anything else. iPad works there.

Why does it need a camera? How many darn cameras does a person need? Video chat? If it's on the stand, it's pointed to the ceiling, and if you are holding it, then the other guy sees shaky cam. There is no point giving it a camera.

Multitasking....eh, it be nice to have pandora running while you surf, I admit. But most things I do on say, my ipod, I don't really need multitasking for.

Expandable memory was never going to happen.

Why would I want a computer OS on it? Windows, the Mac OS, they aren't touch screen interfaces. They work, but they are kludgy compared with using a mouse. You need a different kind of OS for touchscreens, which is why Android and the iPhone OS exist.

It's a kindle with balls. Or an iPod/iPhone that's easier on the eyes. I'd rather have one then a Kindle, and I think it's fine for that. I think people were expecting something that just isn't possible right now. I like it. Dunno if I want one yet - I'm still deciding if I really want an e-reader or not - I read so darn much, it would be handy, but I still don't know.

[MrGreg]

I was waiting for today's announcement to buy something, and this has convinced me to buy a kindle. There's no way this iPad could replace my netbook.

[InfiniteNothing]

I think it's better than a netbook/laptop for surfing and reading email. There's something very cool about touching where you want to go and reading in portrait.

Multitasking is a nice to have and I'm sure they could do it if they wanted but for the simplicity of the interface and for the more average user, I can see why they went that direction.

I don't see why it shouldn't have a camera though I never use mine on my laptop.

One use that I think could be cool is as back seat entertainment. That is, you could use it to play videos and such. Maybe use it as huge screen GPS.

[kimchicowboy]

at least multitasking. how hard would that be for big 'ol awesome apple? (this coming from a mac user)

[Jeffbx]

at least multitasking. how hard would that be for big 'ol awesome apple? (this coming from a mac user)

Well, give them time.... it took until, what, 2004 before they put a second button on their mouse? ;)

I'll tell you the one spot where this thing does shine - $30/mo, unlimited internet (through AT&T still, but...) - NO CONTRACT. Amazing deal for anyone used to paying double that for 3G internet. Plus you can stop & start up again anytime.

However, it does beg the question - if I'm already paying for unlimited internet on my iPhone, can I use THAT contract on this device? I'm sure the answer will be no, but I think it's a very valid question.

[Cubsfan]

This is one of those things that I really, really want, but have almost no idea where I'd use it. It's too big for me to take with me all of the time, but if I was just at home I have to think I'd just use my laptop.

[InfiniteNothing]

at least multitasking. how hard would that be for big 'ol awesome apple? (this coming from a mac user)

Like I said, the definitely could have had multitasking but it would have been more confusing and it could have potentially slowed down the UI response time. Maybe they should have had a setting for power users. Dunno.


This is one of those things that I really, really want, but have almost no idea where I'd use it. It's too big for me to take with me all of the time, but if I was just at home I have to think I'd just use my laptop.

Where ever you want to use the internet, watch a movie, read a book, or check your email.

Cafés, Bookstores, Restaurants, Trains, Passenger seat of a car, etc

[Cubsfan]

Where ever you want to use the internet, watch a movie, read a book, or check your email.

Cafés, Bookstores, Restaurants, Trains, Passenger seat of a car, etc

Those all sound good, but it's just too big. In order for me to use it in any of those places, I'd have to specifically bring it. My phone, which can do most of that, is already always with me.

I mean, I think it's cool, but I just wouldn't get the use out of it. Now, if someone gives me one for free, I'll be thrilled :)

[bachviet]

Ugly as sin.

It's an overpriced and super-sized iPhone without any phone functions (call, SMS, and etc).

[Markel]

Ugly as sin.

It's an overpriced and super-sized iPhone without any phone functions (call, SMS, and etc).
as the lemmings iSheep line up to buy whatever $teve Job$ tells them to.

[Prngr44]

I actually thought they looked pretty good, but they weren't as functional as I'd like them to be in order to buy one (i.e., a netbook replacement)

[cheapie]

hahahaha


http://www.woot.com/Forums/ViewPost.aspx?PostID=3760547&PageIndex=1&ReplyCount=59

[mcs328]

hahahaha


http://www.woot.com/Forums/ViewPost.aspx?PostID=3760547&PageIndex=1&ReplyCount=59

? 503 error.

[mcs328]

I think it would be good to have if you have a desktop only at home and a non-smartphone phone. You can carry it around like a laptop/netbook for casual use, car gps and light gaming to pass the time. The cost I think is high but the low price no contract data plan is gold. If you add a data plan to your regular phone plan it's at least $30/month extra and you're enslaved for 2 years.

[Markel]

? 503 error.
The servers are still trying to recover from the Bag of Crap sale.

[Devhux]

However, it does beg the question - if I'm already paying for unlimited internet on my iPhone, can I use THAT contract on this device? I'm sure the answer will be no, but I think it's a very valid question.

Highly doubtful. I'm sure you can only have one SIM card associated with a single account/phone number, and you can't swap out your iPhone's SIM with the one for the iPad, since the iPad uses a new MicroSIM card.

Of course, it's this last point that makes the "unlocked" feature of the iPad somewhat misleading, as not many carriers use the MicroSIM yet.

[bachviet]

as the lemmings iSheep line up to buy whatever $teve Job$ tells them to.
The "Apple" kool-aid must taste pretty good. :eye:

[LPMiller]

Highly doubtful. I'm sure you can only have one SIM card associated with a single account/phone number, and you can't swap out your iPhone's SIM with the one for the iPad, since the iPad uses a new MicroSIM card.

Of course, it's this last point that makes the "unlocked" feature of the iPad somewhat misleading, as not many carriers use the MicroSIM yet.


Well, you can't even use it on Tmobile, because Tmobile supports 1700mhz, which the iPad doesn't.

As to the price, it's only 10 bucks more then the Kindle DX, which is kind of interesting. I think Jobs never ever should have said the words "netbook" at all, and instead should have mentioned Kindle a lot more.

[Napoleon54]

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/4553/21047.jpg

[Prngr44]

The jokes are already coming... :)

Keep up with their tradition of aligning their products with megastars like the iPod preloaded with U2's greatests hits, Apple announces they've partnered with Sir Paul McCartney to preload it's newest device in the same way. iPad, with Wings.

[mechmike0034]

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kx1ap3SyqF1qaxnwuo1_400.jpg

[bachviet]

How about MadTV iPad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L68aKVAzwQ4)?

[Napoleon54]

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5894/26431.jpg

[cheapchinese]

Would you guys buy it though?

I might just jump in, play with it a week, and pop it on ebay.

I'm hoping theres an adapter out there that can pop the micro sim onto an iphone

[Airencracken]

Zero interest. I can see why some people would like it, but it just seems to be a pretty ho-hum device. It's just a giant ipod touch. Big deal.

[Prngr44]

If they release an iLife app, I may get one for my wife.

She's a Mac user and I didn't let her replace her previous one that died (only last 3 years) with a Macbook Pro because I couldn't justify spending another 2.5k for something with a 3 or 4 year shelf life.

She's been in withdrawal ever since I think.

[Jeffbx]

I'll get one for work & play with it, but I just don't see the appeal of it yet. Maybe after they roll out a few apps for it.

I also don't see it as much of a competitor to netbooks, unless cost is no object. The 64GB version with 3g will run over $800. That's one pricey netbook!

[Devhux]

I'm probably going to go with a Macbook Pro before thinking about the iPad. Sure, it's more money - but it would be far more useful.

[cheapie]

i travel a lot and would love the instant net and email access that it would provide w/o having to boot up a pc. if/when there's a netflix streaming option that will make it even better. when i'm in the car looking up calendar or contacts, checking email in a trade show, hotel room, etc., i would love the convenience of not carrying or taking the time to start up a regular computer.

however, even though you can put iwork on it, can you imagine how poor the ergonomics of typing a bunch of stuff on that screen will be? wow.

[cheapie]

anybody order one today? i thought about it but didn't do so because of the lack of hulu and netflix streaming.