Apple iPad So-So

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Apple iPad So-So

by Tiani
(Orange County, CA, USA)

On first impression: Very cool monster sized iPod Touch with 3G wireless capability, and a WHOLE LOAD OF APPS! Great for kids.

It is not for the professional! I personally am not a fan of the virtual keyboard. It is difficult to do work with.

Best use:
- FB or any other social networking website
- Easy use for Movie/Video Viewing (planes, cars, etc)
- Games
- Keeping up with the Jones
- Retail Stores - mobile checkout

NEGATIVE:
- Virtual Keyboard is very difficult to navigate
- Hard to hold for long periods of time and difficult to read because you have to look down all the time
- Needs a good device to hold up the device (this sentence alone should be an alert to detour you form buying the iPad)
- Cannot access porn due to NO FLASH SUPPORT (DOWN, DOWN SIDE)

OVERALL - 2 out 10
(I would buy it for my 2 year old to play memory, read, or touch learning games (math, etc)
Otherwise, I would buy a fully capable laptop with much more features for the the same price...or even less!
DON'T BE SCAMMED!

Comments for
Apple iPad So-So

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Dec 16, 2010

Apple iPad Will Live Forever
by: Anonymous

Well it's been awhile now since the iPad has been on the market, and iPad 2 is around the corner. I think it's fair to say that it's not going anywhere anytime soon. True to Apple's history, it will have less features and be overpriced compared to the competition that is in the market, but people will still buy it! So no matter what you think of Apple or the iPad pros and cons, it's not going anywhere!

Aug 24, 2010

Will iPad follow the way of the iPod or the PC?
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

Interesting discussion. I definitely agree with the points made regarding Apple innovating, and other OEMs preparing to launch products that will undoubtedly be far more capable and address most, if not all of the downfalls of the iPad.

However, something to consider is that even after there are a myriad of other tablet options out there, will the Apple iPad maintain a dominant market share? I compare it to the iPod because there were a number of other MP3 players that later came onto the market that addressed many of the downsides of iPods (ex. removable battery, external storage, outside of the iTunes walled garden, etc.), however, people still largely prefer iPods. Whether it's the cool brand image, or the excellent design and form factor, I'm not sure, but it remains the MP3 player of choice.

On the other hand, although its popularity has been growing, Apple PCs are still largely a niche product. So which pathway will the iPad take?!

Although it's not a perfect comparison because tablet products are far more complex than are iPods (iPod Touch aside), but still some food for thought nonetheless.

I personally think that it will take the path as seen in the PC market; i.e. iPads will become more niche, though its threshold will be much higher than Macs of the past ever were because of Apple's shift away from just the true hardcore Apple fans.

I have to add that I went to a Microsoft store for the first time recently, and all I could think about was how much of the technology that was being featured were innovations that Apple made popular. For example, touch screens, pinching and zooming, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to see a healthy array of OEM products though, instead of the few variations that Apple typically has. But hey, don't get me wrong, Apple is one of the most successful companies on the planet, and they should continue with their strategy, for there's no doubt...it works! (Of course ignoring the iPhone 4 design fiasco, and general Antennagate controversy ;-).

Aug 24, 2010

Apple iPad Competitors are Coming!
by: Anonymous

There's a lot of news about a bunch of tablets coming to the market later this year and early next year. Apple really did a great job essentially creating this market, but other manufacturers (ex. Dell, Samsung, HP, etc.) are going to launch much better and cheaper devices that will blow past the iPad. They will take care of all of the complaints that people here and on other blogs are talking about.

Being first is great, and we can thank Apple for their innovation, but there's no shame in others following up with better products; that's the nature of improvement and is the American way!

The Samsung Galaxy Tablet running Android 2.2 looks like it's going to be pretty sweet!

Jul 27, 2010

iPad is a Gigantic iPod Touch!
by: Anonymous

I love my iPad. As noted by others, it's instant-on, and super easy and fun to use. I think the antenna design is similar to the iPhone 4 (i.e. built into the case/frame), but hopefully because the band doesn't seem to be exposed, that it doesn't have the same attenuation issues. To buy a beautiful pieces of hardware only to require a case to cover it up is sad, but that's a different story!

I can't help but think that as an early adopter we got screwed on the price. When you think about it, the iPad is really an iPod Touch (assuming no 3G) with a much larger screen. Is it really worth the extra dollars? From a pure parts/cost point of view, certainly not. But for the pleasure of using it and not having to wait for the price to come down, I guess that's the price we pay. Oh well.

Jul 15, 2010

Apple iPad Instant On
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

Despite any of it's shortcomings (which can certainly be debated), the comment regarding picking it up and being able to use it immediately due to its instant on ability, is a great point. It's probably fair to say that the iPad is the most powerful device on the planet that you can instantly turn on.

I'm probably still in the camp of likely preferring a Google Android based netbook/tablet form factor (which would also be instant on), but that's a discussion for another day ;-).

I'm interested to learn more about how you're controlling your PCs at home and work, and what you're doing with them. Sounds intriguing!

Also, I'm inferring from your April purchase that you're grandfathered into AT&T's unlimited data plan. Do you think that if you were not on the unlimited plan that your data usage would still be accommodated by the new plans?

While I do believe that a very small percentage of users (ex. 1%) abuse the network and cause issues for everyone else (which is the reason for imposing caps and reasonable usage clauses), I'd hate to see concerns over data usage to stifle app development or people's usage of high productivity (and high data intensive) apps. Particularly as we shift towards cloud based computing, data usage will become more of a concern.

Jul 15, 2010

So So So what ?
by: Anonymous

Well,well,well. iPad experience is the best so far for content consumption. I browse , trade, watch movies etc..and connect it to the projector easily. The laptop or net book is bulky for simple things. The iPad apps even make it more interesting and alive. I also used it to control my pc's at home and at work.
The excitement of using it everyday is always been there since April. I'm a pc user but I love the IPAD!

Jul 14, 2010

Porn etc.
by: Anonymous

AirVideo will allow me to stream all the porn I want, and wantedlist.com will stream video to it too. For me the great thing about my ipadnis how fast I can just hop on and do something without waiting to boot up and login...

May 25, 2010

Apple iPad Coolness vs. Real Value
by: Tim

I think I understand what Tiani is trying to say, while I also can see the points the other commentators are trying to make.

If we try to take the emotional aspect out of it, and the real "coolness" of the device aside, it's probably a fair comment to say that the iPad doesn't really do anything that you can't do on a small laptop or netbook. In fact, it does much less. Yes, I know, it's not meant to replace a computer, it's a brand new category, but let's face it, it's soooo much more capable than a Kindle or Nook that it's justifiable to compare it to a computer. Especially when people are making comments about updating and annotating presentations, etc.

Keeping up with social networking, news, etc., why can't you do that on your smartphone? Especially if it's got a reasonable sized screen and some friendly social networking apps, do you really need to spend $500 to $800 to do it on a larger screen?

When I used the iPad for a number of hours, I was so disappointed with the performance. I had trouble loading gmail emails. Why should it take almost two minutes to load a Boy Genius Report? I became frustrated that I couldn't have multiple active sessions open. I hope OS4 will include the iPad and solve that issue. That alone makes it completely unusable for me. Particularly after using a WebOS device where I can switch back and forth between active applications (too bad Palm has trouble marketing their products...oh well...Android will get there soon enough!).

I also get the point re. holding it. Yes, it's cool to hold, and even convenient in tight places (ex. airplanes) where a laptop is certainly cumbersome, but the reality is that sitting on the couch or bed with it becomes tiring. How are you supposed to hold the damn thing? It's small and light, but after awhile it's actually quite heavy and awkward to hold.

That glossy, awful screen...ahhh! In any kind of light I could see the walls, windows, and trees outside more clearly than the YouTube video....freak'n annoying....an anti-glare cover is a must.

Anyway, I could go on, but I won't (ex. why no camera!!!!!!). It's an amazing device. If Apple had given all of the negatives more thought, they never would have launched it; just like the original iPhone really was crippled when launched but got enough right to have an appeal. At the current price there really is minimal value for the practical-minded; lets not pretend that there is. It's for us geeks, early adopters, and perhaps some main stream with some extra cash, and will take some time for the market to evolve.

Personally, I'm more excited about an X-series Lenovo touch tablet that allows me to have EVERYTHING in one device, but that's just me! There will always be Apple lovers, despite its product shortcomings. I remember my iPhone friend getting so excited when he upgraded his OS to be able to copy and paste...wow...lame...I could do that on my Treo five years earlier...but I digress....

May 24, 2010

???
by: Anonymous

Crap! You're best off with your Smartphone (probably a Win Mobile).

May 24, 2010

TO: All the "REALLY!" "crazy", "lost" individuals who truly "Missed the point!"
by: Tiani

I believe Apple's target is to win over tech enthusiast such as myself, and retain those users who like to "waste $$$"....hmmm obviously they have accomplished one of the two!

Honestly $500-$800's! My Smartphone for fraction of the cost, has the same capabilities of the iPad (note-taking/recording, view/edit office docs, manage task, calenders, social networking, etc)...In addition,can take pictures/videos, make calls, and most importantly fits in the palm of my hand!

For those using it for professional purposes, I assume you own a laptop. If your laptop is not capable of performing functions which the iPad offers...then you need to consult an expert! My laptop has all the capabilities the iPad has to offer, and a gazillion other features all within it's slim, lightweight casing, and doesn't cause neck injuries to view. Finally, if I really wanted a laptop with touch screen capabilities, I could buy one of the new/soon-to-be released tablet PC's.

Oh, did I tell you it supports FLASH (for porn)...yes, cute, smart techie chicks watch porn!

May 23, 2010

You missed the point
by: Anonymous

If you want to use it as a laptop get a laptop. It's not as if a keyboard is a very ergonomic. A hardware keyboard is just familiar. The software keyboard is a problem only because it doesn't faithfully reproduce the existing key mapping of a hardware keyboard.

We only think of keyboarding as work related because we've never had another way to accomplish the same tasks without one. But with the iPad I get dozens to hundreds of very specialized keyboards where individual buttons do very complex things similar to what we used to do with difficult-to-recall keyboard macros.

Add to this the new sensors and novel gesture based input methods and I think the iPad represents something very useful which will only get more useful in it's second month.

May 23, 2010

Really!
by: Geek freak

You don't own one you have no clue the iPad exceptional it has replaced my other comps except my Other apple products I agree with "crazy" ! Take it with me every where I love this wonderful peace of work it is beautiful,too bad you and other negative fools will miss out! As for the keyboard is a piece of cake to navigate and type on ! @ apple they know what there doin,there software and hardware are off the chain and they back up there products if need be, there are updates & in november I believe multitasking will be add in an big soft where up date this iPad is a must buy for techie and geeky people whom love technology!

May 23, 2010

Lost
by: Anonymous

I guess annotating pdf's is for kids, as well as preparing a business presentation in keynote at record time, including photos, and then emailing a pdf of it. Or what about connecting remotely to your computers or your customer's computers all over the world for first class support. What about mind mapping in a brainstorming session and then emailing everybody the result. And yes, it takes about 3-4 seconds to turn it on and start working, very different then the minutes you spend waiting for it in your windows laptop. I have been reading more books thanks to the ipod touch and the ipad than ever before. I am also better informed thanks to the speed and experience of the different newspapers. Even 5 or 10 minutes help. And this is only the beginning ...

May 23, 2010

Crazy
by: Anonymous

You couldn't be more wrong about the iPad. I use mine to keep track of tasks at work, take notes in meetings, browse tons of current blogs, keep up with news, read books (way better than my eInk reader), play occasional word or strategy games, manage multiple email accounts, check up on twitter, and other things like music and video when I have the time.

It will never replace a laptop for things like Photoshop or MS Word, but it is my instant on source of media and entertainment mixed in with a bit of productivity.

Overall I read more news, blogs and websites with it in my haves than I ever would with a notebook alone or a net book.

You should try one before knocking it so harshly.

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