Leaning toward the Ipad

[safetyobc]

Hmmmm. I have looked at the iPad a little closer and am starting to lean that way. I am very undecided. To some, $500 isn't a lot of money, but to me it is a huge chunk of change. That is why I am having a hard time deciding on a netbook. LOL.

The iPad looks tempting the more I look at it and think about it, especially with me being so submersed in the Apple world already (iPhone, iPod, Macbook, etc.). But $500 for 16GB is a little pricey. I also know by the history of Apple, the next gen will be lower in price/capacity. Likely the $500 will be 32 GB model.

Another thing is I would like to actually see the iPad running iPhone apps to see how they scale. The lack of flash is a real bummer too! At least there is a YouTube app. I'm not a huge reader of print (usually get my news and info from the web) so the eReader part of the iPad doesn't sway me either way, however, you've got to suspect that tons of media companies will want their magazine or newspaper on the iPad. Has anyone seen the Wired App for tablets (which will likely come to iPad). Also check out MLB's app for iPad.

The only problem with these media apps, they will likely require a subscription plan. I am about subscribed out. I have Satellite TV and internet. I also have XBox Live, Sirius Radio, and Netflix. Adding more and more subscriptions is not something I am looking to do. I already bought the MLB app for $15 which only gets you live audio. To get video of every game, that'll cost you about $100 per year. I'm not saying this media content isn't worth paying for, likely most of it is. I am saying I am at my limit as to how much I am willing to subscribe to.

Anyone else thinking about the iPad or have any thoughts on the device?

[netbooking]

I'm not a hardware person. Talk about power, screen and such is talk about the obvious. It doesn't have a camera. Duh, the obvious.

I'm a usage person. I'm interested in what I can do with the iPad. I'm not interested in what I can't do. So...

Edit: I just remembered about iLife software. Is it on the iPad? I have a two year old MacBook (2.4GHz C2D, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD) but I actually use Windows 7 Professional on it because I use Adobe Master Collection as my power apps. The only time I switch into Apple software is for screen capture using Camtasia. I just don't use iLife that much any more.

The iPad looks like a nice photo display so I wonder what kind of editing it will allow. A separate, non-interchangeable photo dongle is clever. End

If I download movies or games from the iTunes store to my computer, I imagine I could interface with my computer with the iPad in much the same way as I do with my iPod Touch or video iPod. I don't do much of the iTunes Store only buying about ten apps in the past couple of years. I prefer non-iTunes store Google/YouTube clips, free podcasts, rips I make or get from the Philippines or China and created video I shoot and edit myself. I just manage them with iTunes on my computer. I imagine I could do that with the iPad.

I clean off all personal data from the iPod Touch when I travel. I use the iPod Touch as a backup email checker when I travel, PDF reader, or browser in a hot spot - keeping it clean by deleting as soon as practical. While the iPad may be similar it is not exactly pocket or hand size while standing in line.

I use my netbook as a study tool. I load class PDFs, access video storage sites for lectures and view Powerpoints provided by my teacher. I write notes and look up stuff on the internet. But wait, I do that using PC software like OneNote and MS Office so I don't know how that would work in the Apple garden.

I use third party, non-iTunes store PC health software. It's great and similar Apple iTunes store apps suck.

Wi-fi would be similar to what I have now and admittedly the iPad would be a nice kit.

The 3G is a problem because it is or I have heard it is a micro sim on the iPad. I'm multi-national. My Blackberry Tour is unlocked. I have a family add on account for Verison for when I am in the USA, a compatible sim card account for when I am in Japan and a pay as you go sim card for when I am in Australia. The iPad sim may not be interchangeable. How clever is that?

I don't see how it fits my usage. My netbooks are tough enough to briefcase carry with just a sleeve. I pad my MacBook and would probably feel the need to pad the iPad. (Sorry about that.)

[ThisIsNot]

I have been eying the iPad ever since it was first announced. I was on the fence about getting one but it would have to wait until after April 7th whenever I get paid. On a side note, I switched jobs and I won't receive my first paycheck until April 7th despite working up here since the end of February. It takes them 6 weeks for automatic deposit to go through. I went with that option as the nearest Wells Fargo bank is about 4 hours away. Either way, I am strapped for cash until the 7th.

So I have been researching the iPad, discussing it with people, and looking at the prices of the actual iPad and its accessories (now that the prices of accessories have been released). First off, I would purchase a 64GB model. 16GB is a joke these days just like the 8GB iPhone and iPod touch. There are two reasons why Apple is releasing a 16GB iPad: they are clearing out excess 16GB SSD chips and so that they can say they have a model under $500.

The 64GB model is $700. Alright, throw in an official Apple case (as that is currently the only one worthwhile besides purchasing a 10" netbook sleeve), the VGA adapter (I would want to output 1024X768 video to my HDTV along with projectors for giving presentations), and the little dock or the one with the keyboard. That all adds up to $800 (for the little dock) or $840 (for the dock with a keyboard). $800-$840 is a lot. The current sales tax in Hamilton County (in Ohio, that is where the Cincinnati, OH Apple store is located) is 1% with Ohio state tax being 5.5%. That means that an $800 purchase now becomes about $852. I could buy everything off of Amazon.com and get free two day shipping (whenever the iPad hits Amazon) but I live in Northern Kentucky so I would have to pay tax on Amazon. That would make an $800 actually about $848.

That is all a lot of money for a not-a-netbook-and-not-a-notebook-and-not-a-smartphone device especially considering that it is a companion device (like netbooks). You still have to rely on having a more powerful computer so that you can sync content to the iPad (you have to get photos, music, and videos from somewhere) and you have to rely on specific apps for specific tasks. This is similar to general computing platforms except when it comes to browsing the internet. You have to use a YouTube app to watch YouTube videos, the actual NYTime app puts browsing their website (through Safari) to shame, no Flash so you must rely on apps that developers release for their websites/games/whatever. Let's not forget about apps that actually cost money. Apple is going to charge $30 for all of their iWork iPad apps or $10 for each app if you buy them separately. $30 turns into $32 with tax. Fancy 3D games that actually take advantage of the better iPad hardware will likely cost more than the standard $10-$15 price range of iPhone/iPod touch 3D games. I can keep going on.

All of those are negatives against getting the iPad and they mainly focus on price. There are really only two negative hardware/software aspects regarding the iPad: lack of a built-in camera (a $150 iPod nano can get a crappy camera yet a $700 "most advanced technology" device doesn't?) and lack of Flash support.

Now I look at the positive parts of the iPad. First off, the hardware is extremely stylish. An iPad is 0.5" at its thickest point. That is extremely thin and really sleek. The large front screen is also great. Secondly, the screen is an LCD IPS display that is backlight using LED lights. This means that it is a lot more power efficient than older IPS while also having really vibrant colors (the display has a thick glass coating), a high contrast ratio, and extreme viewing angles. The multi-touch overlay will likely be better than anything in a netbook, notebook, and desktop out now (except for those dedicated external pads that high end artists use). That is something that appeals to many people especially after getting tired of using a stylus, using a bad captive touchscreen on a cellphone (ie the LG Chocolate Touch has bad touch sensitivity), or having companies promise one thing while delivering something that is sub-par. Another note about the hardware: it can playback 720p videos. Some think that the Apple A4 chip is essentially a re-branded Tegra 2 while others think it is an overclocked processor from the iPhone 3GS). Whatever it is, the system on a chip is pretty powerful. 720p mpeg-4 AVC videos will look great on the iPad's monitor and when outputting to an external display.

802.11n is also something that isn't standard with a netbook. I don't think you really need 802.11n on a device like this but it helps when you don't have a dual-band wireless router. Most 802.11n wi-fi routers will emit 802.11n only when all devices support n. Otherwise it will revert back down to 802.11g. This means that someone's wi-fi isn't going to slow down just because of the iPad. Bluetooth 2.1 is also great and something not standard on netbooks. It opens the iPad up to a series of accessories such as keyboards, mice (it supports Apple's bluetooth mouse), and wireless headphones. It also uses a 30-pin iPod connector on the bottom which means that it will work with any iPod accessory compatible with the 3G iPod touch and the iPhone 3G (and 3Gs). That is huge. It means that the connector I have in my Honda Civic will charge an iPad while the receiver plays audio coming from the iPad. I won't have to buy all new accessories for my car if I purchase an iPad.

Lastly, the battery life is amazing. 10 hours of real world wi-fi usage is something that can't be matched even my Asus and their efficient Eee PCs. For example, an Eee PC with a rates 12 hour battery means that Asus turned the screen brightness all the way down, turned wi-fi off, turned bluetooth off, and ran an application that judges how long it would take the battery to shut down. That isn't real world usage. I am not picking on Asus either as other companies do this. Toshiba, HP, Dell, Gateway, Lenovo, Acer, and even Apple did this at one time with their PowerBook line. That 12 hour Eee PC will actually get about 6-7 hours with the screen brightness turned up to a reasonable level with wi-fi browsing. Reduce that to about 4 hours when browsing Flash heavy websites (even if it has hardware acceleration, Flash 10.1 is still far from perfect) such as YouTube. Imaging being able to surf the web for 4 hours and then still have enough power to watch 6 episodes of Lost in HD. That is something that no netbook or notebook can do without having some type of external battery.

So am I going to get an iPad? I don't know. I can certainly see how I could use one on a daily basis whether I am at home, work, or on vacation. The heft price and dependence on another system hinder the iPad but it is definitely something that I am considering. It wouldn't replace my netbook but rather be a companion to it. I refuse to blindly purchase technology without reading a countless number of reviews, discussing it with people (not blind Apple fanboys or Apple bigots), and handling one for about 30-45 minutes. I have already scheduled a personal buying experience at the local Apple store in regards to buying an iPad. They will have a 16GB model for me to play with but it will give me the same experience. The salesperson set aside one hour and I am giving them that much time to sell me an iPad.

I do have to say this though: I don't know of any other store that offers a personal experience, that lasts an hour no less, when buying something like this. Best Buy employees would act like used car salespeople and try to get me in some huge notebook made of thick plastic for $500 just so they could get me out of the store. I couldn't even go to a store for Amazon.com and I can't understand their representatives (theIr calling center aND customer lInes support Are outsourced to a country that shall not be named). There will likely be other stores selling the iPad but I have been to the Micro Center over here and it really is a Kmart equivalent to Best Buy except that they only sell computers.

So we will see. My appointment is now scheduled for the 10th of April. I will either come out of the Apple store with an iPad (along with the accessories I previously listed) or nothing at all. I don't blame you for thinking about an iPad since you already have a MacBook. It would likely be a nice companion to your system but only time will tell if it really is or not. Right now, I think the pluses far outweigh the negative aspects around the iPad (which could really be fixed with software updates). I might be singing a different tune in about a month.

[ericinboston]

I am with Netbooking...I really like the stylish iPad. However, I think the price is very steep...even for the barebones 16GB....and I am a proud owner of numerous iPods, an iPhone, and a 2+ year old Mac Mini (among countless Windows machines since 1991).

I think the iPad has a serious identity problem...and that's been talked about by me and others on various threads.

My prediction is that the iPad will sell well for 2-3 months and then get mediocre reviews by people who wish to use it more as a computer rather than an entertainment device. As an entertainment device?...sure...I think it offers great features: movie support, book support, music, game support, and photo gallery. But $500 is going to make you very mad when you can only store 1 movie + 200 photos + 200 songs due to the ridiculous 16GB storage size WITH NO ROOM FOR EXPANSION. Want to use it as a nice entertainment device?...you're forced to buy the 800+ 64GB model (which I think is still way too small for an entertainment device).

I'm gonna sit this out for awhile...see how the reviews come from the non-techies of the world + the computer users of the world + the netbook/laptop owners of the world. Maybe revision 2 in 2011 will entice me. Or, maybe if there was a hefty price reduction AND storage increase (sheeez, the thing is the size of a netbook and they can only stuff it with 64GB which the iPod and iPhone already support at 1/4 the iPad size?!). Gimme 64GB at $499 and then we'll talk.

-Eric

[ThisIsNot]

Originally Posted by ericinboston

I'm gonna sit this out for awhile...see how the reviews come from the non-techies of the world + the computer users of the world + the netbook/laptop owners of the world.

That is exactly what people should do. Apple took over 91,000 pre-orders for the iPad (various models and configurations) yesterday alone. As I said, I refuse to blindly buy technology. I also refuse to just blindly push it aside as being a bad product. I did that with the 2G iPod years ago and ended up getting the 3G model in 2003. People should read the flood of incoming reviews, get user opinions (not from blind Apple fanboys or Apple bigots), and rely on personal experience.

Originally Posted by ericinboston

(sheeez, the thing is the size of a netbook and they can only stuff it with 64GB which the iPod and iPhone already support at 1/4 the iPad size?!).

Actually, the iPad is about 1/2 the size of even the thinnest Asus Eee PC (the 1008HA which goes from .71 inches to its thinnest point at the very edge to 1.01 inches to the thickest middle part) coming in at 1.5 lbs/1.6 lbs (depending on if it is a wi-fi only or wi-fi+3G model) which is almost half as light as the 2.42 lb Eee PC 1008HA. So the iPad is substantially smaller than even one of the thinnest and lightest netbooks out there. So I can understand why 64GB is the capacity limit. That and a 128GB SSD drive would bring the iPad's price up to at least $1000. The largest capacity for the iPhone is also 32GB with the 3GS models.

[netbooking]

I'm not ready for the iPad.

In Apple's world, a broken screen is de facto the user's fault. The iPad is thin. I wouldn't feel comfortable packing it unless it were encased in the special iPad case Apple has designed for it. That's more money and more weight.

I would want the 64GB size which is what I have in my Asus but the iPad is managed by the base computer so the shuffle in and out of data would depend on user's need.

This looks like a good thing for a teacher to record attendance and grades. Stock room staff can use it to record inventory. Coaches can use it for notes during practice.

I'm just not ready for the iPad. I'm not ready for Apple until they get all the apps into 64 bit mode for a new MacBook Pro. Fix that and I'll talk extras like the iPad.