Apple's iPad Megathread

[The Ditch]

I'm posting this from my iPad, I got one as a gift. I'm pretty impressed with it to be honest, it will really compliment my apple tv I think. The typing is really easy on it, just getting used to it. One thing I will say is that I will still read my books on my Kindle, I don't think it's better for that. Though with everything else it does I see a lot of people getting it instead of the Kindle because of all the other things it does.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Maybe the FanBoiz (jk!) can help with this one...why wouldn't Apple allow external storage via a USB port? 16 GB seems very limiting to me.

Originally Posted by Russic

It's really designed to be a more on-the-go kind of device. I imagine they don't allow something like that because if massive hard drive space is your bag, you would be looking into a laptop or netbook.

That's possible. I'm the kind of guy that likes to upload all of my crap at once, though. I wouldn't want to be syncing all the time. I even avoid syncing my iPhone as much as possible just because I hate waiting around and think it's a PITA. I've been really happy with my 32 GB 3Gs over my 8 gig 2G iPhone for the increase in storage capacity alone.

With something like the iPad, I would like to take all of my media with me...every movie I own, every song I own, all my photos, etc. I wouldn't mind bringing around my 1 TB hard drive to do this, but it looks like that won't be possible.

I think from a business perspective, Apple has prevented users from doing this to keep from cannibilizing their laptop sales...I can't think of any other reason that would make sense. Fair enough, they can do whatever they want, but it is a major mark against the iPad, IMO.

[QuadCityImages]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

While I usually like things to be relatively open, I can deal with some closed systems. I didn't think being able to put files on it from another storage medium was all that much of a 'free wheeling' system requirement for a tablet computer.

There aren't really accessible "files" on the iPad, is the thing. There's no built-in file manager whatsoever, although I would assume there are probably apps that provide that functionality.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by QuadCityImages

There aren't really accessible "files" on the iPad, is the thing. There's no built-in file manager whatsoever, although I would assume there are probably apps that provide that functionality.

Yes there is file management, and yes there is the ability to access files on the iPad. File management takes place inside the individual applications on the device itself, or through the file explorer of whichever computer it's connected to (like an external drive).

Moving on...

I love how people rag on the iPad's 64GB storage space, yet the two big supposed iPad killers coming out are the Gemini and the JooJoo. The Gemini only has 4GB of storage (with up to 32GB supported through the use of an SD card) and the JooJoo has 4GB without any way of extending it. So when you compare the iPad with devices it's meant to be compared to, it actually comes out ok.

(Yes, I know the Gemini will run Android and have a USB port, but have fun accessing all your data on that super-slow 32GB SD card, while iPad users speed through everything with their 64GB of flash memory.)

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Yes there is file management, and yes there is the ability to access files on the iPad. File management takes place inside the individual applications on the device itself, or through the file explorer of whichever computer it's connected to (like an external drive).

Moving on...

I love how people rag on the iPad's 64GB storage space, yet the two big supposed iPad killers coming out are the Gemini and the JooJoo. The Gemini only has 4GB of storage (with up to 32GB supported through the use of an SD card) and the JooJoo has 4GB without any way of extending it. So when you compare the iPad with devices it's meant to be compared to, it actually comes out ok.

(Yes, I know the Gemini will run Android and have a USB port, but have fun accessing all your data on that super-slow 32GB SD card, while iPad users speed through everything with their 64GB of flash memory.)

If you think being critical of a device with 64 GB of storage is unfair in a day and age where a one TB hard drive is the size of a cassette tape, you have reached legendary heights of fanboyism.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Sliver

If you think being critical of a device with 64 GB of storage is unfair in a day and age where a one TB hard drive is the size of a cassette tape, you have reached legendary heights of fanboyism.

If you are directly comparing a 1TB hard drive with 64GB of flash memory then you have reached legendary heights of intentional (or unintentional?) technological blindness for the purposes of accusing someone of being a fanboy.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Sliver

If you think being critical of a device with 64 GB of storage is unfair in a day and age where a one TB hard drive is the size of a cassette tape, you have reached legendary heights of fanboyism.

Oh for crying out loud. Do we really need to go through the whole "it's not a laptop" thing again? Can't you friggin people just read the first 78 pages of this thread?

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by photon

If you are directly comparing a 1TB hard drive with 64GB of flash memory then you have reached legendary heights of intentional (or unintentional?) technological blindness for the purposes of accusing someone of being a fanboy.

Whew. Thanks man. This fanboy crap is really getting stupid.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by photon

If you are directly comparing a 1TB hard drive with 64GB of flash memory then you have reached legendary heights of intentional (or unintentional?) technological blindness for the purposes of accusing someone of being a fanboy.

Is it difficult to add more storage space or something?

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Oh for crying out loud. Do we really need to go through the whole "it's not a laptop" thing again? Can't you friggin people just read the first 78 pages of this thread?

Why is it unreasonable to want more storage? Movie files are big, plus I have 20 gigs of just music. That doesn't imply I need a laptop...the iPad seems perfect for what I would like save for it's limited storage capacity.

[FanIn80]

Well... My 160GB SSD cost me $500, while a 1TB laptop drive is only about $200.

Those are retail prices, btw.

There's also the whole thing about how flash memory is about 487x faster than a simple hard drive, but that's probably another conversation.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Is it difficult to add more storage space or something?

Nothing is difficult given no constraints on space, heat, cost, power usage, physical properties, speed, supply, or usage.

In the real world there are often constraints though.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Why is it unreasonable to want more storage? Movie files are big, plus I have 20 gigs of just music. That doesn't imply I need a laptop...the iPad seems perfect for what I would like save for it's limited storage capacity.

Because the point of this thing is that it has no movable parts. It just wouldn't work as well with a spinning hard drive in it. Hard drives do not like to be flipped around while they're working and flash memory is still very expensive.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Well... My 160GB SSD cost me $500, while a 1TB laptop drive is only about $200.

Those are retail prices, btw.

There's also the whole thing about how flash memory is about 487x faster than a simple hard drive, but that's probably another conversation.

Oh I didn't know there was a difference. I was just thinking of my 80 gig iPod from five years ago and wondering why something so much newer that would need to store way more stuff couldn't.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Why is it unreasonable to want more storage? Movie files are big, plus I have 20 gigs of just music. That doesn't imply I need a laptop...the iPad seems perfect for what I would like save for it's limited storage capacity.

Sure, except you can't just wave a magic wand and make it more storage without making trade-offs elsewhere.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Oh I didn't know there was a difference. I was just thinking of my 80 gig iPod from five years ago and wondering why something so much newer that would need to store way more stuff couldn't.

Have you ever tried to jog with that iPod? Does it have a 10" LCD that needs power as well? Does it need much more space than just the space for a battery and the hard drive?

Ever wonder why companies (not just Apple) often have two different players, one with flash memory with a small capacity, and one with a hard drive with a large capacity?

There's a huge difference between hard drives and flash memory, and flash memory is many times more expensive.

EDIT: And if you didn't know there was a difference, then isn't a bit foolish to be calling someone a fanboy based on not knowing something?

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Oh I didn't know there was a difference. I was just thinking of my 80 gig iPod from five years ago and wondering why something so much newer that would need to store way more stuff couldn't.

Ahh. It's all good. I see now that you didn't know the difference.

Man, I see that "fanboy" crap and I just loose it. Especially when it's for something I don't deserve it for.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Oh for crying out loud. Do we really need to go through the whole "it's not a laptop" thing again? Can't you friggin people just read the first 78 pages of this thread?

To be fair, it's not just the detractors who are making the comparison. Steve Jobs trashed netbooks while announcing a product with a similar form-factor and price and some people have said that this might replace their laptops. I don't see you getting all uppity at posts like this:

Originally Posted by Republic of Awesome

Got mine today in Vegas and am loving it. For web surfing and email it is great. Superfast and responsive, very nice to look at. Using the ABC app is nice with streaming of tv shows, but that wont be available in Canada. Ibooks look pretty cool as well. This will replace our laptop.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by photon

Sure, except you can't just wave a magic wand and make it more storage without making trade-offs elsewhere.

Thanks I understand now. I still think it would be nice if there was a USB port you could plug a jump drive or whatever into, but maybe that points to my lack of understanding of the technology.

[Antithesis]

So, if I decide that I can wait for a 2nd generation iPad to be released before buying one, how long are estimates that I'll be waiting? I know no one knows, crystal ball, etc., but what is Apple's typical revision pattern with its other portable hardware?