Apple's iPad Megathread

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

For a guy what doesn't own one, doesn't plan on owning one, you sure get pretty damn defensive about it.

Actually, I thought I was being pretty funny.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Now that the 2 million Apple fanboys on the planet have their iPads, the whole thing should tank pretty quickly and the world can get back to using their $499 laptops in peace.

I lol'd.

[Russic]

I can only speak from personal experience, but I'd wager I "sold" 3 of these today in my office to people who not only don't currently own apple products, but didn't know what an iPad was until last week. The fanatics will lead the charge of course, but this is the type of thing that in many instances is hard to nail down a use for until you sit down and play with it. Not to say that's the case for everybody, but in my experience many people who see no use for it come away with a more positive view of it when they are done.

The strong numbers should ensure developer attention and that should bring excellent apps in a few months time. Those apps should keep the interest in it up. My hope is that google releases a kick ass tablet and raises the hell out of the bar for the second version of the ipad next year.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Actually, I thought I was being pretty funny.

It's a little hard sometimes to tell your Apple enthusiasm for Apple sarcasm.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

It's a little hard sometimes to tell your Apple enthusiasm for Apple sarcasm.

I don't see how anything about my post could be construed as enthusiasm, so it looks like sarcasm was the only logical choice.

Personally, I think you just like to take the easy way out.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I don't see how anything about my post could be construed as enthusiasm, so it looks like sarcasm was the only logical choice.

Personally, I think you just like to take the easy way out.

Given your posting history, this is perfectly in line with those things and can be taken either way with people's expectations. There's no real way to explain how people's posts are interpreted by others without getting argumentative which is always stupid and pointless but obviously there are a few who didn't see it as funny as you thought it was. As usual, I am just explaining why I think people are replying to you in certain ways because you are being overtly defensive. The personal comments like "Personally, I think you just like to take the easy way out" don't help and are exactly why things devolve to this sort of thing. I wouldn't even have replied to this if not for that as this is a non-point that's not going to lead anywhere.

Anyway, iPads are going to be huge, even when alternatives come on the market, they will be dwarfed by the iPad like how most mp3 players are completely forgotten in the wake of the iPod. I don't think hype is ever going to die down because every time somebody shows his to someone else, they will be interested in touching it sort of like when iPhones first came out, or when iPods came out and everybody wanted to spin the wheel.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Russic

The fanatics will lead the charge of course, but this is the type of thing that in many instances is hard to nail down a use for until you sit down and play with it. Not to say that's the case for everybody, but in my experience many people who see no use for it come away with a more positive view of it when they are done.

It has been my experience so far that many people don’t fully appreciate the iPad until they see one in use. I’ve had clients play with mine, declare that its a giant iPod Touch, and that its not for them. Completely valid opinion. (others of course become foaming at the mouth fans)

Then, over the course of an afternoon doing IT work for them, they see me use it multiple times to quickly respond to email, hold a Skype conversation with a remote co-worker about an issue, reply to three or four emails, look something up on google, etc.

What they have commented on in each case, is that the iPad is FAST - fast to get me connected to the info I need, fast to type on, fast to surf with, etc. Then, they start to see how it fits in the space in-between a phone (nobody googles technical info on a phone), and a full blown laptop.

Having RDP and VNC over 3G is pretty convincing too, for anyone that has to do support - LogMeIn Ignition and my RDP/VNC tools are cute on the iPhone, but are good enough to really use on an iPad.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

So because they can't make them fast enough, they overprice them so they won't run out quickly?

Ok......LOL

In general*, any business sets a price on a product based on maximizing margin while keeping a balance between supply and demand.

*Yes there are exceptions, but this isn't one*

[Russic]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

It has been my experience so far that many people don’t fully appreciate the iPad until they see one in use. I’ve had clients play with mine, declare that its a giant iPod Touch, and that its not for them. Completely valid opinion. (others of course become foaming at the mouth fans)

Then, over the course of an afternoon doing IT work for them, they see me use it multiple times to quickly respond to email, hold a Skype conversation with a remote co-worker about an issue, reply to three or four emails, look something up on google, etc.

What they have commented on in each case, is that the iPad is FAST - fast to get me connected to the info I need, fast to type on, fast to surf with, etc. Then, they start to see how it fits in the space in-between a phone (nobody googles technical info on a phone), and a full blown laptop.

Having RDP and VNC over 3G is pretty convincing too, for anyone that has to do support - LogMeIn Ignition and my RDP/VNC tools are cute on the iPhone, but are good enough to really use on an iPad.

You make a good point. I've noticed if you just give it to people to play with they are almost confused. Guided tours seem to work much better.

I just got back from our IT department and was showing to one of the guys. He said "If only there was a way to point it to a folder of videos on your computer and let it play off that regardless of video format". I showed him AirVideo and 5 minutes later he was on the HR website trying to figure out if he could buy an iPad using his work benefits.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

What they have commented on in each case, is that the iPad is FAST - fast to get me connected to the info I need, fast to type on, fast to surf with, etc. Then, they start to see how it fits in the space in-between a phone (nobody googles technical info on a phone), and a full blown laptop.

Totally agree. My girlfriend didn't really understand why I bought it or why someone would use it. Of course she is picking it up all the time and checking her Facebook and emails. I'll go the bathroom and I'll come back and she is using it. She only used her laptop once this week when I was home with the iPad and she did that because I was using it. It's just so much easier, faster, lighter than a laptop that it's become the most used gadget in the house this week. But it could really benefit from having some sort of user accounts.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Still not a fan of the business model, but hey, each to his own. I'll wait for a cheaper alternative or grab a netbook.

If I spent my money and bought a netbook I can guarantee that I wouldn't be getting a quarter of the use out of it as I have been with the iPad.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Burninator

If I spent my money and bought a netbook I can guarantee that I wouldn't be getting a quarter of the use out of it as I have been with the iPad.

I think it really boils down to how you use your electronics. If you're one of those people that can watch a tv show, movie or read a book on a netbook then I say save your money and go nuts. I'm with you though, I haven't used my laptop since I brought the iPad home. It's never more than 50 feet away from me when I'm upstairs, but I won't open it up because I'll have to wait for it to get out of standby mode. There is something about waiting for 45 seconds to start using it that makes it absolutely useless to me. Even if I did wait, launching a browser or a program like excel or word is just going to take more time. Not much of course, but enough that I won't bother.

[Antithesis]

My wife is slowly becoming interested in this ... I think maybe from talking to other Moms and seeing commercials or asking me about it. I think if I can wait a couple more more months before getting one, she might be the one telling me to go get it ... my plan is working ...

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

My wife is slowly becoming interested in this ... I think maybe from talking to other Moms and seeing commercials or asking me about it. I think if I can wait a couple more more months before getting one, she might be the one telling me to go get it ... my plan is working ...

I sold my wife on one by telling her we could use it as an in-car entertainment device for the little butt-head in the back seat because it's cheaper than the head rest alternatives.

Gonna wait for version II though.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Barnes

I sold my wife on one by telling her we could use it as an in-car entertainment device for the little butt-head in the back seat because it's cheaper than the head rest alternatives.

Gonna wait for version II though.

I'm in the process of getting my sister-in-law to make me one of these. She's kinda like Martha Stewart, so I'm hoping she can sew me something. I keep telling her once she does it she should totally sell it on etsy. There has to be a market for in-car headrest iPad displays.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

It has been my experience so far that many people don’t fully appreciate the iPad until they see one in use. I’ve had clients play with mine, declare that its a giant iPod Touch, and that its not for them. Completely valid opinion. (others of course become foaming at the mouth fans)

Then, over the course of an afternoon doing IT work for them, they see me use it multiple times to quickly respond to email, hold a Skype conversation with a remote co-worker about an issue, reply to three or four emails, look something up on google, etc.

What they have commented on in each case, is that the iPad is FAST - fast to get me connected to the info I need, fast to type on, fast to surf with, etc. Then, they start to see how it fits in the space in-between a phone (nobody googles technical info on a phone), and a full blown laptop.

Having RDP and VNC over 3G is pretty convincing too, for anyone that has to do support - LogMeIn Ignition and my RDP/VNC tools are cute on the iPhone, but are good enough to really use on an iPad.

Yep. That's pretty much it in a nutshell. It's a whole new type of device, and people have to really see it in action to figure it out. Some are quicker than others, and they pick up on it right away after playing with it... others need to see what someone who knows what they're doing can do with it first.

I'm fine when I'm at home. I'm being totally sensible about this whole thing. I know I don't need it, and I know I can get by quite nicely without one... but every time I go to Best Buy and start playing with one, I get closer and close to reaching for my wallet.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by Barnes

I sold my wife on one by telling her we could use it as an in-car entertainment device for the little butt-head in the back seat because it's cheaper than the head rest alternatives.

Gonna wait for version II though.

When it's been an ample amount of time - if we're ever looking for a road trip with the kids - which I don't see coming this summer - I'll pull that one out. That's like the a-bomb for her. "Think of the kids! Think of how they'll be entertained and not annoying us!"

She's already approved a version 2 though. Maybe I shouldn't shoot for the moon.

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

In general*, any business sets a price on a product based on maximizing margin while keeping a balance between supply and demand.

*Yes there are exceptions, but this isn't one*

Again, simply stated that the business model of overcharging (IMO), is not a good one. Not in my view. Apple does this constantly. EVERYTHING they sell is overpriced.

Originally Posted by Burninator

If I spent my money and bought a netbook I can guarantee that I wouldn't be getting a quarter of the use out of it as I have been with the iPad.

OK...I'll bite. Why? I can guarantee I can do more on a netbook than I can do on an iPad, save the touchscreen.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Burninator

If I spent my money and bought a netbook I can guarantee that I wouldn't be getting a quarter of the use out of it as I have been with the iPad.

Originally Posted by OilKiller

OK...I'll bite. Why? I can guarantee I can do more on a netbook than I can do on an iPad, save the touchscreen.

You are arguing two different points. Saying you can do more is not the same as saying you get more use out of it, which is what the OP is saying.

If I had my daily commuter car plus a Corvette, I can guarantee I’d get more use out of the daily commuter, even though I can do more with the Corvette (more performance, I guess, in this weak analogy)

And I agree with the OP - the iPad is, and increasingly, displacing a lot of the use of my laptop. As I posted earlier, its about SPEED. The thing is just fast and convenient at hitting the small bursts of content you need or want at random times throughout the day.

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

You are arguing two different points. Saying you can do more is not the same as saying you get more use out of it, which is what the OP is saying.

Meh, semantics....

If I can do more, I will get more use out of it.

Bottom line for me anyway.