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cupalup

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 24, 2010
29
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I've had it for just a couple of hours but already am getting quite fed-up at just how much is wrong with the iPad.

Ok, so there's all the things like no SD slot etc., but I'm also annoyed that the iPad iWork apps don't support iWork '08. I can't believe I have to now buy iWork 09 to make my docs compatible.

And also the screen. We're a good decade into 16:9 and a few years into HD but the iPad has a 4:3 screen. For a device that is designed for watching videos, that seems really, really odd. A nice, big 10" screen but movies come out TINY!
 

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I've had it for just a couple of hours but already am getting quite fed-up at just how much is wrong with the iPad.

Ok, so there's all the things like no SD slot etc., but I'm also annoyed that the iPad iWork apps don't support iWork '08. I can't believe I have to now buy iWork 09 to make my docs compatible.

And also the screen. We're a good decade into 16:9 and a few years into HD but the iPad has a 4:3 screen. For a device that is designed for watching videos, that seems really, really odd. A nice, big 10" screen but movies come out TINY!

You knew what it was when you were buying it? C'mon who's fault is it?

You can get the Camera Connection Kit if you really need it for SD cards and connecting Cameras.

As for the video size, I think there was a detailed explanation why it would come out like that, and anyway - could you imagine like a Widescreen iPad? It wouldn't work.
 
The screen ratio is a bummer until you realize that everything except video would look a little off were it a widescreen ratio.

Saying that, I think it'd be better with a compromise 3:2 ratio like the iPhone.
 
I can imagine a widescreen iPad - at least it'd be more like an A4 sheet.

Also, I'm realising that connecting to all the wifi networks I've used for the last few years on my iPhone is going to be a pain. The iPhone doesn't have a Keychain and there's no way I can remember the passwords for all the offices, libraries, coffee shops, friends' houses etc. I've been to.
 
yea, the screen ratio is a real downer.

It really isn't.

Turn a widescreen into portrait mode - not only does it look strange - far too elongated - but you end up with vertical content looking strange (I tried this with an external screen and it just never looked right).

Widescreen ratios look fine in landscape - terrible in portrait.

I'd bet you any amount of money that Apple had different versions with different aspect ratios and found the 4:3 worked the best in both orientations.
 
And you didn't know these things before you bought it? I spent so much time watching videos and reading reviews, that when I got my iPad yesterday it was like meeting an old friend.
 
For a device that is designed for watching videos, that seems really, really odd. A nice, big 10" screen but movies come out TINY!

Nope! The device was designed for me, and I just want to read the books and magazines! So I would hate a 16:9 screen.

See where I'm going with this? ;)
 
Some people are never going to be satisfied. Of course you can always return and go and buy one of the alterantive tablets out there, one of the iPad killers!!

:rolleyes:
 
I can imagine a widescreen iPad - at least it'd be more like an A4 sheet.

It already is. Get a piece of A4 and hold it in front of a 4:3 screen (in landscape) and you'll see that it's almost the same ratio, not exactly, but almost. The iPad makes perfect sense in this respect.

If you hold a 16:9 ratio device vertically it will look really long. Browsing the web in that orientation will mean you'll need to zoom in more

I think they got it right.
 
We're a good decade into 16:9 and a few years into HD but the iPad has a 4:3 screen. For a device that is designed for watching videos, that seems really, really odd. A nice, big 10" screen but movies come out TINY!

Yeah, you'd probably be much happier watching movies on the huge screens that are offered by devices like the Dell Streak or one of the recent Droid phones. :rolleyes:
 
It really isn't.

Turn a widescreen into portrait mode - not only does it look strange - far too elongated - but you end up with vertical content looking strange (I tried this with an external screen and it just never looked right).

Widescreen ratios look fine in landscape - terrible in portrait.

I'd bet you any amount of money that Apple had different versions with different aspect ratios and found the 4:3 worked the best in both orientations.
Exactly. Everything about the iPad's design was a considered decision. 4:3 is by far the best compromise.
All these other tablets are missing the point in that aspect(all puns intended).
 
Take it back. You want too much and don't know a great thing when you see it.

You know what they alternative is? Moving back to your laptop or going without.

:)
 
It's great for watching TV shows from the pre-widescreen era.

I'm currently working my way through The Wire. It's 4:3 up to series 3 and looks great on the iPad (don't know about series 4's dimensions, haven't got to it yet).

One thing I've noticed with the bigger screen is that it takes a bit of a brassneck to watch the more "lovey-dovey" segments of any adult-leaning shows while on the train... :)
 
They have the Camera Connection Kit for people who want to plug in SD cards, if the device itself needed a built in SD Card Reader, the device would have a built in Card Reader.

And I've been nothing but satisfied with the screen. Colmaclean is right about the TV shows also. I'm going through season 1 of The Office and it's all fullscreen. And even when it's widescreen I don't really mind.
 
I've had it for just a couple of hours but already am getting quite fed-up at just how much is wrong with the iPad.

Ok, so there's all the things like no SD slot etc., but I'm also annoyed that the iPad iWork apps don't support iWork '08. I can't believe I have to now buy iWork 09 to make my docs compatible.

And also the screen. We're a good decade into 16:9 and a few years into HD but the iPad has a 4:3 screen. For a device that is designed for watching videos, that seems really, really odd. A nice, big 10" screen but movies come out TINY!

Why did you buy it if you don't like it?
 
It really isn't.

Turn a widescreen into portrait mode - not only does it look strange - far too elongated - but you end up with vertical content looking strange (I tried this with an external screen and it just never looked right).

Widescreen ratios look fine in landscape - terrible in portrait.

I'd bet you any amount of money that Apple had different versions with different aspect ratios and found the 4:3 worked the best in both orientations.

Unless you love shmups, and I love shmups!

but you're very right, I too was initially confused by the use of a 4:3 screen, because of the video issue. But seeing this comparison with the Joojoo you realise why Apple chose 4:3 it looks much more manageable.

4499796794_697f3405ae.jpg


joojoo_076.jpg


doesn't that look weird!
 
Thread title implies you received a faulty device. Perhaps a change to "oops I forgot to read the specs before making an electronics purchase"?
 
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