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I need convincing...

C

ClemTiger0408

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 30, 2007
266
7
I need to be convinced to buy an iPad.

To get it out of the way. I have the money. Obviously, having the money is better than wasting it. But its not like I'll be building debt by buying the iPad.

If I got one, there would be no question. I'd get the 64gb 3G version.

I already have a 2007 15" MBP which is running just fine and dandy. My biggest concern with the iPad is that basic surfing the web and instant messaging will be annoying. Having to close one app and open the other back and forth I could see getting annoying (obviously I know the update in the Fall will have multitasking).

I am having minor surgery the first week of May that will have me not bed-ridden, but way more immobile than usual for a few weeks. So I'm thinking an iPad may be a good way to get through this.

But, really? For simple web-browsing (and mostly just web-browsing and chatting) is the iPad better or at least as good as on a MBP? I like the idea of the lighter weight in my lap but not if surfing the web will drive me crazy.

What do you owners think?
 
You don't need convincing. If you do - don't get it. The decision is yours - not anyone else's.

Go play with one at the store and make your own decision.
 
Why, so we can convince you to get it, then a week from now you're back here saying well, it doesn't do this and it doesn't do that...

The best convincing would be going to Apple or Best Buy and playing with one to see if it's something you think you'd be able to incorporate into your technology use.
 
samcraig said:
You don't need convincing. If you do - don't get it. The decision is yours - not anyone else's.

Go play with one at the store and make your own decision.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%

If you need convincing then you either don't need it
or don't know much about it. Head to your local
BestBuy store and play with it for a while.
Come home and read some forums, revews about it.
Then go back up to BestBuy and spend some more time
with the ipad.

This is what I did.


Good luck on your decision.
 
I think if you need to be convinced to buy anything then you do not want it or need it. I went and played with one at the Apple store 4 times before I ended up buying one. So far I have no regrets.
 
It's a cool little device, but it doesn't compare to web browsing or internet messaging on a real computer. But it is useful for just whipping it out and using it, with no worries about unfolding a laptop, no wait it's instant on, and everything is just dumbed down nicely so it's not a chore performing those basic core functions.

Much of it has to do with Safari's limitations and the lack of a real keyboard, hopefully more competition from companies like Opera will help out the former. But the lack of keyboard is hindering it from being a true laptop replacement. If I wanted to carry around a bluetooth keyboard with me I would just carry my macbook Air instead at that point.

But it's wonderful for what it is. If I'm going away for the weekend and don't have to do any word processing I will just bring my ipad. If I'm going down to the bookstore for a cup of tea I just bring the ipad. If I'm home in bed I find myself reaching more and more for the ipad. But if I need to do serious web research (ie: clicking lots of links, having lots of tabs open, typing a lot) then I will reach for the macbook Air.

You just have to realize it will not replace your laptop if you use it for any kind of work. But that's not a bad thing. I really thought long and hard about the HP slate for example, but the conundrum I kept running into was the startup time. I just couldn't see myself waiting the 60+ seconds each time I wanted to bring it out of sleep. The instant on of the ipad is what sold me. Plus the 10 hours of battery life are just completely insane, and you won't find that in any laptop.
 
My Macs have all been used very, very little since April 3rd, the day I brought home my iPad. I love this thing and it is more than satisfactory -- I use it for email, surfing the web, participating in my forums, playing my music, playing videos, watching movies......it's a fantastic little device! I like the flexibility of it, too. Right now I'm typing on my BT keyboard but earlier today I had the iPad in another room on my lap and just typed on its own keyboard. In an hour or so when I'll be going out, I'll slip the iPad into her case, pop her into my bag and away I go. Yesterday afternoon I wasn't bored at the car dealership while waiting for my car, as I had my iPad and their free WiFi.....

I can't imagine not having an iPad now.
 
Found myself doing a lot more book Reading lately, also like to listen to iTunes in background. The ipad speakers rock
 
ClemTiger0408 said:
But, really? For simple web-browsing (and mostly just web-browsing and chatting) is the iPad better or at least as good as on a MBP? I like the idea of the lighter weight in my lap but not if surfing the web will drive me crazy.

What do you owners think?
Click to expand...

....it's also VERY good for reading books(iBooks, Kindle apps), magazines, playing games, and watching movies/tv. Seriously really good Apps on the iPad is expanding rapidly and is reason enough for me to have one! :D
 
convincing

You are smart to ask for input.

anyone says that if you need convincing you don't want it, that is such crap.

nobody has ever owned something quite like an ipad.

I have one and i have some positives and negatives.

Overall, right now the negatives are largely outweighing the positives for me:

Positives

incredibly portable in the house and easy to use
a transforming device that my youngest enjoys and I can use and enjoy
a great way to relax and read and have a little fun

negatives

can't use it for business imho, can't print directly, no usb port so no external drive without shopping for solutions, typing SUCKS
only browser is safari so some compatibility issues there, at least for me
no flash support, surprisingly very very frustrating, first day hit three site that were unusable, credit card site, credit report site, news site
finger prints get unbearably gross, the whole screen is a mess of grease, especially if the whole family uses it
clicking with your finger is not optimized yet, very frustrating, not the precision of a mouse for sure and the user experience is not identical, no changing your mind and clicking something else before the page switches (for example)
virtual keyboard gives you zero feedback (unlike the iphone which pops letters as you type), so you have no idea what you are pressing, I found the virtual keyboard useless for serious typers
I tried using a wireless keyboard with the ipad, no compatibility.
I had to buy a brand new apple keyboard to get it to work, which made it nice. But then why not just use my laptop.

I took a trip and i didn't bring it, i chose my trusty kindle and my macbook instead

I surf mostly on my macbook again, i tried the ipad for a bit, but surfing is just simply more productive on a laptop. I think its a winner for old people or kids. Very user friendly but power users will be frustrated.

I am not a hater, but just giving you some thoughts.
 
supercaliber said:
You are smart to ask for input.

anyone says that if you need convincing you don't want it, that is such crap.

nobody has ever owned something quite like an ipad.

I have one and i have some positives and negatives.

Overall, right now the negatives are largely outweighing the positives for me:

Positives

incredibly portable in the house and easy to use
a transforming device that my youngest enjoys and I can use and enjoy
a great way to relax and read and have a little fun

negatives

can't use it for business imho, can't print directly, no usb port so no external drive without shopping for solutions, typing SUCKS
only browser is safari so some compatibility issues there, at least for me
no flash support, surprisingly very very frustrating, first day hit three site that were unusable, credit card site, credit report site, news site
finger prints get unbearably gross, the whole screen is a mess of grease, especially if the whole family uses it
clicking with your finger is not optimized yet, very frustrating, not the precision of a mouse for sure and the user experience is not identical, no changing your mind and clicking something else before the page switches (for example)
virtual keyboard gives you zero feedback (unlike the iphone which pops letters as you type), so you have no idea what you are pressing, I found the virtual keyboard useless for serious typers
I tried using a wireless keyboard with the ipad, no compatibility.
I had to buy a brand new apple keyboard to get it to work, which made it nice. But then why not just use my laptop.

I took a trip and i didn't bring it, i chose my trusty kindle and my macbook instead

I surf mostly on my macbook again, i tried the ipad for a bit, but surfing is just simply more productive on a laptop. I think its a winner for old people or kids. Very user friendly but power users will be frustrated.

I am not a hater, but just giving you some thoughts.
Click to expand...


When you ask for advice you will get all kinds of advice. That's why people tell you to play with it yourself.

For example, I completely disagree with EVERY one of the cons the poster listed above. But hey, those are just two opinions. I haven't found a site yet that I cannot use in my normal browsing. And if I did, Duh, I already know it doesn't have flash. Making that argument is like buying a Kia and then complaining it isn't fast.

The typing is incredibly fast. And if the keys DID pop up, that would be incredibly annoying.

See? Different opinions.
 
ClemTiger0408 said:
I need to be convinced to buy an iPad.

To get it out of the way. I have the money. Obviously, having the money is better than wasting it. But its not like I'll be building debt by buying the iPad.

If I got one, there would be no question. I'd get the 64gb 3G version.
Click to expand...


You realize that makes zero since, right? You don't know if you'd want/need one but if you did it would be the biggest, most expensive one available. Does. Not. Compute.

My take -- Do Not Buy. I say this b/c I don't believe anyone should have to be convinced to spend their money. You should want to spend it or else it's better in the bank or invested in anticipation for something you really do want.

Just b/c you have money doesn't mean you need to spend it... especially something you are not hot n' heavy to own. What will happen -- you'll play with it for a bit and then get bored like a kid the day after XMas.

I really enjoy my iPad, but SJ had me the moment he said Safari and April 3 could not come fast enough, but you need to be motivated yourself, and for the right reasons. Don't just buy b/c everyone else is, buy it b/c you really have a place for it in your gadget arsenal.
 
I have a 13" white macbook that i use day-to-day.

For myself, I'm going to wait for the next generation iPad, hopefully will include a camera. That would be incredible for portable video chat with friends and family!

--rob
 
Depending on your health status, the MBP may actually be easier to use. The iPad requires a lot more interaction with your hands than the MBP does.
 
adammull said:
For example, I completely disagree with EVERY one of the cons the poster listed above. But hey, those are just two opinions. I haven't found a site yet that I cannot use in my normal browsing. And if I did, Duh, I already know it doesn't have flash. Making that argument is like buying a Kia and then complaining it isn't fast.

The typing is incredibly fast. And if the keys DID pop up, that would be incredibly annoying.

See? Different opinions.
Click to expand...

EVERY con really? I suppose there is absolutely nothing wrong with that bit of joy and wonder called the iPad, I think i can hear angels singing as I typed the name. Give me a break.

I said I was surprised at how many site i hit the first day. equifax.com no worky, mastercard.com no worky, many many videos, stuff on cnn.com, any website your kid probably uses on a regular basis, i mean every kid site didn't work.

Using my laptop I have NO idea what sites have flash. Oh wait, I never noticed those big letters at the top of CNN.com, it actually says in big red letters 'Uses FLASH' and wow I forgot, every day i get a nice report that tells me that only 10% of the sites I visited today would work with the iPad.

NOT....

Everyone tells you don't be pissed when you buy and iPad and it won't open a flash page like that is some sort of trump card. Bottom line is you have no idea what sites won't work on the iPad until you actually go and try and use that site.

And guess what at that point you get to smile to yourself like adammull and say, oh no big deal, I new the iPad doesn't support Flash. I am not unhappy, actually Apple is sparing me the horrible experience of using these crappy technologies, I am better off, I am actually happier now knowing I am protected from the evil Flash, I need that extra hour of battery life anyway, my plug is too far away, i would have to stand up. I Look in the mirror, I am a good person and by golly people like me. I think I will go buy another iPad....

TYPING SUCKS SO BAD I won't even argue that one. You have to have a keyboard unless you already type by looking at the keys and using one finger on each hand, then its fine.

btw, in my family i have eight ipods, 3 macbooks, 3 iphones for three years, and an ipad. We are apple people.
 
supercaliber said:
TYPING SUCKS SO BAD I won't even argue that one. You have to have a keyboard unless you already type by looking at the keys and using one finger on each hand, then its fine.
Click to expand...

You must suck at typing in general if you cant get use to the ipad keyboard in landscape. I can type just as fast on that as a regular keyboard.
 
Personally, I couldn't imagine being without it now. I've used this device more than i would've ever imagined.

It doesn't do everything, but what it does do it does so much better and this is key EASIER than anything else.

You have to make the decision based on your needs, but I've been nothing but satisfied with the device. YMMV
 
jsbaugh said:
You must suck at typing in general if you cant get use to the ipad keyboard in landscape. I can type just as fast on that as a regular keyboard.
Click to expand...

Amen. It took a few minutes to get used to it. Now I fly on it. The keyboard is one of the better features, IMO.
 
Crackbone said:
Amen. It took a few minutes to get used to it. Now I fly on it. The keyboard is one of the better features, IMO.
Click to expand...

Yep. I am still waiting for my 3G but I tried it at the store and I could type very fast on it right away, in both landsape and portrait. The keys are quite large.
 
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