I returned my iPad back to Apple... I toughed it out

[spinedoc77]

for almost 2 weeks but man, guys... As much as I LOVE the iPhone and Apple and their products, I couldn't do it. I couldn't justify having a $900 toy, and when I say toy PLEASE do not take it as an insult, because toys are awesome and it just means a piece of technology that is meant for entertainment/media consumption/fun, and that's all the iPad is to me. A $1,000 laptop to me, is an investment. A tool. A daily facet of your day to day life. A $900 iPad (64GB 3G) was not that, and the price did not justify the value. IMHO.

Productivity apps like Pages, or note taking apps, or PDF viewers or file streaming apps, didn't seem as easy, accessible and practical as those resources found on a laptop.

This is just MY experience, and I just wanted to share, maybe see who else did the same with theirs.

I hear ya, I returned my laptop because it was a toy. Every time I wanted to use it I had to find somewhere to balance it on when it was open, it took some time for it to fully turn on or come out of hibernation, and I just couldn't deal with the toy battery times, running a business can't be structured around your laptop running out of juice all the time.

Lovin my ipad for business.

 

[JoeG4]

You can use an iPad as a tool, but a device that has no physical keyboard obviously isn't going to be the best tool in the world to write a book with. A tablet without a decent stylus input system probably won't be the best tool in the world to draw with, either.

However, take a look at DJs - they have been trying for years to interface with a computer with limited success (EXPENSIVE turntables, mixer devices, etc) in a situation where the iPad would be perfect and pretty cheap.

There are probably lots of other new, interesting ways to interact with a computer that nobody has figured out yet, and that's fine. When those methods are discovered it'll be a bit of a "oh DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!" situation.

 

[3lionsbecks]

I have a bathtub, what would I need a swimming pool for? And now that I think of it, I'm getting rid of my bathtub, as I have a kitchen sink-- it' a container that holds water, too...

Bang on!

 

[melman101]

Im pretty sure I quoted someone in this thread and said 10000 percent agreed. And now it's gone even though I come up in the search. Are Mods deleting posts?

 

[sushi]

So you post that you want to marry the iPad, then post about how to send it back, then post you sent it back.

More to the story it seems...

In my case it's easy to justify the cost. The iPad is an enabler for me. I have no regrets.

Im pretty sure I quoted someone in this thread and said 10000 percent agreed. And now it's gone even though I come up in the search. Are Mods deleting posts?

Plus one type posts are routinely deleted.

You might want to check out the Forum Rules.

 

[gatearray]

Exactly. That's Apple's closed-system form factor architecture for you. You are limited by functionality according to what THEY dictate you can do.

Gee whiz, Dave! Why all the Apple hate?

And on a side note, if you're really that "decadent," why not just buy a 64gb+3G iPad and smash it with a hammer for kicks? Might help vent some of your apparent frustration...

 

[rhett7660]

Research does not replace first hand experience/testing/evaluating. Based upon my research and the availability of certain applications for the iPad, there was a CHANCE that it could have replaced a notebook. However, since you cannot test applications thanks to Apple's broken AppStore concept, and since you certainly cannot thoroughly test those applications without having an iPad in your hands for a couple of days, you just cannot base a purchase decision on word of mouth or some random reviews and blog posts that you find on the Internet. And there's no glorified Apple shopping mall anywhere near where I live.

The fact was that the fanciness of the iPad wore off after two days and on the third day I was already asking myself what this toy actually is good for. Even watching movies on it sucked because its CPU can barely handle the playback of high resolution movies. The iPad's web browser is only second class for a number of reasons, the non-existent Flash plugin being one of them. You folks can parrot Steve Jobs as long as you like, it doesn't change the fact that Flash is a de facto standard on the Internet and most of the websites that I visit use it in one way or another - and that simply means that the iPad only delivers a crippled web experience. You can also forget about heavy writing on the iPad unless you use an external keyboard. And since there is no good stylus available for it, you also cannot use it for handwriting.

Sure, there might be a couple of applications that work great on the iPad, and I can imagine that the iPad can make a good input device/tool for certain kinds of artists, for example. But there are many use cases where it does not work well and where even a 250 bucks netbook does a better job than the iPad.

I am glad to see it didn't take long for you to make an entrance into this conversation, especially about flash.

 

[sushi]

But there are many use cases where it does not work well and where even a 250 bucks netbook does a better job than the iPad.

And the reverse is true.

For example, yesterday evening on the return train trip, I found the iPad 3G very easy to use in both Landscape and especially portrait mode. Great built in Internet connection with long battery life. This would not have been possible with a Netbook (unless I had some sort of external 3G device and an extended battery).

Sure glad that I went with the iPad 3G.

 

[USGIshimura]

A tablet without a decent stylus input system probably won't be the best tool in the world to draw with, either.

Are you sure about that?

 

[kas23]

You're right, it's only meant for consumption, not creation.

Sorry it didn't work for you, but it's not just a couch potato device.

I think he meant production, as in work. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate a good Beyonce painting when I see one, but 99% of the general population wouldn't consider this as something productive (ie. something you depend on to make a living with, something that you need to put supper on the table for the family).

 

[kas23]

I have a bathtub, what would I need a swimming pool for? And now that I think of it, I'm getting rid of my bathtub, as I have a kitchen sink-- it' a container that holds water, too...

Apples and oranges. The iPad and the iPhone run the same apps & you can do the same stuff on either one. The iPad is just bigger so its more pleasing to eye. You listed items that have extremely different form factors and uses. The iPhone/iPod and iPad do not have extremely different uses. In fact, this analogy needs to die.

 

[diabolic]

I think he meant production, as in work. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate a good Beyonce painting when I see one, but 99% of the general population wouldn't consider this as something productive (ie. something you depend on to make a living with, something that you need to put supper on the table for the family).

99% of the general population doesn't depend on their personal laptop or netbook to make a living either, and probably doesn't even need it to be productive at all. The iPad easily covers what most people need.

 

[sushi]

The iPad and the iPhone run the same apps & you can do the same stuff on either one.

This is what I thought before getting an iPad. I used to joke that it's an iPod touch on steroids.

However, after getting and using an iPad, I realize how wrong I was in that assumption.

99% of the general population doesn't depend on their personal laptop or netbook to make a living either, and probably doesn't even need it to be productive at all. The iPad easily covers what most people need.

Agree.

Most individuals use a computer for the following:
- E-mail
- Browsing the web
- Word Processing

The iPad can do these tasks well.

Plus a whole lot more to include games.

 

[USGIshimura]

I think he meant production, as in work. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate a good Beyonce painting when I see one, but 99% of the general population wouldn't consider this as something productive (ie. something you depend on to make a living with, something that you need to put supper on the table for the family).

I'm pretty sure artists depend on their work to put food on the table, or did you forget that everything that exists around you was designed by an artist who was likely paid to design it?

That guy who painted that picture is an artist.

David Kassan is a professional artist as well, as in, he makes his living off of stuff like this.

The iPad to artists is a digital sketchbook. You can lay down basic ideas and concepts or deliver a full finished piece on it.

 

[huck500]

I have an iPhone4 and an iPad, and while I love the phone for the video camera and iMovie, there's absolutely no comparing the browsing and media experience on the phone with that on the iPad. Even checking mail sucks on the phone when compared to the pad.

It's not a necessary device, but it's been great for me.

 

[intervenient]

Based on what? Your opinion alone? Well in my opinion, as a media consumption device I find the smaller versions not large enough.

That most people I know owning iPad's only have them filled up halfway, using Netflix for movies and a meager 3-4 GB music collection. If you break the mold, good for you, buy the higher capacity, it was made for you. I was making the point that 16GB is just fine for the average person, and thus the $500 isn't bad at all.

 

[GinoDotCom]

Isint this the same guy who wanted to marry his iPad? How ironic.

I'm still waiting for the op, Xcite himself, to address this remark.

Op, It's ok to admit you snorted a few lines of coke when you made that first thread about how much you heart your x-iPad.

 

[gatearray]

Apples and oranges. The iPad and the iPhone run the same apps & you can do the same stuff on either one. The iPad is just bigger so its more pleasing to eye. You listed items that have extremely different form factors and uses. The iPhone/iPod and iPad do not have extremely different uses. In fact, this analogy needs to die.

Among lots of other activities, I produce music on my iPad.

iSequence for iPad
http://appshopper.com/music/isequence-for-ipad

iSequence
http://appshopper.com/music/isequence

Korg iElectribe (for iPad)
http://appshopper.com/music/korg-ielectribe

Korg iElectribe (for iPhone)
http://it-doesn't-exist.com

Pages is a pretty sweet word processor, too. Good luck using it on an iPhone without wanting to blow your brains out. Btw, it doesn't exist for iPhone, either.

And as for my analogy that you feel "needs to die," it's apt! If it's not, then get rid of your 50" HD television and go back to that 13" TV you used to watch in your dorm room. They have identical "uses" and one can view the same television shows on both just the same, right?

And best of all, the 13" is more portable, and as we all know portability trumps any and all other concerns a person might have.

 

[XciteMe]

Nobody here has a right to tell me "Who cares?" when you disprove that point entirely, by clicking on my thread, reading it thoroughly, and posting a reply.

And may I say, for those who say you love your iPad and use it daily, that's FINE, I never once said it's a stupid product and you can't do crap with it and everybody who likes it is a fool, so QUIT bashing me like I said that.

What I said was in MY EYES I couldn't find the iPad to be as practical and open-ended and functional as a laptop. Anybody who tries to argue that it is, is simply placating themselves for buying one as a laptop replacement and using self-reassurance.

Bought an iPad for simple entertainment/media consumption, to go ALONG with your laptop? Good.

Bought an iPad and sold your laptop, or don't have a laptop? Fine. Don't try to tell us you can do with your iPad what I can do with a MacBook.

 

[sapporobaby]

Nobody here has a right to tell me "Who cares?" when you disprove that point entirely, by clicking on my thread, reading it thoroughly, and posting a reply.

And may I say, for those who say you love your iPad and use it daily, that's FINE, I never once said it's a stupid product and you can't do crap with it and everybody who likes it is a fool, so QUIT bashing me like I said that.

What I said was in MY EYES I couldn't find the iPad to be as practical and open-ended and functional as a laptop. Anybody who tries to argue that it is, is simply placating themselves for buying one as a laptop replacement and using self-reassurance.

Bought an iPad for simple entertainment/media consumption, to go ALONG with your laptop? Good.

Bought an iPad and sold your laptop, or don't have a laptop? Fine. Don't try to tell us you can do with your iPad what I can do with a MacBook.

You did say that you loved your iPad and wanted to marry it, and now suddenly you decide to give it back. You don't see the lack of credibility issues that you yourself have generated? Don't like the iPad, fair enough but again, I ask why do you feel the need to explain this to everyone? Was it a slow day at work, self-assurance issues, feeling the need for attention? I just don't get it.

 

[XciteMe]

^ According to this guy, having a change of heart about a product means YOU ARE TROLL

 

[sapporobaby]

^ According to this guy, having a change of heart about a product means YOU ARE TROLL

If you mean me, I do not think you are a TROLL. A bit unstable maybe, but never a TROLL.

Another question would maybe be, what do you expect from anon forum users when you post an "iPad love affair" thread, and then come back with a "I sold my iPad" thread? Do you really expect people to take you seriously?

 

[steviem]

Because you like to waste your money?

No, because the iPad and iPod Touch have similarities, they have differences which mean they will be good in different circumstances. I carry my iPad all the time, while I had an iPhone 3G, I carried both all of the time.

New iPod Touch has 720p video - holding an iPad up would (a) Look stupid and (b) kind of get tiring, holding something with your arm outstretched in front of you will tire your arm.

Then there are a lot of reasons for using both, ranging from where you are using it to what you are doing.

This is just like people asking why have more than one lens for an SLR. Because whilst they have the same basic function, they work well in different scenarios.

Don't worry about my bank balance. iPad+iPod Touch will still have cost me less than a MacBook (which for me, is the wrong form factor when I already have a desktop at home)

 

[OutSpoken]

Let me clear up some things up for the people that cry about flash. Flash is bad, really bad. That's why html5 is coming out, to replace flash-bad. Now if you don't understand how things work, then ... Don't talk about them.


Post made from my iPad.

Speak for yourself, Flash is fine with me on my 13" mbp

 

[seajay96]

And since there is no good stylus available for it, you also cannot use it for handwriting.

actually, there is and I do...everyday. I use a boxwave stylus and Noterize everyday to take notes and annotate pdf's in my own handwriting. I also use writepad (français) to do hw recognition in french....hmmm, it's too bad the ipad is such a POS