First up, hi everyone, first post on macrumors. LOVE this site/forum/people.
LOVE the discussions it's always interesting to see the objective vs fanboy vs haters. Anyways something striked me about this thread.
Im gonna take the semi-role of hater.
Most people in this thread seem to say two things:
i) "ipad is amazing"
2) "ipad made me want an MBA"
But i reckon it sounds like people are dissatisfied with what the ipad can actually do, and hence this dissatisfaction has driven their need and want for something else with small/compact form factor yet more powerful --> MBA.
i'm not sure if that makes sense...
Anyways, yeah my point is, i get the feeling that people dont seem to be willing to see that the ipad lack of computer prowess, is probably the source of this desire for an MBA.
What do you guys think?
Nice first post. Good to have you here in the MBA forum.
I think you're right on with the concept and feelings of those of us who actually own iPads... we love them but wish they were more capable than they actually are today. However, the future will bring better and more capable iPads. The biggest thing is that people cannot replace a computer with an iPad unless they never needed a computer in the first place. The iPad is truly an entertainment device that happens to be capable of light Internet browsing and email (functions we generally think of as needing a computer for but not so as the iPhone user will confirm). The iPad not first and foremost a computer in the connotation we place on a computer from these times. In all reality, the iPad isn't even as convenient or practical as an iPhone as it cannot fit in one's pocket.
On the other hand, the iPad is really just a more portable MBA or an iPhone with a bigger display, but it's not capable of running OS X or applications that run on OS X. That means it's not a MAC COMPUTER. In other words, we can call it a computer, and it can do a few of the functions of the MBA, but it cannot do the most important functions of the MBA and that is everything that's "MAC" in the
MacBook Air! The line between iPhone and MBA was blurred, but we all need to remember that the iPad is NOT a Mac. In addition, the iPad does LESS than an iPhone can do... the iPhone does everything the iPad does, plus it does voice, SMS, MMS, and 3G (well 3G iPad does this). I would say my new iPhone HD (as I am definitely buying one the day it becomes available) is more capable and powerful than an iPad.
I would believe that any Apple product encourages others to buy other Apple products. iPods encourage sales of Macs, and Macs encourage sales of iPads, and iPads encourage sales of Macs, and Macs encourage sales of iPhones, and iPhones encourage sales of iTunes content, and iTunes content encourage sales of iPod Touches, and iPod Touches encourage sales of Apps, and Apps encourage sales of iPhones, and you all get the point.
I certainly believe that Apple could sell 10m MBAs this year if they reduced the price to $999 and called it a MB. Then it could sell BTO options creating a much broader audience, and use BTO options to keep the luxury buyers happy too. I could see a $999 to $3999 MBA selling well. The thing Apple needs to do better is allow addition and customization so customers can own the MBA they truly want that is who they are...
