On the iPad & Waiting for the Next Generation

[keyofnight]

…and no, I don't mean Star Trek: the Next Generation…

I've heard a lot of people say that they're going to wait for the second generation of the iPad—on this forum or in the real world (™).

"I'll wait for the next generation! I'll save my money until then."

The sentiment is that people who want to buy an iPad, but they won't shell out the cash. Why? I had one person tell me that it's always better to avoid the first generation of anything, to avoid the bugs.

What do you guys do? Are you currently waiting for the next iPad?

(—for the record, I am on pre-order for the 3g+wifi!)

 

[Alchematron]

Sure I would like all the kinks to be worked out

But I've waited too long for a gizmo like this

Another year or two wait ain't gonna happen

3G first adopter and ready!

 

[dulaney22]

Might be dead next year.

I could understand the logic if the product had serious bugs or glaring feature omissions. This one doesn't.

 

[Antiloop]

I don't know if I will wait for the second generation necessarily, but I do plan on waiting a while before getting an iPad. Though it is really cool and probably lots of fun to use it just doesn't serve a specific purpose for me...yet.

Once the apps I want get released then I will get one without question. Until then, I can wait a while. And if the wait is long enough that the second generation is getting close I will either wait and spend the money on the newest iPad (if the evolution is dramatic enough), or pick up a first generation, hopefully at somewhat of a discount.

 

[kernkraft]

If it's a success, why do so many people already talk about OS 4.0 and rev B?

 

[Antiloop]

If it's a success, why do so many people already talk about OS 4.0 and rev B?

Because this a site filled with Mac nerds who have different expectations than the majority of the population and like talking about stuff like this.

Different people have different needs. I don't need this now because my TV/movie viewing is less than 3 hours a week (often times its zero), I'm not into games, and I don't care for eBooks. The other things, surfing the web, email, etc, I can do while I am working on my laptop/desktop.

But I do also see huge potential in this device and I am sure once more apps, OS 4.0, and possibly the next generation are released, it will be something I could really benefit from. And I know lots of people who would find the iPad to be just what they are looking for, and its that 'non-mac' market which is going to make the iPad successful.

 

[MisterMe]

...

I've heard a lot of people say that they're going to wait for the second generation of the iPad—on this forum or in the real world (™).

...

Why would you ask this question after you placed your order? That said, the lot of people that you are listening to are obviously not familiar with Apple products. Apple does not do gamma-testing. Its Consumer Reports and J. D. Power rankings are accurate. When you buy a new Apple product, you can count on trouble-free operation. Brand new Apple hardware lines tend to be especially reliable. The iPhone is the model that the iPad will probably follow. The second generation iPhone was the iPhone 3G released one year after the original. The third generation of the iPhone was the iPhone 3GS. If you are suffering from buyer's remorse, then you will get no sympathy from this corner. I am waiting on my new 64 GB iPad 3G.

The iPad is a technology product. You can expect the next generation iPad to have significant new features compared to the current version. However, you cannot expect it prior to March/April 2011. The only thing that waiting will do for you is to remove you from the ranks of early adopters.

 

[keyofnight]

Why would you ask this question after you placed your order?

Curiosity, honestly. The opinions of others only have a partial influence on my purchase decisions, and I already have a use for the iPad in mind. The only remorse is buying the Wifi+3g instead of the Wifi, as it would be useful to read PDFs on the damned thing right now.

I just wonder why people wait for the second generation when—as you've pointed out—the next generation will usually have more features.

If you are suffering from buyer's remorse, then you will get no sympathy from this corner.

I have no remorse. Apple hasn't failed me so far, at least not majorly. (I was one of those iBook G3 users with the failing motherboards, but tech support was always accommodating.)