So you're going to buy an iPad, but... why?

[tuhoops]

It will have monthly payment involved, if you want 3G. And I will assume according to your post that you will not get the 3G model. And I will assume then that you don´t have a Mac or a PC at home, ´cause you need the iPad to browse the web right?

Oh wait! You have to buy a computer with the iPad, ´cause it won´t work as a standalone device! Hahaha!

And why would you buy this to be used at home, if you already have a computer there? Ah I forgot the lazy couch surfing! And throw that much money away only for that task, you must be rich!

Man you guys are killing me!

Maybe some people have a computer at home, and multiple people wanting to use it at the same time?? I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to get on the computer real quick just to send a quick email, and my wife or kids is already using the computer, which can be frustrating. Enter a netbook or the iPad, a cheap solution to this problem @ $499 with no monthly fees (using wifi of course).

 

[Night Spring]

Let me phrase this another way: do you ANTICIPATE that the experience of typing on a touch screen TOO SMALL to accommodate touch typing (using all fingers) will nearly equal that of the experience of using a real keyboard?

That's not what I said. I fully anticipate that typing on the iPad would not be the same level of ease as typing on a real keyboard. That said, for some situations, like on a train, sitting on my living room sofa, or lying in bed, I can't use a real keyboard anyway. Until now, the only choices for those types of situations were notebook or iphone/ipod touch. Now I have a third choice, that I think *might* work better for me than notebook or iphone. Of course, I won't know for sure until I actually have an iPad in my hand. But I'm eagerly looking forward to giving it a try, is all.

 

[SpaceKitty]

I'll be buying one for no other reason other than just to have it.

 

[nomar383]

I am fairly confident I can replace my macbook with this, but media concerns me. All of my movies and tv shows are in the xvid/mkv format and will probably not work on this device without conversion. This is the only thing really holding me back on just selling the macbook.

And I think apps tailored specifically for this device will make it more than worthwhile. Has everyone seen what devs did for the iPhone? Imagine more screen real estate. I think the apps on the iPad will be better than the apps on my macbook very quickly (at least the apps I use).

 

[Anuba]

Yes I´m definitely not the "target market", because the "target marget" is directed for rich and lazy people who think surfing the web with MacBook Pro is too hard and difficult!

"Rich" people? Rich people have lunch for $499.

 

[BobHail]

"Rich" people? Rich people have lunch for $499.

Yes and they also surf the web on the couch with iPad, while an iMac, MacBook Pro is 5 feet away and the iPhone in their pocket.

 

[SFStateStudent]

I'm pickin' up two of them (the most expensive ones of course), because "I CAN!"

 

[Scorpio12345]

Ladies, Ladies! This is a discussion... Most people, including myself, are just a little sceptical about this whole iPad stuff, and need you the people who have seen the light from the start to actually convince us WHY this may be such a useful product. And no, i'm not being sarcastic, I genuinely am warming to some of the applications of this device. I go to school, and i was going to buy a netbook, but instead i'm holding off to see if this really will/won't fit my needs...

Note taking with this seems intriguing, but can it actually be used for that? Keynote would have been the perfect opportunity (I had a HUGE grin on my face when Steve announced iWork), but i can't imagine why they didn't implement the ability to annotate your work, which is quite strange... That sort of stuff is essential even in the iBook app, where underlining and note taking on books/textbooks is really really important if this is going to replace/supplement the real thing. Also, iWork MUST have the export-to-iwork.com feature - it would really give the service a sense of purpose and a great way to share with PCs and Macs alike...

With a capacitive touchscreen, the average stylus wouldn't work, though HTC do have a stylus for their capacitive HD2, which may well work on the iPad. Still, Apple need to push apps that cater to some form of note-taking, just as they have pushed the ebook reader feature so hard... This would seriously entice so so many students!

A soft keyboard is good for short-term use, but isn't really ideal to type out an essay-worth of notes in class... Sure you can carry around your small Apple keyboard (which hopefully doesn't always need the dock right....?), but even mouse support actually wouldn't have hurt...

Also some sort of landscape dock might have been useful, though i'm actually not sure how that would work... Surprise me third-parties!

 

[Night Spring]

Ladies, Ladies! This is a discussion... Most people, including myself, are just a little sceptical about this whole iPad stuff, and need you the people who have seen the light from the start to actually convince us WHY this may be such a useful product. And no, i'm not being sarcastic, I genuinely am warming to some of the applications of this device. I go to school, and i was going to buy a netbook, but instead i'm holding off to see if this really will/won't fit my needs...

Note taking with this seems intriguing, but can it actually be used for that? Keynote would have been the perfect opportunity (I had a HUGE grin on my face when Steve announced iWork), but i can't imagine why they didn't implement the ability to annotate your work, which is quite strange... That sort of stuff is essential even in the iBook app, where underlining and note taking on books/textbooks is really really important if this is going to replace/supplement the real thing. Also, iWork MUST have the export-to-iwork.com feature - it would really give the service a sense of purpose and a great way to share with PCs and Macs alike...

With a capacitive touchscreen, the average stylus wouldn't work, though HTC do have a stylus for their capacitive HD2, which may well work on the iPad. Still, Apple need to push apps that cater to some form of note-taking, just as they have pushed the ebook reader feature so hard... This would seriously entice so so many students!

A soft keyboard is good for short-term use, but isn't really ideal to type out an essay-worth of notes in class... Sure you can carry around your small Apple keyboard (which hopefully doesn't always need the dock right....?), but even mouse support actually wouldn't have hurt...

Also some sort of landscape dock might have been useful, though i'm actually not sure how that would work... Surprise me third-parties!

I haven't seen the entire presentation myself, nor have I ever used Keynote, so I have no idea about that, but I think it's safe to assume that third-party developers would rush in to fill any gaps Apple has left as far as note-taking functionality. Same with ebooks -- Amazon's Kindle, Stanza, and other ebook apps with annotation capabilities would surely turn up for the iPad.

As for keyboard, I plan to use the Apple Bluetooth keyboard with the iPad. Surely a lot more portable than the keyboard dock! Use the Apple iPad case to prop the iPad up in landscape, prop the Bluetooth keyboard in front of it -- what do you need a landscape dock for?

 

[Scorpio12345]

I haven't seen the entire presentation myself, nor have I ever used Keynote, so I have no idea about that, but I think it's safe to assume that third-party developers would rush in to fill any gaps Apple has left as far as note-taking functionality. Same with ebooks -- Amazon's Kindle, Stanza, and other ebook apps with annotation capabilities would surely turn up for the iPad.

As for keyboard, I plan to use the Apple Bluetooth keyboard with the iPad. Surely a lot more portable than the keyboard dock! Use the Apple iPad case to prop the iPad up in landscape, prop the Bluetooth keyboard in front of it -- what do you need a landscape dock for?

Aaah yes! Sorry, I completely forgot you could prop the case in landscape.. You see what I meant? A sceptic who just needs a little help from his friends

I really do hope they get this note-taking business sorted... Did the iPhone have any apps that may be fit for this purpose? Its a shame the iPad isn't coming out before the end of March, that's pretty much towards the end of school for most people lol.. It better be priced well in Europe! We usually get absolutely horrendous exchange rates when it comes to Apple products lol

 

[Night Spring]

Aaah yes! Sorry, I completely forgot you could prop the case in landscape.. You see what I meant? A sceptic who just needs a little help from his friends

heh.

I really do hope they get this note-taking business sorted... Did the iPhone have any apps that may be fit for this purpose?

Well like I said, I'm not familiar with Keynote so I'm not sure what kind of note-taking functionality you are looking for, but, I mean, the iPad does come with the Notes app, right? And there are a ton of note-taking apps for the iPhone, and according to Jobs and Co, most of them should work on the iPad, not to mention developers adapting or designing from scratch notes apps for the iPad... I think you'll surely find something that fits your needs.

 

[nospeed411]

Why will I buy it?......because I can.!!! Also because my wife thinks her macbook is nothing more than a 1000 dollar iPhone charger...LOL . I think the iPad will be a smashing success for people who don't want to lug around a big ol laptop. Or for some one like her who just needs a surfing and pic sharing appliance.

 

[steve-p]

"Rich" people? Rich people have lunch for $499.

That's just the wine.

 

[bpd115]

Here is the answer for your stylus / note taking needs. Drawing needs as well.

http://tenonedesign.com/sketch.php

Any drawing app will do, but I'm sure you'll get the traditional yellow lined notebook looking apps. If not, I'm learning how to program for the thing and I'll write one myself.

Now, the only thing I'm hoping the developer community comes up with is some sort of inkwell / handwriting recognition so the data you write with a stylus can be searchable. If not, well, it's still much better than a notebook and pen.

 

[TheVidEditor]

It may be used as an expensive paper weight.

 

[dave1812dave]

I'm pickin' up two of them (the most expensive ones of course), because "I CAN!"

That's funny. I've never met a braggart yet who wasn't insecure. That's a shame, for you. My ex wife's husband was like that. Bragged on himself about anything and everything, due to deep rooted insecurities.

BTW, while I can afford to buy a maxi...er iPad, I CHOOSE not to, because it's simply not something I can get excited about, which is in total contrast my feelings for my Touch and other cool devices I already have.

 

[Surklyn]

I'm buying one

I have an iMac, 3GS, 2 Macbooks (1 work/1 home), and my son has a 15" (late 2009) MBP. I use my macbook for surfing/e-mail while watching TV and on trips/traveling. It is a pain in the butt (for me, to lug this thing around.. .. I know, I know.. I must be lazy and rich) when I could easily just bring the iPad. If I need to compose a short memo, or finish up a spreadsheet. it has iWork. My iMac serves as my workstation and doubles as my media server. My iPhone is AWESOME... love having the internet with me at all times. I don't at ALL mind surfing the internet on the 3.2" screen when I'm away from home/wifi. The iPad will replace my macbook for when I'm at home/traveling, casually surfing. I can take all my files with me on my iPad via mobile me, or air sharing or other file management apps for the iPhone and like others have said VNC if I need to.

What I was HOPING for with this product, and it's solely software related so it may happen.. is to use it as fully functional home control center via wifi. I.E: Dimming of the lights,activating exterior lighting/effects, changing heat settings, controlling my DVD,TV, stereo, and other media elements, activating the alarms and viewing realtime footage of security cameras (not that I have any, but it would be cool to have that functionality).

 

[Hmac]

Yes I´m definitely not the "target market", because the "target marget" is directed for rich and lazy people who think surfing the web with MacBook Pro is too hard and difficult!

Wow! That's one serious bug you have up your a$$, there, sport.

Apple must have really hurt you with this one, huh?

 

[deckwalker]

Why I'll get one (or maybe even two)

Here's why I'm buying one:

I do quite a bit of photography (http://flickr.com/photos/deckwalker) that I used to do on my 1st Gen (CoreDuo - not even Core2Duo) MacBook Pro 15". I've upgraded the RAM and HDD but it just doesn't work for me anymore because of a) the limited screen real-estate, and b) it's too slow for the 21MB files my camera throws out. So about two years ago I bought an iMac and I love it. It's perfect for what I need for my photography. So I now only use my long-in-the-tooth MBP when I'm travelling, or when I'm surfing the web at home (iMac is in our office room so I don't web surf much there - I'd rather be with my wife in the living room). I'm sick of carrying around all of my camera gear plus my MBP. My carry-on for flights is way too heavy these days.

So what I need is: a) something that is light and easy to travel with on which I can show slideshows of my pictures, b) a good e-book reader (I'm also sick of carrying 4 or 5 books when I travel), c) something easy and fun to use in the house for web-surfing, the occasional email, or light word processing, and d) something with great battery life.

Here's what I don't need: a) another camera (sure it would have been nice, but I always have my iPhone with me if I need to take a picture, and for more serious stuff I have my 'real' camera), b) a physical keyboard, c) something heavy and bulky, and d) something with huge storage to back-up my camera - I have CF cards for that and I'll work on the iMac when I'm home.

So I'm going to buy one - it appears to fit my needs perfectly. Yes I'm disappointed by some of the shortcomings (IMO): no flash (not too big a deal), no multi-tasking (pain in the a$$ but it'll come eventually), no real GPS (but I always have my iPhone if I need that really), but none of those are deal breakers for me.

I'll probably buy a second one because my wife wants one. I bought her a Kindle for Christmas and then showed her a video of the iPad yesterday. Her reaction was very strong - she said "I want one" and let's sell the Kindle. For her the iPad allows book reading and web surfing which is basically all she does with her Kindle and/or her laptop.

Obviously my needs are different than others, but these are the reasons I can't wait to get one.

 

[ugp]

I will be buying one.

The potential for digital content release is going to be amazing. I am hoping for one Magazine publishers start releasing subscriptions on this device.

The ability to watch movies for 10 hours at a time is awesome! Make those trips really awesome. Use the Maps for directions on a much larger display.

I am sure developers will take full advantage of the screen size and power of this device.

I think I might get the 16GB with 3G. I am unsure if I would need the 32GB. I know I do not need the 64GB. I have a 16GB iPhone now and don't use all the space. Music really isn't a big part of my usage. But if Apps are going to be much larger size now then maybe the 32GB would be needed. That is my only debate right now. Only $100 extra for double the storage.

 

[bjmach]

I will buy one because...

1. I'm an apple freak

2. I can sell my kindle

3. I can sell my black macbook

4. iPad gives me all the features I need to sit on the couch and read books, surf, send email etc....for heavier computing I have my iMac and my wife has her aluminum macbook....for on the go I have my iphone....did I mention I'm an apple freak....thats what happens when you have to troubleshoot windows machines all day lol

 

[joe.pelayo]

This is an interesting video summarizing everything:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

 

[fox10078]

I'd buy it.

1. Replace the Magazine rack in the bathroom. (I'm Sure there will be Magazines on that iBooks app.)
2. Ability to take notes and have my textbooks on the Same Device.
3. Travel, Its light, no battery to take out at airport security. Long life. Iphone games. No Spinning hard disk to be disrupted by turbulence. Movies. Itunes
4. Good Price.

 

[ugp]

I will buy one because...

1. I'm an apple freak

2. I can sell my kindle

3. I can sell my black macbook

4. iPad gives me all the features I need to sit on the couch and read books, surf, send email etc....for heavier computing I have my iMac and my wife has her aluminum macbook....for on the go I have my iphone....did I mention I'm an apple freak....thats what happens when you have to troubleshoot windows machines all day lol

I 100% AGREE!!! I have an iMac if I need heavy computing. 2 iMacs in fact. And I love my iPhone. Having one basically bigger is going to be awesome!

 

[djp2]

Student perspective

I'll be buying one (eventually) because:

1) I currently have an iPhone and a 14" HP laptop (which will eventually die, hopefully, so I can replace it since I hate it).

2) I'm a student, and originally thought I'd end up bringing my 14" laptop to school, but it's too big, too bulky, the battery life is too short, and it's a pain to carry around so I end up leaving it at home 99% of the time and just using my iPhone

3) BUT, the iPhone screen is a little too small much of the time. It's okay for light use, but definitely not for reading electronic journal articles, doing web research, taking notes (obviously), or e-textbooks, etc.

4) I also would prefer an iPad to a laptop when surfing the web at home. Lying on the couch or in bed watching movies or surfing gets annoying when you're carrying a hot, battery-feeble laptop. Even a 13" MBP would be a little too big, a little too warm, and slightly less efficient in the battery department. So for home use, the iPad will do handily (for reading, watching movies, surfing the web while I'm in bed or sitting on the couch).

5) When I really want a REAL computer, on the other hand, I want one with a decent screen-size (i.e. for watching DVDs, or when I'm typing long essays and want to sit at a desk with a real screen in front of me). For this, again, a laptop is inadequate.

So, when this HP dies, I've decided to...

- Buy an iPad for mobility (especially at school) and for light home use, and

- Buy an iMac for my desk, so I can actually sit in front of a real computer when I'm writing essays, or want to watch movies on a nice screen, etc.

- And I'll still have my iPhone, for when I want to be truly mobile without lugging anything around.

The only downside here is expense, since I'd end up having to buy an iMac and and iPad. But I only really need the $499 model, since there is Wi-fi at home and at school, and since I don't need much storage if I keep the majority of my files on my iMac most of the time.