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Took an iPad for a test run last weekend. Ruh roh!

M

Michael CM1

macrumors 603
Original poster
Feb 4, 2008
5,682
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I swear I haven't wanted anything as much since the iPhone. I think a lot of it is the Jeff Foxworthy "rednecks are attracted to shiny objects" thing. OK I'm not much of a redneck, but damn.

I opened up iBooks to start with, and it was like a very clear page looking at me. I'm still more of an Amazon Kindle app fan, but I'm wagering it's mostly the same deal. I've just been having trouble sticking with my books for more than a few pages at a time due to the very small device I'm holding. The extra space definitely looks great for an ebook.

Next I opened up a newspaper Web site and looooooved it. I mean that's how newspaper Web sites are meant to be read. This could truly save my industry since we went from very vertical sheets of paper to very wide computer screens. It's like the wheel was reinvented. Hopefully other tablet makers can do a decent job and the penetration will get to where we can make money on subscriptions and ads.

I only got a chance to check out the Star Walk app, and it was basically a bigger version of the one for iPhone. But it still looked great. I wish I could've seen more, but I think this device will be worth $500 for me -- at some point. I may have to wait until version 2.0, but this is a great-looking device.
 
Come to the dark side. All you need do is bow to Steve Jobs, just once, and all manner of wonders will be open to you.
 
Michael CM1 said:
...I may have to wait until version 2.0, but this is a great-looking device.
Click to expand...
I never understood this line of thinking... by that logic, you shouldn't get v2 because v3 will be so much better. Oh wait, don't get v3 either because v4 will pwn v3. v5 will be the ultimate for sure, until v6 comes out of course. Where does the madness stop? If the product suits you NOW, there is no reason to wait for v2 when;

1. No one knows what v2 will even have (or not have)
2. No one knows when v2 will be released, but my bet is a yearly cycle as well
3. Every next gen gadget should be an upgrade on the previous model

I don't mean to single you out on this issue but I have seen lots of folks saying that they will wait for v2 blah blah blah. Guess what? I can guarantee you that 99.99% of all v1 ipad owners are also waiting for v2.
 
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nikhsub1 said:
I never understood this line of thinking... by that logic, you shouldn't get v2 because v3 will be so much better. Oh wait, don't get v3 either because v4 will pwn v3. v5 will be the ultimate for sure, until v6 comes out of course. Where does the madness stop? If the product suits you NOW, there is no reason to wait for v2 when;

1. No one knows what v2 will even have (or not have)
2. No one knows when v2 will be released, but my bet is a yearly cycle as well
3. Every next gen gadget should be an upgrade on the previous model

I don't mean to single you out on this issue but I have seen lots of folks saying that they will wait for v2 blah blah blah. Guess what? I can guarantee you that 99.99% of all v1 ipad owners are also waiting for v2.
Click to expand...

You know, I'd agree with you, but the difference between a revision A and revision B product is generally huge. Look at the first gen Intel MBP's and their heat issues.

It's generally wise to avoid a revision A for quality reasons - it's an unknown quantity - but regardless, the rev A iPad is missing features we can bet the house will be on a new version. A front facing camera, for example... it's made for that! Additionally, this device differs from, say, a new laptop release, because it's really fundamentally different from anything else out there, and the next version will be updated to reflect emerging usage patterns.

You're right that 99% of iPad users are waiting for the next version, but I don't have the money to buy then upgrade :p

500 posts is avatar time :eek:
 
nikhsub1 said:
I never understood this line of thinking... by that logic, you shouldn't get v2 because v3 will be so much better. Oh wait, don't get v3 either because v4 will pwn v3. v5 will be the ultimate for sure, until v6 comes out of course. Where does the madness stop? If the product suits you NOW, there is no reason to wait for v2 when;

1. No one knows what v2 will even have (or not have)
2. No one knows when v2 will be released, but my bet is a yearly cycle as well
3. Every next gen gadget should be an upgrade on the previous model

I don't mean to single you out on this issue but I have seen lots of folks saying that they will wait for v2 blah blah blah. Guess what? I can guarantee you that 99.99% of all v1 ipad owners are also waiting for v2.
Click to expand...

I sort of agree, but I think for some people it's worth waiting a year on a new product to see what the feedback is like from the previous year, what the new additions will be and if any bugs have been ironed out.

After that, well, Rev 2 could be the "sweet spot".

I skipped the original iPhone launch but went for a 3G when that came out because I thought it represented enough of an upgrade on the existing product to finally jump in. 2 years on, and my 3G still does everything I personally need it to, and with absolutely no intentions of upgrading this summer, that'll be 2 generations skipped with the same handset. And I still love my 3G.

I totally understand the desire for some to wait, and don't necessarily agree that this means they'll constantly upgrade every year, or won't ever buy one because of waiting for the next upgrade.

For what it's worth though, for the iPad, I've jumped straight in at Rev 1.. :)
 
nikhsub1 said:
I never understood this line of thinking... by that logic, you shouldn't get v2 because v3 will be so much better. Oh wait, don't get v3 either because v4 will pwn v3. v5 will be the ultimate for sure, until v6 comes out of course. Where does the madness stop? If the product suits you NOW, there is no reason to wait for v2 when;

1. No one knows what v2 will even have (or not have)
2. No one knows when v2 will be released, but my bet is a yearly cycle as well
3. Every next gen gadget should be an upgrade on the previous model

I don't mean to single you out on this issue but I have seen lots of folks saying that they will wait for v2 blah blah blah. Guess what? I can guarantee you that 99.99% of all v1 ipad owners are also waiting for v2.
Click to expand...
I honestly don't know what could be added to next year's release that would differentiate it from this year's. More ram - from 256 to 512 maybe? Double the capacity? Add the front-facing camera? None of these are worth waiting for, to me. Not waiting a whole year for, at least. If you like it, buy it and enjoy it now, and then decide next year if it's REALLY worth upgrading. I don't think it will be in my case.
 
malnar said:
I honestly don't know what could be added to next year's release that would differentiate it from this year's. More ram - from 256 to 512 maybe? Double the capacity? Add the front-facing camera? None of these are worth waiting for, to me. Not waiting a whole year for, at least. If you like it, buy it and enjoy it now, and then decide next year if it's REALLY worth upgrading. I don't think it will be in my case.
Click to expand...

If all that happens, I'll buy it in a heartbeat.
 
I've been one of those people who like early adopting, because often enough the first version has a cool feature that the company wants gone. With the 1st Gen Iphone it was simply the metal back, with the early PS3's it was backwards compatability. I found myself enjoying my original IPhone until 3GS. I'm pretty sure I will be the same way with the IPad.

Using the thinking of 'wait till the next gen' I like to apply it as see if I like this gen, and since you know it is Apple there will always be a 2nd, 3rd, 4th gen, and etc. Why not dive in now? The 2nd gen at best may have a feature or two built in that an app covers. It's the 3rd & 4th gen that make the bigger leaps to convince the majority of satisfied buyers to move up.

I say go ahead, have fun now, get it. Like a lot of people you maybe able to sell your 1st gen Ipad to get that later one. Or do like I did when I gave my 1st gen IPhone away and make a friend very happy.
 
It's only $500, you could spend that on a night out and you will be using this thing for hundreds, probably more like thousands, of hours. I say buy one now and buy one later.
 
Don't miss out on it dude. It's worth it to have even if they make another next year.

And what you said about the tablet makers doing a "decent job", that's not gonna happen as long as the iPad exists.
 
When I get 2.0 this one is going to my spouse, which I think is a great plan.

I don't get why some people bought two for two people. I wouldn't consider a second one unless we had at least four people wanting to use it.

But different strokes...
 
This is like walking into an AA meeting and asking for advice on whether you should try whiskey or wait until you can afford single malt scotch.
 
CarboysDesire said:
I don't get why some people bought two for two people.
Click to expand...

Wow, really?

Well, I suppose the basic problem is physics -- the iPad cannot be in two people's possession at the same time. This is a problem even when the two are in the same house, but if one wishes to travel or go off for a few hours with it, then the other one cannot have it.

Adding to that the problem of privacy, email accounts, bookmarks, songs, apps...

Physics.
 
The "waiting for 2.0" is really less waiting for any improvements and more my car gets paid off next summer. I'm also paying off some fun necessities from Best Buy (HDTV, BD player, camera, photo printer) and had to replace my frappin' heat pump. My tax rebate for buying a new house paid my main credit card way off, so I'm trying to not keep jacking it up on stuff. I caved on a pair of cheap speakers and a few Blu-ray movies, but an iPad would be quite a huge blip.

The one "wait for the next one" issue could be some new reason to be able to get the 3G version. I'm not paying the extra money for it unless I get some sweet deal as an AT&T customer. It's a shame you can't use your iPhone connection for an iPad, but I guess I won't really need 3G service most of the time with it.
 
pooryou said:
It's only $500, you could spend that on a night out and you will be using this thing for hundreds, probably more like thousands, of hours. I say buy one now and buy one later.
Click to expand...

Wow, your night outs must be completely different from mine. Like many people I actually had to budget for my iPad.

When people ask me if I would recommend it, I say if you think it will fit your needs and be useful then it is a great device. I love mine and use it all day for both work and play.
 
mrj412 said:
Wow, your night outs must be completely different from mine. Like many people I actually had to budget for my iPad.

When people ask me if I would recommend it, I say if you think it will fit your needs and be useful then it is a great device. I love mine and use it all day for both work and play.
Click to expand...

I'm planning on using Best Buy's 18 months same as cash deal when I get mine. That's what I've done with all the other eletronics I've bought there so I can pay over time and not give them an extra dime. I've given credit card companies enough money in interest for a lot of lifetimes.
 
CarboysDesire said:
I don't get why some people bought two for two people. I wouldn't consider a second one unless we had at least four people wanting to use it.

But different strokes...
Click to expand...

How about buying two for one person? I did just that. Have a wifi and a 3G.

Keep one in the car and keep one in the house.

Life is very very short. Spend it and enjoy it while you can.
 
malnar said:
I honestly don't know what could be added to next year's release that would differentiate it from this year's. More ram - from 256 to 512 maybe? Double the capacity? Add the front-facing camera? None of these are worth waiting for, to me. Not waiting a whole year for, at least. If you like it, buy it and enjoy it now, and then decide next year if it's REALLY worth upgrading. I don't think it will be in my case.
Click to expand...

Front facing camera, 128GB option and more ram... possibly 4G, but id bet thats in 2012.. just in time for the apocalypse...
 
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