trading my iPad for Windows tablet!

[takemore]

It's a consumption device, and a very good one at that. Creation? Not so much. A Windows tablet is more capable, but with less quality. You'll get flash, you'll get Java, but you'll get a horrible touchscreen, and an OS that isn't meant for that kind of input device, as well as 2 minute startups with a 3 hour battery life. If you bought the iPad to run a site or something, you probably were dropped on the head as a child.

EDIT: Oh, and I'm not one of those idiots who are anti-Microsoft or whatever. I don't own a Mac, I own a Dell Inspiron 1545 (with Blu-ray. Let's see a Mac that can do that) and a desktop computer with a quad core, etc. When I say a Windows tablet is worse, I'm talking about Windows being a touch interface. As an OS, Windows is perfect in every way but for use in a touchscreen device.

Using your own words: If you are saying "As an OS, Windows is perfect in every way", "you probably were dropped on the head as a child."

I have to use Windows daily for my job. Doing development on this rubbish is such a pain. Cygwin helps a bit but having to deal with Windows batch language and "/" vs "\" issues (just to name few problems) with this "perfect" OS makes me sick.

My life is brighter when i go back home and develop on Mac my personal project. Windows is good if you just use it to launch M$ Office by clicking or similar tasks.

It's hard to believe that more than 10 years ago M$ killed perfect OS called IBM OS/2, which was rock stable and had a beautiful insides with REXX language etc.. and never created anything even close to that.

You might tag me anti-Microsoft and whatnot but I do not care. My opinion based on facts not on emotions. I am in this field long enough to have my own opinion and I standby it.

</off-top></rant>

 

[rikbrown]

OP, if you think iOS "isn't quite there yet" wrt being run on a tablet, please don't use Windows.

Yes, it's more capable (in the sense it has a filesystem, can run native Windows apps, etc) --- but it isn't optimised for touchscreens. At all. Whatever Microsoft want to tell you.

You'll go crazy having used iOS (which was built ground up for touchscreens) then moving to Windows. Fiddly UI elements, those 'native apps' that sounded so good not being optimised for fingers etc. And remember you're stuck with a resistive screen if you want a (decent) stylus. And who wants a stylus anyway?

TL;DR: OP, just buy a Windows netbook.

 

[Winni]

Someone didn't do his homework before purchasing.

And where does Apple publicly talk about all the RESTRICTIONS of their latest restriction... ahem, "invention"?

You only learn about all the things that DON'T work on an iPad after you bought it.

The only acceptable iOS device that Apple sells is the iPhone, because that gadget at least serves a purpose. All other iOS devices are castrated, almost useless high-tech toys that only look good but cannot even properly browse the web. End of story.

 

[EthanNixon]

Well if the iPad is supposed to replace my net book, then I at least should be able to upload files from safari, or have some kind of universal file system that all my apps can access. It should be a stand alone machine like the windows tablets. The pc tablets might not be the best thing out now but they're moving in the right direction. iOS just isn't there yet.

Who told you it was supposed to replace your laptop? It's not, at all. The iPad is a companion device to a laptop or desktop. You can get things done, email files to yourself, download files to your iPad for later use, etc. It cannot replace a laptop, and whoever told you that is wrong to say something so ignorant.

I am sorry you were misinformed.

 

[netdog]

Enjoy your Windows 7 tablet!

 

[colmaclean]

The only acceptable iOS device that Apple sells is the iPhone, because that gadget at least serves a purpose. All other iOS devices are castrated, almost useless high-tech toys that only look good but cannot even properly browse the web. End of story.

Sorry mate, that's bollocks.

 

[netdog]

It's hard to believe that more than 10 years ago M$ killed perfect OS called IBM OS/2, which was rock stable and had a beautiful insides with REXX language etc.. and never created anything even close to that.

OS/2 was way ahead of its time. Nice OS.

 

[colmaclean]

It's hard to believe that more than 10 years ago M$ killed perfect OS called IBM OS/2, which was rock stable and had a beautiful insides with REXX language etc.. and never created anything even close to that.

IBM weren't exactly blameless, either. Still not a patch on AmigaDOS.

 

[eawmp1]

And where does Apple publicly talk about all the RESTRICTIONS of their latest restriction... ahem, "invention"?

You only learn about all the things that DON'T work on an iPad after you bought it.

The only acceptable iOS device that Apple sells is the iPhone, because that gadget at least serves a purpose. All other iOS devices are castrated, almost useless high-tech toys that only look good but cannot even properly browse the web. End of story.

Bull...the iPhone has no capabilities the iPad doesn't save the ability to make calls. The OP said he has had his iPad for 3 months. It's been out in the wild for over 6 months. Had he done his homework and read the real world experiences of others who had clearly experienced it's abilities and limitations he, knowing his stated disappointments, should have NEVER bought it. Really, he didn't know an idevice goes through iTunes?

Apple released the iPad's specs. Do the release their devices "limitations"? I don't recall seeing my Mac Pro saying it was not portable (or for that matter that it couldn't be used as a flotation device) yet I don't complain it's a bear to lug around.

The OP didn't do his homework and is now complaining the device doesn't do things it was never designed to do. Good riddance.

 

[Ciclismo]

And where does Apple publicly talk about all the RESTRICTIONS of their latest restriction... ahem, "invention"?

You only learn about all the things that DON'T work on an iPad after you bought it.

Really? I learned about all the ups and downs of the iPad well in advance of my purchase through reviews in magazines, several websites and through browsing through forums such as this one. It took very little time online and in one bookshop to find enough resources to establish a very clear picture of what I could expect from the iPad.

If I am about to spend a considerable amount of money (and for a tertiary student the iPad is no small purchase) then I will invest some time researching before I buy to ensure there are as few negative surprises as possible. The greater the value of the item, the more thorough I am to ensure that I have all the facts. Unfortunately what people want (which is emotive) often is at odds with what they need, but because emotions are more powerful than logic, they will almost always go with the former.

 

[georgee2face]

Yeah.. it can be a little frustrating. I carried a little 9" hackintoshed dell mini before I got my Ipad. I did not know what it could and could not do. I got the right Apps, and Viola! except for the direct printing ( which is about to change), I use the IPAD exclusively. When I am on the Road for business, all I need is access to my data ( dropbox), internet for email, and note taking..

I am as efficient as I was with the little Hacked mini, but longer battery life, better graphics. The Ipad is an exceptional device, and really it's not all consumptive in nature.

Fits in a little bamboo case..........INSTANT ON! no defragging, no ctrl-alt del, i could go on

 

[steviem]

I went to an iPad from a hacked Dell mini too.

The mini 9 was ok, but what worked on it didn't really work. h.264 playback was choppy, flash was pointless on it.

I'm in a similar boat to georgee2face, the iPad gives me what I need and what I want from a complementary device.

 

[Phil A.]

And where does Apple publicly talk about all the RESTRICTIONS of their latest restriction... ahem, "invention"?

You only learn about all the things that DON'T work on an iPad after you bought it.

The only acceptable iOS device that Apple sells is the iPhone, because that gadget at least serves a purpose. All other iOS devices are castrated, almost useless high-tech toys that only look good but cannot even properly browse the web. End of story.

That may be your opinion (which you are entitled to), but please don't present opinion as fact: you may not like the iPad, but that doesn't make it useless: It is incredibly useful for me and millions of other users. The primary reason I got the iPad was so I could support my customers remotely. To do that, I needed the following functionality:

1) Cisco VPN support
2) A decent sized screen
3) Resolution of at least 1024 x 768
4) RDP client
5) Long battery life
6) highly portable


The iPad ticks all of those boxes and therefore was an excellent purchase for this purpose alone (and I'd like to see how any tablet could do it any better).

On top of that, I get a browser that works for 99% of my browsing needs, a media player, an eReader that is great for text books, seamless integration with our SharePoint server, a fantastic way of taking notes in meetings, brilliant apps such as Pages for content creation, a superb way to plan soccer tactics and training techniques for the junior team I coach, and a device that's fun to use and accessible all the time.

I can understand you may not like the iPad, but don't continually try and tell people it's useless because for many, many people that's simply untrue!

 

[joeconvert]

Just ignore these people.


I do understand your disappointment over the limited features of the iPad. But don't get a Windows tablet. Get a regular Windows laptop.

Windows Tablets suck. Trust me. Windows laptops OTOH, are pretty good.

I think that is a generalization. I have a 2 year old HP 2730p convertible tablet that I wouldn't be without. It is not touch enabled, but uses a Wacom pen. As a software Product/project manager I can't even begin to summarize in a forum post how powerful the combination of digital inking, OneNote and other markup and design tools such as Bluebeam, etc. The tablet capability along with onenote is what has kept me from switching my work machine back to Mac.

 

[cakbar]

I'm not trading my iPad for a Windows tablet, but I'll keep you updated if I change my mind.

 

[Krelian8]

I read good reviews of the IdeaPad S10-3t Laptop - 06513EU it is 499$, has touch screen and runs linux/ windows XP perfectly. With the extended battery it can run up to 8h.
Overall this device is not too bad compared to the basic ipad; 499$ for 16GB of space and a practically absent filesystem.
I consider the ipad more a toy to introduce kids to computer-like devices.

 

[dmunz]

I'm sort of in the same boat. I have preorded the EXOPC and am looking forward to checking it out. But my real issue is having an iPad and iPod Touch. I traded up my touch 2g for a 4g 64GB and I am struggling with the value of having both the touch and the pad. I don't see myself ever giving up the touch, so the iPad may have to go depending on the useability of the EXOPC v. the iPad.

Like many others have said, my biggest issue with the iPad as a "ditch the net book" device is the inability to easily load and store files. I subscribe to a number of digital publications that come out as PDFs and it is not always easy to load and store them on the iPad.

There are lots of things to like about the iPad but I can't see traveling with it, the touch and a laptop. If I can ditch one of the three...

FWIW
DLM

 

[georgee2face]

I read good reviews of the IdeaPad S10-3t Laptop - 06513EU it is 499$, has touch screen and runs linux/ windows XP perfectly. With the extended battery it can run up to 8h.
Overall this device is not too bad compared to the basic ipad; 499$ for 16GB of space and a practically absent filesystem.
I consider the ipad more a toy to introduce kids to computer-like devices.

ENDGADGET WRAPUP: "As both a netbook and a tablet the S10-3t leaves a bit more to be desired. Sure, we're disappointed that the N470 processor doesn't provide improved performance, but what's even more aggravating is that $649 buys you a tiny trackpad, sluggish touchscreen software and terrible viewing angles. Maybe you can live with those shortcomings, but we're personally holding out for a better netbook / tablet combo to come along. "

 

[colmaclean]

I certainly wouldn't go on the road with an iPad and a laptop.

Since getting my iPad 3G, I don't travel anywhere with my MacBook Pro and will usually only access it at home from my iPad over VNC...

 

[colmaclean]

I consider the ipad more a toy to introduce kids to computer-like devices.

Don't agree at all.

I consider the iPad an excellent portal onto "computer-like devices" via VNC, SSH, Air Video, GoodReader etc.

 

[ConnorTurnbull]

Bit confused...

Sure, you can get a good spec laptop at the same price as the iPad but not a tablet.

I am a bit of an Apple fanboy, but not really in the Mac area. I want to get a Mac because if their spec and the included iMovie, other than that, i could like with Windows.

But seriously, Windows was built for keyboard and mouse, iOS was built for touch. Unless Microsoft create a real touch OS, they'll fail. If they do create that, well... That would be good!

 

[georgee2face]

I'm sort of in the same boat. I have preorded the EXOPC and am looking forward to checking it out. But my real issue is having an iPad and iPod Touch. I traded up my touch 2g for a 4g 64GB and I am struggling with the value of having both the touch and the pad. I don't see myself ever giving up the touch, so the iPad may have to go depending on the useability of the EXOPC v. the iPad.

Like many others have said, my biggest issue with the iPad as a "ditch the net book" device is the inability to easily load and store files. I subscribe to a number of digital publications that come out as PDFs and it is not always easy to load and store them on the iPad.

There are lots of things to like about the iPad but I can't see traveling with it, the touch and a laptop. If I can ditch one of the three...

FWIW
DLM

Well I download .pdf every day while on the road..not a lot of problems. I imagine there are a few places you couldn't.

Here is a great little site to let you know how to handle .pdf on the IPAD. It's two more steps than using ACROBAT. Try it.
http://www.offsitelawcenter.com/Blo...r-and-iPad-Organizing-with-PDF-Bookmarks.aspx

 

[foiden]

The bigger problem with Windows Tablet is that it's a touch screen that is trying to use an operating system that isn't designed for touch. This pretty much defeats the usability of a tablet for anything but drawing programs. The Windows Tablet, in most cases, is cannibalized by the small Windows laptops for that very same reason. The same reason it didn't catch on, in the first place.

 

[mrboult]

Ha ha ha . . . . I love that the success of the iPad has suddenly made people think that windows tablets are a good idea too.

They've been around for ever and never became popular because. . . . . Wait for it . . . . They're bloody crap!

Seriously, the user experience is the most frustrating of all computers. Get a small laptop not a widows tablet.

My experience is based on an xp tablet that I had to use about 6 years ago and I've never even seen windows 7 but I can't imagine the windows touch experience has improved enough to make it a sensible option at this point.

 

[mgamber]

I've owned a couple of excellent Windows tablets in the not so distant past, those that claim it's a poor OS for a touch screen are sadly mistaken. I can only speak for those I've actually owned (how novel, huh?) but the upside is that they are FAR more capable than an iPad in both hardware and software. They're not even really in the same ball park so there's no real point of comparison with either hardware or software except to say that many of the downsides to a Windows tablet are pretty easily addressed. An iPad battery will go considerably farther than a typical Windows tablet battery, for example, but the typical Windows tablet also allows you to swap batteries. Six of one, half dozen of the other.

They're both unique tools and similar in that if there's work to be done and you've chosen the wrong tool for the job, you look like a fool. Choose wisely.