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Waffling Over The iPad: Yes Or No -- Should or Shouldn't

jddar

jddar

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 7, 2009
206
13
At first, I didn't think the iPad would be right for me. Now, I'm stopping by my local Apple Store whenever I'm nearby just test the iPad -- again and again. As reluctant as I am to admit (really, I didn't want to like it), each time I'm more and more impressed -- downright smitten. I want one! It seems to be nearly the perfect device for most of needs.

My own better judgement and friends advise that I should wait for the next version for all the usual and very sound reasons. That prudent course is looking less likely with each day. When one starts looking for bags to carry around the damn thing, I guess your mind is already made up. As soon as I save the pocket change or muster the courage for a small debt, I'm likely to take the plunge for the basic 16GB-WiFi. Then with next year's or the following revision, I'll go all out for the top of the line with all the potential future bells and whistles.

Frankly, I could see myself rarely or never using a laptop computer again. An iPad, iMac/27"/i7, and a very basic mobile phone seem for my needs the best combination.

If your wondering why this long rambling post is necessary, I guess I'm just making a feeble attempt to persuade myself and justify what, until recently, seemed a trivial and frivoluos expense. Anyone with similar or disimilar experience chime in though I'm nearly certain my decision is made. Still, in the words of Treebeard, "I don't want to be to hasty."
 
you said it yourself, its a frivolous expense. If you dont mind parting with $500 or so, I say go for it. its a totally unnecessary toy, but toys are fun. :D
 
Since the iPad was just released, I feel its pointless to wait for a revision. No one knows what the update cycle will be for the iPad but it could be the same as for the iPhone--up to a year.

Many of the proposed improvements I'm not interested in. A camera? What for? I have no desire to hold my relatively huge iPad up to make a shot--how awkward--that's what I use my iPhone for. A forward facing camera for chatting? This one's a little more practical but I look terrible on camera and I *never* do video chatting on the 4 years I've owned my MBP with the built in iSight. A better screen and processor would be nice--but again I think that's a ways off.

The only early change Apple *may* make is to either cut the price or increase the storage capacity--like they did for the first iPhone.

I think you should wait until you have actual money to buy it though. You shouldn't go into debt for something like an iPad. There are many other, more worthy reasons to go into debt if you must--like unexpected medical bills.
 
i am having the same problem. I haven't tested one out yet but i will one of these days:)
 
Remember when the cellphone was a frivolous toy, only for the rich w/ expendable money? This is kinda like that...

If you've got the itch, get it.

You'll be wondering why you spent so much on your laptop, not why you bought the iPad once you have it. I promise
 
I bought mine for a laptop replacement around the house and haven't been disappointed. As for usage though I wanted it strictly for surfing on the couch or in bed. I'm not going to be doing anything crazy with it.
 
jddar said:
At first, I didn't think the iPad would be right for me. Now, I'm stopping by my local Apple Store whenever I'm nearby just test the iPad -- again and again. As reluctant as I am to admit (really, I didn't want to like it), each time I'm more and more impressed -- downright smitten. I want one! It seems to be nearly the perfect device for most of needs.
Click to expand...

It's a huge status symbol right now. Not sure if you need a girlfriend, but you can pretty much pick up any chick in any bar in America with a 3G/64GB/$829 under your arm. Food for thought.

BJ
 
AJsAWiz said:
If I have to waffle over something it means I don't need it ;)
Click to expand...

Who cares about 'need'?


I want an iPad so I will buy one as soon as Australia gets a release. No need to justify it - I'm lucky enough to be able to gather the money for it so I'll get one.



Let's be honest - you 'need' food, sleep, shelter etc...
Everything else is just a bonus...
 
I really enjoy my iPad. Everyone I've shown to so far, even people I did not expect like my dad, has shown interest in getting one after trying one.

It's had a positive effect for work as I can now meet with my clients at any location with requiring WiFi access (I have the 3G iPad), and it's slim size has allowed me to use for taking meeting notes as I would not take my laptop for those purposes, but with the iPad I can do a lot more. In fact my other portable devices, like my ASUS Netbook, Vista Dell Laptop and MacBook Pro have not been powered on since I've received my iPad as it covers most of my bases.

I do use my desktop computer daily though (I code and do graphics) so iPad can't replace that.

Having said that though, I don't think it's a "necessary" device. You can do what it does with other devices, or combinations of devices, so from that perspective it is a luxury.

But if you are looking to simply if your life, make things easier or more convenient (and this is what Apple excels at), then it's a good buy. That's the iPad's selling point, it's convenience advantage over other devices.
 
shady825 said:
Its all over once you touch one..
I had no intention to buy one until I picked one up.. Then it was over! :D
Click to expand...

+1

I was disappointed that the iPad was a hyperthyroid iPod touch rather than a real computer. I was disappointed in no camera, no FLASH!, no.... Might never buy one, and if I did it would not be the first generation.

Then I happened to see one in a Best Buy and thought I'd play with if for a minute. Hmm, much smaller than I thought. Feels great in the hands. Fantastic screen. Hey, this is a flash site, how is that working - wow most of the sites I frequent DO work. And so on

I was doomed. Bought it on the spot and it's been close by since, relegating my laptop to occasional use. Even finding lots of uses for it at work.
 
I never quite get the "avoid the first generation of a product" train of thought. Will the second generation have more features? Sure it will. It will probably be cheaper and more powerful too. But if you buy the second generation version, won't you have the same issue with the third generation? And then the fourth? Or perhaps an entirely new, even cooler device will be out - then what?

If you can afford it and it does what you want - why wait? If you can't afford it or the current version lacks something you deem critical (like a webcam), then wait, though it will likely be quite a while since it was just released.
 
barkomatic said:
Since the iPad was just released, I feel its pointless to wait for a revision. No one knows what the update cycle will be for the iPad but it could be the same as for the iPhone--up to a year.

Many of the proposed improvements I'm not interested in. A camera? What for? I have no desire to hold my relatively huge iPad up to make a shot--how awkward--that's what I use my iPhone for. A forward facing camera for chatting? This one's a little more practical but I look terrible on camera and I *never* do video chatting on the 4 years I've owned my MBP with the built in iSight. A better screen and processor would be nice--but again I think that's a ways off.

The only early change Apple *may* make is to either cut the price or increase the storage capacity--like they did for the first iPhone.

I think you should wait until you have actual money to buy it though. You shouldn't go into debt for something like an iPad. There are many other, more worthy reasons to go into debt if you must--like unexpected medical bills.
Click to expand...

If you travel, video sex makes being away a little easier. That is why you NEED a camera.
 
shady825 said:
Its all over once you touch one..
I had no intention to buy one until I picked one up.. Then it was over! :D
Click to expand...

Yes indeed! When Steve Jobs proclaimed the iPad "magical", I rolled my eyes thinking he sounded a tad over the top -- sort of like a used car salesman or a snake charmer. After using one, "magical" is a quite descriptive of the device. It's good for one to occasionally eat a little crow.
 
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