Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Ways to Make the iPad Lighter

That slot at the end, for charging .... well there's secret extra feature .... you connect a helium cylinder, inflate the iPad (the aluminium is actually the Roswell variety and stretches) until it floats exactly at eye height. Mine's floating in front of me right now and it's great!

What do you mean, what are you smoking? I only had a couple of puffs! Hey, just a little more helium and it's like a magic carpet ...... bye.......
 
Sounds like a carbonfiber back would do the trick. Cuts 130gram away, and give a better wifi-connection. Wonder if it'survive a fall though...
 
southerndoc said:
Forgive me, I found a flaw in an Apple product.

Thank you for your invaluable contribution to the thread and humanity.
Click to expand...

Actually, you didn't find a 'flaw' - you found something you didn't like. That is not to say it doesn't bug you, but unless a majority of people find it irritating then it is just something that personally bugs you.

Hope I have been helpful. :)
 
southerndoc said:
Forgive me, I found a flaw in an Apple product.

Thank you for your invaluable contribution to the thread and humanity.
Click to expand...

Forgive me but I have to say you did not find a flaw in the iPad. My 3 year old can lift it and play with it. All is well with this fine Apple product. Humanity is better off with the iPad. :D
 
Weight is fine for me.

Apple can cut weight by either shrinking the battery. NO THANKS

Or useing a plastic back. NO THANKS
 
My thought is that if the bezel were reduced to 3/16ths inch on three sides, with a slightly raised, rolled frame on the edge, grip would not be significantly compromised and there would be a little bit of added scratch protection since it would be more difficult to lay it flat on the screen face. Then, if the back were sort of like a big smooth metal "X" with plastic inlay, it would not only be lighter but also easier to hold with one hand on the back and would not rock on its back but naturally lie at a slight angle. The OS would have to be able to read the bezel to figure out if you were touching the edge of the screen or just gripping. Trimming the bezel would save quite a bit of weight because there is so much of it. And, with an active bezel, they might be able to add a handy volume control.
 
sapporobaby said:
You willing to pay for carbon fibre technology? Many can't or won't.
Click to expand...

When has Carbon Fibre been expensive?

My mate used to make model planes from it at home and bake them in his oven, at least 15 years ago.

Just the carbon fibre matting, the resin and baking it in an oven with some trimming afterwards.
 
It's interesting to read the responses of people who become so defensive when you mention any criticism of an Apple product.

Don't get me wrong, I love my iPad, but just thinking of ways to make it lighter.

Yes, a 3-year-old can handle the iPad. If you rest it on your lap it's fine but when you're holding it in your hand without resting it on anything while reading for 3 hours, you can't tell me your wrists don't get tired.

FWIW, I lift weights and I'm a muscular guy, so I'm not buying the go to the gym argument.

The carbon fiber is a nice thought. I wonder if better electronics could lead to less battery consumption, which might lead Apple to using a smaller battery to keep battery life the same but reduce weight?

A one pound iPad would be great, an 8 ounce iPad would be even better but I realize that's not possible given today's technology. Maybe in another 10 years.
 
southerndoc said:
The iPad isn't that heavy, but would prefer it to be a little lighter. After holding it up for a while my wrists/hands get tired.

Any thoughts on ways to reduce the weight in future versions?

I have a feeling that the glass screen is what weighs the most, and I don't foresee any significant weight reductions in the next few years.

Would love to see a 10-16 ounce iPad.
Click to expand...

Attach several helium balloons.

These can be aqcuired for free or close to it at your local carnival, birthday party or Friendly's restaurent.
 
southerndoc said:
you can't tell me your wrists don't get tired.
Click to expand...

Yes I can. They really, really don't.

For reals and trues.

Just because you have a problem with something, doesn't make everyone else a liar or fanboy if they don't share your complaint.


Look, I'm not against making the thing lighter, I'm just saying the weight of it isn't an issue at all for me. In fact, I like the weight of it.
 
southerndoc said:
It's interesting to read the responses of people who become so defensive when you mention any criticism of an Apple product.
Click to expand...

One of the things I find interesting about the criticism about Apple products is how everyone expects everything. As if somehow Apple products ARE magical, physics-defying devices and that the company is simply being greedy and holding back.

I'm not accusing you of this. In fact, I think your post is quite reasonable. But if you go by some people's complaints, the iPad should be lighter, and thinner, yet have even longer battery life, but include a more powerful processor, a higher resolution screen, and also include a camera, no, TWO cameras, an SD slot and throw in some USB ports too. But it's not dent-resistant enough so the new one has to be stronger as well. Oh, and it's too expensive, so all of that should be included for half the current price. I mean, other tablets are out there that have a lower price, right? Never mind that they're thick and heavy and made of plastic and have buggy firmware. It's the price that matters! But everything else matters too!

You just can't win with some people.
 
southerndoc said:
Forgive me, I found a flaw in an Apple product.

Thank you for your invaluable contribution to the thread and humanity.
Click to expand...

And ah, what flaw would that be? It has mass? Sounds like a disappointed JooJoo customer to me. IF you really have an iPad and you hold it in your hand for three hours and then get tired, try changing positions or turning the thing off for a while.
 
Carbon Fibre not durable???

What are you on, they make F1 cars, ocean crossing yachts and parts of the space shuttle from the stuff... i think its more than durable enuff for a tablet... plus it'd look awesome!
 
notjustjay said:
One of the things I find interesting about the criticism about Apple products is how everyone expects everything. ... But if you go by some people's complaints, the iPad should be lighter, and thinner, yet have even longer battery life, but include a more powerful processor, a higher resolution screen, and also include a camera, no, TWO cameras, an SD slot and throw in some USB ports too. But it's not dent-resistant enough so the new one has to be stronger as well. Oh, and it's too expensive, so all of that should be included for half the current price. I mean, other tablets are out there that have a lower price, right? Never mind that they're thick and heavy and made of plastic and have buggy firmware. It's the price that matters! But everything else matters too!

You just can't win with some people.
Click to expand...

You forgot the super efficient solar cells. The iPad should be able to gather enough energy from your living room lights that it not only can power itself, but feed enough electricity back into the house wiring to power the living room lights themselves. Over the WiFi, of course. :rolleyes:
 
Surely said:
Look, I'm not against making the thing lighter, I'm just saying the weight of it isn't an issue at all for me. In fact, I like the weight of it.
Click to expand...

You like the weight of it? It's light, but would be even better lighter.

I realize the likelihood of it being made lighter isn't good, and my post didn't say that it should be lighter and have a ten-day battery life. My original post asked for suggestions how to make it lighter.

The Apple fan boys seem to think it's perfect, until Jobs comes out with ways to make it better and then the replacement is perfect. If it was perfect there wouldn't be any way to improve it.
 
This thread is just too much. "Ways to Make the iPad Lighter" LOLz...I don't think we can change anything to make the current iPad lighter, so I guess we'll just have to wait for ver. 2 and see what Apple can do to make it lighter. If they want to they can do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back