We live in a world where everyone has an opinion, and that is cool. This is my take on this whole iPad thing. Please, keep your pitchforks and torches in the storage compartments until the end of my post.
Mac...Apple...seems you either love or hate it. 1 1/2 years ago, I was building my 6th or 7th Windows gaming computer...you know...$400 motherboard, $800 in video cards (only to see one twice as fast come out 2 months later), etc. I used computers to play games online.
Honestly, on a whim, impulse, whatever...I entered Best Buy and saw an iMac. Hmm....that looks pretty cool...1 hour later I walked out with one. Got it home, turned it on and it was one of those mind blowing moments like the first time I drove a car, met my wife, got an A in college (I sucked at school), graduated the police academy, became a Marine, etc. It was one of those moments where you think "Ok. This changes things from now on." I loathe the times I have to mess with my parents windows computer (the last gaming rig I built btw) when it crashes or goes crazy.
A few months of bliss with my iMac, and I walked out of the Apple Store this time with a new Macbook. It fills a nice gap, sit on the couch, take it with me on trips, netflix, work email and spreadsheets, pictures sometimes, and even playing a few games. I know I can depend on my Mac. Yeah, they might be more expensive than what I could pay for a desktop or a laptop, but this is the key:
I pay what I pay for my Mac's for the WHOLE experience. Waiting in line, fit, finish, quality, ease of use, dependability, conversation factor, fun factor, connectivity between each computers, etc. I have a relationship with my Apples because I am a tech geek, and these things really give me my fix. If I wanted the most economic experience, I would shop the Sunday ads for the weekly cheapest netbook or computer. I want something I feel connected to, if that makes sense. I want some style. Thats why I will never buy a Windows/PC again unless Apple goes out of business or they start offering things that don't fit my expectations. When I turn on my Mac, I see things I would like upgraded, changed, etc....but nothing is perfect. Regardless, I ALWAYS think..."Wow...a LOT of thought went into this product."
When I heard about the iPad, I honestly felt like it was something that I just could not use. I forced myself to ignore the hype before it came out. I don't think I read more than 3 sentences about it prior to release. Now, I have slowly started reading, digesting, etc. I have not even put my hands on one yet, but I already have a 32GB wifi on its way to me. For me, I expect to never view reading books the same. I will probably sit in the bookstore to read books I bought at home. I know I will surf the web, keep up with my email, and use it to view and input calendar stuff, and watch movies off netflix or itunes in the bed and trips.
The thing that really put me over the edge on this thing is my 3 year old. I got into computers because my dad brought home Atari's for as long as I can remember. Then he brought home this computer that displayed green and black, had a huge floppy drive, and sounded like a 747 when I turned it on. Despite major protest from my mom, he let me open it up, take things apart, and rebuild. That started the tech geek in me. As I started investigating apps that I might use, I started to think about my 3 year old daughter who at that very moment, was asking me if she could type on my Macbook. That sealed the deal honestly. I can't wait to do my thing on it, sit on my porch and read everything I can, and then let her take it and go to town drawing, reading the kids stories and games. I hope I spark the geek in her, because I know it is in her genes. This thing is going to change things, I have no doubt. I hope she can look back and say "OMG! I remember when the first iPad came out, and my dad let me use it until I was blue in the face." I am a little jealous, because my first computer was nothing like this thing, and she won't be able to learn her DOS commands
Why does everyone try and put that "Crap or Awesome" label on everything, especially something hyped up? Nothing is perfect, I know I will dislike things. But Apple has brought me so much personal enjoyment and devices for me to be creative, learn, whatever. These things are my main hobby, and I can't wait to get my grubby hands on this thing, fire it up on my front porch swing, and read about the next amazing thing Apple is coming out with.
Josh
Mac...Apple...seems you either love or hate it. 1 1/2 years ago, I was building my 6th or 7th Windows gaming computer...you know...$400 motherboard, $800 in video cards (only to see one twice as fast come out 2 months later), etc. I used computers to play games online.
Honestly, on a whim, impulse, whatever...I entered Best Buy and saw an iMac. Hmm....that looks pretty cool...1 hour later I walked out with one. Got it home, turned it on and it was one of those mind blowing moments like the first time I drove a car, met my wife, got an A in college (I sucked at school), graduated the police academy, became a Marine, etc. It was one of those moments where you think "Ok. This changes things from now on." I loathe the times I have to mess with my parents windows computer (the last gaming rig I built btw) when it crashes or goes crazy.
A few months of bliss with my iMac, and I walked out of the Apple Store this time with a new Macbook. It fills a nice gap, sit on the couch, take it with me on trips, netflix, work email and spreadsheets, pictures sometimes, and even playing a few games. I know I can depend on my Mac. Yeah, they might be more expensive than what I could pay for a desktop or a laptop, but this is the key:
I pay what I pay for my Mac's for the WHOLE experience. Waiting in line, fit, finish, quality, ease of use, dependability, conversation factor, fun factor, connectivity between each computers, etc. I have a relationship with my Apples because I am a tech geek, and these things really give me my fix. If I wanted the most economic experience, I would shop the Sunday ads for the weekly cheapest netbook or computer. I want something I feel connected to, if that makes sense. I want some style. Thats why I will never buy a Windows/PC again unless Apple goes out of business or they start offering things that don't fit my expectations. When I turn on my Mac, I see things I would like upgraded, changed, etc....but nothing is perfect. Regardless, I ALWAYS think..."Wow...a LOT of thought went into this product."
When I heard about the iPad, I honestly felt like it was something that I just could not use. I forced myself to ignore the hype before it came out. I don't think I read more than 3 sentences about it prior to release. Now, I have slowly started reading, digesting, etc. I have not even put my hands on one yet, but I already have a 32GB wifi on its way to me. For me, I expect to never view reading books the same. I will probably sit in the bookstore to read books I bought at home. I know I will surf the web, keep up with my email, and use it to view and input calendar stuff, and watch movies off netflix or itunes in the bed and trips.
The thing that really put me over the edge on this thing is my 3 year old. I got into computers because my dad brought home Atari's for as long as I can remember. Then he brought home this computer that displayed green and black, had a huge floppy drive, and sounded like a 747 when I turned it on. Despite major protest from my mom, he let me open it up, take things apart, and rebuild. That started the tech geek in me. As I started investigating apps that I might use, I started to think about my 3 year old daughter who at that very moment, was asking me if she could type on my Macbook. That sealed the deal honestly. I can't wait to do my thing on it, sit on my porch and read everything I can, and then let her take it and go to town drawing, reading the kids stories and games. I hope I spark the geek in her, because I know it is in her genes. This thing is going to change things, I have no doubt. I hope she can look back and say "OMG! I remember when the first iPad came out, and my dad let me use it until I was blue in the face." I am a little jealous, because my first computer was nothing like this thing, and she won't be able to learn her DOS commands
Why does everyone try and put that "Crap or Awesome" label on everything, especially something hyped up? Nothing is perfect, I know I will dislike things. But Apple has brought me so much personal enjoyment and devices for me to be creative, learn, whatever. These things are my main hobby, and I can't wait to get my grubby hands on this thing, fire it up on my front porch swing, and read about the next amazing thing Apple is coming out with.
Josh
