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What was one thing that you didn't expect?

Yeah, the battery getting a real 10 hours was surprising, even though reviewers had said so. I wouldn't believe it because, well, when's the last time you bought a mobile device that actually lived up to its battery life claims in real usage scenarios? NEVER.

The other thing that surprised me isn't any particular feature, but just how quickly it has replaced my iMac, MacBook Pro, and iPhone for almost everything so quickly.

As to it being "magical", I think that's a bit over the top, but there is something about holding it and using it that elicits a certain sense of wonder, so I'm not sure the word is as ridiculous as it sounds. Maybe in a few months I'll be over that, however, it does feel "futuristic", while when I go back to desktop/laptop/mouse/keyboard I kind of feel like I'm living in the past.
 
UnstrungHarp said:
I didn't understand just how much of a downer it would be to have no file management system.
Click to expand...

That's also my most disappointing "surprise", by a long shot. I don't need a whole file hierarchy, just at least a common dropbox and easier ways to sync and move files around (Wirelessly. Not with a cable and iTunes and a desktop machine.)
 
HiRez said:
That's also my most disappointing "surprise", by a long shot. I don't need a whole file hierarchy, just at least a common dropbox and easier ways to sync and move files around (Wirelessly. Not with a cable and iTunes and a desktop machine.)
Click to expand...

dropbox.com and goodreader. Take a look at both.
 
ScrewTheDaisies said:
I was surprised at how cool it stays.
Click to expand...

Good one, I forgot about that. That also really surprised me and it was something I was worried about because my MacBook Pro scorches my leg, even through pants. But if the iPad generates any heat, I can't detect it. That's a big advantage as you know a lot of other tablets are going to get really warm and/or require fans and heat vents.
 
citi said:
dropbox.com and goodreader. Take a look at both.
Click to expand...

Well, I have Goodreader. It does work pretty well, but it's still not as seamless as having an official OS-wide system could be. Still feels more like a workaround hack than a solution (but I'm glad to have it).

As far as cloud storage, the thing is I'm already paying for MobileMe, and they've almost completely ignored it on the iPad, at least the iDisk portion and the clunky way they've implemented the iWork apps with regard to iWork.com services. It could be a lot better.
 
I just got my ipad today, and I'm pretty impressed with how loud the speaker is, and just how good it feels to hold. I've had it like 15 minutes, so I might have to get back with any more surprises. :) I'm loving it so far!
 
1. The weight. It feels much heavier due to its tight form factor.

2. The speed at which I can type in landscape mode. I find it very easy to use and get better speeds than my full-sized Apple keyboard. In portrait mode, not so much.
 
  • Battery life - as many have already said, it's actually brilliant. Let's hope the iPad's battery is the shape of mobile device batteries to come.
  • The ease of switching it on and being instantly just there, on the internet, in my email, doing whatever I wish. Granted, my MacBook is also just there, but when using any laptop computer there's a sense of sitting to attention when using it. Not with the iPad.
  • The on-screen keyboard. After a week's practice it's really as good as a regular keyboard for me. Hitting the lower row of letters instead of the 'spacebar' is a common early mistake---but it passes. And there's a shortcut for apostrophes (tap-and-swipe the comma key). I still want to see cursor arrow keys in future updates though.
 
Everything about this device is top notch. I think I was most impressed with the screen.

My second observation is the apple case. You may be put off by the "portfolio" look but trust me, when it's in the "prop up mode" or whatever you want to call it, this device is simply a pleasure to use. When it's not sitting between two recliners looking almost console-ish, I use it on one of those belkin lap boards which gives it even more of an angle. Definitely two thumbs up for that combo!

Things I'm waiting for include:

Google earth optimized for the iPad

Using it for fantasy football
 
I wasnt expecting to enjoy using it quite so much. It is a joy to toucj my way through games and web browsers alike.

I also wasnt expecting to go back on my iMac, get engrossed in some article or forum and start touching the screen instead of using my mouse. I havent done it too often but I have done it more than a couple of times now:eek:
 
Still waiting for my 3G, but the one thing I didn't expect is been to the apple store a lot while using the ipad it crashed wouldn't load any apps so I showed the know it all kid and he hit the power down and handed it back to me and said he has to reset them a lot because tons of people use them.
 
3 things that surprised me about iPad. 2 good and 1 bad.

Its thinner than I imagined it would be.
It's easier to type on than I thought it would be.
It is heavier than I imagined. Not heavy enough to dislike, or complain about. Just heavier than I thought

Overall, I freaking love it.

-Sent from iPad!
 
Ease of use!

So incredibly easy to use, puts the fun back in email, surfing, buying, learning, reading and exploring, something I have sorely missed using standard PCs for many years.
 
I suppose I'm surprised that the iPad has pretty much displaced my 17" MBP for daily activity. The iPad is just easier to use and the smaller screen size doesn't bother me like I thought it would..
 
greygray said:
The IPS screen is pretty nice.
Click to expand...

See I'm so undecided on that one because, yes, it is great, it serves its purpose when sharing and such. But what about work? Everyone around can see what your doing. Not to mention in public, tech like this obviously attracts eyes weather your using it or not. And no I'm not just talking about Porn like others. But I don't want people reading my emails with me either! Lol.
 
I didn't expect the lack of a one great feature. It's truly not perfect at any one thing. In fact, I am disappointed that Apple hasn't made anything with it perfection vs. other products. I had expected Apple to include a web camera to make it the first perfect video communication device - I guess that will come with the first revision to the original iPad? Or to the iPhone HD first? I still think the iPad would be better at video communication with its bigger display and natural position while holding it.

I didn't expect the display to be so bright and the colors to be so amazing from a portable device. I know it's an IPS display, but it's also portable with nearly 12 hours of battery between charges for me, so how does it get such a great image on that display with such a small battery and such great performance?

Overall, I think it has an amazing future. For now, I am disappointed. I think the apps designed specifically for the iPad will change its purpose and lack of being exceptionally great at doing any one thing to being great at many things.
 
The speed is amazing. Flat out..

All of the reviews stated it was but as soon as I took this out of the package at the apple store, (I didn't bother playing with a demo), it just felt so... Right. Maps on the thing are incredible! And of coarse the photos, there's almost NO buffering or waiting for them to load like with an iPod touch.

Another thing that is surprising is the battery, I don't know who manufactures these things but energizer should be the advertiser because if anything keeps going and going and going, it's this. I can't stress enough, how much work I can do, and games I can play, and surfing, and YouTube. And never have to worry about a dead battery. It's truly.........."magical"... :D:D hahah just kidding but yes... it is incredible..

OH and one more, this probably surprised me most of all.. How USEFUL the screen rotation lock is. I could DEFINITELY see this on the iPhone or iPod touch but somehow didn't picture myself laying on my side using this (considering the [surprisingly] hefty weight). Although this feature comes in handy so much I can not preach it enough, actually come to think of it, I NEVER have the rotation lock off until I'm ready to purposefully tip the device up and change its orientation.

Just a few of the many reasons I may just be addicted to this product.
 
Kibbe17 said:
See I'm so undecided on that one because, yes, it is great, it serves its purpose when sharing and such. But what about work? Everyone around can see what your doing. Not to mention in public, tech like this obviously attracts eyes weather your using it or not. And no I'm not just talking about Porn like others. But I don't want people reading my emails with me either! Lol.
Click to expand...

View them on your iPhone then. :)

I will be taking my iPad to class every day, and I haven't even thought about the IPS' viewing angles as a negative yet! Professors will be able to see what I am doing much easier than a laptop, but I am not one to go on Facebook or play games during class time though.

The iPad has pretty much replaced my computer for web-consumption.
 
I had myself convinced that I would skip the first generation and wait for next years model. To me there were serious omissions and I could not see what was "magical" about a hyperthyroid iPod touch.

Then I made the mistake of handling one at best buy. Not only were most of my concerns addressed in it's feature set and software but the ipad was truly more than the sum of it's parts. You really have no idea until you pick one up and use one. I bought one on the spot and don't regret it.

It's screen is fantastic. Battery life terrific. Many flash heavy sites I use seem to recognize it and somehow give me a full experience without flash. The built in software is good and there are many great apps already available - although. Many are unpolished and have gaps in their features.

On the down side the lack of file system is hard to deal with and many third party apps address it in different ways. Mobilme integration would help here to allow easy access to your airport or Mac. Also it take a lot of USB power to charge making many universal USB chargers less useful.

Overall I am happy with this first generation device even with it's foibles and warts and that surprises me most of all.
 
One thing? Zero for me. It's exactly what I expected. A big screened iPod Touch with the same limitations.
 
I didn't expect to be outright floored by this device. I know this will sound silly, but I was actually shaking when I started using it - thats how wonderful my first experience was. I knew right away this was going to be a winner.

Now its like Christmas every time I open the iTunes store... checking for updates of existing apps, finding new apps etc. I have my whole life on my iPad and I'm addicted to learning new ways it can change how I work (and play). Make no mistake Android wannabes, this thing is for real.

So call me a fan-boy or whatever.. hate Apple or the iPad all you want... its your loss. This thing is incredible and no doubt will continue to improve generation over generation and as new apps and OS releases come in.

Apple is once again way out in front.
 
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