Who would buy an Ipad if you already have a MBA and Kindle for Mac as of today?

[diabolic]

You really think typing on a totally flat touch screen with no tactile feedback will be a "more comfortable replacement" for your MBA?

Considering I manage to type long emails and forum posts from my iPhone all the time, I think so. We'll see. I'll use a bluetooth keyboard and dock if I decide I need one some of the time.

I think it will be nice to have a non-clamshell device to hold most of the time.

 

[rtabdo]

for me personally having both of those would make me hesitate, Although I'd likely sell the Kindle and pay a few extra bucks for the iPad

 

[turbineseaplane]

Subjective user preference. I find keyboards on laptops/netbooks awkward and in the way when I'm reading. And considering I only use keyboards very occasionarily when reading/surfing the web, the extra bulk gets very annoying quickly. Plus, I'm used to holding hardcover books in my lap when reading, and think that holding an iPad in my lap should be about as comfortable.

Interesting point you brought up at the end.

How many people on here have touched and used an iPad yet?

Isn't it stunning how Apple has convinced so many into pre-ordering a device that is not only new, it's also a whole new category of device!

It's amazing that people aren't willing to simply wait a bit, try one in person, and then decide.

Marketing is truly amazing, because everyone is pre-ordering based upon marketing of a device (through the web, videos, reviewers, etc)...all without having any personal experience with the device in question.

It's fascinating really.

 

[wolfpackfan]

Interesting point you brought up at the end.

How many people on here have touched and used an iPad yet?

I don't see the big deal. There has been enough press coverage and demonstrations to show what the device is like and how it will work. So if you like what you see, why not go ahead and pre-order it? Plus the fact that if you own an iPhone or Touch, you will know exactly how to use it straight out of the box.

 

[Night Spring]

Interesting point you brought up at the end.

How many people on here have touched and used an iPad yet?

Isn't it stunning how Apple has convinced so many into pre-ordering a device that is not only new, it's also a whole new category of device!

It's amazing that people aren't willing to simply wait a bit, try one in person, and then decide.

It's kind of like, add up everything you do know about the device. Then assume that everything you don't know would turn out in the worst way possible. Is it still useful to me? My answer was yes. Other people's answer will vary, of course.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It's kind of like, add up everything you do know about the device. Then assume that everything you don't know would turn out in the worst way possible. Is it still useful to me? My answer was yes. Other people's answer will vary, of course.

Don't get me wrong...

There's no "problem with it" or anything.

Everyone can do what they want with their money. I'm just saying it's interesting to watch

 

[SteveSparks]

It seems to me that this announcement today has defeated the purpose of a purchase of an Ipad. What is your guys opinions on the subject?

No.

You carry a laptop on the bus to read a book?
Whats the point of an ipod when you an listen to MP3's on a computer.
Lets strap that laptop to my arm when I go jog!

Now I can do everything on one device

 

[rittchard]

for me personally having both of those would make me hesitate, Although I'd likely sell the Kindle and pay a few extra bucks for the iPad

If I'm interpreting the OP question correctly, he's asking if you owned an MBA and then downloaded the free Kindle for Mac application as a reader, would that make any difference in your decision to buy an iPad.

For me the answer is no. I've owned an MBA since it was released and I love it, it's my "go to" computer for almost all my immediate needs (quick checks on the internet, email, paying bills, etc etc). But even with the MBA I've been craving for something smaller and lighter and I believe the iPad is finally going to fit the bill. Balancing the MBA in one hand while navigating the trackpad can get awkward and there are places it just doesn't fit or sit well, so reading eBooks is really not a primary app for me.

For longer emails and typing I'll stick with the MBA but for reading, quick browsing and email checks the iPad is likely to replace the MBA.

 

[Night Spring]

Don't get me wrong...

There's no "problem with it" or anything.

Everyone can do what they want with their money. I'm just saying it's interesting to watch

Well pardon me if I misunderstood you, but your post suggested you thought that all preorders are totally due to marketing. I just thought I'd point out that some of us who preordered have put some thought into it.

 

[marksman]

I don't understand how a mac book air with a kindle reader on it is even close to the same thing as an iPad.

 

[FlashHead]

Interesting point you brought up at the end.

How many people on here have touched and used an iPad yet?

Isn't it stunning how Apple has convinced so many into pre-ordering a device that is not only new, it's also a whole new category of device!

It's amazing that people aren't willing to simply wait a bit, try one in person, and then decide.

Marketing is truly amazing, because everyone is pre-ordering based upon marketing of a device (through the web, videos, reviewers, etc)...all without having any personal experience with the device in question.

It's fascinating really.

I think it is undeniably fascinating. However, IMHO, I think it has more to do with the pent up desire for this form factor, attractive price, familiarity with the OS and the faith people have that Apple builds quality products.

Because it's from Apple, because it runs the iPhone/iPod Touch OS, its easy to imagine this product in your hands and know pretty much exactly how it will feel and work (minor details aside - all of which would be added benefits beyond what the iPod touch can do).

Personally, I was sold as soon as I heard it would be at the very least a a giant ipod touch. I love my ipod touch and having it in a larger screen, at a reasonable price, is going to be more useful to me than any other product I could imagine. (This is from a guy who hasn't found a need to even get a smartphone yet.)

So, with respect, I think that has more to do with the genius of planning and design than with the genius of marketing, selling us an unknown quantity.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Well pardon me if I misunderstood you, but your post suggested you thought that all preorders are totally due to marketing. I just thought I'd point out that some of us who preordered have put some thought into it.

Once again, fair enough...

Wasn't I reading about HUNDREDS of thousands of pre-orders?

I'd be surprised if that's all from the thoughtful types like yourself. Marketing clearly plays a huge role, no?

 

[mac jones]

I won't be reading and Kindle books on the Macs. It's just not comfortable for me.

Since we don't have the iPads yet it's a big question mark.

Best advice is to wait a while to see how this all pans out.

Having said that. If you want to read Kindle book I highly recommend the Kindle DX.

I use mine every day.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I won't be reading and Kindle books on the Macs. It's just not comfortable for me.

Since we don't have the iPads yet it's a big question mark.

Best advice is to wait a while to see how this all pans out.

Having said that. If you want to read Kindle book I highly recommend the Kindle DX.

I use mine every day.

This is another great point.
The e-ink screens have always been touted as better than a reflective LCD for reading...

...yet suddenly many people are calling the iPad a "kindle killer".

Wha? Why?

For reading and reading alone, the Kindle is far superior and easier on your eyeballs.

Can the iPad do more and thus Amazon may have to work harder and get the Kindle prices down? Absolutely...

But just because Apple is making the touch screen device doesn't suddenly mean that shiny LCD screens are now "great for reading for long periods of time!"

After all. Apple uses the same LCD technology has everyone else. It hasn't magically gotten better for long periods of time reading on it.

 

[Night Spring]

Once again, fair enough...

Wasn't I reading about HUNDREDS of thousands of pre-orders?

I'd be surprised if that's all from the thoughtful types like yourself. Marketing clearly plays a huge role, no?

Yeah, okay. I certainly concede not everyone would have thought it through! Be interesting to see how many "disappointed in my iPad" threads we get come April 3.

Oh, as for the poster who commented it's not "comfortable" to read with Kindle for Mac, I'm not sure if he was talking about the screen or the position. I've used Kindle for PC on my desktop, and it's not comfortable to read a full novel sitting at my desk -- I'd rather read on my sofa or bed. But I have no problem with reading on LCD screens, while eink gives me headaches because of the low contrast. I'm not saying eink or LCD is better, just that people can prefer one or the other, or even do ok with either.

 

[citi]

Me too. And I suspect that most MBA users do the same.

Watching video on the MBA is a point of constant frustration because the thing doesn't like flash. It seems to do better with HTML5 but it just wasn't designed to be use for media. Everything else, the MBA works great with.

I already pre-ordered my iPad, giving the MBA to my wife, using the MacBook Pro for the heavy lifing, and the Mac Mini, stays on for the rest of the family.

Done.

 

[Doju]

Yes, a keyboard and trackpad laptop with keyboard and trackpad software has definitely made my wonder why I'd want a touch-enabled slate device.

That makes perfect sense.

 

[jns2001]

I am the OP, I find amazing how flamed people become with a thread directed to discuss if you ALREADY have a MBA and the Kindle application, would you buy an Ipad? It is obvious that for someone that does not own a MBA it is a no brainer. I initially placed this in the MBA forum, and someone decided to move it here, where there is a broader audience of non MBA owners.

I have two MBA's one for me, one to my wife, I also have to keep a lenovo T60P due to some video cameras that I have in my house, which I hate, but I will not purchase an Imac to replace it. I also was "given" a Dell e4300 from work, and since I work from home I need to keep it as well.

Next week I am on my way to Amsterdan on a KLM flight that has no power ports except in Business (mind you 4K to upgrade, not doing it), and I resorted to my MBA, a Hypermac extended battery, and several movies and tv series to watch on this 12 hour flight each way. This morning I found out that I can also buy a book and not carry extra weight by using the Kindle application. So, now I have movies, tv series, songs (I have an Iphone as well), and books, in a small package that is almost the same weight of the Ipad (a pound is not a lot of difference), and if you would throw the book that I am leaving home in the equation I am carrying less weight, and I have a full featured computer to work with.

 

[Night Spring]

I have two MBA's one for me, one to my wife, I also have to keep a lenovo T60P due to some video cameras that I have in my house, which I hate, but I will not purchase an Imac to replace it. I also was "given" a Dell e4300 from work, and since I work from home I need to keep it as well.

Next week I am on my way to Amsterdan on a KLM flight that has no power ports except in Business (mind you 4K to upgrade, not doing it), and I resorted to my MBA, a Hypermac extended battery, and several movies and tv series to watch on this 12 hour flight each way. This morning I found out that I can also buy a book and not carry extra weight by using the Kindle application. So, now I have movies, tv series, songs (I have an Iphone as well), and books, in a small package that is almost the same weight of the Ipad (a pound is not a lot of difference), and if you would throw the book that I am leaving home in the equation I am carrying less weight, and I have a full featured computer to work with.

Sounds like your use case doesn't leave much room for an iPad anyway. The Kindle for Mac saves you from carrying around a book, not from buying an iPad.

 

[jns2001]

Sounds like your use case doesn't leave much room for an iPad anyway. The Kindle for Mac saves you from carrying around a book, not from buying an iPad.

That's true, but I was anxious to buy it before, now I can wait and see what happens to the first buyers, if the product is great (for some reason, I think it won't run as smooth as a Macbook when it comes to video), then I will have to get one...I envision a Newsweek magazine, where instead of a page of static images for commercials, you would see a short movie, or enter your e-mail to participate in some sort of contest.

We shall see...

 

[the.orange.tuba]

I see no advantage to iPad over what I already have.

I have a MBP 13, iPhone and a Kindle. I won't be getting an iPad, because I want flash for Hulu, etc. Also, my MBP is more comfortable in my lap(no hands required!) for all my uses like sitting on the sofa watching movies, email, Skyping, music, web surfing, etc. than holding an iPad especially if I am typing. I don't know for sure but it seems that holding the iPad with one hand is just more awkward vs chilling with MBP on my lap. Kindle is much smaller, lighter and easier to hold than iPad. The only reason that I might like an iPad is to have the back-lighting even though it would be harder on the eyes than the Kindle. I love my MBP and Kindle and the iPad just doesn't add anything significant and is even lacking for my purposes. They do look cool though! Additional thought, if I didn't already have a Kindle then yeah I might get a snazzy colorful Apple iPad! All those extra features for just a little more would be tempting.

 

[blackNBUK]

After all. Apple uses the same LCD technology has everyone else. It hasn't magically gotten better for long periods of time reading on it.

This isn't entirely right, the iPad has an IPS screen that hasn't been seen in this sector before. Previously they were limited to high quality monitors. I use an IPS monitor myself and love it; the viewing angle, colour reproduction and colour stability are all much better than cheaper TN panels. We'll have to wait and see if this makes it a good ereader.

 

[racer1441]

Fair point, but many of us would argue that even the web surfing, email and forum posting you mention are all better with an actual keyboard.

The guy said it would be a "more comfortable replacement". That's what I'm disputing here.

It's really more comfortable to hold up a touch screen or awkwardly lay it against your legs than use a nice clamshell design?

Seriously?

I would be. HATE buttons. Like nice flush touch controls.

I can very easily see my computers lying idle once the iPad comes.

 

[nightfly13]

I'll be downgrading my MBP

For me and my family, we'll downgrade from a mid-range 15" MBP to a 13", which will finance the lion's share of a low-end iPad purchase. The 15" is pretty big for a lounging machine (I use it for travel and my wife uses it every day on a huge round chair and it's over-sized for the task). I suspect my wife will learn to use the iPad over even the 13" MBP we'll be buying. I also have a Kindle 2 and we both have iPhones. I bought my Kindle 2 in November, so while in retrospect, it would have been good to wait for the iPad, it's still very very good at the one task of reading eBooks. There are times when we both want to read on the Kindle (we don't live in normal book shipping range) so having more options (iPad, iPhones, MBP screen) will be terrific.

Since I have a powerful Mac desktop with huge LCD screens, it could be argued that an extra device in addition to iPhones and the MBP and Kindle is overkill, but I think the iPad will be an awesome introduction to computing for my kids, aged 4 and 3 (and 1), there will be sufficient use in years and months to come.

Having said all that, I do love the Kindle for Mac App. I haven't decided if it's better on my portrait 1080p monitor or stretched out big on my 30".

 

[woodekm]

I won't be reading and Kindle books on the Macs. It's just not comfortable for me.

Since we don't have the iPads yet it's a big question mark.

Best advice is to wait a while to see how this all pans out.

Having said that. If you want to read Kindle book I highly recommend the Kindle DX.

I use mine every day.

I probably missed something.....BIG.

Will Ipad be able to buy/read amazon books and vice versa, or is there some kind of pissing match between the two, because of the iPad entry into the market?

I would think they make more money off of the media (books) than the readers anyway- so who cares?

I ask because I want to buy my mother an Ereader (either the kindle or the iPad) this coming Christmas and to her, the more books available, is the one Ill get her. Shes not too tech savy so the iPad might be an overkill.

Ive already reserved an iPad for myself, but I dont know how to read (Jus Jokn - ironically, I hate reading but Love the internet). Just saying that ebooks arent anything Ill ever get into. You get the idea though.