Why the iPad is not "insanely great"

[dukebound85]

You're still missing the point in two different posts that try to explain clearly.

No I'm not missing any point. The logic just isn't there as far as I can see.

Let me put it another way, it's a hassle you don't want to put up with. You're not the market target for the iPad. There are far more people who's willing to put up the hassle for an iPad as they are not much more of a hassle than a book. A laptop is. People can choose to buy an iPod Touch with 3" screen or take a 10" screen device.

I realize that many "want" the ipad because it's the new thing from apple

However, a laptop is just as convenient to tote around as a book as well. An ipad is nearly the size of a laptop surface area wise.

Explain how the ipad is more convenient? At that size, it makes no difference as you will most likely store it in a back pack or a brifcase and once you do that, its as bad as a laptop. You could tote it in a sleeve, but the same can be said for a laptop also. I just dont see the advantage at that size

The fact that the iphone is truly portable is a huge reason for its success imo

I predict the ipad will follow the likes of apple tv. A unique niche that is not universal

Time will tell

What's "the OP" buddy?

And yes, babbling or talking BS about something you have absolutely no clue about is fun. Join the party dude.

OP = original poster

 

[Hmac]

Dear Hardcore Computer Users and Techies (Of Which I Am One),

The iPad was NOT made for us.

'Fraid I must disagree. At least for me.

I'm a hardcore computer user and a Techie. But I also watch TV, movies, read books and casually sit around surfing the internet.

Is it OK if I get an iPad for those things as well as connecting out of wifi range, but still keep my Mac Pro and 30" ACD's, my MacBook Pro for on-the-road computing, and my iPod Touch for music in my pocket?

I mean, it doesn't have to be one or the other, right? We can all have the computing devices and media devices that we want, right?

 

[andrew upstairs]

How does the ipad create music?

There are no inputs on the thing meaning you cant do much with it

You don't need inputs to create music, you need an output, which it has. There are a ton of great DAWs and synths already for the iPhone. You can even use it as a controller for software like Logic. The iPad is big news for music creation.

 

[smetvid]

I actually kind of agree about people not wanting to haul it around. Of course it is light and small but how exactly are people going to carry it walking down the street or in the mall or amusement park? Unless you want to haul around a man purse or backpack you will be forced to carry it in your hand. Now as a laptop user I have no problem with a man purse to haul it around with but not everybody feels that way.

Lets take the cool type of kid. Many of them have Iphones because like it was said they can fit in a pocket. The Ipad will not. In a day and age where young girls just do not want to use a purse anymore because they just don't want to carry stuff I have a hard time seeing those young people buying into this. It is cool for teens to have the hip phone but many wouldn't be caught dead walking around with this thing they have to worry about all the time. Now business people may like this thing because they have no problem with such a device but I just don't see the average Joe using one of these.

Another example is my dad who works in a machine shop. He can take the Iphone with him to work and keep it in his pocket but he would never be able to carry around an Ipad in a shoulder bag all day at work.

I think it will have a much smaller niche market then the Iphone. The concept is great but just not practical for a lot of people.

Getting back to the OP. While touchscreen is nice for small level tasks it can cause a high level of fatigue compared to a mouse. A mouse was designed so your hand could rest on the desk. This equals very little fatigue. Working on a touch screen for hours at a time means your hands are always floating and never resting. Your hands are also constantly moving to perform the same function as a slight mouse move on a desk. My company designs touch screen kiosks for museums and we have used every form of touch screen technology including a stupid WII Remote with IR tape on a finger and for extended periods of time the process can get tiring. Just something to think of when thinking of the Ipad as a computer replacement.

 

[master-ceo]

All it is, is a "cool" toy that I have to try out, even tho I know its mediocre compared to what I already have. With the info I have on it right now, I can't see myself getting anything productive done on it. I'll always go running to my desktop pc or mbp. As long as I still own a iphone, my first instinct would be to use that, if I gotta do something quick, like check an email or do a google search etc...

This why i'll just get the base model if any.

 

[TheCableGuy]

Looking forward to the iPad

I think a lot of people are seriously underestimating the utility of the iPad and similar devices.

I’m a heavy iPhone 3GS user – but, I really don’t care much for the web experience on the device. Sure, it’s vastly better than what I would expect from any other mobile device – and, it works -- but it could be dramatically improved with a larger screen. The iPad offers that.

Most of my non-work-related computer needs can be met by my iPhone. The experience I’ll have on an iPad will be greatly improved. And, it’s so much easier / faster to launch applications than grabbing my 5 pound laptop, getting it out of sleep mode, launching Safari, and surfing over to the New York Times or whatever.

Combine immediate and efficient access with a touch based layout and larger screen – this thing is going to change the way we interact with the internet, particularly at home. It won’t replace my office laptop. I won’t want to work on it. But, I can think of many things I’ll use this for:

(1) Nearly all casual surfing at home and any time I need fast access to information on the web.
(2) Newspaper reading – particularly once content is optimized for the device.
(3) Remote TV watching (Slingbox) and movies on the plane / during travel.
(4) Casual email use.
(5) Personal ‘life’ management – keeping everything in order – instant access to calendars, photos, Evernote, ToDo, et al

It does not replace my iPhone – it’s complementary. The same UI, each offering different utility – it’s a powerful combination, IMO. I don’t need to use it to know what it offers because it’s just a big iPhone. But, that’s a great thing, IMO.

On a side note – those who think AppleTV is a flop are in for a big surprise in the next couple of years, I would imagine.

 

[MisterMe]

...

Explain how the ipad is more convenient? ...

It has already been explained to you, but you ignored the explanation.

 

[dukebound85]

It has already been explained to you, but you ignored the explanation.

The explanation is severely lacking "substance"

They both need to be handled in a case of some sort, either carried or in a sleeve or what not

The "inconvenience" of taking a battery isn't a concern if you already must bring a case

The "inconvenience" of using a hinge isn't an inconvience at all...especially when transporting it

Where is this great savings in inconvenience by using an ipad over a laptop when deciding to take it with you?

 

[anjinha]

The explanation is severely lacking "substance"

They both need to be handled in a case of some sort, either carried or in a sleeve or what not

The "inconvenience" of taking a battery isn't a concern if you already must bring a case

The "inconvenience" of using a hinge isn't an inconvience at all...especially when transporting it

Where is this great savings in inconvenience by using an ipad over a laptop when deciding to take it with you?

You seriously don't see a difference between carrying something like this and carrying a laptop bag with a charger, maybe extra battery, cables, etc?

(these are Griffin iPad cases BTW)

 

[Sketh]

Where is this great savings in inconvenience by using an ipad over a laptop when deciding to take it with you?

When you can't really pop a squat, I'd imagine the iPad would much better handle the situation.

Also, if you're already taking a case, how is not having a screen without a hinge more of an inconvenience than using a laptop. No matter how small the inconvenience, the iPad still has it beat.

 

[vini-vidi-vici]

tech people just don't get it...

People will buy it because they want one. They won't buy one because they think it'll make their lives easier. If that was the case, there would be no television set over about 24 inches. What does a 56 inch HDTV really give you that a 24 inch model will not? It's just frickin cool, that's what. That's why people spend thousands of dollars on the things... and that's why they'll spend $499+ on the iPad - it's just frickin' cool.

When someone hands you one to look at their photos, or to check out some silly game... or when you go to the store and can play with one... you'll be interacting with a sleek device; a bright crisp screen that responds to your every touch and movement. It'll be like nothing you've ever used before, and at $499, a lot of people will be able to justify the expense.

It's the same reason people by a $499 golf club. It's the same reason people buy the $25,000 car instead of the $22,000 model. It's the same reason people buy boats, RVs, playstations, hot tubs, art, etc... None of these things are needed, yet people buy them and enjoy them. In small ways, they (at least promise to) enrich our lives.

The beauty of the iPad is that it's a chameleon - it can become so many different things. Like to fish? ok, here's a fishing app. Like to golf? here's a golfing app. Like to read? here's a book. Yoga? here's a routine you can watch. Like to compose haiku?.. as they say, there's an app for that.

And it's something that people don't have to learn. It just responds. That's why the iPhone OS is on it. That's why there is no multitasking. 90% of people have no idea what multitasking (wrt/ computers) is. This is the most brain-dead, intuitive OS out there. You just put your finger on stuff and it works.

It doesn't matter if you can take the iPad with you or not. Some people will bring it everywhere with them, some won't. Some people will live on theirs, others will use it for photos, but not much else. But they'll all get one.

 

[vini-vidi-vici]

One other thing...

The iPad is a social device. I can't "cuddle with my sweetie" and do anything on an iPhone. I can't do that on a laptop either - it's just too cumbersome. But, with an iPad? It's big enough that we can both share the experience, yet small enough that it's not clunky to use.

I'm going out on a limb here, but I bet you the iPad is the kind of device that could actually improve one's close personal relationships. When I'm on my computer surfing the web or whatever, my back is turned to the world. When I'm on my iPhone (or iPod Touch), it's a personal experience.

I know more than one couple who have a degree of angst in their relationship because one of them spends a lot more time in front of the computer than in front of their spouse. I think the iPad is something that can bring people back together.

PS: In my next posts, I will explain how the iPad will help achieve peace in Afghanistan, bring Democrats and Republicans together to get things done in DC, lower the unemployment rate, end knee pain, and make good beer more widely available. Kumbaya!!!

 

[drtyrell]

Another way to look at criticism for the iPad is to remember that hundreds of millions of people worldwide actually think the next version of Windows is the cat's pajamas. The Apple fan base has the same slice of lunatics who wouldn't know innovation if it were a phantasmic ball routing through their innards.

Again, that's what's great about living in a free country, we can disagree AND throw money away at the same time!

 

[FrankieTDouglas]

You've split it into content consumption and content creation, saying it's great for the former, bad for the latter. Except you've made the mistake in assuming content creation comes primarily in the form of writing. What about music creation, video editing, graphic and design work, animation, 3D design, etc. — These things will, by far, be made better with a touchscreen interface. Maybe the iPad hardware isn't powerful enough to edit HD footage just yet, but give it a couple of generations and it'll probably become my primary machine for video work, music creation, and design.

Actually, no. Let's look at some history... a lot of visual imagery originated from painting. Painters had the option of using their hands to create paintings. Some do. They're called finger paintings, usually done by children. The usage of brushes allowed finer control over their work.

When I work in post-production, I often use a wacom. It allows me to use a fine tip to broad stroke interface for precision. If I was using my finger, I'd lose all of this in a touch interface. My finger can't reduce down to a 3 pixel brush size. Finger's great to maybe to touch a preset, but for serious work, no thanks.

And really, having large touchscreen interfaces moves us closer to screens. We have to sit within an arm's length to reach out and touch a screen over and over. Apple and other companies are increasingly raising the brightness of their displays. So if you combine that with closer and closer sitting, inverse square rule kicks into overdrive and we create eye fatigue at faster rates. I always try to sit as far back from the screen as possible while working. In fact, many video editors work off of multiple screens around a desk, some many feet beyond them, and often work while standing.

This is not even including the unnecessary arm fatigue we'd experience by constantly having to raise and move arms around in repeated gesture for 10-12 hours a day. Relaxed arms on a keyboard avoids all of these ailments.

Perhaps if you actually did any of these media professions, you'd understand. Simply spouting off some "digital jobs" to validate your position makes no sense if there's no understanding behind the professions.

 

[MikhailT]

Actually, no. Let's look at some history... a lot of visual imagery originated from painting. Painters had the option of using their hands to create paintings. Some do. They're called finger paintings, usually done by children. The usage of brushes allowed finer control over their work.

When I work in post-production, I often use a wacom. It allows me to use a fine tip to broad stroke interface for precision. If I was using my finger, I'd lose all of this in a touch interface. My finger can't reduce down to a 3 pixel brush size. Finger's great to maybe to touch a preset, but for serious work, no thanks.

And really, having large touchscreen interfaces moves us closer to screens. We have to sit within an arm's length to reach out and touch a screen over and over. Apple and other companies are increasingly raising the brightness of their displays. So if you combine that with closer and closer sitting, inverse square rule kicks into overdrive and we create eye fatigue at faster rates. I always try to sit as far back from the screen as possible while working. In fact, many video editors work off of multiple screens around a desk, some many feet beyond them, and often work while standing.

This is not even including the unnecessary arm fatigue we'd experience by constantly having to raise and move arms around in repeated gesture for 10-12 hours a day. Relaxed arms on a keyboard avoids all of these ailments.

Perhaps if you actually did any of these media professions, you'd understand. Simply spouting off some "digital jobs" to validate your position makes no sense if there's no understanding behind the professions.

First the brightness aren't going to be an issue considering you can adjust it or the ambient light sensor will adjust to your workroom.

Secondly, I don't think professionals are going to use an iPad in the way you're suggesting, but it might be nice for quick editing sessions at client's locations or something like that.

 

[*LTD*]

The iPad is already changing the face of the publishing industry, has been the topic of conversation everywhere tech-related, and has forced Amazon's hand as well as that of other tech companies.

It's not even on the shelves, yet it's already a game-changer.

 

[KnightWRX]

You seriously don't see a difference between carrying something like this and carrying a laptop bag with a charger, maybe extra battery, cables, etc?

(these are Griffin iPad cases BTW)

Yes, I do see a difference. Those iPad cases look like a bitch to carry around. My laptop bag has a strap which I can just throw over my shoulders, leaving both my hands free to handle stuff.

Oh wait, you meant those iPad cases were better than laptop bags right ?

 

[Hmac]

Yes, I do see a difference. Those iPad cases look like a bitch to carry around. My laptop bag has a strap which I can just throw over my shoulders, leaving both my hands free to handle stuff.

Oh wait, you meant those iPad cases were better than laptop bags right ?

See, I like the iPad concept because it will fit very nicely in my laptop bag - easy way to carry both.

 

[applebum]

The explanation is severely lacking "substance"

They both need to be handled in a case of some sort, either carried or in a sleeve or what not

The "inconvenience" of taking a battery isn't a concern if you already must bring a case

The "inconvenience" of using a hinge isn't an inconvience at all...especially when transporting it

Where is this great savings in inconvenience by using an ipad over a laptop when deciding to take it with you?

Not sure why this is so hard to understand, but here is how there a great savings for me. I am working on my master's degree online. I need the internet to log into my classroom and read the discussion boards and many, many PDFs. I currently carry a laptop bag with my laptop, cords, a notebook, and a few textbooks. It weighs close to 50lbs. When I go to the bookstore to study, I can't take just the laptop, as I can only count on about three hours of battery life with everything I have to do. I must sit at a table with a hard chair so that I can be near a power outlet, plus that is the best way to read on the "clamshell" hinged laptop. Occasionally I will sit in a comfy chair with the laptop on my knees, but it isn't very comfortable, plust the laptop has slipped off several times. Now, with the iPad I am hoping to only carry the iPad in a small cover - that's it. I will be able to log onto my class and read the DB posts, I can download the PDFs and read them, hopefully my textbooks will also be available on the iPad, but probably not immediately. I will be able to do all this in a comfy chair while holding a coffee drink. I won't need to carry a plug, because 10 hours is more than enough for the studying I will do at the bookstore - even half that will be enough. I will even be able to jot a few notes on the notepad app or in Pages. So I will still be able to do all the same things carrying only 2-3lbs instead of 50. I don't know, seems a lot more convenient to me.

 

[anjinha]

See, I like the iPad concept because it will fit very nicely in my laptop bag - easy way to carry both.

Well, for me it will replace the huge folder of PDFs I have to carry for school. I will either carry it in my arm (which is what I do with the folder now), or in my book bag or in my purse (when I use a big purse that it). It is a lot more convenient than having to bring my laptop bag, with cables and everything, just for the sake of reading a few PDFs on the bus.

I never said it would be useful for everyone. But it is a lot better to have to carry something as thin and light as the iPad then having to carry a laptop that I won't really need .

 

[KnightWRX]

Not sure why this is so hard to understand, but here is how there a great savings for me. I am working on my master's degree online. I need the internet to log into my classroom and read the discussion boards and many, many PDFs. I currently carry a laptop bag with my laptop, cords, a notebook, and a few textbooks. It weighs close to 50lbs. When I go to the bookstore to study, I can't take just the laptop, as I can only count on about three hours of battery life with everything I have to do. I must sit at a table with a hard chair so that I can be near a power outlet, plus that is the best way to read on the "clamshell" hinged laptop. Occasionally I will sit in a comfy chair with the laptop on my knees, but it isn't very comfortable, plust the laptop has slipped off several times. Now, with the iPad I am hoping to only carry the iPad in a small cover - that's it. I will be able to log onto my class and read the DB posts, I can download the PDFs and read them, hopefully my textbooks will also be available on the iPad, but probably not immediately. I will be able to do all this in a comfy chair while holding a coffee drink. I won't need to carry a plug, because 10 hours is more than enough for the studying I will do at the bookstore - even half that will be enough. I will even be able to jot a few notes on the notepad app or in Pages. So I will still be able to do all the same things carrying only 2-3lbs instead of 50. I don't know, seems a lot more convenient to me.

You're using your usage for battery figures on the laptop and quoting max battery figures on the iPad. Doesn't work that way, unless you want to claim 7 hours of battery on the laptop. Your textbooks as ebooks would be as available on a laptop as they would be on iPad. I have no comfort issues using a laptop on my lap. Leaves both my hands free to type. You count weight savings on the iPad through using eBooks and not bringing along a power cord. You can do both on a laptop. Just get one with a better battery.

Seriously, there's a reason he's not understanding, it's because you people keep trying to justify the iPad with things that apply to the laptop as well. Find something that is unique to the iPad that is not some strange "I can read stuff standing up", and maybe some of the doubters will get it.

 

[DaveSW]

People usually have negative reactions to things they don't understand.

(ufo, ghosts, the iPad)

 

[FrankieTDouglas]

First the brightness aren't going to be an issue considering you can adjust it or the ambient light sensor will adjust to your workroom.

Secondly, I don't think professionals are going to use an iPad in the way you're suggesting, but it might be nice for quick editing sessions at client's locations or something like that.

Brightness is an issue when Apple continues to raise the luminance of their monitors. The current iMacs are incredibly brighter than cinema displays, with a higher lowest threshold of brightness. You cannot lower the brightness to levels previously found in monitors, and if you're having to sit closer and closer to monitors, this brightness doubles each time you double your distance closer.

As for professional usage, did you miss the whole context from the whole post I was replying to?

 

[MisterMe]

People usually have negative reactions to things they don't understand.

(ufo, ghosts, the iPad)

In jest, you make a good point. However, there is a more serious point to be made. By way of setup, the negative reaction that you are seeing on the part of some appears to be more theological than technological. Several anti-iPad fanatics have seen fit to write long screeds telling us that the new tablet will and should fail. We make fun of them, but they persist because they have divine knowledge. To them the iPad is heresy. It threatens their very way of life and must be thwarted in whatever way they can.

 

[DaveSW]

In jest, you make a good point. However, there is a more serious point to be made. By way of setup, the negative reaction that you are seeing on the part of some appears to be more theological than technological. Several anti-iPad fanatics have seen fit to write long screeds telling us that the new tablet will and should fail. We make fun of them, but they persist because they have divine knowledge. To them the iPad is heresy. It threatens their very way of life and must be thwarted in whatever way they can.

I agree.