True. But I find 16:9 doesn’t work very well in portrait mode, for reading and web browsing. It just feels too narrow. I think 4:3 is the best choice for a tablet device that’s designed to be used in both orientations.
If you only use it as a movie viewer, you’re probably right. But for any interactive use (including web browsing), the IPS display makes a huge difference. With normal (TN) LCD displays, you keep wanting to adjust the angle for best view. And that’s annoying because the best angle for reading the display is often not the most comfortable angle to hold and interact with the device.
(Although I haven’t actually used the iPad yet. I’m basing the above on the monitors and tablet PCs I’ve owned.)
If there was an ACTUAL BENEFIT I would be interested but I do not see that this thing does anything that I can’t already do, I’m too old and too tired for the “I have to have it, it’s NEW” thing.
I’ve never owned any iPod (always used other brand music players); don’t have an iPhone or iTouch; but I’m interested in the iPad. I’m going to wait awhile and see, but my gut says I’ll get one eventually.
I have nothing more to say until I go to the store and handle it. That could be dangerous itself.
And unclviny, I’m old too, but since I started taking my heart meds I don’t have much else to get excited about.
I look forward to exchanging really cool emails with my grandkids.
Another by god passionate one.
And that has been answered many times.
For me, it’s because I want one. And I don’t have to ask mommy (wife).
But you did give me an idea for a real money maker.
Let me see, 10"x8"x.5" at 1.5 lbs.
I really don’t get what’s amazing about it. it’s a tiny screen without a keyboard that isn’t as powerful as a regular laptop. The reason you have to flip through stuff is because the screen is small. I would much rather scroll with a mouse or touchpad than to get my finger prints all over the screen. All the video examples show people having to input the same hand movements because the computer didn’t recognize what they did. I would find that annoying.
Other than saving weight this thing does nothing well. If Apple had taken their ultra thin lightweight laptop and made a tablet PC with a rotating screen they would have had something. Or better yet, a touch screen that pops off the motherboard. Sign me up. This is just another Apple vacuum cleaner designed to get the user to buy stuff from their store.
Once the novelty of flicking stuff around gets old you’re left with a a grossly underpowered featureless computer. Here’s an $1170 version of one.
If I wanted a portable computer, I would get an iPhone, or a laptop. Currently I have neither, because I don’t want or need a portable computer, so an iPad is not even on my radar.
I suspect that over the next couple of years, instead of other tablet devices being developed (though that will happen), laptops will instead adopt a lot of what makes the iPad successful, in which case I would still get said laptop instead of a tablet. To me a keyboard and mouse is crucial, and a touchscreen is just a funky addition.
I say this having only barely used an iPhone and not, of course, yet used an iPad.
3G is available on the iPad, just not on the one released today. If you want 3G, you’ll want to wait a few weeks for that version to be released.
As for me, I’m tempted, but at $499-829, it’s too expensive to buy as an indulgence given that I have no particular need for one. But I’m looking forward to seeing how other such products are released in the next few years. I think Windows 7 supports multitouch, so perhaps we’ll see products from HP or Dell that take advantage of the technology. Eventually you might be able to get an HDTV that has this technology built in.
Me? I’m a PC user, but have 2 iPods (1 in the car and 1 for running around exercising and the like) and an iPhone (love it - can’t live without it). My computer is a HP laptop. Also have a Kindle. I don’t need an iPad - it can’t do what the combo of my HP, Kindle & iPhone can do.
Seriously, when it comes down to it it is just a big iPhone without the camera or phone…
I can’t imagine the general douchebaggery that would go on if it was, since it is too big to hold up to your face. People would be sitting in public places with the damned thing on speaker, screaming into it.
Frankly, I’m torn. Not that I can afford one or really need it, but it does seem that you can buy a cheaper laptop that does far more.
That’s just it, I don’t think of the iPad as a laptop, or a phone, or a touch. It’s a new thing that appeals to people who want an iPad. Right now there’s no direct competitor out there. Not yet.
I did the “tours” on the Apple site. The iPad does a lot of cool stuff, all while your favorite music is playing.
No need for speaker phone. Easy enough to use Bluetooth and link with your Borg-like ear implant that lots of people seem to be walking around with these days.
That was my first thought. But after further thought i’m glad that it’s on a seperate service. You can modify your service as your needs (or wants) change. No contract.
I’m suspicious. The plan is reasonable and that just doesn’t sound like the AT&T I know and love. You can sign up for the limited ($15) plan, and if you approach your limit they’ll contact you with the options to add another $15 worth, change to the unlimited plan, or do nothing and reduce your usage.
Maybe the competition has them a little concerned?
I didn’t see an answer. I mean, I guess it fills a niche in the market between truly mobile devices (ie., smartphones) and laptops- but again, if it doesn’t fit in a pocket, what’s the point? You can already buy a netbook which does everything the iPad does, no?
I guess what I’m trying to say is that it doesn’t seem to offer any feature that’s truly useful and not already available elsewhere. Even if it did, it won’t be more than a few months before somebody else offers the feature more cheaply on an Android-based platform.
