Thoughts from Rod
I hoped for something good and got an oversized iPod Touch. I just cannot see buying this device without getting it to replace something else. I have a friend that wants to buy my MacBook Air, maybe I will part with that and pick one up. Actually, most likely not. This is a massive disappointment. Any tech outlet making excuses or trying to make you believe this POS is worth buying has lost their creditability.
Thoughts From Chris
Let me first say that I really wanted to hate the iPad. I had been waiting all day like everyone else, but for a completely different reason. I just wanted to hate everything about it. The truth is I don't hate it. I can't hate it because I don't understand it. I get what a tablet is and how I would use it around the house. But what I don't get is how is this thing revolutionary? The tablet looks very pretty. It has a nice screen. Looks just like my old iPod Touch. I have no problem dropping 5 6 or 700 dollars on a device if it is new and really cool. But it has to make sense and solve a problem. I would rather get a NetBook for 350 that has a full OS on it then this thing. Look no further than the fact that they touted the on screen keyboard but conveniently built a keyboard accessory. But the first thing to start the announcement was the fact that the NetBook was just a cheap laptop. Stop it! There was not one thing that impressed me about this tablet. But there was a statement that impressed me. And that was the fact that a deal was in place with AT&T. They must have some dirt on Steve.
Price with WiFi Only
- $499 with 16GB Storage
- $599 with 32GB Storage
- $699 with 64GB Storage
Price with WiFi and 3G
- $629 with 16GB Storage
- $729 with 32GB Storage
- $829 with 64GB Storage
AT&T Data Service Plans
- $14.99 for 250MB with no contract
- $29.99 for unlimited data with no contract
I was so shocked they blasted the NetBook then built a Keyboard dock making their device a Netbook with a removable keyboard that is not portable.
Book Store
- Edward Kenney True Compass book for $14.99 on iPad
- Edward Kenney True Compass book for $9.99 on Kindle
Technical Specs
- .5 inch thick
- 1.5 lbs
- 10 hr battery life
- 9.7 inch IPS display (Not OLED like Zune HD)
- NO CAMERA
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- Speaker
- Microphone
- WiFi 802.11 n
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Yeah, me too. Yawn! I was really prepared to be blown away, even against my will. This was just pathetic. Nothing revolutionary and it is obvious they caved in to the Big Book publishers. Why would I pay 30-40% more to have the cover in color? Oh wait, I can have it in color for the same price on my Netbook! I love the Tablet slate format, but I am going to wait for HP or Dell or someone else to give it to me in a machine that runs Windows 7 and will hopefully support digital ink.
You guys are drinking the hater-aid. It is a very slick device with aproven echo-system. What’s not to like? Why would you use a camera?
I would use a camera for IM and i can guarantee you the next one will have it or it will be an adapter you can buy. But there is no way that you can tell me that you were impressed with this device. If so what was it that impressed you? It looks nice I will give you that but wouldn’t you rather have a NetBook?
Rob Rob Rob Rob Rob Rob
Just because Steve Jobs says a NetBook is crappy and not particularly good at anything does not make it so. Additionally, if you buy a NetBook with the goal of a laptop replacement you will be disappointed. Just as if you want an iPad to replace your computer.
I have 5 Macs, 2 iPhones, 1 Airport Express, 1 Time Capsule I am in no way an Apple hater. That said the iPad just missed the hype market for me. Additionally, it failed to deliver anything additional over what I can do with existing technology today.
The iPhone/iPod Touch is amazing as it is the internet in your pocket and the form factor is such that it is with you everywhere, including the bathroom. The iPad is the iPod Touch but larger and that I do not need. It makes for an awkward device to hold compared to being able to do everything with a single hand on the iPhone or iPod touch.
I am lazy but holding an iPod Touch is effortless vs something the size of a Kindle. I have not doubt this hits some market I am just not part of that.
I cannot begin to believe someone that bought a netbook would be happy with an iPad. Your limited to only Apple Approved Apps on a iPad. You may tolerate that on the iPhone but would you do the same on your MacBook/iMac/MacPro/Mac Mini?
With a netbook you can do background apps. Forget the reality distortion field today’s apps you need background processing.
I cannot agree with you more that the quality of many Netbooks from a build perspective stink but this is starting to change for example look at the Nokia Netbook. Bing for Nokia 3G Booklet.
Don’t fall for the Bluetooth keyboard that is a USB Dock keyboard. Yep, you have to pay a Vig to Apple to use the dock connector. Why have a keyboard…to make it more like a netbook and that is an extra cost.
Let me know how you like it. I may spend to get one for review but I just don’t see this being remotely as popular as the iPhone.
I have used netbook. They are horrible user experiences that don’t do anything well. I’ve watched countless friends return them because they are so under powered.
What I am hoping too is that this ipad goes after those crappy 500$ toshiba laptops that always break in a year. I have 3 friends that have gone through this, with those crappy best buy crap tops.
At 499$ the basic user has all they need. Web browsing, music, video, a little word processing (with bluetooth keyboard). On top of the existing app echosystem, for me it’s a no brainer.
I think this device has great potential. Is it EVERYthing people WANTed. No, but think of original iphone.
All, that said by me, I can’t justify buying one based that I have an iphone now. I’d like one, but I love the portability and I use the camera too much in my iphone to give up.
I believe people looking at ipod touches or netbooks should take a serious look at the ipad with all of its capabilities.
So you agree with me…PERFECT. The missing camera is a huge bummer as this would have been a great skype device. Ashley is looking at a NetBook but the form factor rules out the iPad and a host of other Tablet computers. For me this cannot replace my MacBook Air let alone my iPhone.
Thanks for making me think about this more
I guess you didn’t see Steve Job’s secondary you tube video about some of the additional ipad uses…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eF0y0IfpPU
LOL. I totally forgot to include this in the podcast show notes
That is funny we talked about that last night
Guys, this is all fun and games. But how can a CEO of a company like Apple come out and state, that the iPad provides the best web browsing experience when NON of his handheld devices is capable of showing the most fundamental websites and modern Tech ,.. Adobe FLASH !!!!! Ever heard of that Steve ?!! How can you be so Ignorant and proprietary ?!
I though MS was the proprietary company??
Bastiaan you nailed it. What Apple is trying to do is change people’s perception of common sense.
Bastiaan, that is a great frigging point.
It’s all about marketing. While you have everyone’s attention you attempt to change the game and make everyone think less is more. I concur with Bastiaan’s point. This has been something that has frustrated me since I had my iphone (granted, previously state web browsing claims were not made). Most if not all companies will take the path of least resistance (creating proprietary phifedoms) and tell you why their product is the best product. I think the ipad will uncover many weaknesses in the Apple consumer product market (with claims as stated above). The door may be open for a smaller more agile player in the market to 1 up Apple with their own device. Only time will tell.
BTW:
A true technologist stays true to technology, regardless of who produces it. All you [insert company name here] zealots be ware!
@Robb everyone knows he camera is for video chat. Remember Apple has a patent on video voicemail. Not that they will use it but the front facing camera is a huge miss.
I don’t think the Ipad will be as successfull as the iphone, as it is not as knew and revolutionary.
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