Kids and Adults Want iPads More Than Anything Else This Holiday Season

[LagunaSol]

I plan to get iPad Minis for my 3 kids for Christmas. Cost: about $1,000.

My father bought me and my brothers an Apple II+ for Christmas. Cost with monitor, disk drive and joystick: about $2,000. That's in 1980-81 dollars (which would be over $4,000 now).

There's nothing extravagant about an iPad Mini for a kid for Christmas. Good grief people. I spent more than $300 for 8 MB of RAM for my PowerMac 6100 once upon a time.

[D.T.]

Originally Posted by jeremiah256

LOL! You can't keep them away from the gear! When my son was born, we moved our computer desk into the living room to make it easier to watch him. Little did I know, what's mine is mine but also his.

Ha! +1 for crazy cute little dude.

[Renzatic]

Originally Posted by charlituna

You're in luck. Because they do.

Now if the games would just support it.

Are you talking about the 8-bitty? It's a nice push in the right direction, but an official Apple released game controller would be far more likely to get developer support than a 3rd party accessory.

[Renzatic]

Originally Posted by Dagless

Compare launch title current gen games to recent current gen games; theres a huge difference. Then compare a modern next gen gaming system (a high end PC) to a modern console game. There is little difference beyond tessellation, higher res textures. The only thing the next console gen will bring will be that - plus initial support for 4k. That's hardware though, services is where next gen will shine.

This. I beleive we're start to approach the fabled plateau of diminishing returns in regards to graphic fidelity. While I'm not saying we're anywhere near the best we're gonna get yet, from here on out, the jumps are going to be less spectacular than they were before. The jump to the PS4 won't floor everyone quite like the upgrade from the PS2 to the PS3, and won't be anywhere nearly as huge as the jump from the PS1 to the PS2.

Just look at the new Metal Gear Solid game coming out. It's got the obvious and usual current gen CG effects going on (overabundance of shiny as hell speculars), but it's already shockingly close to photo realistic as it is. What can they do to improve upon that? Supply more GPU power to push a higher polycount and better effects? It'll make things smoother and nicer looking, but it won't be a night and day difference compared to what it is now. More CPU power to process high end graphic effects like radiosity bounce? Yeah, that'll make for much more subtle, realistic lighting, but...once again...it won't be a huge difference. There isn't as much room for huge sweeping changes in the graphics department these days.

The biggest changes will be in concerns to how much they can push onscreen. Like imagine that one scene in Skyrim where you're supposed to be taking part in some supposedly huge battle. Imagine how much better it'd be if there were 15,000 little solders onscreen, rather than the 20 or so we were shown in the game. That's what this next generation is going to be about.

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by LagunaSol

I plan to get iPad Minis for my 3 kids for Christmas. Cost: about $1,000.

At a recent neighborhood party I was talking to a woman who commented on the kids' room (the 'great room' was the kids's playroom).

She said "so many things - and they all depend on imagination rather than batteries".

Your gifts won't be that high on the "imagination" scale, but they will feature high capacity batteries.

[jeremiah256]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

Your gifts won't be that high on the "imagination" scale, but they will feature high capacity batteries.

Not understanding the resistance to integrating technology into the process of bringing up your children. Hating on apps likes Team Umizoomi is ridiculous when these apps provide an interactive method of learning that supplements the lessons they are learning in school.

[tech4all]

Originally Posted by macs4nw

To be fair, it was only introduced just recently.

So was the Nintendo Wii U. Actually it was just released what this week or last week. Yet it's at #2.

[JohnnyW2001]

So who didn't bother to read the news article properly? This ISN'T a list of what kids want for Christmas, it's a list of what CONSUMER ELECTRONICS they want for Christmas. Kind of a big difference.

with American kids aged 6-12 generally more interested in the latest iOS offerings than other consumer electronics and gaming devices.

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Originally Posted by rjohnstone

I guess I raised my kids better.
The louder they cried about wanting something, the less interested I was in getting it for them.

They always hear the same two words from me.
Earn it.
Show me straight A's for an entire school year.
Clean up after yourself without having to be told to do it 50 times.
Save your allowance money and buy it yourself.

The list goes on.

Howling about wanting an expensive toy in my house is a sure fire way to get nothing.

Um, you're trusting something you read on MacRumours?

1. This is actually a list ONLY of consumer electronics. Nothing else.
2. This kids surveyed were simply asked: Which electronic or gaming device most interests you?

This isn't a list of what kids are demanding for Christmas.

[FDX]

Originally Posted by Larry-K

You had Soup AND Hard Candy? Wow, what's that like? We had to live in the lake.

A lake? I lived in a cardboard box on the side of the road, we dreamed to live in a lake.

[28monkeys]

i wonder how much does 4% for Apple TV valued at.

[yusukeaoki]

When I was 6~12, I never got such a expensive thing.
We wanted toys not expensive gadgets.

[CodeJingle]

Originally Posted by Switchback666

Thank you parents for what they did, they gave you tools in the end and that made you want to learn and "create" thats what im trying to say (english not my native).

Anyway i agree with that and never forced/wanted to force the opinion more like just give an idea, in the end its not my job anyway.

Cheers.

Great to hear. I agree. And if an iPad is to ever be a child or young adult's tool for creating and learning, not just consuming, they need to see their parents and peers using it for such a purpose as well. Of course if your kid wants some Legos or paint and brush that works too. 2yr and 5yr olds make awful messes though when your back is turned. Happy Thanksgiving.

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Originally Posted by Sacird

I guess you could do HDMI to the big screen and that would work. I still think Apple should use that huge cash pile and try the console market. They could get $499 at the start, maybe lose a shade over a hundred if they swing for the fences. That also puts iTunes under a lot of sets if it took off. I have no doubts the interface would be good.

Latest Apple TV box does 1080p over airplay now, so you don't need to connect a cable or anything. The adapter cable for HDMI is kind of expensive, so just buy Apple TV instead of adapter.

[vanzantapple]

WOW. 6-12 year olds want a $500 toy. Who woulduh thunk it.

And the other group is naturally 13 to infinity. That is always the way of it. I remember in school wanting to be in the infinity group but I was only 12 at the time. Dang.

This is a flat out silly story bordering on corrupt. WOW.

[fox10078]

You guys are some bitter people. You people don't remember what it's like to be kid do you?

These kids were asked a question and gave an answer and you people sit here and call them little entitled jerks.

It's the holidays for ****s sake, this is supposed to be the time of year you think of ridiculous things you want as a child.

I hope you people aren't as cold hearted in real life as you are on here, because honestly I can't see any of you could raise well adjusted children.

[Zyphras]

Originally Posted by rjohnstone

I guess I raised my kids better.
The louder they cried about wanting something, the less interested I was in getting it for them.

They always hear the same two words from me.
Earn it.
Show me straight A's for an entire school year.
Clean up after yourself without having to be told to do it 50 times.
Save your allowance money and buy it yourself.

The list goes on.

Howling about wanting an expensive toy in my house is a sure fire way to get nothing.

So, basically you're an a**hole parent. Let your kids live a little. Seriously, do you have a giant Ayn Rand poster above your bed or something?

[Sacird]

Originally Posted by Dagless

Compare launch title current gen games to recent current gen games; theres a huge difference. Then compare a modern next gen gaming system (a high end PC) to a modern console game. There is little difference beyond tessellation, higher res textures. The only thing the next console gen will bring will be that - plus initial support for 4k. That's hardware though, services is where next gen will shine.


No true at all. Game sizes aren't limited by the medium. Even games like Skyrim, Oblivion etc, don't take up a full DVD9 let alone a Bluray. PC exclusives have the option of being unlimited, but they're not.


It sort of is true (I work in console game development). New processes and techniques occur very late into console cycles. One thing Halo 4 did that previous games didn't was to process only what the player sees, where previously it would process around a radius and a long distance infront. All these little things to hammer out the last bit of performance. Uncharted 3 improves upon 2, Halo 4 looks better than Gears 2, etc.


If you want bleeding edge then get a PC. Console games are never about amazing graphics, their selling point is how easy it is to get into the game, about sitting back with a TV and exclusive titles.

PC games are and will never be optimized for the system though. Consoles is where most of the $$$ is so the industry moves with them. And limited RAM does have an impact where a larger game could utilize more resources.

Consoles used to be 5 years like clockwork. So after year 4 when the PC was making the console architecture look old, we were looking at a new one. I am 100% sure the new ones will make the current games look old just as what happens every gen. I can look at Uncharted, or Gears and see lots of areas and textures that I am sure when I look back will look like crap in comparison.

That industry isn't even close to reaching it's max potential. I guarantee the 720/P4 will have people in awe again. No doubt about it. Cliff B and other devs have spoken about the benefits of next gen already, EPIC even showed a demo and it blew away the stuff we have now.

Uncharted 4 on the PS4 and Halo 5 on the 720... going to look amazing and crap over the predecessors.

About the medium:
Game sizes are limited by medium as well if you can't install it. You can install XBOX games but they keep stuff at 7 gigs and 1 disk preferably because not every console shipped with a hard drive. If it was a 15 gig disk per say then the dev. could use the space for sound enhancement, or not having to compress as heavily, or higher res textures in spots, etc...

Blu ray on the P3 is gimped by the drive speed. And that system has no install option. Games have been able to take some advantage still. Again on both sides that RAM is the biggest hurdle.

[Switchback666]

Lot of bots these is days in the forum lol

[Frign]

Where's the Mac Pro on this list?

[Switchback666]

Originally Posted by Frign

Where's the Mac Pro on this list?

The pro is a lie

[Dagless]

Originally Posted by Sacird

PC games are and will never be optimized for the system though. Consoles is where most of the $$$ is so the industry moves with them. And limited RAM does have an impact where a larger game could utilize more resources.

That's true. But engines are now scaleable and multiplatform, something as hugely impressive as Rockstar's engines on PC look incredible (and take up 50gb!), but the console versions look considerably worse, but it's all coming from the same code. Unreal Engine 4's real time demos show what we should expect from modern PC's and what the next gen consoles will launch next year/the year later.

That industry isn't even close to reaching it's max potential. I guarantee the 720/P4 will have people in awe again. No doubt about it. Cliff B and other devs have spoken about the benefits of next gen already, EPIC even showed a demo and it blew away the stuff we have now.

Definitely. But the differences are going to be smaller and smaller with the current hardware we have (1080p 2D displays). Once you have realism achieved at those levels, the only way is getting that at 4k, 3D, etc. There will always be improvements as long as the tech we use to experience those games changes.

Uncharted 4 on the PS4 and Halo 5 on the 720... going to look amazing and crap over the predecessors.

Depends. Halo 3 looks a bit better than Halo 2, but the biggest leap is Halo 3 to Halo 4 and that's within a generation. Which you can blame on rushing 3 and having the benefit of highly optimised code for 4.

Game sizes are limited by medium as well if you can't install it. You can install XBOX games but they keep stuff at 7 gigs and 1 disk preferably because not every console shipped with a hard drive. If it was a 15 gig disk per say then the dev. could use the space for sound enhancement, or not having to compress as heavily, or higher res textures in spots, etc...

Depends what you mean by game size. If you mean the size of the data, of course you'll be able to fit more onto higher capacity media. But if you mean the size of the game (game length, map size), that isn't being limited by media size. Look at the Oblivion games; each successor's map is smaller than the predecessor.
On a design note you can't make something big for the sake of being big either. Locations need to be memorable, exciting, etc.

Blu ray on the P3 is gimped by the drive speed. And that system has no install option. Games have been able to take some advantage still. Again on both sides that RAM is the biggest hurdle.

The PS3 does have install options per game.
Ram is now a big problem on all systems.

[HadItWithWindow]

Originally Posted by DrumApple

Which is exactly why I DON'T want one thank you very much. Surface for me (and us business folk).

I have an iPad but I want the Surface too. I tried Win8 on my Mac but I really don't have enough memory. I think the way to go is the Surface rather than Bootcamp on RAM limited Mac. My Mac is too old to add sufficient RAM so I think I need to upgrade to the new Mac.

I need to read some impartial reviews on the Surface before I splurge.

[xdxdaustin]

Originally Posted by popnfresh

Any family that buys an iPad for their 6-year old kid deserves to have their tax bracket doubled. Because, clearly, they have more money than they know what to do with.

No, thats not for you to decide. Its their hard-earned money and they deserve to spend it on what ever they want and to stimulate our economy, not to hand it to the government.

[olowott]

i thought the "surface" meant the top of an object, water, "graph" . gotta change that in the bing dictionary

[rendevouspoo]

I've got to hand it to Apple marketing. Most kids want to be in the 'in-crowd,' therefore they want the coolest things that supposedly up their popularity. In todays world, you're not hip unless you have an iPad, iPhone, or an iPod.

[MacDav]

So 48% want an iPad? The question is what do the other 52% want?