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Hands-On Impressions of Apple's New iPad
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Watched vid. Not convinced.
I watched it.
I'm not convinced.
It's better than a Kindle, except for the fact that you need to be at a hotspot to download. (Or you sign up for a 3g plan, which drives up the cost.)
Watching videos is better on this thing than watching them on a small notebook. But put the video on a notebook, and the bigger screen with higher resolution wins out.
For videos, this isn't the right aspect ratio and it's only 1024x768. Effectively, you're going to be letterboxed down to a smaller screen.
And if you're going to do anything beyond reading a book or watching videos, reach for your notebook.
The $499 version will pull people away from a Kindle.
The more expensive versions have very limited markets.
I watched it.
I'm not convinced.
It's better than a Kindle, except for the fact that you need to be at a hotspot to download. (Or you sign up for a 3g plan, which drives up the cost.)
Watching videos is better on this thing than watching them on a small notebook. But put the video on a notebook, and the bigger screen with higher resolution wins out.
For videos, this isn't the right aspect ratio and it's only 1024x768. Effectively, you're going to be letterboxed down to a smaller screen.
And if you're going to do anything beyond reading a book or watching videos, reach for your notebook.
The $499 version will pull people away from a Kindle.
The more expensive versions have very limited markets.
This is not a productivity device, it is a media consumption device. "Work" just isn't part of the equation for this device. I think the bigger problem is Apple's weird vendetta against Flash. At a very minimum, you should be allowed to turn Flash on for particular sites, like hulu.com for example, or for those sites that have a Flash intro you can't exit out of (yes, I know that is bad Web design, but we're for now stuck with the Web the way it is, not the way we'd like it to be).
It going to be another Macbook ERROR REV A
It's going to be another Macbook ERROR REV A IMHO:confused+ no flash !
It's going to be another Macbook ERROR REV A IMHO:confused+ no flash !
Wow. It's called an opinion, and just because you "like" Apple doesn't mean you can't call them out on something.
What do I want?
Well a camera for starters? I mean who looked at this and said, "yeah, no camera needed".
How about more than 64GB of memory. There are thumb drives out there with more space.
I can continue....
Tech savvy? Seeing as how you claimed that the netbook was dead, I find what you're saying hard to believe
It's going to be another Macbook ERROR REV A IMHO
Yup. Very pretty, and too limited to reach a large audience.
Maybe tablets will replace notebooks someday, but this isn't the device to make that happen.
How do you take notes on that?
A notepad is a block of paper where you take notes; what does the iPad do in that direction?
How are you supposed to take notes? Is there a writing tool?
I am surprised I don't see this asked/requested around here.
I was hoping for some sort of free-hand input (a stylus?) so that you can draw/write.
It seems to me like a missed opportunity (that and the lack of camera is downright shooting oneself in the foot).
My 2 cents.
A notepad is a block of paper where you take notes; what does the iPad do in that direction?
How are you supposed to take notes? Is there a writing tool?
I am surprised I don't see this asked/requested around here.
I was hoping for some sort of free-hand input (a stylus?) so that you can draw/write.
It seems to me like a missed opportunity (that and the lack of camera is downright shooting oneself in the foot).
My 2 cents.
I am pretty sure there will be subscriptions for newspapers just like on the Kindle.
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Just my 2 cents...
I for one am excited about this iPad for a couple of reasons:
First, I do most of my work on my Macbook Pro; using Ableton Live + MaxForLive to do my music, Aperture and Photoshop for my Photography/Editing and Illustrator and Sketchbook Pro for product/toy design. But sometimes when I am taking a break from work and there is nothing really good on TV, but it's on, I'll do what the average consumer does, surf the web, update my Facebook, catchup on emails, etc... but I don't feel comfortable doing all of that on my Macbook Pro while laying down on the couch (it's too hot, too heavy, etc.) and my iPhone is a bit too small for all of that (though it's still doable and great when waiting in line for a movie.) So this is where the iPad is perfect; for this general consumer type of stuff.
Secondly, for us software-based musicians, I could never justify spending $2000 for a JazzMutant Lemur even though most of my friends have, so I've settled for TouchOSC on my iPhone to control Ableton Live (<-- quick test video of me using it) but again, the iPhone is just too small to really take advantage of using both hands to control all the faders, knobs and sound clips in Live with TouchOSC. So now here comes the iPad for less than half the price of the Lemur and I can use TouchOSC to do all the things the Lemur does (and much, much more!) makes this a dream come true for me and many others...
... so all I'm saying is that it's all perspective I guess. For some of you that already have a pretty powerful laptop and were hoping the iPad would do everything your laptop does for half the price, well, you are being completely unrealistic. But for those of you who loved you iPod Touches but wanted something bigger that can also create Docs/Spreadsheets/Keynotes and work with an actual keyboard, then the iPad is perfect for you! And for the average consumer that uses their computer for nothing more than watching movies, surfing the web and updating their Facebook status while checking their emails (and this is what the vast majority of the average consumer does with their computers; remember, we here on Macrumors are NOT the vast majority/average consumer; we are tech-heads) then this iPad will sell like hotcakes! And this is what Apple is betting on...
I am surprised that there is no camera built into it. That is one of my "cons" for the iPad, other than that, I am happy and will be getting the 64GB model (now, to 3G or not to 3G, that is the question for me.)
I for one am excited about this iPad for a couple of reasons:
First, I do most of my work on my Macbook Pro; using Ableton Live + MaxForLive to do my music, Aperture and Photoshop for my Photography/Editing and Illustrator and Sketchbook Pro for product/toy design. But sometimes when I am taking a break from work and there is nothing really good on TV, but it's on, I'll do what the average consumer does, surf the web, update my Facebook, catchup on emails, etc... but I don't feel comfortable doing all of that on my Macbook Pro while laying down on the couch (it's too hot, too heavy, etc.) and my iPhone is a bit too small for all of that (though it's still doable and great when waiting in line for a movie.) So this is where the iPad is perfect; for this general consumer type of stuff.
Secondly, for us software-based musicians, I could never justify spending $2000 for a JazzMutant Lemur even though most of my friends have, so I've settled for TouchOSC on my iPhone to control Ableton Live (<-- quick test video of me using it) but again, the iPhone is just too small to really take advantage of using both hands to control all the faders, knobs and sound clips in Live with TouchOSC. So now here comes the iPad for less than half the price of the Lemur and I can use TouchOSC to do all the things the Lemur does (and much, much more!) makes this a dream come true for me and many others...
... so all I'm saying is that it's all perspective I guess. For some of you that already have a pretty powerful laptop and were hoping the iPad would do everything your laptop does for half the price, well, you are being completely unrealistic. But for those of you who loved you iPod Touches but wanted something bigger that can also create Docs/Spreadsheets/Keynotes and work with an actual keyboard, then the iPad is perfect for you! And for the average consumer that uses their computer for nothing more than watching movies, surfing the web and updating their Facebook status while checking their emails (and this is what the vast majority of the average consumer does with their computers; remember, we here on Macrumors are NOT the vast majority/average consumer; we are tech-heads) then this iPad will sell like hotcakes! And this is what Apple is betting on...
I am surprised that there is no camera built into it. That is one of my "cons" for the iPad, other than that, I am happy and will be getting the 64GB model (now, to 3G or not to 3G, that is the question for me.)
Although the device didnt wow me, the price did wow me.
But reading the complaints so far, I just want to ask an honest question about multitasking.
Can someone please give me a example of a everyday practical use of multitasking? Cause I really have never WISHED for multitasking on the iPhone and the fact that without it makes the hardware run smoother is a bonus.
I don't really see the tears from no multitask cause when I use my full featured macbook pro what multitasks am I really using? The only time you need multitask is if you are doing WORK e.g have photoshop running while checking emails etc.
So please provide an example of a multitask use you would like that you cant do on the current OS.
thanks
But reading the complaints so far, I just want to ask an honest question about multitasking.
Can someone please give me a example of a everyday practical use of multitasking? Cause I really have never WISHED for multitasking on the iPhone and the fact that without it makes the hardware run smoother is a bonus.
I don't really see the tears from no multitask cause when I use my full featured macbook pro what multitasks am I really using? The only time you need multitask is if you are doing WORK e.g have photoshop running while checking emails etc.
So please provide an example of a multitask use you would like that you cant do on the current OS.
thanks
The video changed my opinion on the device. Apple really knows how to make some good propaganda videos.
The iPad looks tremendously better in that video than any of the photos.
Yep, thought is was ok at first, until I watched the video, then I could actually picture scenarios where I could put this thing to good use. I also agree that the iPad is not meant to replace your iPhone or Mac, it's a great compliment aimed more at the Kindle crowd and if you have to compare the Kindle, Nook or other vanilla flavored tablets out there, the iPad wins on features and price for what you get, hands down. The Kindle DX is the same size as the iPad yet it costs $489... nuff said
How high do resolutions go on a ten inch screen? This is 132 pixels per inch, how much smaller than that is readable?
I'm really not seeing it. Sure, some will buy it, and it may really fit some people's bill. I can even do without multitasking, OS X, etc. But really, this thing cries out for some seriously fine handwriting recognition and a stylus of some sort. Keep all the touch gestures, etc, sure...but having an app like NotePad on the larger screen called "NoteBook" in which you could take notes in class just like if you had a real Mead notebook...that would sell it for me. But what are you going to do? Prop it up on your knees and look like a doof while sitting there in the auditorium? Or better yet, have to carry the separate keyboard dock if you want any sort of appreciable note-taking system? Having iWork apps is a plus but come on: no one is going to buy this as a computer replacement, so they will already have a standard computer with keyboard to type things up at home...so no need there.
Either way, other specs, etc, aside, this makes it somewhat of a disappointment for me. However, the price is right, and I can see some people springing for this very easily. We will have to see how it evolves before the final verdict is delivered.
Either way, other specs, etc, aside, this makes it somewhat of a disappointment for me. However, the price is right, and I can see some people springing for this very easily. We will have to see how it evolves before the final verdict is delivered.
I agree with the potential for the product, but I just don't see how this is going to change any market or create any need for the product simply because it is so limited. I mean the notion of a tablet computer has been that you have everything that comes in a laptop with the ability to accept use inputs via a touch screen interface. This leaves with with an awesome touch interface, display, sleek design but underpowered processor, and your productivity is extremely limited. I am not bitching and complaining about this, because its a neat concept, I just don't see it's place anywhere.
I thought the driving force behind Apple's products was the fact that people were willing to pay the extra juice(read:money) for a product that took computing to a different level of styling and productivity. The MacBook line is light, stylish, has gorgeous displays but are also powerful. The iPhone 3Gs is fast, feature rich, and productive. The Mac Pro/iMac line is similar to the MacBook like in the aspect that you pay extra for styling, gorgeous displays, the OS and computing power. I just tried to condense that as much as I could, but from what I have read on here(macrumors) and experienced as a college student talking to others who are looking for computers, laptops, and phones, thats my take.
The iPad just seems like it doesn't fit into any of that. It just seems like a fancy media toy..
I think that people were looking for something like what I highlighted in bold in your quote. Most were looking for a machine that had the OS X interface that had multi touch as an interface where they could do things like edit photos and such on the fly as well as check their e-mail and stuff like that. Or listen to music and edit video or play a game. Something like that. I think.
iPad aka iFailed bka Newton2010
The iPad is lame! I had higher ->(realistic)<- expectations for this device but it fell short. At least a crappy netbook can multi-task, access Hulu, and videochat among other things. What a waste of hype! Just one question Steve....how was this revolutionary? Not being a Apple hater, because I own more than enough of their products, but this device is nothing but a blown up version of my iPhone. I truly think the only people that are gonna get this are people that don't own a touch/iPhone, or Apple fanboys that want to show off their new product in Starbucks /Airports/Any public place. This is just a preview of the let down that wil be the 4th gen iPhone. I think SJ spoke too soon when he praised this aluminum pos!
To each his own but I'll steer clear of this. I hope os4.0 will add multitasking and some new "revolutionary" way to navigate this without 200 finger strokes or my jail-breaking.
btw...I wonder what potentially helpful apps will they block from seeing the light of day on this thing?
The iPad is lame! I had higher ->(realistic)<- expectations for this device but it fell short. At least a crappy netbook can multi-task, access Hulu, and videochat among other things
. What a waste of hype! Just one question Steve....how was this revolutionary? Not being a Apple hater, because I own more than enough of their products, but this device is nothing but a blown up version of my iPhone. I truly think the only people that are gonna get this are people that don't own a touch/iPhone, or Apple fanboys that want to show off their new product in Starbucks /Airports/Any public place. This is just a preview of the let down that wil be the 4th gen iPhone. I think SJ spoke too soon when he praised this aluminum pos!To each his own but I'll steer clear of this. I hope os4.0 will add multitasking and some new "revolutionary" way to navigate this without 200 finger strokes or my jail-breaking.
btw...I wonder what potentially helpful apps will they block from seeing the light of day on this thing?