an iPad, are you kidding me?

[BaldiMac]

Perhaps, but his point was that the only way to activate/update it is through a computer. Your computer is acting as that iPad's computer.

So while technically you don't need to own a computer to have a functional iPad, you need access to a computer to which you can sync the iPad in order to have an optimal experience - updating, backing up, syncing music and photos, etc.

That may have been one of his points, but that was not the point that I was responding to.

 

[Ciclismo]

I think Bob is coming from the prospective that you dont need an ipad, if you already have a computer or laptop. The fact is, in order to use the ipad you NEED to have occasional access to a computer PC/MAC.

There, fixed that for you. No need to thank.

 

[el-John-o]

As not only an iPad non-believer, but an iPhone-is-an-inferior-product-made-popular-by-pop-culture fanatic, (especially the original one, 3G has been out HOW long? Yet this miracle device doesn't even support it?? This was supposed to be an internet enhanced device, yet they stuck a dial up modem on a powermac!) I was in your same place. Then the iPhone 4 came out and I ate my words, crapped them out, and ate them again. Then bought an iPhone 4.

THEN the iPad, well, I, like everyone else was sucked into thinking it was trying to be a laptop replacement. Then I watch Steve Jobs announce it and he really did a nice job of putting it in perspective.

The thing is, it's not a personal computer. That's what personal computers are for. It's also not a laptop, that's what laptops are for. It's also not a netbook, nor does it attempt to be a netbook. It's like apples and oranges. A netbook IS just a smaller, underpowered laptop. The iPad however, is it's own class of device. It is the BEST way to browse the web, IMO, manipulating the web with your fingers feels like that's the way the internet was meant. E-Mail is fun, photos are awesome (remember everyone crowding around a cellphone to look at some crummy picture you took? Well now, I can take a crummy picture with my DSLR and put it on the iPad with the camera connection kit, and still show it to people, with 90% of the portability of my cellphone! AND 90% of the functionality and screen size of my laptop!). The point is, the hype BEFORE it mostly speculated this was going to be a snow leopard device. It turned out to be an iOS device. It's still an awesome device, yes it's sort-of a big iPod, but, an iPod is too small to do some things! It is it's own class of device, and as long as people want to compare it to something else (other tablets, laptops, cellphones) they will be disappointed. Once they put it in perspective, they will buy it.

My 64GB 3G is on it's way.

-John

 

[0098386]

I was a non-believer. I tested it for a few days. I'm still a non-believer.

On the other hand the iPod has revolutionised everything around me. I have no need for a smartphone so I love being able to walk around town and remain connected to Twitter, emails, paypal etc. Just because it's mobile/ultraportable.

 

[Prof.]

I, too proved myself wrong. I thought the iPad was a joke when it came out, but after having mine for almost a month, I'm in love.

 

[dgree03]

Perhaps, but his point was that the only way to activate/update it is through a computer. Your computer is acting as that iPad's computer.

So while technically you don't need to own a computer to have a functional iPad, you need access to a computer to which you can sync the iPad in order to have an optimal experience - updating, backing up, syncing music and photos, etc.

That may have been one of his points, but that was not the point that I was responding to.

There, fixed that for you. No need to thank.

Yes that it what I meant, I order to activate you need a computer. In order to sync with Itunes you need a computer. Do do most photo management and music management you need a computer.

 

[coochiekuta]

The iPad doesn't pretend to be a computer, people just expect it to be. And there's plenty that you can do on an iPad without a constant internet connection:

- I have tons of work PDFs on it so I can read them on the train, for example. An iPhone is too small for that and a laptop is too awkward.
- I also have to do a daily report for work, a simple spreadsheet. Instead of doing it on paper during the day and typing it when I get home I can do it straight from the iPad and I'm done with work when I get home.
- I have all my music scores (I play violin) on the iPad. Again, iPhone or laptop are not good for that. The app I use also includes a metronome and if I want to I can also sync the songs I play so I can play along.
- I've been also using painting apps (like Sketchbook Pro) and for that, again, the iPad is better than the iPhone or a laptop. I used to have a similar app on my Mac but always found it too awkward to use.
- I had a bunch of family recipes in an old notebook that was starting to get some pages stained, others ripped off. I now have them all on the iPad, it's very easy to use in the kitchen, and the app also backs up all the recipes to the cloud so I know I won't lose them.

Look, it's fine if you don't like or don't want the iPad. But this nonsense that the iPad doesn't have any real usefulness is getting old.

you just listed a bunch of things that the iphone can do but you prefer doing on the ipad. that just makes the ipad even less special. i never made the claim that people cant find use for it, the ipad. i just said its not special. its the same device minus a phone, camera and with a bigger screen. some are comfortable with less screen space and the other things you arent comfortable with. the ipad does not make any leaps from the iphone.

 

[emw]

That may have been one of his points, but that was not the point that I was responding to.

Interesting. You quoted two of his posts - one stating you needed to have a computer to use an iPad, which you responded to as not being "a fact", and one in which he restated that you needed a computer, which you again disputed as "wrong".

I'm not sure, then, which point you were responding to if it wasn't that dgree03 was saying you needed a computer to use an iPad and you were disagreeing.

 

[BaldiMac]

Interesting. You quoted two of his posts - one stating you needed to have a computer to use an iPad, which you responded to as not being "a fact",

This was the only point that I responded to.

and one in which he restated that you needed a computer, which you again disputed as "wrong".

I was referring to the statement I originally quoted as wrong.

I'm not sure, then, which point you were responding to if it wasn't that dgree03 was saying you needed a computer to use an iPad and you were disagreeing.

"The fact is, in order to use the ipad you NEED to have a computer PC/MAC." This statement, in it's original context, is not true.

 

[BobHail]

It is the BEST way to browse the web, IMO

-John

It´s actually a really bad experience compared to the full desktop/laptop web experience. (Remember, it´s a mobile OS = mobile web experience = sucks on 10" device. With an iPhone it´s ok).

IMO

 

[Ciclismo]

you just listed a bunch of things that the iphone can do but you prefer doing on the ipad. that just makes the ipad even less special. i never made the claim that people cant find use for it, the ipad. i just said its not special. its the same device minus a phone, camera and with a bigger screen. some are comfortable with less screen space and the other things you arent comfortable with. the ipad does not make any leaps from the iphone.

The bigger screen does make it special though, at least for some of us - I couldn't imagine trying to read larger works or viewing research articles (many of which are graph and figure heavy) on an iPhone. Sure, you can view a lot more on the high-res screen than you could on the iPhone 3GS, but you would still be flicking around a lot more than on an iPad, and when you are reading for several hours straight, highlighting and adding notes on PDFs, the smaller screens even at a higher resolution are awkward and uncomfortable to use.

Personally, because of the exorbitant cost of mobile phone contracts with data plans in NZ, I find the iPhone virtually useless. There is no way that I could justify paying $255.55NZD a month for just 1GB of data (I don't need the 600 minutes which don't roll over, but you cannot get an extended data plan with Vodafone NZ). But with my crap-tastic Nokia dumbphone I spend less than $10 a month for the odd call and $20 for a 1GB plan with 2degrees which allows me to do everything I need while out and about.

 

[Sedulous]

I can't wait for the day the iPad comes out with a rear facing camera and many of those who cried for it loudest then scream "the iPad is too heavy/awkward/large to use as a camera" at which point I will laugh maniacally at the stupidity of my fellow humans after declaring "I told you so". Don't get me wrong, I can see the benefit of a back facing camera, but it would be only for odd occaisonal use. However, I get the impression that many feel that they "need" a back facing camera as adding the ability to shoot video and countless high resolution pictures would validate the ipads existence, whilst every other feature is only a distraction from the iPads destiny as a camera.

Oh, I am sure the extra .5 g the rear camera adds will really break your arm. Who said people feel the iPad is useless without a camera? If apple adds a camera, I am sure some people will use it. The best camera is the one you have with you. Therefore, I repeat myself: If the next iteration of iPad has a rear camera and you don't like it, don't use it.

 

[koobcamuk]

The bigger screen does make it special though, at least for some of us - I couldn't imagine trying to read larger works or viewing research articles (many of which are graph and figure heavy) on an iPhone. Sure, you can view a lot more on the high-res screen than you could on the iPhone 3GS, but you would still be flicking around a lot more than on an iPad, and when you are reading for several hours straight, highlighting and adding notes on PDFs, the smaller screens even at a higher resolution are awkward and uncomfortable to use.

Personally, because of the exorbitant cost of mobile phone contracts with data plans in NZ, I find the iPhone virtually useless. There is no way that I could justify paying $255.55NZD a month for just 1GB of data (I don't need the 600 minutes which don't roll over, but you cannot get an extended data plan with Vodafone NZ). But with my crap-tastic Nokia dumbphone I spend less than $10 a month for the odd call and $20 for a 1GB plan with 2degrees which allows me to do everything I need while out and about.

Agree on both points. I have no need for an iPhone as I don't use the apps and I have little need for the net on my phone in the UK.

The iPad allows me to both read and write research papers, which the iPhone is capable of, but it's completely impractical to even begin to try doing...

 

[Night Spring]

It´s actually a really bad experience compared to the full desktop/laptop web experience. (Remember, it´s a mobile OS = mobile web experience = sucks on 10" device. With an iPhone it´s ok).

Have you even seen an iPad? It doesn't show mobile web pages, it shows web sites exactly as they appear on a desktop/laptop (minus any flash elements). Case in point, this forum is almost unreadable on an iPhone, but I read and post to it from my iPad all the time. Posting this from my iPad, in fact.

 

[newagemac]

It´s actually a really bad experience compared to the full desktop/laptop web experience. (Remember, it´s a mobile OS = mobile web experience = sucks on 10" device. With an iPhone it´s ok).

IMO

This person clearly has never browsed the web for any amount of time with an iPad. You lost what little credibility you had left with this comment.

 

[BobHail]

This person clearly has never browsed the web for any amount of time with an iPad. You lost what little credibility you had left with this comment.

Read the post above you.

 

[Night Spring]

If the iPad would have the full web experience that the Macs have, then I would surely think of buying one!

So what exactly is the iOS web experience missing in comparison to the "full" Mac experience? Well, we all know iOS lacks flash, but is there anything else specific that you feel is lacking?

 

[emw]

"The fact is, in order to use the ipad you NEED to have a computer PC/MAC." This statement, in it's original context, is not true.

Sort of, you need a computer to activate the iPad for the first time.

This person clearly has never browsed the web for any amount of time with an iPad. You lost what little credibility you had left with this comment.

Really? Browsing on the iPad is as good as browsing in a "regular" browser? I love my iPad and certainly browse with it daily, but don't prefer it as an experience. Side by side the mobile browsing just isn't as complete.

Is it acceptable? Sure. But there's no way it is as full featured as a normal browser by any stretch. And I will admit my iPad purchase was not out of need but out of a desire to have a smaller reasonably capable device with which to do many simplistic tasks and to have for the entertainment value.

 

[MacVixen]

Yes I´ve used one plenty (my friend has one) and I have the iPhone 4. So I know the iOS mobile web experience very well. It´s ok for the iPhone. But for an device size 10" it is unacceptable. It´s just a bad bad experience.

That´s why I do most of my web browsing on my iMac.

If the iPad would have the full web experience that the Macs have, then I would surely think of buying one!

What sites are you visiting that give you a mobile web experience? Because I browse all the time on my iPad and have not encountered this as aproblem with the exception of flash-enabled sites (which I tend not to visit very often).

I will be the first to admit that I was torn about the iPad. But since I recieved one as a gift I could hardly complain. I received mine just after they were released in April and I have to say that I love this thing. It's far more mobile than my MBP. I still use the laptop but I would have to say that the ipad has replaced my laptop for about 90% of my computing needs.

 

[anjinha]

you just listed a bunch of things that the iphone can do but you prefer doing on the ipad. that just makes the ipad even less special. i never made the claim that people cant find use for it, the ipad. i just said its not special. its the same device minus a phone, camera and with a bigger screen. some are comfortable with less screen space and the other things you arent comfortable with. the ipad does not make any leaps from the iphone.

And a pool is just a big bathtub.

Do you have a car? Why do you need a car if you can just walk everywhere, right?

 

[dgree03]

What sites are you visiting that give you a mobile web experience? Because I browse all the time on my iPad and have not encountered this as aproblem with the exception of flash-enabled sites (which I tend not to visit very often).

I will be the first to admit that I was torn about the iPad. But since I recieved one as a gift I could hardly complain. I received mine just after they were released in April and I have to say that I love this thing. It's far more mobile than my MBP. I still use the laptop but I would have to say that the ipad has replaced my laptop for about 90% of my computing needs.

there are sites that just dont work well on the ipad. like any site with a overlay of certain site elements are hard to navigate on the ipad. Some button on websites dont work that well.

Of course any flash webpage doesnt work. I cant see any content on the Avid site for instance.

 

[BobHail]

So what exactly is the iOS web experience missing in comparison to the "full" Mac experience? Well, we all know iOS lacks flash, but is there anything else specific that you feel is lacking?

Yes, Flash is of course the biggest problem. Without it I will not be able to use Youtube, Myspace, Facebook and bunch of other main sites that I use frequently. At least not enjoyable at all! The iPad´s web experience is just plain bad experience in this department.

Also there´s other little goodies like being able to have lots of pages open and switch quickly with expose and having the Bookmarks Bar, being able to download files and stuff from websites and so on...

 

[anjinha]

Yes, Flash is of course the biggest problem. Without it I will not be able to use Youtube, Myspace, Facebook and bunch of other main sites that I use frequently. At least not enjoyable at all! The iPad´s web experience is just plain bad experience in this department.

Also there´s other little goodies like being able to have lots of pages open and switch quickly with expose and having the Bookmarks Bar, being able to download files and stuff from websites and so on...

The iPad has a bookmarks bar and I use GoodReader to download stuff from the web to my Dropbox, that way I can immediately access it on all my devices.

 

[el-John-o]

And a pool is just a big bathtub.

Do you have a car? Why do you need a car if you can just walk everywhere, right?

Except that my bathtub has a camera, and my pool doesn't. Everyone knows a pool without an integrated camera makes it utterly useless.

 

[BobHail]

Except that my bathtub has a camera, and my pool doesn't. Everyone knows a pool without an integrated camera makes it utterly useless.

And you can make calls with your bathtub and carry it anywhere in your pocket.