Reading this thread makes me think that the hybrid (tablet/dock) strategy of Windows 8 may actually be the right one!
I'm VERY skeptical about that strategy. There's a reason why all those Windows "tablet" notebooks never caught on. It's because desktop GUI don't work well on a tablet format. What Microsoft is trying to do is bundle both the desktop GUI and a tablet-centric GUI into the same system and hope people would gradually wean themselves from desktop UI to tablet UI. But that's like trying to learn to swim while paddling in the shallow end. The best way to learn is to jump in the deep end, no matter how frightening that seems.
The reason they never took off was due to the following:
1) Glitchy input
2) Forced to use Windows XP desktop UI
3) Weight - tablet notebooks were just regular laptops with a touch-input screen that you rotated around to face outwards when closed
4) Cost - they were very expensive
Windows 8 tablets address all 4 items above, throwing in the fact that you can switch in between Metro and the regular Windows 8 desktop interfaces. this is great for when you want tablet mode on the couch, but in a business meeting you need the full interface. watching a business executive stumble around iOS while being asked questions for supporting documentation during a presentation is hilarious. makes the ones using Thinkpads look like the smart ones, with all documentation minimized and ready to go
Okay, I give you expensive and weight. What I'm not covnicned about is this switching between desktop and tablet interface. Presumably, when you are using the tablet UI, points 1&2 would have been solved, but what happens when you switch to desktop mode? Would your hypothetical business executive be able to smoothly manipulate the desktop apps from his Win8 tablet, or would he first need to dock it to a keyboard and mouse? If the latter, the ones with the regular Thinkpad notebooks still might have the last laugh.
I am still very confused about how Windows 8 will work with respect to applications, so maybe someone can shed some light.
It seems like it will run the Metro interface as the start screen, but most people don't spend much time on the home or start screen whist using a tablet. I spend most of my time fully engaged in the app I am using. Ipad apps are specifically designed for touch. So, will Windows 8 apps be designed for touch or desktop GUI? There is a big difference in the UI, and using desktop apps on a tablet sucks. Using touch apps on a desktop is also not very satisfying. Will people need to have two versions of each app? One optimized for touch and the other desktop?
Honestly, I am just confused about how it is supposed to work.
well, really only time will tell but my educational guess is based on the features of the Surface tablet as promoted during the presentation.
the hypothetical business executive would have the included keyboard case that came with the Surface which has a full keyboard and a trackpad. with him seated at the head of the conference tablet, he would set the tablet in landscape mode, sitting upright with the keyboard case unfolded, with the Windows 8 desktop on the screen and broadcast to the projector screen via HDMI or WIDI. he would use the trackpad in the case and the pointer in Windows to go about his presentation the way he would on a Thinkpad laptop
Will people need to have two versions of each app? One optimized for touch and the other desktop?
my guess is that applications will be written to automatically do both, detecting which mode you are in.
don't expect all apps to be done this way - starting out you might not have the optimized interface for both. Microsoft will work with developers aggressively to get this nailed down though, i assure you that. this is Microsoft's last push into mobile - if it fails they are screwed
Seeing above remark made me go look back at your initial post, and I saw:
I think the iPad's lack of a file system is Steve Jobs being too much ahead of the time, as in when he got rid of the floppy drive while everyone was still very much using them. I believe Jobs envisioned a system where everything is in the cloud, and there is no need for "hard drive work." So the iPad doesn't have traditional file management system like in the PCs, because the goal is to eventually get rid of file management from the PCs also. Whether that ever works out, we'll have to wait and see. So one requirement of making the iPad your sole computing device is that you have to be willing to let go of the traditional file management paradigm. Me, I'm not exactly bothered by the iPad not having a user accessible file system, but then I don't have any plans to make the iPad my sole computing device, either.
I agree. If this ends up being some kind of Frankenstein's monster, Microsoft will be hurting.
So far, Apple has focused on making their tablet a great touch experience with a buttery smooth interface. Competitors have tried to differentiate by mixing the UI of a desktop and tablet, and so far it has not caught on.
In addition to the UI problem, I am still unsure how many folks want their tablet and desktop to be merged. If the ipad doesn't meet all of your needs, you can buy a cheap laptop/desktop for $500. The combined cost (iPad plus cheap PC) will probably be less expensive than these windows 8 ultra book hybrids. Plus, two devices, each with a UI that is compatible with their OS, might be more attractive to some folks. If you keep most of your stuff in the cloud, two devices can still offer a pretty seamless experience.
I agree. Letting go of that isn't something I'm prepared to do at this point in time though which is why I missed that part off. I just don't trust th cloud enough as permanent base for my digital life.
Reading the posts related to this topic, I again see two methods of thinking. The old style of computing has local storage and high powered devices at it's heart, the new style is about ease of use and a shift to cloud computing.
The question people need to ak themselves is this, if you stick with Apple's ecosystem which method will you adopt. Everything Apple has done in recent history shows their hand.
Low storage device, no moving parts or drives, iCloud, lack of file system and iOS all point to the second strategy.
The problems many have with this new method will slowly fade and the new generation of computer users will carry their digital lives in their pockets.
If anyone has evidence against this version of the future then by all means present it.
Updated the OP since I'm going to return the iPad. Both BTC Mouse doesnt work as its supposed to yet and need to restore because jailbreak apps stopped working so without these two huge incentives to go ipad only I just couldn't make it work![]()
Updated the OP since I'm going to return the iPad. Both BTC Mouse doesnt work as its supposed to yet and need to restore because jailbreak apps stopped working so without these two huge incentives to go ipad only I just couldn't make it work![]()
waa1futs, can you describe the issues you were having with BTC Mouse? I was hoping to use this myself for the same solution.
Basically that whenever you click on something that gives search suggestions as you type, say the safari search bar or the app store search, then you start to get additional key presses for keys you've only pressed once.
The bluetooth keyboard would get disconnected a lot when both it and mouse were connected. Once I disconnected the mouse then the keyboard stayed connected with no key press issues or disconnections at all.
UPDATE 10/15: I couldn't make it work
Jailbreak apps stopped working and I have to restore :welp: Since any restore will upgrade it to iOS 6.0 I'd rather just return it than have a handicapped experience.
Also the BTC Mouse application has a few major bugs that need to be worked out before its ready for prime time. I emailed the developer who said he isn't sure what is causing the trouble.
If BTC Mouse and jailbreak worked perfect then I would keep the iPad... but they don't so it's going back. Using the iPad as your only computer is hard enough and without these two things there just isn't enough of an incentive for me to keep fighting for it. I'll just end up either keeping my laptop and waiting for 6.0 to be jailbroken + BTC Mouse fixed or Ill go with the Microsoft Surface.
***************
Original Post
The iPad has a lot of benefits over a laptop:
- Retina display
- 10 hour battery life
- Very light and thin
- No viruses to worry about
- Voice dictation
- Can watch videos on the treadmill at the gym
- Apple store customer service
- Low price compared to ultrabooks
- Thousands of apps
***************************************
Common complaints which can be fixed:
1. How do I get music/videos on my iPad without a computer?
Bridge**
2. What is the best bluetooth keyboard with a built in iPad stand?
Logitech ultrathin keyboard
3. How do I use a bluetooth mouse?
BTC Mouse**
4. How do I manage my files?
Dropbox
5. How do I play real games on an emulator with a physical controller?
Snes9x EX**
6. How do I watch flash videos?
iSwifter browser
7. How do I download files?
Atomic web browser
8. How do I download youtube videos for offline viewing?
iCab
9. How do I create/edit Office documents?
Pages
In the past even one of these problems might have made me hesitant to go 100% pc-free but no longer. I can't think of a single reason though why I would use a laptop over an iPad anymore.
** requires jailbreak
Hold on!!! DO NOT UPDATE OR RESTORE YET!! Use the new Redsn0w!!! It'll allow you to re-restore your iPad to 5.1.1 if you have your SHSH Blobs (Cydia has them on it's server)
Link: http://blog.iphone-dev.org/
That's too bad...what mouse and keyboard were you using?
you were jailbroken, so there's a chance you might've had cydia save the SHSH for you? have you tried running tinyumbrella to see if cydia servers have a copy of your device's SHSH for 5.1.1?Thank you so much for taking the time to read the thread and give me this good information. Downloading redsnow and an ipsw as we speak. Hopefully a restore to 5.1.1 will be able to fix any issues and I wont have to take back the iPad.
Thank you again for your reply that was really nice of you
Edit: SON OF A %#$&!
Forgot that I got the iPad just a week ago (Apple had already stopped signing 5.1.1) so there doesn't seem to be a way for me to get my SHSH blobs to use for a RedSnow 5.1.1 restore. Oh well
It might just be an isolated incident, the developer Mr. Ringwald got back to me asap and said he got only a few complaints of this happening and that he was already trying to recreate the event himself so he can fix it. I fully trust him to get this working but my mouse and keyboard is the Logitech ultrathin keybooard + Macally bluetooth mouse (Model: mMouseBT).
Thats the thing that makes the surface so interesting and unique from the perspective of Mac users. On this side of the fence its either Tablet -OR- Computer and we claim to prefer it that way. But with what the Surface is supposed to be then you get BOTH the tablet and computer in one.UPDATE 10/15: I couldn't make it work
I'll just end up either keeping my laptop and waiting for 6.0 to be jailbroken + BTC Mouse fixed or Ill go with the Microsoft Surface.
an iPad doesn't really replace a laptop...