I'm not convinced.

[porcupine8]

I'm surprised no one has pointed this out yet, but there are several browsers that work with flash. Photon and Puffin are two popular ones. I have Puffin, though I've only used it 2-3 times (my main browser is Atomic). Lack of Flash hasn't been a valid criticism of the iPad for a long time.

 

[orfeas0]

Did you try the BBC app?

Btw, to the original question...I use my iPad for *everything* (see my signature...)

The question I always ask people to mull is...what tasks do you do on a computer which *cannot* be done on an iPad - either at all, or not without significant limitation.

For most people, believe it or not, the answer is....not much, and less so over time as the capabilities in iOS and apps increase inexorably.

Coding, high end video editing, and massive spreadsheet jockey stuff are all things I'd say...get a laptop or desktop. Beyond that I am ecstatic to have a sub 1.5 pound device that does all the rest, most of it extremely well.

I don't ask for much, but how about downloading a file from the internet? Yes, you can download photos from the web. But how about if you want to download a song or a video or a torrent file?
That's the only thing keeping me away (and WILL keep me) from the iPad.
It just isn't a standalone machine (obviously, since you need to sync it with a computer...).
I believe that's pretty dumb on apple's part. It's not an iPhone or an iPod, it's supposed to be a computer replacement. And yet it requires a computer to work.

 

[Night Spring]

I don't ask for much, but how about downloading a file from the internet? Yes, you can download photos from the web. But how about if you want to download a song or a video or a torrent file?
That's the only thing keeping me away (and WILL keep me) from the iPad.
It just isn't a standalone machine (obviously, since you need to sync it with a computer...).
I believe that's pretty dumb on apple's part. It's not an iPhone or an iPod, it's supposed to be a computer replacement. And yet it requires a computer to work.

There's no app to download a torrent (apple won't allow those in its app store). But GoodReader can download files from the Internet.

And with iOS 5, syncing with a computer is no longer necessary.

Still, I don't think the iPad is supposed to be a computer replacement -- at least not yet. If Apple waited to release the iPad until it had all the software and hardware issues resolveed so iPad could completely replace a computer, we'd still be waiting for it. So Apple released iPad as a supplementary device, and with each new generation, adds more and more features to make it more independent. 5 years from now, iPad with docking station might be the only computer most of us need. We aren't quite there yet, though.

 

[bjpad2]

Still, I don't think the iPad is supposed to be a computer replacement -- at least not yet. If Apple waited to release the iPad until it had all the software and hardware issues resolveed so iPad could completely replace a computer, we'd still be waiting for it. So Apple released iPad as a supplementary device, and with each new generation, adds more and more features to make it more independent. 5 years from now, iPad with docking station might be the only computer most of us need. We aren't quite there yet, though.

The IOS devices are very weak when it comes to storing and manipulating a library of files. I have files on my home computer that date back over 20 years, but on the ipad I will just expect to have a library of media files such as movies and PDF's, and maybe an album of photos. To me much of the ipad functionality is as a portable device that brings media to me. It could not begin to replace my real computers.

Apple has macbooks and now macairs if you want a very portable full power computer. They may someday bring out a tablet with the power of the macbook, but it would probably have an OS besides IOS on it, or they would have to develop some kind of "finder" functionality into IOS.

 

[madmaxmedia]

I had the same opinion for awhile, I liked the overall product and concept but didn't particularly want one. Until I got a chance to use one more extensively in the last month or so. So now I have an iPad 2.

As great as iOS is on an iPhone/iPod Touch, its even better on an iPad (with apps scaled/designed for the iPad of course.)

The form factor is really nice, much easier to carry around and use than my MPB. That's just the nature of a clamshell with thin unsupported screen, vs. a solid aluminum slab. And it's light enough to grab and take to a lot of places. Not as portable as an iPhone, but more portable than a notebook (I can't afford an MBA, and the tablet has it's own advantages/disadvantages vs. a clamshell.)

I have a large backlog of movies that I've never gotten around to, and the iPad w/ earphones is really great for watching in bed at night. Problem is I find myself continuously going past my self-imposed deadline (first half tonight, the second half tomorrow) and waking up tired.

I find typing in landscape really easy. Not quite as fast, but mainly due to being slower to make changes or correct errors. The actual typing is really fast for me.

I do agree that the utility may be limited unless there are a couple of specific uses that you really end up preferring doing on the iPad. The same would go for any product or form factor- many people have no use for an iPhone/smartphone. For me I think watching movies is that main use, and then a bunch of other secondary uses behind that.

Finally, the more iPad revisions are released, the cheaper older iPads get on the secondary market. So something that you wouldn't pay $500-$600 for might be very desirable at $250-$300.

----------

The IOS devices are very weak when it comes to storing and manipulating a library of files. I have files on my home computer that date back over 20 years, but on the ipad I will just expect to have a library of media files such as movies and PDF's, and maybe an album of photos. To me much of the ipad functionality is as a portable device that brings media to me. It could not begin to replace my real computers.

Apple has macbooks and now macairs if you want a very portable full power computer. They may someday bring out a tablet with the power of the macbook, but it would probably have an OS besides IOS on it, or they would have to develop some kind of "finder" functionality into IOS.

One interesting outcome of the limited internal file system is all the cloud services that are now available. Not just a Dropbox app for example, but Dropbox support by many other iPad apps.

It's not the same exact thing of course, but works really well for me (since I love Dropbox.)

 

[motoleo]

Hello folks,

Forgive the attention-grabbing title! It's perhaps excessively dramatic, but largely true: I love my iPod Touch, I love my MBP... but when it comes to the iPad? Honestly, I just don't get it.

My father has an iPad 2, and I spent an hour messing about with it this afternoon. I thought to myself, 'yeah, this is kinda fun... not sure what I'd use one for, though.' Particularly with the lack of Flash, it's not exactly a comprehensive internet browser.


What I'd like to know, from people who love their iPads, is what it does for you. Why do you love it? What am I missing? With iPad 3 around the corner, if someone can open my eyes, what could I gain from investing in one?

Thanks in advance,




DH.

I know exactly what you mean. I bought an iPad 2. I had it. I took it back. It doesn't excite me. I'm probably a Windows 8 tablet person- and you are too maybe.

I wouldn't hold my breath for the iPad 3, I mean, I will- actually I'm excited about it, but Apple does minor updates lately. It might just have a better camera and that's it. Of course, I know nothing.