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iPad Tech Specs: Cortex A8, 256MB Ram, PowerVR SGX 535

I just think Apple should refund all buyers $100 bacause you can barely open more than four tabs in Safari without running out of memory and reload.

And maybe there should be a class lawsuit because constantly reloading safari is clearly not better surfing experience compared to any real laptops. False advertising. At least cache the webpage locally instead of fetching over the air again!!
 
Eidorian said:
That sounds like a terrifying place.

Is there something more than inspiring consumption?
Click to expand...

The vast majority of the people I know have never created anything more than a photo slideshow on their computers. A very small minority have created home movies, and an even smaller minority have authored DVDs or played with any number of the content-creation apps that come bundled with Macs.

The point is that, overall, most people consume information with computers. The content that they do create can easily be created with an iPad.

Tools like the Mac that exist for creating real content will still be around. And so will the people who actually create real content. But for 95% of the computing public, an iPad would serve them just fine. And without all the headaches that come with a PC too.

--mAc
 
I have not had the chance to use an iPad yet, but those specs sound disappointing and somewhat put into question its long term viability.

Everyone seems impressed with how fast it runs- but it still needs to do a few things for me before it becomes a serious prospect.

Like everyone else background apps/ multi-tasking is a must. A video camera for iChat etc and some sort of media reader.
 
I played around with an iPad for a few hours last night. Now that I know it has 256MB of RAM, I'm even more impressed with the speed and responsiveness -- especially when doing things that pull in a lot of data like browsing through a large (25K-50K) photo library.

I imagine Apple kept the memory low for a few reasons:

1) RAM consumes quite a lot of power and long battery life was obviously a priority.
2) A large amount of system RAM simply isn't required on a device with fast SSD storage and an OS that was built for memory-constrained environments.
3) Less RAM == lower price.

I bet the question in the designers' minds was "what is the least amount of memory required" rather than "how much can we fit in there". Apparently, the right answer (at least for gen 1) was 256MB, because the iPad works amazingly well, the price is decent, and the battery life is unbelievable.

It's funny to read the psychotic ramblings of armchair electrical engineers in this thread who are convinced that 256MB is "not enough" even though they can't explain why and haven't used an iPad. You folks are a sad and pathetic lot, but you do make me laugh (occasionally).
 
mAc-warrior said:
The vast majority of the people I know have never created anything more than a photo slideshow on their computers. A very small minority have created home movies, and an even smaller minority have authored DVDs or played with any number of the content-creation apps that come bundled with Macs.

The point is that, overall, most people consume information with computers. The content that they do create can easily be created with an iPad.

Tools like the Mac that exist for creating real content will still be around. And so will the people who actually create real content. But for 95% of the computing public, an iPad would serve them just fine. And without all the headaches that come with a PC too.

--mAc
Click to expand...
The present doesn't give me much hope. The future even less.

ten-oak-druid said:
So was the point by LagunaSol.
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I don't want to be the one to have to explain everything though. Personally, I think the realization is much more interesting.
 
It's funny to read the psychotic ramblings of armchair electrical engineers in this thread who are convinced that 256MB is "not enough" even though they can't explain why and haven't used an iPad. You folks are a sad and pathetic lot, but you do make me laugh (occasionally).
Click to expand...

IT IS NOT ENOUGH because we owners of iPad have been experiencing constant safari reloads on previously opened tabs.
 
mAc-warrior said:
The vast majority of the people I know have never created anything more than a photo slideshow on their computers. A very small minority have created home movies, and an even smaller minority have authored DVDs or played with any number of the content-creation apps that come bundled with Macs.

The point is that, overall, most people consume information with computers. The content that they do create can easily be created with an iPad.

Tools like the Mac that exist for creating real content will still be around. And so will the people who actually create real content. But for 95% of the computing public, an iPad would serve them just fine. And without all the headaches that come with a PC too.

--mAc
Click to expand...

You defined the iPad's place in the market quite well... there will be many who, hearing your truthful explanation, will still insist the earth is flat and can't possibly turn without 4 gigs of RAM.
 
phytonix said:
IT IS NOT ENOUGH because we owners of iPad have been experiencing constant safari reloads on previously opened tabs.
Click to expand...

I have the solution for you!! :D

Step 1: Put ipad back into box.
Step 2: go back to apple store or best buy and
Step 3: get a refund.


problems solved!
 
ten-oak-druid said:
Reasonable? Reasonable means avoiding the point of the original post in a response?

Are you going to also suggest, like your friend, that the point was simply about a like or dislike of Dell products? Or can you explain what the actual point was of the post your friend responded to?

Thanks for quoting my post too. It deserves to be read again in its entirety.
Click to expand...

OK, I was multitasking, but I'm here...
Are we still talking about "not answering" this post:

"I don't like or own Dell products, nor do I care one bit about Dell. So when Dell comes out with a new product, the last thing on my mind is joining some Dell-centric forum (is there such a thing?) as a new user to post (repeatedly) my dislike for Dell's new product and all other things Dell. It would be a silly waste of my time, and it would be uncivil as well.

Yet that's exactly what you get here. All the time. What's the motivation? Seriously, you never wonder?



No problem."


Well, what should I say about it? I have never in my life visited a Dell forum, if there is such thing. I might have visited some other tech forums if I needed technical help. So I don't have a clue about some alleged Dell fans' forums and what those people do. I never owned a Dell product and I am not planning one either at the moment. Would Dell be the opposite of Apple? Or would Dell be the universe outside Cupertino?

I can understand that many people have strong views about Apple and I know that from time to time, even I feel considerable hostility towards them. But read Macrumors and you find all sorts of annoying ommissions, defects, pricing anomalities and so on that upset people.

What I noticed, however was that many people do not take criticism well at all. So, despite the fact that I hardly used a PC in the last four or five years and I never myself owned one (unlike about a dozen Macs), I regularly get called an Apple hater, an MS fan, a troll and all sorts of things. That is not just poor judgement on these posters, but an alarming lack of vision about life in general. It's not a war, it's not a two-dimensional thing. All sorts of companies make all sorts of things.

What motivates people to go to other forums? I haven't a clue. Have you?
 
I haven't tried the ipad myself. I'm mostly interested in it as an ereader. However I think that I will wait before I invest in one. I'd prefer to get a mac mini for my entertainment system. I've spoken to some family members from out of town who are very happy with their new ipads. I'm just not in that great of a need to get one right now.

One reason I'm hesitant is that I'm already picturing myself getting one of these verizon 3g boxes that set up a local wifi network. The only problem is that I'm tired of getting comfortable with these devices that require contracts. I don't even own a smart phone. I want top pay for calls and some texting and that is it. No web surfing on my phone. If I get used to that it will become a necessity and suddenly I'm forking more money per month out the door. And sure the ipad 3g is not a contract requirement but its one device only. I'd rather have the local wifi device than the ipad only on the 3g.

I think it really depends on your needs. It should be a good device for many. But I'm happy enough for now with my laptop.
 
Eidorian said:
That sounds like a terrifying place.

Is there something more than inspiring consumption?
Click to expand...

The most creative people I know already live in the "terrifying place" mAc-warrior describes -- they don't care about computer specifications.
 
phytonix said:
IT IS NOT ENOUGH because we owners of iPad have been experiencing constant safari reloads on previously opened tabs.
Click to expand...

...and how many would be enough open tabs? Ten? A hundred? Unlimited?

You'd probably want the boogger-cam operating at the same time too.
 
kernkraft said:
Well, what should I say about it? I have never in my life visited a Dell forum, if there is such thing. I might have visited some other tech forums if I needed technical help. So I don't have a clue about some alleged Dell fans' forums and what those people do. I never owned a Dell product and I am not planning one either at the moment. Would Dell be the opposite of Apple? Or would Dell be the universe outside Cupertino?

I can understand that many people have strong views about Apple and I know that from time to time, even I feel considerable hostility towards them. But read Macrumors and you find all sorts of annoying ommissions, defects, pricing anomalities and so on that upset people.

What I noticed, however was that many people do not take criticism well at all. So, despite the fact that I hardly used a PC in the last four or five years and I never myself owned one (unlike about a dozen Macs), I regularly get called an Apple hater, an MS fan, a troll and all sorts of things. That is not just poor judgement on these posters, but an alarming lack of vision about life in general. It's not a war, it's not a two-dimensional thing. All sorts of companies make all sorts of things.

What motivates people to go to other forums? I haven't a clue. Have you?
Click to expand...
You sound a lot like me.

NSMonkey said:
The most creative people I know already live in the "terrifying place" mAc-warrior describes -- they don't care about computer specifications.
Click to expand...
I aspire to do more than pick a computer, check all the boxes, and hand over my money.

That's just me though. Otherwise it sounds like some broad generalization trap.
 
That's why it's magical. Running on 256mb.

I wonder what happens if some tabs can't be reloaded? What if you're in the middle of a credit card payment? Or if something is streaming off a webpage?
 
phytonix said:
IT IS NOT ENOUGH because we owners of iPad have been experiencing constant safari reloads on previously opened tabs.
Click to expand...

From what I've read, the vast majority of iPad owners aren't having any reloading issues. The few who are might be loading up some especially greedy pages. Honestly, it's no different than the situation on the iPhone or iPod Touch where most users (like me) have never experienced this. Don't get me wrong, if the iPad could retain the same battery life with 512MB of RAM, I would want the extra RAM. But as a matter of design trade-offs, I prefer longer battery life.
 
SandynJosh said:
You defined the iPad's place in the market quite well... there will be many who, hearing your truthful explanation, will still insist the earth is flat and can't possibly turn without 4 gigs of RAM.
Click to expand...

Like I said, they'll be dragged kicking and screaming into the future. Eventually people will stop listening to their screaming and the world will be a better place. That time can't come soon enough.

As for Eidorian: Man, we're on the same page. I don't just check the boxes and hand over my money either. But most people do. What we, as people who aren't like most people in the world, have to understand is that exact thing. But that's where the money is, and if Apple is any indication of the future (and they sure as hell have been the last 10 years) then that's where we're going. I won't really mind because, on the whole, it will be more efficient than it is today. It'll be like everyone will be using Macs. Things will just work.

I don't think it's a generalization, I think it is the truth. We're the minority, not my aunt and uncle who use their computer to offload their digital photos and play a slideshow of them for the grandparents.

--mAc
 
Nighty night!

I'm sorry, if I wasn't completely clear, but I've been working all night (while posting occasionally). It's 7.28 in the morning here, in the UK and I'm getting a bit tired, so I'll just say good night for you and good morning to myself.

Eidorian, I've often had the same impression in the past.


(I maintain the right to moan about Apple Inc's products occasionally on these forums. Within reason, noone should call me names for that.)
 
mAc-warrior said:
Like I said, they'll be dragged kicking and screaming into the future. Eventually people will stop listening to their screaming and the world will be a better place. That time can't come soon enough.

As for Eidorian: Man, we're on the same page. I don't just check the boxes and hand over my money either. But most people do. What we, as people who aren't like most people in the world, have to understand is that exact thing. But that's where the money is, and if Apple is any indication of the future (and they sure as hell have been the last 10 years) then that's where we're going. I won't really mind because, on the whole, it will be more efficient than it is today. It'll be like everyone will be using Macs. Things will just work.

I don't think it's a generalization, I think it is the truth. We're the minority, not my aunt and uncle who use their computer to offload their digital photos and play a slideshow of them for the grandparents.

--mAc
Click to expand...
Don't worry too much about me. I don't have any incentive to buy another Mac or assorted devices right now.

The PADDs never replaced the main computer. Giving everyone technology doesn't make them a wizard.

kernkraft said:
I'm sorry, if I wasn't completely clear, but I've been working all night (while posting occasionally). It's 7.28 in the morning here, in the UK and I'm getting a bit tired, so I'll just say good night for you and good morning to myself.

Eidorian, I've often had the same impression in the past.


(I maintain the right to moan about Apple Inc's products occasionally on these forums. Within reason, noone should call me names for that.)
Click to expand...
You start to notice things when you're around long enough. Call it wisdom or just being jaded. Get some sleep. I need to head to bed as well.
 
Eidorian said:
I aspire to do more than pick a computer, check all the boxes, and hand over my money.

That's just me though. Otherwise it sounds like some broad generalization trap.
Click to expand...
Sure, because your profession involves computers (as does mine). My point was that the most creative people I know are not computer professionals.
 
NSMonkey said:
Sure, because your profession involves computers (as does mine). My point was that the most creative people I know are not computer professionals.
Click to expand...
I'm exceptionally capable with computers. My creativity and imagination are sadly very utilitarian and minimalist. (Ironic if you ask me.)

Currently though I better serve as an information broker and knowledge navigator. (Sorely lacking skills among the dumbest generation.) That does require a lot of computer usage but not necessarily my hardware and management skills.
 
Wow, 600+ posts... Guess some people are REALLY angry/disappointed at the 256MB RAM...

As for me, I guess I'll just have to become a more efficient programmer.:)
 
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