MacRumors Poll: Are You Buying an iPad?
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Had a little extra cash that came my way over the past few months. It was almost enough to cover a 64GB iPad 3G/WiFi, so I decided to go with that.
A few thoughts on being an early adopter:
1. I completely realize that Apple will make a better v2 and then a v3 the year after that and so on. That's the nature of the beast. You can say the same thing with every PC, Mac, HDTV, automobile, digital camera, etc, etc. At some point you just buy it and understand that you'll replace it. I'm not sure why people are so focused on the fact that Apple upgrades their equipment annually when nearly every company in every industry does the same thing.
2. On a related note, I have an iPhone 3GS and my original iPhone. Now my son plays with the original iPhone, and I use my 3GS constantly. Again, that's just the way it works. Presuming Apple releases a new iPhone this summer and it is compelling, I'll probably get that and give my wife my 3GS (though my son has his eye on that
).
3. I'm expecting to use my iPad in the living room and probably the bedroom for reading, surfing the web, gaming, watching movies, etc, etc. I also expect to use it on the road/vacation instead of bringing my Mac laptop. I think it will be a great "in between" device as I rarely need all the capability of my laptop while I'm on vacation.
4. I also expect my mother - who has never really used a computer - to get one. Like other "seniors" she knows, she wants to have email, web, photos and very occasional document writing. This seems like a perfect device for her rather than a full laptop. I really don't want to have to be tech support for someone that has never used a computer. The iPad should make this a ton easier.
5. I recognize the iPad lacks some features. The biggest missing hardware feature is a forward facing camera for video chat. That said, in all the years I've had web cams, iSight, etc, I've probably used video chat less than a dozen times. Most of the other missing features are software related. Multitasking is rumored to be coming, and Flash will likely never happen.
So...based on all this, I figure, "why not get one now?" You can play the waiting game forever. At some point, if you want one, you take the plunge.
Not sure why I felt compelled to explain all this, but I do tire of reading all the "iPad is a waste of time, money, etc" comments.
--DotComCTO
A few thoughts on being an early adopter:
1. I completely realize that Apple will make a better v2 and then a v3 the year after that and so on. That's the nature of the beast. You can say the same thing with every PC, Mac, HDTV, automobile, digital camera, etc, etc. At some point you just buy it and understand that you'll replace it. I'm not sure why people are so focused on the fact that Apple upgrades their equipment annually when nearly every company in every industry does the same thing.
2. On a related note, I have an iPhone 3GS and my original iPhone. Now my son plays with the original iPhone, and I use my 3GS constantly. Again, that's just the way it works. Presuming Apple releases a new iPhone this summer and it is compelling, I'll probably get that and give my wife my 3GS (though my son has his eye on that
).3. I'm expecting to use my iPad in the living room and probably the bedroom for reading, surfing the web, gaming, watching movies, etc, etc. I also expect to use it on the road/vacation instead of bringing my Mac laptop. I think it will be a great "in between" device as I rarely need all the capability of my laptop while I'm on vacation.
4. I also expect my mother - who has never really used a computer - to get one. Like other "seniors" she knows, she wants to have email, web, photos and very occasional document writing. This seems like a perfect device for her rather than a full laptop. I really don't want to have to be tech support for someone that has never used a computer. The iPad should make this a ton easier.
5. I recognize the iPad lacks some features. The biggest missing hardware feature is a forward facing camera for video chat. That said, in all the years I've had web cams, iSight, etc, I've probably used video chat less than a dozen times. Most of the other missing features are software related. Multitasking is rumored to be coming, and Flash will likely never happen.
So...based on all this, I figure, "why not get one now?" You can play the waiting game forever. At some point, if you want one, you take the plunge.
Not sure why I felt compelled to explain all this, but I do tire of reading all the "iPad is a waste of time, money, etc" comments.
--DotComCTO
inlovewithi
macrumors 6502a
I'm sorry but it says Acer and it doesn't have an Apple logo. The Apple logo is the most important feature.
arkmannj
macrumors 68000
A couple quick questions (sincere questions because I am genuinely curious, as I may be looking for a net-book type option in the near future)
1) What OS are you running / planning to run
2) How's the trackpad? I hear mixed reviews on them.
3) How's the speed, I'm not looking for super fancy, but my wife certainly needs some kind of upgrade from the Powerbook (G4 667Mhz 512MB Ram) she's using now.
The iPad would be okay for her, but she wants/needs a WebCam, and with the design of the iPad it would be nice if it supported a wireless keyboard, and external storage and a small file manager type application to move files around and stuff.
A bit like your comment then!
PeterQVenkman
macrumors 68020
They had me at "Plants vs. Zombies HD"
I've voted no plans.
I should elaborate. I have plans.
Once the UK prices are announced the wife and I will look at them, until then we won't.
Once that happens it's just a case of waiting for our Macbook (only used for web browsing and music) to die then we will quite likely have one, as for 3G vs Wi-fi only? That remains to be discussed.
I should elaborate. I have plans.
Once the UK prices are announced the wife and I will look at them, until then we won't.
Once that happens it's just a case of waiting for our Macbook (only used for web browsing and music) to die then we will quite likely have one, as for 3G vs Wi-fi only? That remains to be discussed.
I'm sticking with XP SP3 home. All I need is the ability to check and send e-mails, and access a number of IE-only web sites. Oh, and Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
No better or worse than any other trackpad I've tried. Kinda tiny.
I'm not a gamer, but for everything else I'm doing on it is certainly fast enough. I've got a Atom N270 CPU, at 1.6 Ghz, and upgraded it to 2 GB of RAM.
For a third of the price of a MacBook, it's an alright little machine. I wouldn't want it as my only computer though.
Hmmm, I think I still got some Apple stickers somewhere. Good point.
WannaGoMac
macrumors 68030
It's not that, people here believe v1 products of apple are buggy. I personally think this is an outdated mantra...
Provided the low resolution screen is adequate for presentations? also, you can't connect it to a projector (yet) so again not sure how you use it in a professional presentation setting. But best of luck to you.
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instaxgirl
macrumors 65816
I do want one, but I mainly want one for my trip to the states at the end of Summer (excellent in flight entertainment, and will save me having to take my laptop over). I've also wanted an ebook reader for a while now, and my eyes don't get irritated by reading on my laptop or iPhone.
If my iBook G4 wasn't getting a bit near death's door I'd possibly try to justify it but a new macbook would really be more use at this point. If they offer it for a killer student price I'll have a hard time resisting but UK apple prices generally suck balls so I don't really see it happening. Plus I can get a bit annoyed browsing on my iPhone, so I'm not sure how much I'd really love the iPad for typing etc. And most of my videos aren't in an iTunes friendly format and I can't be bothered converting it all . . .
If I travelled more or if it was a standalone computer that didn't need to be synced I'd be really interested.
If my iBook G4 wasn't getting a bit near death's door I'd possibly try to justify it but a new macbook would really be more use at this point. If they offer it for a killer student price I'll have a hard time resisting but UK apple prices generally suck balls so I don't really see it happening. Plus I can get a bit annoyed browsing on my iPhone, so I'm not sure how much I'd really love the iPad for typing etc. And most of my videos aren't in an iTunes friendly format and I can't be bothered converting it all . . .
If I travelled more or if it was a standalone computer that didn't need to be synced I'd be really interested.
ValSalva
macrumors 68040
on a related note..
I just noticed that my iPad case was shipped by Apple today by FedEx Ground and I am going to get it a full two working days after I get my iPad tomorrow. It seems that that the expedited shipping option for $12 may be for accessories like this iPad case.
I just noticed that my iPad case was shipped by Apple today by FedEx Ground and I am going to get it a full two working days after I get my iPad tomorrow. It seems that that the expedited shipping option for $12 may be for accessories like this iPad case.
I'm in agreement with you about outdated mantras. Frankly, I don't see this strictly as a first gen device. This is more like 4th gen if you look at the first 3 iterations of the iPhone as a precursor to the iPad. The OS has been well tested (and it does still have known issues/security holes), and the hardware/multi-touch is certainly not new to Apple.
Given the generally positive reviews - nearly gushing in some cases - I don't see the "v1 Apple products = buggy" as being a valid argument this time.
--DotComCTO
Dr Kevorkian94
macrumors 68020
maybe when i go to collage and need a laptop but for now ill get my fix by playing with one in an apple store
arkmannj
macrumors 68000
Many thanks to both of you for taking the time to reply, that does help a lot.
The Mrs. got laid off but we are still trying to get her through school and so our budget is now very tight, but she needs something and the old Powerbook just isn't going to make it much longer, I've had it since 2001, it's a real trooper.
Don't suppose either of the netbooks/notebooks above will work well as a hackintosh...theoretically of course.
...just kidding, no one get worked up I'm not trying to start another debate on the topic.
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