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More iPad First Impressions and Discussion

Multitasking not an issue because...

This is not a computer replacement!!! For those Windows trolls who keep giving negatives and coming in here asking why they would need the iPad when they have a netbook... you don't. But that doesn't mean that I don't need an iPad even with my MacBook Pro.

If this was a replacement for a computer, I would say it sucks. But it's not, it's more of a computer aide. All those simple things I do on my MacBook Pro and have to lug around, the iPad can do if not just as quickly/easily, pretty close to it. I was thinking, just a few more content creation apps and I could do probably 40% of what I use my MBP for.

Right now it's not fully a content creation device-- but it's one of the best devices to use content on that is already created, i.e. books, music, movies and various other forms of content. I've only had it for a day and I'm already dreaming up all kinds of great uses for it.

Back to multitasking. I have "Times" on my Mac, which is an RSS reader for those Windows folks. I had like 15 feeds. Times isn't out for iPad yet, so I bought "NewsRack," which I really like. I had to email myself my feed URLs, then copy/paste them into NewsRack. This meant opening my email, copying link, opening NewsRack, going through the adding process by pasting. I did this 15 times, all without multitasking. And you know what, the apps open and close so fast, I didn't even mind. It was really no more painful than continuously clicking in your dock to get the app back in focus you already have open.

Again, multitasking is way over blown. Now, I would like to be able to keep my third-party alarm clock running in the background while doing something else, but something that petty isn't a deal breaker. And in the future, it would be nice if Apple creates a multitask preference, where you can choose which apps can run and how much system resources they can use. But again, that's really insignificant to the overall power and fun this device has brought me in under a day.

Stop comparing this to a computer, but rightly compare this to "other devices" that *do* the same thing. There is no competition. The book reader is AMAZING. The best eBook reader hands down!

Hey you, my $2k MBP does more than your TomTom GPS...
 
Also, I'm sure Apple is working on a printing solution, probably in the near-term with a PDF print service that sends the actual output to a printer connected to your computer.

Yes, mic, camera, and possibly a USB port/SD card port would be great. But remember, this all adds cost. If I'm going to spend $1000 on a device, I would just buy a MacBook (Pro) for a few hundred more. As for the size of the HDD, the more the better, but I lived off 8GB with my iPod Touch, and now I have 16GB. Again, not a big deal to me. I use iTunes to manage my content, it's not that difficult.

I can't wait until the first software update, when Apple adds some functionality back, like a calculator, alarm clock, etc. I really can't wait for a true MobileMe file sharing support. That is going to be sweet.
 
In store impression

So the ipad does 75% of what people want 200% better than what any other device in this class does.

I'm certain someone will figure out a way to stream video from the iPhone to the iPad.

As far as flash, now that netflix is available and ABC, all I need is Fox to create one and I won't need Hulu anymore.

My only concern is that if "Elements" is a sign of things to come in the size of apps, then none of the current sizes will be enough.
 
I played with an iPad for about 10 minutes at the Annapolis Apple store. It's a cute toy, no doubt about it, but I don't see it replacing a good laptop computer for most serious computer users. The built-in "keyboard" is okay for really short notes, making it ideal for the "twitter" crowd, but if you are going to do serious work, you'll need the real keyboard and if you are lugging that around, too, you might as well take a laptop instead.

I guess my life is simple enough that I don't need "100,000 apps" to keep me entertained and myself occupied. :D
 
QEII Student IT said:
Yep, because you know so much more about this device than anyone else here and you're so generous to be kind enough to tell us what to do
Click to expand...

You tell first?.... who cares what he does.... he could work on planet Mars and make any statement he wants. There is no reason now why you could not use the iPad as a computer replacement for the many things it does do. So yes if your into Editing video or something else the iPad cannot do (for now).... sure your computer is great for that. But at this time I see many areas where people can use it to make money. But come-on when have geeks really worried about that when new toys come out.
 
I popped into the 5th Ave store yesterday and picked up a 32gb in 5 minutes. They have lots of stock.

I can't give an impression yet as it was syncing overnight. This morning when I got up my wife had nabbed it and is watching Moonstruck so I'm doomed...

Within 2 minutes of picking it up she says...

'Honey you have to install this Flash thing for me... I can't see products on the Ikea store'.

Here we go...
 
furi0usbee said:
Also, I'm sure Apple is working on a printing solution, probably in the near-term with a PDF print service that sends the actual output to a printer connected to your computer.

Yes, mic, camera, and possibly a USB port/SD card port would be great. But remember, this all adds cost. If I'm going to spend $1000 on a device, I would just buy a MacBook (Pro) for a few hundred more. As for the size of the HDD, the more the better, but I lived off 8GB with my iPod Touch, and now I have 16GB. Again, not a big deal to me. I use iTunes to manage my content, it's not that difficult.

I can't wait until the first software update, when Apple adds some functionality back, like a calculator, alarm clock, etc. I really can't wait for a true MobileMe file sharing support. That is going to be sweet.
Click to expand...

There are a couple of $9 apps that allow you to print...
 
hakr said:
It's a cute toy, no doubt about it, but I don't see it replacing a good laptop computer for most serious computer users.
Click to expand...

So you haven't been reading what *actual* users are saying about it...

Where did this replacement idea come from? Did you replace your oven when you bought your new toaster? For the love of Stewie, this does not replace your computer unless every app you have is available in iPad format, and you like working on a smaller screen, and... Maybe that's one half of 1% of users, maybe less.
 
pbellamy said:
I popped into the 5th Ave store yesterday and picked up a 32gb in 5 minutes. They have lots of stock.

I can't give an impression yet as it was syncing overnight. This morning when I got up my wife had nabbed it and is watching Moonstruck so I'm doomed...

Within 2 minutes of picking it up she says...

'Honey you have to install this Flash thing for me... I can't see products on the Ikea store'.

Here we go...
Click to expand...

I think Steve is going to win the Flash fight so it won't be long...
 
slackpacker said:
In GENERAL SETTINGS - you can see the Auto-Lock settings - I think this is the only option for turning off the screen at a set time. You can also use the AutoBrightness setting in Brightness and Wallpaper - all of this is in SETTINGS.
Click to expand...

Yeah, saw those. Was actually going to add (other than auto-lock) in my OP. It would be nice to have a dim feature, although the battery life has been great, I'm not too concerned about having the display lit. Still, at night in the dark it would be nice to keep it unlocked (as I have a password) but have it dim 50%. I'll put that on my wish list.
 
hakr said:
I played with an iPad for about 10 minutes at the Annapolis Apple store. It's a cute toy, no doubt about it, but I don't see it replacing a good laptop computer for most serious computer users. The built-in "keyboard" is okay for really short notes, making it ideal for the "twitter" crowd, but if you are going to do serious work, you'll need the real keyboard and if you are lugging that around, too, you might as well take a laptop instead.

I guess my life is simple enough that I don't need "100,000 apps" to keep me entertained and myself occupied. :D
Click to expand...

I feel bad for you man. I have an iPad and I'd be the first to tell you it's not for serious computer. You make it seem like all power users don't use their computer for entertainment purposes. I am going to be using a new hybrid system of computing; iPad for content and media viewing, games, web surfing, emails and my computer for content encoding, heavy duty work document editing, iLife content creation, and hulu watching. I mean to me these are all things I wasn't expecting the iPad to replace at launch anyway, even potentially for the lifespan of the product. This device really is going to change how we look at computing.
 
NativeOSXboy said:
I feel bad for you man. I have an iPad and I'd be the first to tell you it's not for serious computer. You make it seem like all power users don't use their computer for entertainment purposes. I am going to be using a new hybrid system of computing; iPad for content and media viewing, games, web surfing, emails and my computer for content encoding, heavy duty work document editing, iLife content creation, and hulu watching. I mean to me these are all things I wasn't expecting the iPad to replace at launch anyway, even potentially for the lifespan of the product. This device really is going to change how we look at computing.
Click to expand...

There is a crowd out there that wants a tablet with Full OS X on it. But Apple is onto something.... because OS X in its full form now would suck on a Tablet device.... just as much as windows 7 does. The iPhone OS is build from the ground up to work on small platforms. Initially I said oh no a big iPhone but after you play with it and use it you see why Apple is on top now.
 
To continue on the "replacement" theme. Let's say I take the top (LCD portion) of my unibody MBP off. Let's say that is the complete computer. It does everything my current MBP can do, but with virtual keyboard and fingers. You still are losing the DVD drive, all the ports, and the actual keyboard/touchpad. In short, you still will have people complaining it doesn't replace a *real* computer.

You need a real computer to replace a real computer. Steve Jobs never said buy the iPad and sell your desktop. He said this is an entire new genre of computing. This will make some of our lives simpler. And to that extent, he was right. I can already see myself not having to go plug in my MBP when I have no charge and want to just read my email/browse web before I go to bed.

I was just in New York City for 3 days. I *DID NOT* bring my MBP because I didn't want the extra 5 pounds I would have had to put in my backpack and carry on the final day. If I had the iPad... wow, that would have been perfect. I wasn't about to do any heavy computing, but all those tasks I do *need* a MBP for, the iPad would have been perfect.

This is an argument that can never be won completely, because mostly Mac haters (or PC lovers) will have something to say about any Apple product. That I understand. But when they come in here, some not having even used one, and talk about how it doesn't do this and can't do that... please.

I've used PCs for years and can say Windows blows. How many PC fans can say they've used Macs for years and they sux? Probably none, and the ones who would are most likely lying anyway.
 
furi0usbee said:
So you haven't been reading what *actual* users are saying about it...

Where did this replacement idea come from? Did you replace your oven when you bought your new toaster? For the love of Stewie, this does not replace your computer unless every app you have is available in iPad format, and you like working on a smaller screen, and... Maybe that's one half of 1% of users, maybe less.
Click to expand...

Its been dubbed a laptop/netbook killer by the media (although I think people are getting laptops mixed up with netbooks) and I would argue that it is neither.
 
furi0usbee said:
This is not a computer replacement!!! For those Windows trolls who keep giving negatives and coming in here asking why they would need the iPad when they have a netbook... you don't. But that doesn't mean that I don't need an iPad even with my MacBook Pro.

If this was a replacement for a computer, I would say it sucks. But it's not, it's more of a computer aide. All those simple things I do on my MacBook Pro and have to lug around, the iPad can do if not just as quickly/easily, pretty close to it. I was thinking, just a few more content creation apps and I could do probably 40% of what I use my MBP for.

Right now it's not fully a content creation device-- but it's one of the best devices to use content on that is already created, i.e. books, music, movies and various other forms of content. I've only had it for a day and I'm already dreaming up all kinds of great uses for it.

Back to multitasking. I have "Times" on my Mac, which is an RSS reader for those Windows folks. I had like 15 feeds. Times isn't out for iPad yet, so I bought "NewsRack," which I really like. I had to email myself my feed URLs, then copy/paste them into NewsRack. This meant opening my email, copying link, opening NewsRack, going through the adding process by pasting. I did this 15 times, all without multitasking. And you know what, the apps open and close so fast, I didn't even mind. It was really no more painful than continuously clicking in your dock to get the app back in focus you already have open.

Again, multitasking is way over blown. Now, I would like to be able to keep my third-party alarm clock running in the background while doing something else, but something that petty isn't a deal breaker. And in the future, it would be nice if Apple creates a multitask preference, where you can choose which apps can run and how much system resources they can use. But again, that's really insignificant to the overall power and fun this device has brought me in under a day.

Stop comparing this to a computer, but rightly compare this to "other devices" that *do* the same thing. There is no competition. The book reader is AMAZING. The best eBook reader hands down!

Hey you, my $2k MBP does more than your TomTom GPS...
Click to expand...

furi0usbee said:
Also, I'm sure Apple is working on a printing solution, probably in the near-term with a PDF print service that sends the actual output to a printer connected to your computer.

Yes, mic, camera, and possibly a USB port/SD card port would be great. But remember, this all adds cost. If I'm going to spend $1000 on a device, I would just buy a MacBook (Pro) for a few hundred more. As for the size of the HDD, the more the better, but I lived off 8GB with my iPod Touch, and now I have 16GB. Again, not a big deal to me. I use iTunes to manage my content, it's not that difficult.

I can't wait until the first software update, when Apple adds some functionality back, like a calculator, alarm clock, etc. I really can't wait for a true MobileMe file sharing support. That is going to be sweet.
Click to expand...

Calm down lil dude, we get the picture, you love your iPad and you love Apple. It's just funny that you mention mic, camera, USB, SD when Apple didn't even bother to give you a calculator or alarm clock. And with these caveats it appears that you're not so enamoured with your new toy despite your protests to the contrary. However, it might cheer you to know that I'm declaring you my "Apple Fan of The Day". There was some pretty tough competition today so you should be proud lil feller. Congrats!
 
furi0usbee said:
This is not a computer replacement!!! For those Windows trolls who keep giving negatives and coming in here asking why they would need the iPad when they have a netbook... you don't. But that doesn't mean that I don't need an iPad even with my MacBook Pro.

If this was a replacement for a computer, I would say it sucks. But it's not, it's more of a computer aide. All those simple things I do on my MacBook Pro and have to lug around, the iPad can do if not just as quickly/easily, pretty close to it. I was thinking, just a few more content creation apps and I could do probably 40% of what I use my MBP for.

Right now it's not fully a content creation device-- but it's one of the best devices to use content on that is already created, i.e. books, music, movies and various other forms of content. I've only had it for a day and I'm already dreaming up all kinds of great uses for it.

Back to multitasking. I have "Times" on my Mac, which is an RSS reader for those Windows folks. I had like 15 feeds. Times isn't out for iPad yet, so I bought "NewsRack," which I really like. I had to email myself my feed URLs, then copy/paste them into NewsRack. This meant opening my email, copying link, opening NewsRack, going through the adding process by pasting. I did this 15 times, all without multitasking. And you know what, the apps open and close so fast, I didn't even mind. It was really no more painful than continuously clicking in your dock to get the app back in focus you already have open.

Again, multitasking is way over blown. Now, I would like to be able to keep my third-party alarm clock running in the background while doing something else, but something that petty isn't a deal breaker. And in the future, it would be nice if Apple creates a multitask preference, where you can choose which apps can run and how much system resources they can use. But again, that's really insignificant to the overall power and fun this device has brought me in under a day.

Stop comparing this to a computer, but rightly compare this to "other devices" that *do* the same thing. There is no competition. The book reader is AMAZING. The best eBook reader hands down!

Hey you, my $2k MBP does more than your TomTom GPS...
Click to expand...

I regard my netbook to be a computer aide too. I use it at work, at university and when I go to see my girlfriend's family. I can't imagine using the iPad in the first two situations, and even so in the third it would be limited. I can watch native videos on my netbook, I can do some programming on my netbook, I can even play some flash games if I'm that bored, while still having the other programs open, as well as MSN. It'd run slow but I've upgraded the RAM - another thing you can't do on the iPad (which apparently has 256mb RAM? No wonder there's no multitasking!).

Also, the OS is just not good for the iPad. I'm getting sick of the app-for-that approach Apple has taken - yes, there may be an app for everything but thats not good. It feels like some poor chunks of code that don't communicate and I hate that enough on my iPhone. I don't want to have to enter one app, exit to enter another, then exit that one too and then exit another all the time, especially on this thing.

And then even after you purchase it they'll milk you with the overpriced apps for things you could do for free on a normal pc/netbook. As I said in another post, there isn't even a native media player, is there? One that could run a standard AVI or wmv file without requiring conversion? If anything they'll release a media player on the app store and make you pay £10 for it. If Microsoft did something like that, imagine the hatred!
 
HLdan said:
Lots of positive comments so far. Why are there so many negatives on the articles? This one already has 7 negatives but all the comments are positive? Odd.
Click to expand...

And as for yourself HLdan, I can't help but feel that you're being a little disingenuous here. If anyone in this thread utters a disparaging remark about the big iPod then there's an instant backlash and requests to take our opinions elsewhere. Hence the use of the negative clicks and the avoidance of fanboi flaming. If you've an issue with the pos/neg clicks then maybe you should take it up with the mods. Perhaps they can disable this feature for any story that you think requires only positive posts.
 
Limiting feature

The problem I see with the iPad is that you must have a computer to link it to. If they want to have broad acceptance, then it must be computer independent. This device is a perfect 1st computer for many people who don't need all the bells and whistles of a full fledged computer, but in order to use it, you have to have a computer. Doesn't make sense that way. Apple should set up a "cloud" computer for the user so that he/she can access and update all info online.
 
Dooger said:
Calm down lil dude, we get the picture, you love your iPad and you love Apple. It's just funny that you mention mic, camera, USB, SD when Apple didn't even bother to give you a calculator or alarm clock. And with these caveats it appears that you're not so enamoured with your new toy despite your protests to the contrary. However, it might cheer you to know that I'm declaring you my "Apple Fan of The Day". There was some pretty tough competition today so you should be proud lil feller. Congrats!
Click to expand...

How can I win your "Apple Fan of The Day" award when you clearly point out that I'm miffed there are no Calculator or Alarm apps? If I'm telling the truth, these omissions would make me not as happy as you would seem to think I am. Also, the lack of camera/USB would further strain my patience with this company.

I'm either "Fan of The Day" or not enamored with the device. I can't be both!

Please don't confuse me with a fan boy however. It is true, on this day I love Apple and my iPad, but I've been in these forums many a time when I didn't love Apple or something they created, or some policy of theirs.

I only call them like I see them.
 
furi0usbee said:
How can I win your "Apple Fan of The Day" award when you clearly point out that I'm miffed there are no Calculator or Alarm apps? If I'm telling the truth, these omissions would make me not as happy as you would seem to think I am. Also, the lack of camera/USB would further strain my patience with this company.

I'm either "Fan of The Day" or not enamored with the device. I can't be both!

Please don't confuse me with a fan boy however. It is true, on this day I love Apple and my iPad, but I've been in these forums many a time when I didn't love Apple or something they created, or some policy of theirs.

I only call them like I see them.
Click to expand...

Good point.... why no alarm or Calc app..... ?
 
Not that my opinion amounts to much but I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed with this iPad. I stopped by the Apple store with the purpose of checking it out (I have been very skeptical since the keynote presentation). Within two minutes of using it I could see its potential, both for personal and enterprise environments, and purchased one. This UI is supremely better than the iPhone UI (many similarities but much more mature).

I honestly believe Apple has set a new threshold in personal computing.

Hopefuly a third party will create a stunning case and automobile mount system. Someone also has to come up with a way to print as if it were a part of the OS.
 
Ubuntu said:
I regard my netbook to be a computer aide too...
Click to expand...

I think of a Netbook as a little brother to a desktop or laptop. I consider the iPad a cousin to the desktop/laptop. I've used netbooks before, but for what they do, and what I do, I just simply took my MacBook with me.

Also, the iPad will offer a new way of doing old things, which is what I think people are excited for. And I think the iPad has 512MB of RAM, but don't quote me on that.
 
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