So many tech savies hate iPad 2 why?

[cajhne]

That is one gripe I don't get. I'd like better cameras as it's always better to have better quality.

But my sole use of them is for video calls and they're apparently fine for that. can't be much worse than the crappy webcame on my thinkpad that I use now.

I have a digital camera that fits in my pocket that I use for pics. I won't carry my iPad around when site seeing etc. anyway as I usually don't have a bag, and it would be awkward standing somewhere and taking a picture with a 10" tablet anyway!

Rear cameras are great for showing people things, whilst being able to seeing their reactions in real-time. It also lets you see what they are seeing through your lense, so you can aim properly. There are also augmented reality aps for iPad (and Android, and Palm devices) which make use of the rear camera. Some video games use a videofeed from the rear camera to move the game view like Arcade Reality, one of the first augmented reality Aps that was popular on the Palm platform.

It would also be handy for capturing paperwork like a photocopier. I use my phone for that quite often, to keep records of paystubs, and important things I have to remember later. Try doing that with a webcam sometime. It sucks!

 

[dmaul1114]

Haha, maybe a kindred spirit. There's nothing quite like that simple small Kindle with e-ink screen, and free 3G internet for life. I used it to check e-mail last I was in the States as well, no roaming charges, no data caps, nothin! Now THAT's packing light! For most of what I read book-wise, colour isn't necessary and a month of battery life is nice too. I may have a bit of nostalgia for those shades of grey as well. Feels a bit like my ancient Palm Pilot Professional, but, well, good. I always have to laugh at people comparing the Kindle it to the iPad. Completely different markets. Half the point is not staring into a bright light, the other half is the size... what's to compare? No one is on the fence as to whether to buy a Kindle OR an iPad. Just depends on the features you value most.

Yeah, I love my Kindle. I can't do long term reading on my girlfiend's iPad, the screen tires my eyes bad after an hour or so. Fine for newpapers etc., but not for novels where I may read for 3 or 4 hours straight etc. E-ink is great for that IMO. But others have no issues reading on LCD screens, so that's a YMMV thing.

I don't have the 3G anymore, when I upgraded to the Kindle 3 I opted for WiFi only as I seldom used the 3G outside of the house anyway as I hated the web browser and only bought books at home mostly anyway.

 

[dmaul1114]

Rear cameras are great for showing people things, whilst being able to seeing their reactions in real-time. It also lets you see what they are seeing through your lense, so you can aim properly.

Yeah, but that's still web cam/video call use and doesn't need a 5 megapixel camera etc. since quality on video calls isn't that great anyway due to connection speeds etc.

I like it having a rear camera for video calls for sure. I just don't care about it not being great for taking still pictures or recording video as I would use my digital camera for those things and not a tablet anyway personally.

 

[cajhne]

Yeah, I love my Kindle. I can't do long term reading on my girlfiend's iPad, the screen tires my eyes bad after an hour or so. Fine for newpapers etc., but not for novels where I may read for 3 or 4 hours straight etc. E-ink is great for that IMO. But others have no issues reading on LCD screens, so that's a YMMV thing.

I don't have the 3G anymore, when I upgraded to the Kindle 3 I opted for WiFi only as I seldom used the 3G outside of the house anyway as I hated the web browser and only bought books at home mostly anyway.

I like the 3G because I'm incredibly cheap. I don't want to have to pay anything for internet access, especially when traveling because the costs are set up to take advantage of your urgent need to keep in touch with everyone. I also used it recently to buy the rest of the Hitchhiker's guide series whilst waiting at the DMV for 6 gobsmacking hours. No wireless for miles, but the 3G saved me from strangling the person next to me with their tinny noise-blasting headphones, and I finished another book in the series. The other reason I bought the Kindle is the text-to-speech function. I edit a LOT of photos for work, and having large sci-fi novels read to me through headphones also saves my sanity. Was a little odd to get used to, since the pronunciation is still off on a few words (human = hoo-mahn), but I got over that in about an hour, and don't even notice it anymore.

PS- Sorry for being off-topic. We probably should move this to an Amazon forum or something. ;P That's one of the things I like about Mac User forums, though is most people are pretty chilled out. reminds me of a lot of the Linux forums I frequent. People mostly interested in helping eachother.

 

[cajhne]

Yeah, but that's still web cam/video call use and doesn't need a 5 megapixel camera etc. since quality on video calls isn't that great anyway due to connection speeds etc.

I like it having a rear camera for video calls for sure. I just don't care about it not being great for taking still pictures or recording video as I would use my digital camera for those things and not a tablet anyway personally.

Yea, I suppose if you've got a camera with you all the time, there's less of a need for a good one in the back of the iPad. I suppose for me, it would be nice to have the high-res shots of paperwork/letters etc for the applications on the iPad. Things like: insert picture of chalkboard full of notes/equations into class notes without having to e-mail them to myself later. 5mp seems like a lot, but in low light, with the chance for jitter and blur to be there, every mp counts! The webcam can stay low-res. That bothers me less.

 

[dmaul1114]

I like the 3G because I'm incredibly cheap. I don't want to have to pay anything for internet access, especially when traveling because the costs are set up to take advantage of your urgent need to keep in touch with everyone.

Yeah, not a huge issue for me. If traveling for work, I can generally get them to pay for the wifi in the hotel it its not free.

If it's vacation, I put an auto reply on my e-mail and usually stay away from the internet and e-mail!

I also used it recently to buy the rest of the Hitchhiker's guide series whilst waiting at the DMV for 6 gobsmacking hours. No wireless for miles, but the 3G saved me from strangling the person next to me with their tinny noise-blasting headphones, and I finished another book in the series.

Good use! For me I have a ton of e-books I haven't read yet pre-loaded at all times, and usually buy all of a series at once (at least after liking the first book). I think I used the 3G outside my house twice in the two years I had Kindles with 3G, so I just couldn't justify the $50 for it when getting the K3 myself. Haven't missed it yet either. But sounds like $50 well spent for you given your uses!

The other reason I bought the Kindle is the text-to-speech function. I edit a LOT of photos for work, and having large sci-fi novels read to me through headphones also saves my sanity. Was a little odd to get used to, since the pronunciation is still off on a few words (human = hoo-mahn), but I got over that in about an hour, and don't even notice it anymore.

Yeah, personally, I've never liked audio books, much less the robotic text to speech. I want to fully immerse myself in books, so I could never listen to them while doing something else. And I just prefer reading that sitting and listening to something as I find I appreciate the writing and language more that way. But it's definitely a neat feature for those like you who enjoy it!

 

[cajhne]

If it's vacation, I put an auto reply on my e-mail and usually stay away from the internet and e-mail!

Heh, totally. I like to check my personal e-mail on vacation, just to see how things are going with friends, etc. My company already knows not to bother me while I'm on vacation, so that's not an issue. No emergency is too great that it cant wait until I get back. I'm a designer, though, so it's not like they'd be calling me for an emergency design, anyway. ;P

Yeah, personally, I've never liked audio books, much less the robotic text to speech. I want to fully immerse myself in books, so I could never listen to them while doing something else. And I just prefer reading that sitting and listening to something as I find I appreciate the writing and language more that way. But it's definitely a neat feature for those like you who enjoy it!

I tend to do both, but I totally understand, and would much prefer having enough time to read for 6 hours a day during the workweek. Sometimes I'll re-read sections I like later for a more immersive experience. It doesn't work with every book, and honestly, some are just manuals for things, and mostly informational. The Silmarillion was one such book... man that's a book you can really sleep to!

 

[kamalds]

Being a very popular netbook site owner, I hate iPad as I find that my $200 netbook keeps me more productive than iPad. Oh, and I can also run a variety of media files without any conversion. It is not slow by any means too - has 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD and is fast enough. People complain that netbooks are slow, but they don't mention that they don't know how to maintain them in order to keep them speedy.

Since my netbook runs Windows, I don't have any problem 'finding' apps for it.

BTW, none of my computers running windows have been infected by Viruses. And no, there is no anti virus installed on any of them.

That said, I don't want any tablet running smartphone OS. I may get a Windows 7 tablet if some (reputed) manufacture starts offering one for below 350 dollars and that too with removable battery.

 

[cajhne]

Being a very popular netbook site owner, I hate iPad as I find that my $200 netbook keeps me more productive than iPad. Oh, and I can also run a variety of media files without any conversion. It is not slow by any means too - has 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD and is fast enough. People complain that netbooks are slow, but they don't mention that they don't know how to maintain them in order to keep them speedy.

You mentioned your netbook keeps you more productive than iPad. What are you doing on your netbook that can't be done on an iPad? Have you tried an iPad? Looked into it? For a lot of people, it's a fine productivity tool. It's also got games for the gamers, music for music lovers, and time wasters for those keen on killing time.

Also, why do you hate iPad? You like your netbook, but why hate something you don't want in the first place? Now if you own one, and it just doesn't do anything it's supposed to, that's a good reason to hate it. Having a netbook and hating an iPad is like eating a burger, deciding you like it, and then turning to the guy next to you with the chicken sandwich and deciding you hate his chicken sandwich. It makes no sense.

Aside from that, if you're so keen on productivity, why are you here trolling this mac forum website? Shouldn't you be off being productive with your netbook somewhere? Aren't you happy with it? Go enjoy it for Pete's sake.

FYI, starting your argument by saying you own a popular netbook website makes it clear that you're biased against anything that isn't a netbook, since you have a personal interest in speaking up netbooks. Of course you hate the iPad, it's stealing your traffic!
The iPad and a netbook are two very different things! Your netbook isn't trying to be an iPad, and the iPad isn't trying to be a netbook. There's no one-size fits all solution for everyone. The people who think there is find themselves in flame wars with other people who think the same thing.

Since my netbook runs Windows, I don't have any problem 'finding' apps for it.

BTW, none of my computers running windows have been infected by Viruses. And no, there is no anti virus installed on any of them.

That said, I don't want any tablet running smartphone OS. I may get a Windows 7 tablet if some (reputed) manufacture starts offering one for below 350 dollars and that too with removable battery.

Have you seen the tablets running Windows 7? Unless Microsoft up and makes an OS that's suited to touch-screen input, it will be another nightmare device that you'll waste time trying to make work like your netbook does. Have you thought about a netvertible? Those have touch-screens, run Windows and most I've seen are under your price limit. Why does it have to be a tablet? You'll sorely miss your keyboard, I guarantee it. Stick with netbooks, but don't "hate" the iPad. It makes you look insane.

 

[grawk]

It's always easier to hate things you won't try. Once you try it, it stops being abstract.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

History has showed us that not always what seems to be best succeeds, but what gains the public's acceptance.
Just to name a few examples:
- Betamax (RIP) vs VHS
- Coleco (RIP) vs Atari
- Atari (RIP) vs Apple
- BeOS (RIP) vs Linux
- HDDVD (RIP) vs BluRay
- Zune (RIP) vs iPod

In case of thus discussion: Android Tablet vs iPad, specs will not make one of them win, but general acceptance. And so far, the sales figures have spoken. Someone show us an Android device that has sold as fast and that had the same or higher demand than the iPhone or iPad.

I know several people who got the latest and greatest Android devices and now hate them. even the Droid and Droid 2, and the new tablets out there.

So until the numbers don't show the contrary, the iPad is the clear winner for now. And as it has happened in the past, when the others finally catch up to it, a better iPad will be released that will once again blow them away.

 

[Irishman]

People complain about iPad 2 ram.
People complain about how iPad 2 only starts with 16GB memory. But, yet, everyone says 16GB will be enough.
People complain about iPad 2 has crappy cameras. People will hold 10 inch tablet to take pictures.
People complain about ipad 2's display.
People complain about iOS 4.3, but 5.0 has not been shown yet.

These tech savies talk about how much Xoom is better than iPad 2, but they are not buying xoom, either. So, why do they trash talk about iPad 2 like some of you are doing in this forum?

Why are people so ignorant? Why do you all ask specs that don't even make sense on tablet, but not willing to pay more money for it?

I have a simple, yet elegant, explanation:

The people who really love Android, don't do it because they love Android. They do it because they hate Apple.

And Android is the non-Apple.

 

[Irishman]

Part of the mentality behind specs is that software can improve after the fact while hardware doesn't.

buy the ipad 2 and you'll always have crappy cams on it (which isn't a big deal for normal photography, but say you wanna scan a barcode or something, there's no autofocus) even if the software gets better

with something like the xoom, (more memory, better cams, etc) the software may be mediocre right now, but it will definitely improve with time and the hardware is there to back it up along the way.

Doesn't mean the xoom is better it's just a different way of thinking about the experience, planning for down the road (xoom), or getting the best of what's out now (iPad 2).

Yes, but who's been sitting at home, waiting for a tablet computer that they can scan barcodes with? I mean, really? What does that constitute of that market? 1%? If that?

Noone is going to market to that 1%.

 

[DarwinOSX]

Being a very popular netbook site owner, I hate iPad as I find that my $200 netbook keeps me more productive than iPad

You "hate" iPad? Because you prefer netbooks? Seek therapy.

 

[deeddawg]

So until the numbers don't show the contrary, the iPad is the clear winner for now. And as it has happened in the past, when the others finally catch up to it, a better iPad will be released that will once again blow them away.

NES blew away Atari, Sega gave Nintendo a big challenge, Sony took over the market, and later Microsoft ate Sony's lunch.

That doesn't mean Apple will be surpassed, but if they rest on their laurels someone else will come in and offer a newer/better/cooler option.

 

[fertilized-egg]

History has showed us that not always what seems to be best succeeds, but what gains the public's acceptance.
Just to name a few examples:

- Zune (RIP) vs iPod

Zune was just a bad marketing by Microsoft and by marketing I include the product planning process. Instead of sticking with the dying MP3 market, Apple attacked the new group of consumers that wanted a smartphone but in a smaller and cheaper package. Microsoft thought the MP3 player was still all about music and media and as result the Zune didn't have a good app store nor could surf the internet like the iPod Touch.

The Zune was a good product but it wasn't any better than the iPod Touch, just different. Apple sensed the upcoming change in the market and adjusted accordingly and Microsoft didn't. Yet to the Apple contrarians, it just seems people couldn't see a clearly better product in the Zune and instead bought the Apple logo just because of "marketing."

As a sidenote the Zune HD was one of the few major products that used the Tegra 1 and unfortunately its general hardware specs lagged behind the iPod Touch. Maybe the Tegra brand is cursed.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

BTW, none of my computers running windows have been infected by Viruses. And no, there is no anti virus installed on any of them.

Well, you can't tell if you have a virus unless you first run an Antivirus to check for it.
I'll bet that if you run Spybot on your Netbook you'll find a few surprises.
And when you finally decide to run an Antivirus(try an online antivirus if you don't want to install one) you'll find a ton of Office documents infected with Macro Viruses.

I used to think the iPad was a toy, even after playing with it at the store during multiple times. After waiting for months for the promised Android tablets, i decided to get an iPad. The first 2 weeks I hated it, but after that, and months later of owning one, I consider it the best investment I made in 2010.

The iPad has allowed me to be more efficient at my work, and even allowed me to earn money in situations when without it I wouldn't have been able to.
It paid itself within a month.

And you compare your Atom (crippled) processor Netbook to an iPad? LOL
Thank you for the morning chuckle. It may be good for you, but it doesn't mean that the rest of us have to accept that inferior device.

I have tested several Netbooks, and so far none have impressed me.Their under $350.00 price tag is there for a reason.
I would rather get a MacBook Air, even if it's the lowest end model.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Zune was just a bad marketing by Microsoft and by marketing I include the product planning process. Instead of sticking with the dying MP3 market, Apple attacked the new group of consumers that wanted a smartphone but in a smaller and cheaper package. Microsoft thought the MP3 player was still all about music and media and as result the Zune didn't have a good app store nor could surf the internet like the iPod Touch.

The Zune was a good product but it wasn't any better than the iPod Touch, just different. Apple sensed the upcoming change in the market and adjusted accordingly and Microsoft didn't.

Couldn't be said better... And history repeats itself once again...

 

[Amazing Iceman]

NES blew away Atari, Sega gave Nintendo a big challenge, Sony took over the market, and later Microsoft ate Sony's lunch.

That doesn't mean Apple will be surpassed, but if they rest on their laurels someone else will come in and offer a newer/better/cooler option.

Let's just hope they don't.

 

[camelsnot]

back to the REAL subject at hand about hate.

I think it has to do more with some of the smugness and the cult-like sheep that surround Apple. I can't use the correct term as it's not allowed on these forums, apparently.

It comes down to.. .use what you want to use. If I don't want or like Apple products, I don't need some smug little pr*ck telling me I suck and asking what I have against Steve Jobs and the corporation, reminding me he's dying of cancer. Like that's supposed to change my opinion of Apple or of Steve. After a while, hearing the same bs rhetoric, you get jaded by it.

I also don't need to be force fed a bunch of crap about how open iOS is, and how the Apple community is centered around harmony and unity between the consumer and their piece of hardware. Really? It's an electronic device.. get over yourself. As much effort as some smug clowns put into trying to convince themselves and the world that we need Apple, they could be using that effort and money to better themselves and their community.

Apple will fail eventually. All big companies that get too big and have big egos to match eventually become their own device of demise. As big as Steve Jobs ego is, it's only a matter of time. It may be 10 years time.. but years from now you'll look back at the timeline and see the points which caused the demise. You can see it with the choices companies like IBM and Microsoft made.

That being said, I have an ipad 2, 2 ipods, mac book pro, hp laptop, Droid phone, various home built pcs and other devices. No, I'm not an Apple fan. I'm a person that uses what I want to use with no belief in a specific brand loyalty. All brands let you down. All companies have skeletons in their closet.

This isn't religion so get over it. If someone wants a Xoom, let them buy it. If it works for them, great.. if not, resist the dickish urge to say "mmeeeh told you so". Passive aggressive isn't a flattering color.

 

[Ping Guo]

I think the attitude stems from what people use the iPad for, and why. For people who rely on their gadgets for work, and often wish to be as far away from them as possible when not working, the iPad is neither fish nor fowl in terms of productivity.

Need to fire off a quick email while standing in the subway, balancing a briefcase? iPhone wins. Need to quickly check some financial news, weather, etc., while standing in said subway balancing the briefcase? iPhone still wins. Need to call or send an SMS? iPhone.

On the other hand, need to get your hands dirty and do some real work in the hotel room, airport terminal, or office? Laptop or PC. No question. For real productivity, a laptop, even a small one, still beats the iPad. Need to run specific software? (And most working people do). Well... you're SOL with the iPad. You need a laptop or PC for that.

So really, the iPad represents a 3rd accesory, gadget, whatever, that neither replaces a laptop, nor a smartphone. As a productivity tool, it's OK. Not great. Can you do a lot of the stuff you do on a laptop with an iPad? Yup. Is it faster, easier, and a better overall experience? In most cases, no. (Not talking about surfing or playing some games, but real work).

You know, 99% of the people I see using iPads are either playing a game, browsing, watching a video, or looking at photos. And that's fine. The iPad is a great device for those purposes. But "tech savvy" users generally want to do much more, or run specific software. That just isn't possible on the iPad, so these types tend to look down on it as a consumer toy, albeit a very good one.

 

[dmaul1114]

Unless Microsoft up and makes an OS that's suited to touch-screen input, it will be another nightmare device that you'll waste time trying to make work like your netbook does.

Rumors do say that MS is finally working on that, and that's why they said they won't have any iPad competitor launched before late 2012.

I'm looking forward to seeing how that happens. If nothing else a tablet that at least had MS office would be great for me as that's the main thing I need to be able to do any real work with a tablet while traveling. I could live without my stats programs etc. as I don't often do a lot of data analysis while traveling (but do sometimes).

But that's a long ways off, so I'll enjoy the iPad 2 for a couple of years while waiting to see what happens on the MS tablet OS front. Heck, maybe the iPad will eventually get some office apps that are actually compatible going back and forth with MS Office unlike the iWorks or Docs to Go which screw things up in complex documents with lots of tables and figures etc.

 

[grawk]

The lack of specific software problem is one that will resolve itself over time. With the projected user base for the ipad, I'd be willing to bet (and am betting with my purchasing) that we'll see more and better software for the ipad. The new processor and graphics power will go a long way toward making that happen.

As to word and excel files, I'd be willing to bet there will either be an open office version, or a real honest to goodness microsoft version that will resolve that in the near future. It's just too big a market to be ignored.

 

[fertilized-egg]

I think it has to do more with some of the smugness and the cult-like sheep that surround Apple. I can't use the correct term as it's not allowed on these forums, apparently.

It comes down to.. .use what you want to use. If I don't want or like Apple products, I don't need some smug little pr*ck telling me I suck and asking what I have against Steve Jobs and the corporation,
...
I also don't need to be force fed a bunch of crap about how open iOS is, and how the Apple community is centered around harmony and unity between the consumer and their piece of hardware.

Let me fix that for you

I think it has to do more with some of the smugness and the cult-like sheep that surround Google Android. I can't use the correct term as it's not allowed on these forums, apparently.

It comes down to.. .use what you want to use. If I don't want or like Android, I don't need some smug little pr*ck telling me I suck and asking why I am an iSheep
...
I also don't need to be force fed a bunch of crap about how open Android is, and how the Google Android community is centered around harmony and unity between the consumer and their open OS.

This is too easy.

 

[dmaul1114]

That being said, I have an ipad 2, 2 ipods, mac book pro, hp laptop, Droid phone, various home built pcs and other devices. No, I'm not an Apple fan. I'm a person that uses what I want to use with no belief in a specific brand loyalty. All brands let you down. All companies have skeletons in their closet.

This isn't religion so get over it. If someone wants a Xoom, let them buy it. If it works for them, great.. if not, resist the dickish urge to say "mmeeeh told you so". Passive aggressive isn't a flattering color.

Well said, and I agree the reason for hate is the smugness.

I'm not a huge tech guy in general, so I just can't stand people that LOVE tech in general, much less those who are loyal to a particular company etc.

They're silly gadgets. Use what you like and shut the hell up and let others do the same.

And I agree it's not just the Apple fans. Android fans, PC fans etc. can be just as annoying. Gadget fanboys, like all fanboys, are nerdy annoying losers who I wouldn't piss on if they were on fire regardless of their company of choice.