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Post by Mathazar on Jan 28, 2010 11:20:36 GMT -7
A coworker asked what we thought of the new apple magical whateverstevecalledit. I thought I'd share my responce with you guys and maybe see if I'm missing something awesome about this thing.
iPad 500dollar model (released in April)
A4 processor (1.4ghz) with integrated graphics
16gig of flash storage
No ram spec yet (suspected 512 in base model)
9.7 inch 1024x768 touch screen (4x3 aspect ratio)
vga out at 576p
3g, blue tooth and Wifi b/g/n
over all size 9.5"x7.5"x.5" at 1.5 lbs
10 hour battery life claimed
modified iphone os
no usb port
My eeepc netbook (model is already a year old) 250 dollars
Atom processor (1.6ghz)
GMA945 express graphics
160gig hdd
1gig ram
10.1" 1024x600 (16:10 aspect ratio); touch screen 90 extra
vga out at full 1024x768
Blue tooth, Wifi b/g/n and wired gigabit ethernet
over all size 10"x7"x1" at 2.4lbs
10 hour battery life claimed
Any OS that will run on i386 (all versions of windows and linux plus OSX)
hardware keyboard, no stand needed for screen, 1.3mp web cam, 2xusb, card reader, built in mic, standard headphone and mic jack, multi tasking, flash, any software you want...
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Remy
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Post by Remy on Jan 28, 2010 12:14:56 GMT -7
IMO Apple missed the mark on this one. But in response to your comparison I can only talk about what 'my' needs are:
I'm looking for a ereader and handwritten note taker so I'm more interested in the iPad direction of things then I am in the netbook.
The netbook idea to me is a small laptop and I'll rather do the things I do on a laptop with nothing less then a 15 inch screen and like sized keyboard.
I would never use a netbook for reading in bed or notetaking in class/meetings or viewing movies etc on a plane. It's overkill and the user experience for those tasks on a netbook does not compare. I would use a device like the iPad for those things and not feel like I was missing functionality. Unforgivably Apple did not give me that. Here is hoping for version 2.
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Post by b0lg on Jan 28, 2010 12:33:27 GMT -7
I think they missed the mark as well, I was really excited for a TABLET computer to be my e-reader and note taker as well. I miss my Slate tablet from motion computing, it died after 4 years and cost $2k to replace so I got a Mac Book Pro.
The Ipad is not a tablet, it is the iTouch XL. I guess I'll save up another $1000 and just replace my Tablet PC with a W7 version.
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Phr0st
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Post by Phr0st on Jan 28, 2010 14:56:40 GMT -7
I'm going to be the devils advocate here.
The reason the iPad is totally viable, is because all of the stuff you are talking about here does not matter or mean anything to the consumer base apple is trying to reach.
These same arguments were made about the iPhone when it was coming out, the only thing was back then the multitouch was futuristic and "WoW", this time the tech already exists everyone seen it, its not shocking.
Now that tech in a device that you don't have to have in your pocket and for meetings/note taking you don't have to look like an idiot pecking at a small smart phone, you don't have to squint to watch your tiny movie, or try and read books/web pages on the tiny screen zooming in and out hoping you tap the link you wanted with your thumb thats as big as the screen.
The device is getting press, maybe some bad press but its getting press all the same. It will change things just the way the phone did, naysayers said the exact same thing and look at the iPhone in their pockets now? (Yep theres one in mine.)
This will be in schools, they will teach with them, I can't imagine a better device for schools, interactive books with video? hands on experiments ? without taking up an entire desk with a pc or laptop? Its already locked down for them, no need for an IT department.
To the greater populous the technology or limitations therein do not even matter. Businesses on the web will form their sites to fit this device, create apps to work on it instead of using the web, Apple won't be changing this device to fit them.
Thats power you can't buy.
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Post by Mathazar on Jan 28, 2010 18:59:40 GMT -7
500 for an e-reader? fail. If my local school wasted their money on this I'd be up in arms. You can get the same for far less. You can get more for less... The Asus T91. A true tablet, for under 450.  |
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Remy
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Post by Remy on Jan 28, 2010 19:57:29 GMT -7
If I wanted more I would buy a laptop. I need less. That keyboard is a waste on my $500 e-reader.
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Jackdruid
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Post by Jackdruid on Jan 28, 2010 20:45:25 GMT -7
I'm looking for a ereader and handwritten note taker so I'm more interested in the iPad direction of things then I am in the netbook. Unforgivably Apple did not give me that. Here is hoping for version 2. Being able to take handwritten notes would require a stylus. I thought Jobs hates styluses - which makes me question if it will ever happen on an Apple-made product. |
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Grimmie
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Post by Grimmie on Jan 28, 2010 20:57:10 GMT -7
Another thing IMO that I think is good about the IPAD is the ability to use your allready purchased Apps from your phone or touch for your pad. Not to mention the fact that there are allready over 200,000 Apps involved too.. I broke down and bought an I Touch and very seldom put the thing down I love the fact that since I am LDS I can put all my church involved stuff on it and leave the heavy stuff at home.. $500 is high but if the apps run on it as well as they do on my touch it may be worth it...
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Remy
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Post by Remy on Jan 28, 2010 22:42:55 GMT -7
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Post by Mathazar on Jan 28, 2010 23:18:10 GMT -7
$500 is high but if the apps run on it as well as they do on my touch it may be worth it... It had better run the same apps far far better. I know that this will sell. People will want it. Some people will find uses for it that are perfect for them. I just think that it's going to be another macbook air. Early adopters will rush in and then sales will drop off. I don't think this is the next ipod/iphone power house. |
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Post by b0lg on Jan 29, 2010 10:28:28 GMT -7
Phr0st is right, this is for a particular set of consumers. Our parents, Grandparents and kids. People who cannot control/read the small ipods. People who have the money to spend on themselves or their grandkids. It's not a good solution for students, most students can afford one computer and it won't bet the iTouch XL it will be a mac book, PC, net book or covetable tablet. 128 of our 189 students have a PC laptop 61 have macs. Out of the 128 90 have a convertible tablet or net book.
The iTouch XL is not bridging the gap between smartphone and desktop, it's making a nitch market just like the slate tablet PC's did.
If I wanted the Iphone UI on my tablet pc I would make my BG black, icons huge, disable the start menu and force everything to open maximized. the UI is not new, it's just been tweaked and bragged about.
Keep in mind I had set aside $1000 to buy the Ipad when it was available, now I am just going to buy candy...
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Jackdruid
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Post by Jackdruid on Jan 29, 2010 11:07:53 GMT -7
I had set aside $1000 to buy the Ipad when it was available, now I am just going to buy candy... Classic. |
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Post by Mathazar on Jan 29, 2010 14:27:28 GMT -7
I really don't mean to throw gas on the fire with this image, but it's to funny not to share.  |
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Remy
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Post by Remy on Jan 29, 2010 16:11:07 GMT -7
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Post by p00p on Jan 29, 2010 17:20:42 GMT -7
I have much to say on this subject! I've just been a bit pwnt at work. I think I got my iPad opinion rounded out well enough now through some arguing with Remy over the last couple of days. I Agree with Phr0st in that it's a consumption device. It's not innovating or bridging the gap between PC and mobile phones, it's just added "Super-Sized" portions to the fast-food-style-buy-it-because-it's-easy App store lineup.
Addressing the lack of flash; I will say that I think it's not about the device performance or CPU usage or battery efficiency. It's all about protecting the business model. And I can't really blame them for it.
Apps generate a huge steaming load of revenue. When you introduce a platform like flash (or Java for that matter) you introduce potential for games and other programs to run outside of iTunes and outside of the Fruity Big Brother's comfort. Allowing flash on a browser will allow you to play flash based games and view other website material and media that uses flash. Why allow that when you can build an app that will have most of the lost functionality from an otherwise free web page and charge for it? Allowing this would undoubtedly start eating away from that steaming pile of revenue that comes from the App Store. The Fruit will not relinquish this kind of control easily, if at all. Now, personally, I think that this is EVIL. But you all should already know of my hatred towards this Fruity company anyway, so that point is mute.
The iPad is an internet appliance. It closes some gadget gaps with the myriad of e-readers and media players on the market, I'm sure it will be a fun little device in that aspect. The apps will be cool, using it to read eBooks will be nice, light web viewing will be just ok, maybe less-so. Typing much on an onscreen keyboard is rather painful. I know this because I have a 23" touchscreen at home and Win7's on-screen keyboard is nice, not much differences in on-screen keyboards between Apple and M$. When I get a Tablet, I'll use the on-screen for sure, but it's not something to write an email on or do work with. I'll ether flip it around and use the standard keyboard or use handwritten notes with a stylus (handwriting translation on Win7 works really well with the times I've used a stylus -and this on just an optical touchscreen..)
The iPad is NOT a tablet and in no way should EVER be called one in it's current form. It's not a tablet, at least not by it's accepted definition of a Tablet being a mobile PC with a touchscreen or stylus interface. It's not a computer or even a computational device that could be compared to a computer.
It's an Internet Appliance.
It may eventually have some kind of rudimentary productivity applications, but doesn't currently bridge any gap in-between a laptop and a smartphone. I would say it widens the gap by adding another device between the two. It misses the core functions of both a phone and a laptop.
Well, that's my take on it (in a nutshell anyway). In the aspect of what the device really is, it will be pretty cool. Just don't call it a Tablet; -Them's fight'n words.
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