Apple iPad vs. Anything else

The iPad is fantastic. I'm typing on it right now. For most applications that fall into the area of consuming the iPad is the way to go. It is also great for all the apps that are available. For production it doesn't replace a laptop but then again it wasn't meant to do so. It augments a laptop, but since I purchased the iPad, I find myself using the laptop less and less.

Anyone who disses the iPad probably has not really used one.
 
Dude, she's your mom! Get her whatever she wants and spend as much quality time with her as you can, sadly she won't always be there!
 
First off apple products are not a gimick , they work flawlessly for years and are worth the money! The saying " you get what you pay for " comes to
Mind when I think of apple products! The UI is flawless and easy , and their customer service is leaps and bounds above any other electronics manufacturer ! As far as flash goes , so what everything is gonna be HTML5 soon anyway ! For a comparison you could look at the samsung galaxy but it's the same price, has the uber confusing android OS and with android comes short battery life due to the way the apps run in the background at full power ! It would be like getting a Bradley when what you really want is a sebenza , sorta the same but just falls short!!! Go with the apple and dont look back !!
 
The iPad really is neat, and this thread has done a good job of pointing out its pros and cons.

I'm on my third iPhone and would love an iPad of my own (have been using friends' thus far), but the lack of flash compatibility is killing me. I understand the issues with degraded battery life and loss of programming control that motivates Apple to keep flash off the device. Still, when most of your usage revolves around web surfing, you miss it more than you might think. It's frustrating how many youtube videos require a flash plug-in these days. I don't know if HTML5 is really going to be all that some of us hope it will be, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :)
 
all apple products are more gimick than substance imho, I'd go with something else...there are a lot of great tablets out there that are as good or better than the ipad. Try googling "anythingbutipad".
 
Took my first bite of the Apple and picked up an iPod Nano the other day----having fun with it so far----bought mainly to keep me occupied while I decide on what computer to go with--well and to use on the treadmill(hugely BORING) and walks/runs when it warms up----Some major indecision going on there with the replacement computer.
 
mep said:
Anyone who disses the iPad probably has not really used one.
Click to expand...

Both of my roommates have one and I have used them quite a bit. I am still underwhelmed.

zpaulg said:
Dude, she's your mom! Get her whatever she wants and spend as much quality time with her as you can, sadly she won't always be there!
Click to expand...

I want to make sure I get her something she will actually use. She is not the most technologically adept and I see the issues my roommates have with their ipads. She also does not want to sign up for a contract with AT&T (she has had a number of problems with their mobile service) so she would only be using it at locations with free wi-fi. Also, it does not have any way to connect a USB, so her wireless card is useless with it. There is also a chance of me moving to El Salvador this summer. Skype is just about the only realistic means of conversation since phone calls are so high and unreliable. The ipad, for all it bells and whistles, has no camera.

I am honestly leaning really hard toward buying her a netbook. She has been using mine and seems to like it.
 
Investigate the Droid tablets also, you may find they are a tad cheaper and the techies will end up recreating the good ideas and making the apps available from the Droid marketspace in due time, if they arent already available.
 
dougo83 said:
Both of my roommates have one and I have used them quite a bit. I am still underwhelmed.



I want to make sure I get her something she will actually use. She is not the most technologically adept and I see the issues my roommates have with their ipads. She also does not want to sign up for a contract with AT&T (she has had a number of problems with their mobile service) so she would only be using it at locations with free wi-fi. Also, it does not have any way to connect a USB, so her wireless card is useless with it. There is also a chance of me moving to El Salvador this summer. Skype is just about the only realistic means of conversation since phone calls are so high and unreliable. The ipad, for all it bells and whistles, has no camera.

I am honestly leaning really hard toward buying her a netbook. She has been using mine and seems to like it.
Click to expand...

Wait until March. The second gen is pretty much guaranteed to have front and rear facing cameras. Is there a Best Buy near you where she can try out the iPad, net books etc? Most people seem to pick up the iPad and use it instinctively. Netbooks are also pretty straightforward and have really become mini laptops. Hands on is the way to go though if possible.
 
Jesse D.L said:
all apple products are more gimick than substance imho, I'd go with something else...there are a lot of great tablets out there that are as good or better than the ipad. Try googling "anythingbutipad".
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.... :p
 
dougo83 said:
Ok...my mom has decided that she wants an iPad.

Her reasons:
It can be used as an e-reader.
It has games and apps she wants.
It is Wi-Fi enabled.
It is more portable than a laptop.

My objections:
It is super-expensive for what it is.
A netbook has all of the same functionality and then some.
It appears less functional than her iPhone.

So...I am trying to convince her of another option. Realistically, I think she wants it because it is a stupid Apple gimmick. I think a netbook, or even a quality e-reader, would be a better option.

What say you, BF folks?

Thanks Y'all
Dougo
Click to expand...

Without reading any of the rest of the thread, this is the answer.

The iPad is a good idea, but in reality it sucks. It only has one output - which greatly limits what you can do with it. Would you buy a laptop with only one input......and your power cord used that input?

No?

I didn't think so. That's what an iPad is. If she has an iPhone or an iPod touch she would be just as good. It isn't going to be as good of an e-reader as a Kindle, and I doubt she will read books on it. It is an overpriced Youtube video viewer.

So only one output, doesn't have flash, makes you register a credit card to get to the App store, is insanely expensive for the storage you get.......they suck.

In fact, I have one sitting right next to me never used. I work in IT and we had to buy one to familiarize ourselves with it. Out of the box, it does not work. You have to plug it in to a PC/MAC that has itunes installed on it before you can use it.

It is cool in theory, but all of the Apple restrictions make it WAY less useful than they say it is. On top of it, the people who make software have to pay to get a dev kit and then submit their app for approval.

When the DROID OS comes out on a pad, watch out. Everyone will buy it, it will support USB and HDMI-OUT standard, without having to buy extra attachments that plug into your main power supply port. DROID supplies a dev kit for free and anyone can make an app and give it out for free.

DROID will take over iPad/iPhone because the people making the programs to run on it will ultimately decide what is available on what system. More programmers are dropping the iPad and going to DROID for many reasons, some mentioned some not (DROID supporting flash is a big one....easier to program).

If you want to throw away $600 on something that should cost $200 and then spend an extra $300 to buy the proper attachments to use it, go ahead. I am a tech guy, and when I see someone using an iPad I think 'gullible idiot'. Apple has done a great job with marketing that is full of half-truths at best, if not outright lies, and have made people think they are 'hip' and 'techie' if they get one when in reality they are idiots.

Did you know MadTV made a satirical sketch called the iPad? It was for a TAMPON.

/rant
 
mep said:
The iPad is fantastic. I'm typing on it right now. For most applications that fall into the area of consuming the iPad is the way to go. It is also great for all the apps that are available. For production it doesn't replace a laptop but then again it wasn't meant to do so. It augments a laptop, but since I purchased the iPad, I find myself using the laptop less and less.

Anyone who disses the iPad probably has not really used one.
Click to expand...

I have used an iPad and think they suck. Why can't I plug it into a monitor or TV without having to buy an adapter that takes up my power slot?

The part I highlighted is actually a monumental event in IT. The first PC-type object that is purely for CONSUMPTION....the iPad. You do not write documents on it, you do not create videos/pictures, anything of worth. You use it to CONSUME and PURCHASE. It is a way for Apple to suck even more money out of your pocket and also make tons of ad revenue off of you.

It isn't suited to doing any type of production work or work well in any production environment. If you have the money and don't care.....that's fine. But just know that you are getting ripped off on having to buy extra accessories and that it is poorly-designed.....or should I say designed to make the end-user buy extra hardware that is over-priced and should be included for free.

There is no reason that the iPad should only have one input slot - the power supply. Why isn't there a USB so you can transfer videos or mp3's to it? Or word documents? It's because they expect you to just go buy them from the iTunes or App Store. Once it's in your pocket, you have to continually give them money to do what you want.

If I could hack an iPad and put the DROID OS on it I still wouldn't use it. The input situation is too much to overcome for anyone who wants to do anything but view simple webpages, watch youtube videos or listen to music......you know, being productive ;)

/rant. Sorry, I have to deal with two or three people who think they are tech-savvy because they use a Mac when in reality they need to keep a spare PC around to do their real work on all while talking down on PC's, DROID's and anything else when they know nothing about what they are talking about.
 
It took you two posts to crap all over this guy's Mom's decision?

Typical IT guy who has NO CLUE what real people want and assumes that everyone wants what they want.
 
I'm an IT guy and like my ipad just fine. But then again I know what it's intent is. I can create and edit doc just fine with docs to go that backend to my google docs. I play divx, Netflix and a ton of games to kill boredom on trips. I read books on it etc etc... it's a fill gap product. will it take the place of my macbook? No.. but my iphone4 won't take the place of my ipad either. to each there own. I'm fond of everything apple I own and there polished interface. I also like the fact I can use a bash shell native on my macbook or write my perl scripts without having to jump on a unix box at the office. anyhow the ipad works great to fill a gap. I wanted something slim for years that would play divx with a great battery life. the ipad does that with VLC.
 
iPad2 is the way to go. I'll probably be ordering one Friday.

I've tried some of the other tablets, and nothing else comes close.

If you're looking for something to replace your PC, the iPad isn't it. However, it does about 85% of what I use a computer for.
 
I don't see any controversy. Your Mom WANTS an iPad, seems like, and it is not a bad product. If it did not work, or was actually a piece of junk (which even the complainers know it is not), then I could see a problem.

Get it for her.
 
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