iPad i couldn't resist

Seifer

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/icds-tegra-2-powered-gemini-is-the-most-feature-complete-tablet/

That's not even my main point though. It's a device that serves no purpose. Apple have created a product that nobody knew they even wanted (let alone needed), stuck their magic fruit sticker on the back and people are lining up to buy it.
I mean usually if a consumer is posting on a website such as boards about a product it indicates that they are a consumer that knows what they want and have done some research into the product but all that seems to go out the window when it comes to apple.

sprinkles

You haven't exactly made much of a point to be honest other than saying that you don't understand why people are buying them and pointing to a better product. So there is one other tablet out there that impresses over the iPad on features. It hasn't got the iPhone OS which for me would be one of the major features of the iPad, mainly for it's access to the App Store - which is still streets ahead of the android app store. Lets not forget that there are plenty of better spec'd phones than the iPhone on the market too yet I would only consider ditching my iPhone for possibly the Milestone. Main reason I wouldn't do that is I have invested in the iPhone OS in the form of apps. Apps that can run on the iPad. Therefore anyone with an iPhone and a heap of apps would be forced to shell out for a whole list of new apps should they pick up a tablet with a different OS. That said I realise that a lot of the apps on the iPhone will require a double purchase but I have quite a few that I regularly use that won't.

I've outlined my reasons for wanting one here

sprinkles wrote: »

I have a macbook at the minute and I find myseld using my iphone to browse the internet more often than not while in hte house these days purely because the macbook is heavy and after a while it gets ridiculously hot. BUT the display on the iphone is nowhere near big enough - and hence the iPad....

As I said, a 17" MBP (that I intend on buying) is too awkward to bring around with me regularly so simply saying bring your laptop isn't an option. Even if I was to bring my 13" macbook with me I wouldn't and don't. It's too bulky, too heavy and doesn't have 3G (and for me the 3G iPad is the only choice!).

As for gaming on the MBP - they tend to be in the upper echelons in terms of specs so using boot camp is akin to running windows on a high end PC, no problem there. With Steam coming to OSX in the near future I'd wager the need for boot camp will diminish hugely.

@ Graham..... not jealous at all!!!

People didn't think they'd need a car when Ford introduced the model T. You may not see a need for one now but at least sit back and watch how it performs in people's hands and most importantly what the developers can come up with for it before you write it off completely

Seifer

sprinkles wrote: »

You haven't exactly made much of a point to be honest other than saying that you don't understand why people are buying them and pointing to a better product.

Is that not enough of a point?

sprinkles wrote: »

So there is one other tablet out there that impresses over the iPad on features. It hasn't got the iPhone OS which for me would be one of the major features of the iPad, mainly for it's access to the App Store - which is still streets ahead of the android app store. Lets not forget that there are plenty of better spec'd phones than the iPhone on the market too yet I would only consider ditching my iPhone for possibly the Milestone. Main reason I wouldn't do that is I have invested in the iPhone OS in the form of apps. Apps that can run on the iPad. Therefore anyone with an iPhone and a heap of apps would be forced to shell out for a whole list of new apps should they pick up a tablet with a different OS. That said I realise that a lot of the apps on the iPhone will require a double purchase but I have quite a few that I regularly use that won't.

Here you're basically saying that because you invested in an inferior phone you are locked into investing in an inferior tablet.

sprinkles wrote: »

I've outlined my reasons for wanting one here

So your reason for getting an ipad is that your laptop is too big and your iphone is too small? See if those are the kind of problems you have and you don't find the ipads price restrictive in solving them, then your app investment point is nullified. Will you be interested in the product that fits the gap between iphone and ipad?

sprinkles wrote: »

People didn't think they'd need a car when Ford introduced the model T. You may not see a need for one now but at least sit back and watch how it performs in people's hands and most importantly what the developers can come up with for it before you write it off completely

Comparing it to the car is a bit rich. People need cars; no one will ever need an ipad.
I'm sure it will be a commercial success; that's what's bothering me. An inferior product succeeding due to buyer ignorance. Then developers are forced to develop for it because that's where the money is, then people buy it cause it has the most apps and then they buy the i-inbetween-the-phone-and-the-pad because they have so many apps already.

Sad Professor

Seifer wrote: »

It's a device that serves no purpose. Apple have created a product that nobody knew they even wanted (let alone needed),

Sorry, but you are just wrong about this. Why are people buying Kindles? Why are they buying crappy netbooks? There definitely is a market for a mobile device somewhere between a phone and a laptop. It may not interest you (or even me) but it will others.

stuck their magic fruit sticker on the back and people are lining up to buy it.

Ah come on, I'm all for criticising Apple, but don't be so lazy.

there are companies that have done a much better job of it.

Where are they? All I see are prototypes and pre-rendered bullsh*t. Lets wait until these other products are actually here and see how they compare.

Seifer

Sad Professor wrote: »

Sorry, but you are just wrong about this. Why are people buying Kindles? Why are they buying crappy netbooks? There definitely is a market for a mobile device somewhere between a phone and a laptop. It may not interest you (or even me) but it will others.

How many people do you think who'll end up buying the ipad would have bought some other tablet though? They're buying it because it's apple, not because they need a mobile computing solution.
While I'm not a fan of netbooks either, at least they're far less restrictive than what the ipad is offering.

Sad Professor wrote: »

Where are they? All I see are prototypes and pre-rendered bullsh*t. Lets wait until these other products are actually here and see how they compare.

I don't know how many there are; I only found the one I linked from a quick google. But why do people suddenly realise they need a tablet when apple makes one?

Sad Professor

Seifer wrote: »

How many people do you think who'll end up buying the ipad would have bought some other tablet though? They're buying it because it's apple, not because they need a mobile computing solution.

They are buying the iPad because Apple have succeeded where others have failed in making a tablet which is fast, intuitive and a pleasure to use, using software that was designed for it. When the competitor products running a full virus-ridden version of Windows 7 come out we can put them side-by-side and see this for ourselves. I'm not assuming Apple superiority here though. Well maybe I am, but I'd love to see some real competition to the iPad. However, I don't see it in any of these "coming soon" devices with big long feature lists.

Seifer

Sad Professor wrote: »

They are buying the iPad because Apple have succeeded where others have failed in making a tablet which is fast, intuitive and a pleasure to use, using software that was designed for it.

I think if there was survey of those who have bought ipads and those who plan to buy them in the near future, asking whether they had ever seriously considered investing in a tablet before, the yes column would be sparsely populated.

Sad Professor wrote: »

When the competitor products running a full virus-ridden version of Windows 7 come out we can put them side-by-side and see this for ourselves.

I know I'm in the mac forum but wow.
The only good thing about apple's rising popularity is that maybe it'll make them a worthwhile target and these security myths can be debunked.

Sad Professor wrote: »

I'm not assuming Apple superiority here though. Well maybe I am, but I'd love to see some real competition to the iPad. However, I don't see it in any of these "coming soon" devices with big long feature lists.

Yeah, who cares about features? You know you only care about the sticker on the back

Sad Professor

Seifer wrote: »

I think if there was survey of those who have bought ipads and those who plan to buy them in the near future, asking whether they had ever seriously considered investing in a tablet before, the yes column would be sparsely populated.

So basically you are saying that because they didn't "need" a tablet before that proves they are only buying it for the Apple logo? Seriously? Is it not possible that the reason they didn't consider a tablet before is because all pre-ipad tablets were crap?

The only good thing about apple's rising popularity is that maybe it'll make them a worthwhile target and these security myths can be debunked.

As apposed to the market-share myth? Undoubtedly it is a factor, but the main reason Windows became a target for viruses, etc in the first place was because it had a single-user architecture which made it ridiculously vulnerable. It was just never designed with security in mind. There's no way to say for certain because, as you say, it's currently not a target, but I would still argue that OS X with its Unix underpinnings would never be the party for hackers and virus-makers that Windows was.

But my point was that Windows is unsuitable for use in touch-screen tablets. The Gemini will be running Android though, which I'll be interested to see.

Yeah, who cares about features? You know you only care about the sticker on the back

What is it with this obsession about features? You are saying that these other devices are better than the iPad because they have a longer feature list? Who cares about features if they don't work properly or the device is a nightmare to use. There's a reason previous tablets flopped despite running full versions of Windows.

Seifer

Sad Professor wrote: »

So basically you are saying that because they didn't "need" a tablet before that proves they are only buying it for the Apple logo? Seriously? Is it not possible that the reason they didn't consider a tablet before is because all pre-ipad tablets were crap?

Basically, yes, that's what I'm saying. Were they that crap though? Just because they didn't have a slick apple gui behind them?
I have no problem with the tiny percentage of people who looked into tablets previously and decided that they didn't do what they wanted and the ipad now does but people are buying this thing without even seeing it or holding it. They have no clue how useable it is or isn't.

Sad Professor wrote: »

What is it with this obsession about features? You are saying that these other devices are better than the iPad because they have a longer feature list? Who cares about features if they don't work properly or the device is a nightmare to use. There's a reason previous tablets flopped despite running full versions of Windows.

Who says they don't work properly?
Some ipads have dodgy wi-fi and over-heat, is that working properly?

Sad Professor

Seifer wrote: »

Basically, yes, that's what I'm saying. Were they that crap though? Just because they didn't have a slick apple gui behind them?

As has been argued in this thread, you need to have the right type of OS for a device like this. The iPhone OS isn't just slick, it's also very light and easy to use. Afaik all previous tablets ran some version of Windows. While running a full version of Windows or OS X on a tablet might seem like a great idea, I think it's totally impractical on such a small device.

I have no problem with the tiny percentage of people who looked into tablets previously and decided that they didn't do what they wanted and the ipad now does but people are buying this thing without even seeing it or holding it. They have no clue how useable it is or isn't.

I'd want some hands on experience before considering one as well. But early purchasers did see online demos that were quite extensive, far more so than what's available for the HP Slate et al at the moment. Plus, they probably already had experience with iPhones or iPod Touches, and the iPad is basically a giant iPhone. So I think they knew what to expect.

The thing that sets Apple apart from the competition is that they don't announce a new product until it is ready. And when it is they come out and show it to you. Jobs sat there and used the iPad in front of an audience for an hour back in January. Everyone had a pretty good idea how well it worked. And everything I've read so far has been very positive.

Who says they don't work properly?

I don't know, maybe they will be iPad killers. But I doubt it somehow. All these tablets were rushed out in response to the iPad, so I don't have much faith that they'll be up to much.

Some ipads have dodgy wi-fi and over-heat, is that working properly?

That's different, they have faulty components or something. Blame it on mass production. Happens with every electronic device. This is why we have warranties. Unless it turns out to be a design fault, à la the Xbox 360.

BostonB

This is not a tablet. Its a big iPod Touch. Completely different thing entirely. If you're comparing it with a tablet, you don't understand it at all.

Its the OS and the App store that are the killer features here. There nothing else like that.

sprinkles

Seifer wrote: »

Is that not enough of a point?


Here you're basically saying that because you invested in an inferior phone you are locked into investing in an inferior tablet.

No it's not. If that is all you have then I would say your argument is pretty weak. Why aren't you ragging on people for buying the other tablet it tablets are so utterly useless?

Please show me where I said I bought an inferior phone. What I said was that there were higher spec'd phones out there. That doesn't mean by any stretch of the imagination that they are better. Seriously you are losing all credibility here.

So your reason for getting an ipad is that your laptop is too big and your iphone is too small? See if those are the kind of problems you have and you don't find the ipads price restrictive in solving them, then your app investment point is nullified. Will you be interested in the product that fits the gap between iphone and ipad?

Not seeing your point here. How does there fact that I can see a gap in the market (and obviously so can Apple and all the other manufactures of tablets - or at least those that are in the process or developing tablets) make my point about the apps irrelevant? I have bought apps. Some of them will work on the iPad. If I was to buy a tablet device that would definitely weigh in it the iPads favour

Comparing it to the car is a bit rich. People need cars; no one will ever need an ipad.
I'm sure it will be a commercial success; that's what's bothering me. An inferior product succeeding due to buyer ignorance. Then developers are forced to develop for it because that's where the money is, then people buy it cause it has the most apps and then they buy the i-inbetween-the-phone-and-the-pad because they have so many apps already.

That was exactly my point. Now we can all say of course people need cars. When the model T was introduced it was claimed to be a frivolous expenditure and did nothing that the horse couldn't do. In other words don't write something off so quickly until you see what it can do.

Seifer wrote: »

How many people do you think who'll end up buying the ipad would have bought some other tablet though? They're buying it because it's apple, not because they need a mobile computing solution.
While I'm not a fan of netbooks either, at least they're far less restrictive than what the ipad is offering.

Show me where I can buy an alternative, for a similar price that offers the same service. It's practically alone in the tablet market at the minute and the OS is a huge selling point. Especially after the announcements today.

I don't know how many there are; I only found the one I linked from a quick google. But why do people suddenly realise they need a tablet when apple makes one?

Did people only realise they needed a PC when IBM made one? Everything starts somewhere. Without Apple releasing the iPhone we would probably still be looking at the same tired old Nokia's and SE we had a few years ago. Once the iPhone, love it or hate it, was released it sparked a rush to match/better it by every other mobile phone maker and gave us Android phones and Windows Mobile 7. The iPad is the first in it's generation and will push other manufactures to try and better it. How is this a bad thing?

Seifer wrote: »

I think if there was survey of those who have bought ipads and those who plan to buy them in the near future, asking whether they had ever seriously considered investing in a tablet before, the yes column would be sparsely populated.

Ever since seeing the first UMPC demo's I could see a need for something like this. The UMPC's failed as the tech was not good enough at the time and crucially they were based on a desktop OS with a stylus interface. Apple have progressed the finger input well with the iPhone, so much so that all it's main competitors are copying it. Couple that with the current technology which is available at a cheap enough rate to make this product viable. It's not the the market wasn't there before, it's that it was impossible to make it cheap enough before now.

I know I'm in the mac forum but wow.
The only good thing about apple's rising popularity is that maybe it'll make them a worthwhile target and these security myths can be debunked.

:rolleyes: OSX isn't infallible but it's a damn sight better than windows was and a lot easier to use - imo.

Anyway, you are clearly dead set against the iPad, without having used it or given it enough time to see what the 3rd party devs can come up with for it. For me I think it will be a very useful addition to my collection of gadgets (not all of which are mac by the way).

Seifer

sprinkles wrote: »

No it's not. If that is all you have then I would say your argument is pretty weak. Why aren't you ragging on people for buying the other tablet it tablets are so utterly useless?

Because as I have already explained, my major gripe is people suddenly discovering they need a tablet just because apple have released one. And you can go ahead and convince yourself that no one's done it right before apple and that's why people are doing it but it's not. It's brand recognition and marketing; that's it.

sprinkles wrote: »

Please show me where I said I bought an inferior phone. What I said was that there were higher spec'd phones out there. That doesn't mean by any stretch of the imagination that they are better. Seriously you are losing all credibility here.

How do you measure what is better so? If a better spec and more features isn't better?

sprinkles wrote: »

Not seeing your point here. How does there fact that I can see a gap in the market (and obviously so can Apple and all the other manufactures of tablets - or at least those that are in the process or developing tablets) make my point about the apps irrelevant? I have bought apps. Some of them will work on the iPad. If I was to buy a tablet device that would definitely weigh in it the iPads favour

My point was that you are willing to spend €500ish to solve the problem of having one internet device that is too small and one that is too big ie. you don't have a problem. Your point with the apps was that you have already paid for them and wouldn't want to have to buy new ones on a different platform but you have shown that money isn't really a big deal for you when splurging on technology.

sprinkles wrote: »

That was exactly my point. Now we can all say of course people need cars. When the model T was introduced it was claimed to be a frivolous expenditure and did nothing that the horse couldn't do. In other words don't write something off so quickly until you see what it can do.

My original response to this comparison was probably too kind. No matter what apple dreamworld you are living in, no one, anywhere, will ever need an ipad if they have a laptop and/or a smart phone.

sprinkles wrote: »

Did people only realise they needed a PC when IBM made one?

This is another absurd comparison. Apple are not doing anything revolutionary here. They're wrapping up limited technology in a pretty package and selling to the masses.

sprinkles wrote: »

Everything starts somewhere. Without Apple releasing the iPhone we would probably still be looking at the same tired old Nokia's and SE we had a few years ago. Once the iPhone, love it or hate it, was released it sparked a rush to match/better it by every other mobile phone maker and gave us Android phones and Windows Mobile 7. The iPad is the first in it's generation and will push other manufactures to try and better it. How is this a bad thing?

You're probably right about the iphone. In reference to the ipad I suppose it all depends on your perspective on the whole netbook/tablet market. I think it serves no purpose. It's a gap that didn't need to be filled. Just because people are making money filling it doesn't mean it needed to be done.

sprinkles wrote: »

Anyway, you are clearly dead set against the iPad, without having used it or given it enough time to see what the 3rd party devs can come up with for it. For me I think it will be a very useful addition to my collection of gadgets (not all of which are mac by the way).

It could similarly be said that a lot of people are extremely pro-ipad without having used one.
Your definition of useful is clearly different to mine.

And I'll leave it at that since I'm already drawing snide remarks and rolleyes.

BostonB

If you have a laptop you don't need a smartphone either.

Or in my case as I have a smartphone and a laptop I don't need to check my email or browse the web on my iPod touch. But I do a lot because its often a nice (easier/more convenient) than the phone or laptop.

I wish the screen was bigger though.

sprinkles

Seifer wrote: »

Because as I have already explained, my major gripe is people suddenly discovering they need a tablet just because apple have released one. And you can go ahead and convince yourself that no one's done it right before apple and that's why people are doing it but it's not. It's brand recognition and marketing; that's it.

It's partially about brand recognition but that's only going to get you so far. All the money and R&D that has gone into this - and you can harp on about how this is standard tech but a lot has been done to perfect it, not to mention the OS - would be wasted if they had not foreseen a viable market for this product - a market which is already worth millions to ACER etc!! Brand recognition did sweet f-all for Apple TV because the product wasn't up to standard and the market wasn't there for it.

How do you measure what is better so? If a better spec and more features isn't better?

You could have the best spec'd pc in the world running windows 95 and I would choose an inferior machine running Windows 7. Come on, it's not all about how many USB ports you have or how powerful a processor. It's about the package and how well it all works together. That is what Apple do very well imo. Would you honestly buy a JooJoo over the iPad just because it had better specs. The user interface is awful and terribly buggy.

My point was that you are willing to spend €500ish to solve the problem of having one internet device that is too small and one that is too big ie. you don't have a problem. Your point with the apps was that you have already paid for them and wouldn't want to have to buy new ones on a different platform but you have shown that money isn't really a big deal for you when splurging on technology.

I am willing to spend 500e on a device to suit my needs. Having an internet device that is too small is due to the fact that it's a phone. I bought it as a phone capable of mobile internet. I am planning on buying a 17" Laptop to photoediting purposes. It's too big to use as a mobile internet device. The iPad fits the gap perfectly. Alternatively I could go for a netbook, which would suffice also. I don't hear you giving out about ACER abusing their brand recognition to sell pointless* netbooks.

*pointless in the same terms as you find the iPad pointless

My original response to this comparison was probably too kind. No matter what apple dreamworld you are living in, no one, anywhere, will ever need an ipad if they have a laptop and/or a smart phone.

I disagree and have covered my reasons why already - see above.

This is another absurd comparison. Apple are not doing anything revolutionary here. They're wrapping up limited technology in a pretty package and selling to the masses.

just trying to show you that it's foolish to write something off so soon.

You're probably right about the iphone. In reference to the ipad I suppose it all depends on your perspective on the whole netbook/tablet market. I think it serves no purpose. It's a gap that didn't need to be filled. Just because people are making money filling it doesn't mean it needed to be done.

You probably find no need for a device of such size of use but I know a lot of people that use netbooks - for work and for leisure and they do have a place in the market. The iPad fits that market perfectly. I really don't see how yo can argue that there is no market there when there clearly is and the booming netbook sales only reinforce that point.

It could similarly be said that a lot of people are extremely pro-ipad without having used one.
Your definition of useful is clearly different to mine.

very true, I probably seem like a fanboy apple nut going on about it but I assure you I am not. I do however tend to look at new products like this, and not just Apple products with an open mind rather than dismissing them off hand. I was a firm supporter of the mini-disc a number of years ago, even going so far as to say that MP3 players were just a fad.... I was obviously very wrong. I learned my lesson - don't be so quick to judge.

displaced dub

iPad to have multitasking by september, so thats one of the "downer" points out of the way.

Also it will have the new os4 too so thats the christmas update taken care of.

Stainless_Steel

displaced dub wrote: »

iPad to have multitasking by september, so thats one of the "downer" points out of the way.

Also it will have the new os4 too so thats the christmas update taken care of.

Indeed, OS4 makes it a much better product. Not just
multitasking, but the new mail will allow you to open attachments with any suitable app. I'd now struggle to think of casual tasks it can't do...

displaced dub

displaced dub wrote: »

Would normally agree, but i think iPad 2 will be a christmas release then reverting to yearly after that.

I think that the OS update in the fall will be all we see this christmas, suppose its ipad 1.5

babypink

international launch delayed!

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/04/14advisory_ipad.html

displaced dub

im hoping to have either a 32gb or 64gb within the next week as i have a few mates traveling to and from the states

Sad Professor

babypink wrote: »

international launch delayed!

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/04/14advisory_ipad.html

I predicted as much earlier in the thread. There's nothing Apple love more than being able to say "gosh, we can't make them fast enough".

OctavarIan

To some people gadgets are motherboards, processors and memory. To others they are just things that make life more fun.

Whatever you think of Apple's recent mobile products, they've been catalysts for the industry, and to complain about that is just so pathetic that my mind goes blank trying to comprehend it. Everyone benefits, it's win-win.

Of course Apple weren't the first to make a tablet computer, but they were the first to 'get it' and actually make a good one. Efforts up until now have been awful and way wide of usable.

So other developers sit up now and go "Oh, so that's how it's done, well lets make a better one."

And that's how the industry works, it's how it has always worked. Five years from now who knows what kind of power will fit into a tablet PC because you can bet that everyone will be rushing to improve the technology.

Seifer you quote your hardware specs in your signature but you go on a rant against a product that (whether good or not) will cause a huge spike in hardware advancement over the next few years. Either you simply fail to understand the big scheme of things or you're just a hypocrite.

And seriously, to complain about a company marketing something as better than it actually is... :rolleyes:

Anyway I'm off to Tesco, they're putting out a new range of crisps with some new medium spice receipe and I think it's a ****ing disgrace. Who the hell needs a medium spice receipe when they already have mild and flaming hot? People with more money than sense that's who. The thought of people buying them makes me sick to my stomach, just thought I'd let you know

Seifer

OctavarIan wrote: »

To some people gadgets are motherboards, processors and memory. To others they are just things that make life more fun.

Whatever you think of Apple's recent mobile products, they've been catalysts for the industry, and to complain about that is just so pathetic that my mind goes blank trying to comprehend it. Everyone benefits, it's win-win.

Of course Apple weren't the first to make a tablet computer, but they were the first to 'get it' and actually make a good one. Efforts up until now have been awful and way wide of usable.

So other developers sit up now and go "Oh, so that's how it's done, well lets make a better one."

And that's how the industry works, it's how it has always worked. Five years from now who knows what kind of power will fit into a tablet PC because you can bet that everyone will be rushing to improve the technology.

Edit: New favourite part: insane crisp flavour comparison

Seifer you quote your hardware specs in your signature but you go on a rant against a product that (whether good or not) will cause a huge spike in hardware advancement over the next few years. Either you simply fail to understand the big scheme of things or you're just a hypocrite.

And seriously, to complain about a company marketing something as better than it actually is... :rolleyes:

I'm not interested in getting back into this debate but since you seem to be talking directly to me I'll simply ask if apple paid you to write the above? My favourite part is the "logic" you used to infer I'm either a hypocrite or don't get "the big scheme of things".
My rig exists for the sole purpose of playing games. The ipad will only drag the games industry down even further with its casual dross. To say that any component developed for the ipad will have any effect on high end desktop components in the future is laughable.

Edit: New favourite part: Insane crisp flavour comparison

OctavarIan

Seifer wrote: »

My rig exists for the sole purpose of playing games. The ipad will only drag the games industry down even further with its casual dross. To say that any component developed for the ipad will have any effect on high end desktop components in the future is laughable.

Yes. Apple paid me a great deal of money to stop your wild crusade, we lost a few preorders because of it.

1) The 'casual dross' statement tells me all I need to know.

2) Ok so you're not a hardware man you're a high end computer man. And you acknowledge that the iPad will have no effect on you thus.

So why whinge about it? I saw in your last post you said you were done but I couldn't repress my curiousity enough to try bait you back and find out why.

banquo

Someone sell me an iPad already :mad:

Seriously. But not for seven hundred ****ing quid for the 16GB model.

displaced dub

should have my 64gb ipad on friday afternoon at a cost of $735, mate of mine bringing it back from states.... hopefully.

cant believe the cost of the 16gb crazy

displaced dub

babypink wrote: »

international launch delayed!

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/04/14advisory_ipad.html

i can understand this, i was on the phone to 3 apple stores in seattle yesterday and they were all sold out, one of them got in 12 64gb at 12 yesterday but was not expecting anymore 16gb or 32gb till next week.

speedboatchase

Newbie to this forum so apologies if I make an ass out of myself. I love my iPhone and was pretty intriuged by the rumours and hubub about iPad before its launch, which I and a lot of media commentators found a bit lacklustre - no flash, multitasking (which will be fixed as has been mentioned), no usb ports, camera, screen not as good for reading as a Kindle and generally the impression that by using the same iPhone UI it looks like a gigantic iPod Touch. Now a lot of the reviews have instead been overwhelmingly positive and I'm wondering (and have tried to figure out) - what changed? All the problems I have with the iPad were addressed pre-launch but now no longer seem to be an issue? I want to want an iPad but not in its current iteration - however if a lot of naysayers have changed their minds might I?

seamus

displaced dub wrote: »

i can understand this, i was on the phone to 3 apple stores in seattle yesterday and they were all sold out, one of them got in 12 64gb at 12 yesterday but was not expecting anymore 16gb or 32gb till next week.

Look, Apple have been playing this game for ten years now and they're really good at it.

Apple works for its shareholders. And they don't actually care whether or not it's a good device, or whether it has a USB port or whether is has one hours' battery or 100. All they care is that the device sells well and their stock goes up.

So Apple make conservative estimates about the number of devices that they'll need, they sell out within a day/week of launch and then the investors go, "WOW, this thing is *huge*". More investors pour in, the stock price goes up and everyone's happy. And it works. The share price has jumped $10 in the last two weeks - 4.25%.
Sloppy journos lap this up, think that clearly this is the best thing since sliced bread and make a big deal about the exclusiveness of the device.

Textbook brand marketing, at its best. Apple are the masters of it.

They do of course have a device which is up there with the best of them in terms of the end-user experience (specs are irrelevant if your users aren't happy), which is essential for maintaining the brand.

pickarooney

I've finally come round to understanding the market for this thing. I wouldn't dream of buying one, any more than I would an iPod or iPhone or iMac but it finally makes sense to me who actually will buy one and it could turn out to be a huge seller.