iPad....why?

[Rog]

Im not an Apple fan but I am an admirer of some of the technology they have brought forward. The Iphone for example I consider to be an amazing piece of kit, But I dont understand the appeal of the iPad. From what I have seen its simple a big iPhone but you cant use it as a phone? it doesnt have usb connectivity, it cant use flash, its memory is pityful, the apps are expensive and you cant cross platform apps from your iPhone. Its touted as an Ereader but from I can see subscriptions are really expensive and true Ereaders have far better display technology. Its touted as a multimedia platform but without flash support it looses half the content on the internet. And then theres the price. Lowest £430 to highest at £700. A top of the range netbook will cost you half of this, has more features, better storage and has multi tasking. If you really want a tablet, then there are plenty of makes out there that have better specs and are far cheaper. from what I have seen the technology and the bits inside are worth a price point of between £200 and maybe £250 tops.

But what amazes me is the amount of people buying this. I suppose it proves that human stupidity is bottomless and that with the right marketing and hype you can put your logo on dog**** and people will buy it.

I wont go into what I think of there software and ownership policies as thats a whole different kettle of fish I dont want to get started on. I may start another thread on that :o


If anyone is buying one, or is going to, I would love to know your views on this.

[Lozzo]

Paging Soulkiss, Soulkiss to the Microsoft branded telephone please.

[Specialone]

TBH i dont get them either, cant do half the things a laptop can, expensive and will make you look a nob sitting on pubic transport using one imo.

[skeetly]

you can put your logo on dog**** and people will buy it.

*ding*

[Jamesy D]

Having a friend who has one, and having used them myself... I think it's a pretty nifty bit of kit. Sort of sits between the laptop and the iPhone/smartphone, doesn't aim to replace either, just compliment.

Admittedly right now it's still very much in it's infancy, but give it a few months when the free apps start to come out, and the jailbreaks start to spread and it'll turn into a pretty useful little gadget.

[flymo]

these devices are great, you really need to try one. They are expensive in the UK but thats mostly down to crappy exchange rates and import costs, they are about £100 cheaper in the US.

I would not consider myself an Apple fan at all, quite the opposite so parking the fact that Apple make these to one side for a second.

This is not an essential item to own, like many other things we already have. Its a great gadget and perfect for surfing the web on the sofa. The memory isnt pitiful, its just not required. 99% of what you consume is internet based and doesnt reside on the device. You can fit a lot of apps on even 16GB with one of these, you might be surprised. I wouldnt have said the apps were expensive either, some are but many arent, loads are free.

The iPhone apps do work on the iPad, obviously depends on what they do though as some might not be useful on a device that doesnt fit in your hand like an iPhone.

The screen is really good but I think its the touch screen capability that really makes these things stand out. Sure there are other tablets out there, I've used many of them but they just dont compare. The iPad is excellent, but its the combination of the apps and the touchscreen that really sets it apart from the rest.

Depends on what you do and how you go about doing it that will define wether the iPad has a use in your life, open your mind though and take a look. Ignore the logo and use it for what it is.

[Specialone]

Having a friend who has one, and having used them myself... I think it's a pretty nifty bit of kit. Sort of sits between the laptop and the iPhone/smartphone, doesn't aim to replace either, just compliment.

Admittedly right now it's still very much in it's infancy, but give it a few months when the free apps start to come out, and the jailbreaks start to spread and it'll turn into a pretty useful little gadget.

Do we really need a bit of kit that sits between an iphone and laptop?
Iphone is fine for what it does and i have a laptop and desktop for other stuff, useless for me tbh.

[flymo]

Do we really need a bit of kit that sits between an iphone and laptop?

no, but the iPad is still a pretty cool gadget.

[Specialone]

no, but the iPad is still a pretty cool gadget.
So is a petrol powered helicopter lol i'd rather have one of them ;)
They just dont blow me skirt up i afraid, but each to their own i suppose.

[flymo]

So is a petrol powered helicopter lol i'd rather have one of them ;)
They just dont blow me skirt up i afraid, but each to their own i suppose.

yep, I dont think anybody is being pressured to buy one though to be fair.

One thing I dont get is the queueing at the store, borrocks to that.

[Specialone]

yep, I dont think anybody is being pressured to buy one though to be fair.

One thing I dont get is the queueing at the store, b*ll***s to that.


The annoying thing is if they come down in price to a realistic cheap price, id probably end up with one ;)

[Rog]

I suppose this is my point. Its a nifty gadget betwixt two stools, the Iphone/android phones and a netbook. Its the price I find absolutely unbeleivable. I have seen and played with one and I dont doubt its appeal but I think other bits of kit do it better. But and this is the big one £700!!! even if you bought the 16gb one at £430 its still in my opinion £200 to much for what it is and even then I woudl think twice.

I would also reiterate that while I would never buy anythign from Apple becuase of their draconian dictatorship style of platform control, I do apprecaite the technology they have produced. I just see the Ipad as the emperors new clothes at this price point.

[Bluefish]

£430 is about what an iphone 3gs costs now i believe, i got mine free on an upgrade with the insurance. never seen an ipad, but you could get a pretty good laptop for that money, so that's what i would get.

[Nick762]

Likewise intrigued by the techy aspect of the iPad but as I already have a highly portable iPhone which takes care of my mobile needs and a fairly meaty laptop which has replaced my desktop, I don't personally see a need for one myself.

I think the iPhone really popularised the smartphone concept and perhaps the iPad will do the same for the tablet computer which has had more than a few false starts so far. Personally, for mobile computing, I think a single piece solid state device is the way to go and give it a few years I bet the netbook market as we currently see it will have skewed in that direction rather than the cutdown clamshell laptops we have today.

[Littlepeahead]

I like books.

I buy them from the charity shop for £2, then when I've finished reading them I give them back to the charity shop to re-sell. They don't need batteries or Flash and I won't get mugged for sitting on a late train reading one.

You can swap them with friends, or buy a beatiful one and wrap it up in tissue for someone special for a present. I recently got the new Wisden Cricketers Almanac signed and inscribed by Strauss, Prior, Swann and Broad and then gave it to my elbow surgeon as a thank you gift. It's a massive and heavy tome, but he said it was the best present ever and he would treasure it. You just don't get that with an electronic book.

[SoulKiss]

Paging Soulkiss, Soulkiss to the Microsoft branded telephone please.

And I like Microsoft any more why?

Do pay attention Mr Bond...

[The Basket]

Is Apple the only manufacturer of electronic goods in the world today?

I sometimes wonder considering the coverage they get.

Sometimes...just maybe...the consumer has to make his mind up and think for themselves...rather than be spoon fed whats hot and whats not.

HTC rule by the way.

[allantheboss]

Sounds like a ****e waste of money.

...wait, WHAT? "APPLE" MAKE IT?

(makes order on Amazon)

[lukemillar]

I'm curious - why is it that the Apple haters always feel the need to start threads pointing out the exuberant price tags and lack of features of their products.

I can't remember the last time and Apple lover started up a thread pointing out the flaws in <insert other manufacturer's> products?

Can't you just live and let live? :?:

[Rog]

Luke,

You seem to be missing the point here. I totally get the Iphone. Even though I do think this is over priced as well, I can see why it basically smashes the competition, which is only now catching up with Android. Would I buy one? if it wasnt apple, yes.

I am simple asking people who often buy apple products what the appeal of the Ipad is. I personnaly just dont get it, especially at the price point they have set and the fact that other platforms do what it is trying to be, better.

Lastly, I am not a Apple hater, as the choice lies with us to buy the products or not. I dont agree with the way they run their business or the way they control their platforms and software. I will therefore never buy Apple for that reason, it has nothing to do with the technology.

[lukemillar]

Luke,

You seem to be missing the point here. I totally get the Iphone. Even though I do think this is over priced as well, I can see why it basically smashes the competition, which is only now catching up with Android. Would I buy one? if it wasnt apple, yes.

I am simple asking people who often buy apple products what the appeal of the Ipad is. I personnaly just dont get it, especially at the price point they have set and the fact that other platforms do what it is trying to be, better.

Lastly, I am not a Apple hater, as the choice lies with us to buy the products or not. I dont agree with the way they run their business or the way they control their platforms and software. I will therefore never buy Apple for that reason, it has nothing to do with the technology.

I apologise - my comments are totally aimed at the OP, but a lot of the opinions that have followed.

I have bought and used Apple products for the past 12 years! However, I wouldn't buy an ipad. Not because I don't see the point, but I just don't have a need for it! Same reason I wouldn't buy an iMac or a Mac mini for example. I think all of their products have a purpose and judging by their sales, a lot of people seem to agree but they are not for everyone. Fair enough; horses for courses.

Can you pleas elborate on " I dont agree with the way they run their business or the way they control their platforms and software"

as I don't understand what you mean?

[Rog]

taken from an article on Apple which puts across broadly why I will never buy anything from Apple.

"The bottom line: Apple makes great products, but its marketing practices limit your choices and cost you more money. Here are four classic examples of how the company has done it.


1. iPod and iTunes
When the iPod arrived in fall 2001, followed by the ITunes Store in spring 2003, few early adopters realized the commitment they were making by buying their media player and their media from the same source.
Due to Apple's digital rights management setup, until April 2007 any music you bought from iTunes could play in only three places: on an iPod, within registered iTunes software on a limited number of computers, or on certain Motorola phones (that nobody bought).
If you wanted to move the songs you bought at a buck apiece to a cheaper player from a competing manufacturer, you had two options: an onerous process in which you burned your songs to a CD and then reripped them as MP3s, or quasilegal software that essentially did the same thing using your hard drive instead of a disc.
The last vestiges of DRM-protected music vanished from iTunes two years later. Apple offered to remove the DRM from the music that iPod owners had already bought, as well as to bump up the sound quality, for an additional 30 cents a track. (Gee, thanks, Apple.) Of course, movies and TV shows sold on iTunes are still copy-protected and cannot be legally converted to a DRM-free format.



2. iPhone and the App Store



The iPhone's software shop is a dictatorship. Apps for the iPhone are available only from the App Store in iTunes. And North Korea's Kim Jong-il has nothing on the people who run the App Store, whose decisions about what apps may be sold seem more capricious as time goes on. Apps that duplicate (or improve upon) features available from Apple or AT&T are strictly forbidden — hence the ongoing controversy over Google Voice, an application that would allow VoIP calls over the iPhone, if only Apple would approve it.
iPhone owners have had the option of jailbreaking the handset, which allows them to install apps not approved by Apple while voiding the warranty. With changes that Apple has made to the iPhone 3GS, however, jailbreaking may no longer be possible. Apple claims that jailbreaking the iPhone violates its copyrights and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Digital-rights organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation beg to differ.
The EFF's Fred von Lohman argues that iPhone owners should be free to tinker with their phones, especially when they can add capabilities that App Store programs don't yet provide. He notes that "the courts have long recognized that copying software while reverse-engineering is a fair use when done for purposes of fostering interoperability with independently created software, a body of law that Apple conveniently fails to mention."



3. Mac computers and Mac OS
Ever since the Second Coming (aka the return of Steve Jobs to Apple in 1997), the Mac has been a tightly controlled, closed system. The result? High prices and limits on the options you can get with Mac hardware.
For example, you still can't buy an Apple machine with support for Blu-ray drives. And although Apple has cut prices — in part due to some aggressive Microsoft marketing — the average Mac still costs some $900 more than the average Windows PC, according to the latest figures from The NPD Group's retail tracking service.
(Msnbc.com is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.)
"The Mac showcases the traditional lock-in method of tying software to hardware," says Rob Enderle, principal analyst with The Enderle Group. "This is the act of making the OS and certain core software inexpensive or free, and subsidizing it by high-margin hardware. It's a classic misdirection, and it works as long as there isn't a third party who can compete with a more reasonably priced package (which is what Psystar is trying to do)."
Psystar's attempts to market hardware capable of running the Mac OS have resulted in an ongoing legal battle between it and Apple; few observers give Psystar much chance of winning that fight.



4. Installed software and extra, unwanted apps
Apple has a history of taking advantage of its iTunes-iPod/iPhone headlock to promote its other products and services. For example, in March 2008 many Windows users were surprised to find Apple's Safari browser installed on their systems — a little gift left by the latest iTunes update.
At the time, Mozilla CEO John Lilly lit into Apple for the practice. "It undermines the trust relationship great companies have with their customers, and that's bad — not just for Apple, but for the security of the whole Web," Lilly wrote.
After enough people complained, Apple made an infinitesimal change, creating a "new software" category in its update app but leaving installation as the default."









Put simple they want to control everything you do and lock you into their money spinning world while restricting your freedom of choice. While they are perfectly within their rights to follow this path, it is one I personally will not take with them.

[lukemillar]

Stuff

I could write counter arguments for most of that stuff as a lot of those points aren't exclusive to Apple, but a whole load of different companies!

However, it doesn't matter because at the end of the day you make your choices and are happy and so do I! Does it matter which logo is stuck to my machine/phone and what is stuck to yours?

I do stand by my original statement though that people always feel the need to shoot down Apple and I don't really understand why. If you don't like them, don't buy their products. Simples!

[ThEGr33k]

My views on the thread so far;


One thing I dont get is the queueing at the store, borrocks to that.

Because its cool to be a Apple user... :rolleyes:

I do apprecaite the technology they have produced.

No no no... The tech that they have bought in and put together. Damn even their OS is Linux based.

Is Apple the only manufacturer of electronic goods in the world today?

I sometimes wonder considering the coverage they get.

Sometimes...just maybe...the consumer has to make his mind up and think for themselves...rather than be spoon fed whats hot and whats not.

HTC rule by the way.

Indeed, this is one of my real hates, pads have been around ages, then Apple make one (that is pretty much lacking) and WOOOO this is special... ya.

Sounds like a ****e waste of money.

...wait, WHAT? "APPLE" MAKE IT?

(makes order on Amazon)

ha ha :smt081




Put simple they want to control everything you do and lock you into their money spinning world while restricting your freedom of choice. While they are perfectly within their rights to follow this path, it is one I personally will not take with them.

Yes this is what really makes me unimpressed. They charge huge amounts for mediocre things, and people buy it because its somehow become cool. :smt017

Apple really only cares about making money, hence the prices.

I could write counter arguments for most of that stuff as a lot of those points aren't exclusive to Apple, but a whole load of different companies!

However, it doesn't matter because at the end of the day you make your choices and are happy and so do I! Does it matter which logo is stuck to my machine/phone and what is stuck to yours?

I do stand by my original statement though that people always feel the need to shoot down Apple and I don't really understand why. If you don't like them, don't buy their products. Simples!

Other companies do do it, but I avoid them if I can. Apple is the worst I've ever come across, with their products there is little freedom to do what you want.

People shoot them down because there is so much hype about nothing*. If there was another brand which was bigged up wrongly it would get shot down (look at X factor late last year). There are a lot of people that jump on the "Woo pretty" or "Im cool with this" band wagon without knowing what they are actually getting into and I for one try to show that apple is no better than anyone else and not as good as others.

Apple seems to have got the marketing thing so sorted its mad, people actually do think that apple products are the best of the best... Here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=585736) is a brilliant example I stumbled on. Just lol.



To just clarify, its nice that apple make some decent products (even if they are hugely over rated) and I don't have a problem with that, its the company its self with its outlook on consumers, its just wrong.





Oh and as a side note, Virus, MS is much more virus locked down than apple according to a study, bloody virus lies that Apple insist on... I hope one day someone can be bothered to make some bugs for them... I would ROFL at the apple lies. :)



*Listening Radio one, which is rare, but anyway. Reviewing the ipad (free advert for apple, why do I pay for this!?) and basically all they said was that it was nice to look at, ok, the screen was good (btw, standard LCD screen, which is old tech now, not AMOLED... tsh) because its easy to show someone else what you are doing if you flip it over because the screen flips, wow. You can have 2 people play games on it, damn, there have been devices doing that since what late 80's? What else... Think that was about it. What a review, all a load of nothing...

[lukemillar]

My views on the thread so far;
Because its cool to be a Apple user... :rolleyes:


Hence why you don't own any! :wink:

ha ha :smt081

This is an example of what people who buy Apple products don't do. It what people who don't buy Apple products think they do

Indeed, this is one of my real hates, pads have been around ages, then Apple make one (that is pretty much lacking) and WOOOO this is special... ya.

Yes this is what really makes me unimpressed. They charge huge amounts for mediocre things, and people buy it because its somehow become cool. :smt017

You don't really have a clue about design (I mean come on, you bought a Falco! :smt064) The one thing that IT geeks just cannot seem to grasp is the concept that people pay money for design, instead choosing to browse feature lists and tech specs. The product that made Apple what they are today was the iMac - technologically no more advanced, than any other computer on the market at the time, but sold because it was the first computer that moved away from the beige box. It's USP and what continues to be Apple's USP is that they have incredible product design. For you, I can see this comes second or third to features, however for the majority of Apple customers it is important and I choose to pay extra for that.

Other companies such as Bose, Bang & Olufsen etc. also produce products that have strong product design and you pay accordingly.


Apple really only cares about making money, hence the prices.

Jesus christ - they are a business! They charge what people are willing to pay. Any business does the same. Do you really think Microsoft are in business for the good of humanity? Jeez this is Capitalism 101


Oh and as a side note, Virus, MS is much more virus locked down than apple according to a study, bloody virus lies that Apple insist on... I hope one day someone can be bothered to make some bugs for them... I would ROFL at the apple lies. :).

In the past 12 years, I have bought maybe 6 different Apple computers and 1 PC. One of these machines f*** up constantly so I got rid of it. The other 6 (well 5 as I still have own one), I sold second-hand and made back ~50% of the original purchase price after 2 years of ownership.

Hmmm, maybe Apple owners aren't so stupid after all.

[Talya]

I have an iPad and I like it :) It's shiny. You can call me stupid if you like but if I choose to spend my disposable income on that, why can't I?

[hindle8907]

apples stuff is good kit.
its only the $hitty DRM restrictions that let down the i(devices)
I dont agree with apple forcing the same load of senseless restrictions into the personal computing market as well though.

just to add once jailbroken the devices are pritty much yours and you can do anything you want if you know how.

In my book i think they are money geniuses, i think they make the devices so they can be hacked for all us Techies to have fun doing what we like doing,
while the average joe who doesnt have a clue gets arsse raped on charges for everything.

Apple are out to make money and thats what they are doing.

[hongman]

My 2ps worth.

As a an IT consultant my interests naturally evolve around technology. I never disliked Apple products per se, but the nature of my job meant that 99.9% of all my work orientated stuff was Microsoft based.

The iPhone was my first real foray into Apple products and it has grown my me. I like the interface, aesthetics, and the speed.

The iPad appeal for me lies in the convienece factor.

I have a desktop for general PC'ing stuff, I have an iPhone for all the rest of the mobile functionaltiy. I have a laptop for travelling. I want the ipad for the times I want to just check emails quickly, or surf the web, without having to wait for my laptop to boot up. Or be tethered to my desktop. The iPhone screen is too small for any extended time web surfing imo.

I do hope Adobe (Flash) and Apple do work out some sort of agreement soon though!

iPad cannot replace any of these products, as most of my work softeare are specifically designed for Windows.

That being said, the price tag is very steep compared to equivalent products. Most notably the netbook. I cannot justify the cost of one yet, but for people who want one and are willing to pay the price, hell, why not. Apple saw a gap in the market, along with their growing market share, and took it. It's all a business.

You could probably draw similar comparisons in the motor industry, right?

[1210tech]

I have been using Macs since senior school and would never buy a PC, although I do use Parallels with XP on my Macbook Pro for a couple of third party applications that don't support Mac, but IMO PC's are cheap and nasty machines that don't have the build quality, stable platform or ease of use of a Mac.

I also don't buy this argument that you have to use or buy from Apple to be able to use your Mac or Apple devices properly. I have been using the iPod since the 2nd generation and yes although you have to use iTunes with it you don't have to buy your music from iTunes, music can purchased elsewhere and then imported into iTunes to use on your iPod, iTunes is just a library that helps to keep all your music organised and tidy.

The argument that the iPhone software shop is a dictatorship is also daft, you can't use any other software with Nokia devices for example, and you don't have to buy the Apps.

And lets not forget who the the true pioneers of personal computing are, Apple Macintosh have been raped & copied by Billy Boy and his Microsoft gimps at every possible opportunity.

[ThEGr33k]

Luke, I build and maintain my own pc's. They are cheap and very high spec. I've not had any major issues, or any real issues at all.

Windows 7 is very very stable and even hardened MAC fan boi's find it hard to find fault! I'm not a Windows fan as such, its just it has available what I want which is games. There is no other OS out there that can do the same thing.

I have been using Macs since senior school and would never buy a PC, although I do use Parallels with XP on my Macbook Pro for a couple of third party applications that don't support Mac, but IMO PC's are cheap and nasty machines that don't have the build quality, stable platform or ease of use of a Mac.

If this is to become a mac vs pc then that is rubbish. You spend the same money on both you will get a much higher spec pc. What you mean by build quality is how nice it looks I presume? If you think apple use higher quality components then...

As to the Pc breaking, that is usually a combination of 3rd party software and user error... its not like macs never go wrong.



And lets not forget who the the true pioneers of personal computing are, Apple Macintosh have been raped & copied by Billy Boy and his Microsoft gimps at every possible opportunity.

ha ha. Macs are based on Linux... so pioneering that they rip off a free piece of software. They use Intel chips because their pioneering power pc's didn't cut it. All Apple do is bring existing tech into the spot light and make out its new. It's funny so many people believe them.

[1210tech]

Windows 7 is very very stable and even hardened MAC fan boi's find it hard to find fault! I'm not a Windows fan as such, its just it has available what I want which is games. There is no other OS out there that can do the same thing.

If this is to become a mac vs pc then that is rubbish. You spend the same money on both you will get a much higher spec pc. What you mean by build quality is how nice it looks I presume? If you think apple use higher quality components then...

As to the Pc breaking, that is usually a combination of 3rd party software and user error... its not like macs never go wrong.

ha ha. Macs are based on Linux... so pioneering that they rip off a free piece of software. They use Intel chips because their pioneering power pc's didn't cut it. All Apple do is bring existing tech into the spot light and make out its new. It's funny so many people believe them.

Mac users find it hard to find fault with Windows 7 because most of the features were copied from Mac OS X. And as you put it, your PC is a glorified X-Box :smt081 And no, I don't just mean build quality, although the build quality is ten times better than any PC

Most computer users won't build a PC from scratch, they will just buy off the shelf, yes I agree with you when it comes customisation, I think PC's have the edge, but how many end users bother to build their computer from scratch.

ALL PC software is third party, not the case with Mac. I have been using Macs for about 22 years and I can't remember the last time one crashed.

PowerPC chips weren't created by Apple, they were created by IBM. Microsoft are also using exisiting technology that also includes Intel. My comments about Apple being the pioneers is not founded on the technology that is contained in Macs or PCs

[hongman]

Should of known this would turn into an Apple Vs Microsoft slagging match, lol.

[Specialone]

[-X Stop causing trouble techie :)

[hindle8907]

Should of known this would turn into an Apple Vs Microsoft slagging match, lol.

lol it always does and it get boarding im sick of seeing,

Apple osx is the best windoes is crap....
Iphone is gay Android is the best in the world,

every one has there own opinion but just because you like one doesn't mean the other is $hite .

[1210tech]

Should of known this would turn into an Apple Vs Microsoft slagging match, lol.

:smt081

[-X Stop causing trouble techie :)

just couldn't help myself :D

lol it always does and it get boarding im sick of seeing,

Apple osx is the best windoes is crap....
Iphone is gay Android is the best in the world,

every one has there own opinion but just because you like one doesn't mean the other is $hite .

yeah i'm sick of the age old argument too, i don't think windows is $hite, i just don't like bill gates :smt081

[ThEGr33k]

:smt081



just couldn't help myself :D



yeah i'm sick of the age old argument too, i don't think windows is $hite, i just don't like bill gates :smt081


And mine is the opposite, I dont like Jobs, jumped up ****... Anyway...


I still dont think Apple are as innovative as people make out, they just market things that others have done and pass it off as their new and exciting idea's, they do it with everything, there are others who do it but none like apple. The thing apple is best at is marketing, hence why people genuinely think they are the be all and end all, apple simply cant lose atm with the sheep (not that all users are sheep, but there appears to be a lot that are!) following they now have.

Windows 7 isn't based on OSX, Windows 7 is based on windows before it... As good or bad as that might be. OSX is based on linux, which is probably why its decent from the off, same as linux is decent from the off.

I suppose it is a glorified Xbox in a sense, but then it can do much more than an Xbox... its a PC :)

As to build quality of apple products, its the same bits inside as what in PC's (in mac's case), might look prettier on the outside but its simply not true that they are better made! other products dont seem to be any better than any other similar products, id say my sony walkman MP3 player is at least as well built if not better than my brothers ipod and the major test of a sound product, sound quality, is a million times better on the sony.

Thats all ill leave it there. If you haven't used a PC in 22 years I suggest you try windows 7, you might be surprised at its abilities... including the one that seems to stop programs crashing it. :cool:

Bye for now, and please try not to give jobs too much money. :rolleyes:

[flymo]

just couldn't help myself :D

which is a shame really as it would have remained an interesting thread otherwise.

Back onto subject, the iPad.

[yorkie_chris]

I don't see why people would pay twice over odds for half of spec just because of badge and a bit shiny.

I have been reading here (http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HOG/HOG.jsp?locale=en_GB) to try and understand mentality, I still don't get it.

[Lozzo]

I like books.

I buy them from the charity shop for £2, then when I've finished reading them I give them back to the charity shop to re-sell. They don't need batteries or Flash and I won't get mugged for sitting on a late train reading one.

You can swap them with friends, or buy a beatiful one and wrap it up in tissue for someone special for a present. I recently got the new Wisden Cricketers Almanac signed and inscribed by Strauss, Prior, Swann and Broad and then gave it to my elbow surgeon as a thank you gift. It's a massive and heavy tome, but he said it was the best present ever and he would treasure it. You just don't get that with an electronic book.

Absolutely agree 100% with everything said.

[Lozzo]

I don't see why people would pay twice over odds for half of spec just because of badge and a bit shiny.

I have been reading here (http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HOG/HOG.jsp?locale=en_GB) to try and understand mentality, I still don't get it.

Rofl... bad bad man

[metalmonkey]

Apple computers are great if your working on creative programs such FCP, photoshop ect I would have get one actually but yes they do cost a bit more than a PC. But some of the other apple stuff I would choose not to use.

[flymo]

Buying books, magazines, newspapers etc with a device like this isn't necessarily a total replacement for the conventional way of doing things but it does offer some interesting alternatives.

Comparing this with the iPod or iPhone it has introduced choices that we didn't have before. You can literally hear a track on the radio, find it in the online store and buy it immediately. Latest example I had was yesterday on my trip home from Anglesey, we got stuck in traffic. I popped onto the AppStore, downloaded a free app and got live traffic data showing me how long the delay was within a few minutes.

I dont tend to buy newspapers these days anyway as I use the internet mostly to replace that. What I do read is online content alot, blogs, wikis, news sites, sport etc. Yeah I know that I can do those things with my laptop but it feels far more natural to do this sitting on the sofa with an iPad.

The cost is the biggest factor, its worth noting that the UK is one of the most expensive places on the planet to buy an iPad. In my own research as part of my job I've looked into the relative costs related to each model, in general we found that 3G was unnecessary, free or subscribed wifi is more widely available. Where 3G connectivity was required I think that a 3G portable mifi access point is a better choice as it can be used by more than one device. The memory options are a waste of money in most cases, 16GB is the cheapest option and in most cases is all you need unless you want to use an iPad as 'the' location for storing your entire music or video collection (which I would recommend against).

There are other 'pads' out there but none that I've seen that come anywhere close to Apples implementation on the iPad. Sure they will catch up but right now its out there alone in this market. The iPhone/iPad OS is designed to work with touch input as its primary interface, Windows isnt (neither is Apple Mac for that matter). It works beautifully for this purpose.

[flymo]

Apple computers are great if your working on creative programs such FCP, photoshop ect I would have get one actually but yes they do cost a bit more than a PC. But some of the other apple stuff I would choose not to use.

We cant really class an iPad as an Apple computer in this context, Apple Macs (that I assume you are referring to) are a very different device to an iPad. Its much more an appliance than a computer in the way that you use one.

[metalmonkey]

We cant really class an iPad as an Apple computer in this context, Apple Macs (that I assume you are referring to) are a very different device to an iPad. Its much more an appliance than a computer in the way that you use one.

Yes I meant as the actual computers, for creative work they and other non windows based products also seemed to work better. Yup I know they are different devices.

Didn't gates err use the GUI which started on Mac's to make windows a few years back?

[flymo]

Yes I meant as the actual computers, for creative work they and other non windows based products also seemed to work better. Yup I know they are different devices.

Didn't gates err use the GUI which started on Mac's to make windows a few years back?

Yeah, that's an old chestnut discussion. Interfaces were always going to go graphical at some stage, who took the first step deosnt matter that much to me.

A similar consideration exists with iPad in the way that its primary interface is touch. Will that be the norm in the future perhaps?

[gettin2dizzy]

:lol: at Apple haters. Thats gayer than being a fanboy :lol:

As for connectivity, don't be daft. USB is the technology Isambard Kingdom Brunel felt was old fashioned. An Ipad can print entirely wirelessly :thumbsup:


http://images.pcworld.com/news/graphics/194341-apple-ipad-print_350.jpg

[flymo]

:lol: at Apple haters. Thats gayer than being a fanboy :lol:

As for connectivity, don't be daft. USB is the technology Isambard Kingdom Brunel felt was old fashioned. An Ipad can print entirely wirelessly :thumbsup:



what kind of lead does the iPad use to charge?

[hindle8907]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAl28d6tbko

lol

[Bluefish]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAl28d6tbko

lol

I wonder if his head will blend?

[1210tech]

which is a shame really as it would have remained an interesting thread otherwise.

i think you'll find that i didn't start the mac vs microsoft argument, anyhoo....

I don't see why people would pay twice over odds for half of spec just because of badge and a bit shiny.

exactly.
yes, if you cut me in half i'd have an apple logo running through my middle but there is no way i would pay anymore than £300 for an iPad, it is an amazing bit of kit and if the price was more sensible, ie less than the price of a laptop, i would run out and buy one tomorrow, maybe they'll start offering iPads as free gifts with mobile phone contracts ;)

[beabert]

I don't see why people would pay twice over odds for half of spec just because of badge and a bit shiny.

+1 about cost, but all apple devices have there limitations in my eyes. I am sure they are ok for casual users.

[beabert]

I have found an even more pointless device, the dell streak.

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/portable-computing/hands-on-dell-streak-review-693445

put Xp on it and ill consider it.

[hongman]

+1

+2

Although my contract isnt due for renewal for another year, crap.

[hindle8907]

apples multi touch technology is good though miles ahead of other touch devices

[Rog]

Wow I really lit the blue touch paper on this one. My original question was based on technology only, as I was curious on the issue, was this a marketing gimmick "to far", on what I think is a bit meh for the money. Someone asked me to illaberate why I wouldnt buy from Apple anyway and so I posted my reasons.

I would repeat I am not an Apple hater, but I take a reasoned judgement on ALL companies I buy from or invest my money in and while I accept that they all must make profit, its the way they go about it that will affect my decision on whether they get my money. Apple's bussiness ethic is not for me and therefore, why I will never buy anything Apple. I am however fully aware of Apples marketing genius for developing a "must have" feel over its latest products. They normally are aesthetic design masterpieces, but may not do anymore than any of the competition and in most cases probably less, but throught that marketing manage to charge higher than the recognised market value. My main point about the Ipad was that those two parts of the equation i.e. functionality over competition and price seem to have headed even further away from each other to the point where I cant help but feel there must be people in Apples higher echelons still pinching themselves to make sure its real over the amount people are willing to pay for the IPad.

[hongman]

I remember seeing some on ebay what were some serious money, esp when they firsty came out in the US.

Some people just HAVE to have the latest toy!

[thedonal]

It's funny. I've really been re-appraising my opinion of Apple recently. I've always been a bit of a fan- I greatly prefer MacOS to any previous Windows incarnation (haven't used 7, so I'll reserve my judgement).

Macs are really, really expensive- looking at the MacPros in particular. I believe that part of that is because they are top spec- including components. But also because they are all 8 core (they may still have a quad, but possibly not). If you were to build a Windows machine with twin CPUs to the same spec, you'd probably not come that short in the cost.

iMacs are cheaper, but still more expensive than an average PC. Though the price does include the screen, you'd still get a decent PC with a good sized screen for less.

I think its' good in respect that all Macs use the same components- how many Windows machines in the past have suffered from incompatibility due to certain componenets? It's not nearly as common now, but used to be a major issue. It might still be in some cases. But this does not justifty higher cost alone.

I have an 8 year old G4 mac that I'm typing on now. Only in the last year has it started struggling to manage the internets- purely as HD becomes more common and Aoole have decided that their software doesn't really like newer versions of Flash (probably more an Apple issue than an Adobe one).

I bought the Mac second hand to use as a music workstation. That is currently delegated to a Dell Pentium 4 which does a better job of running the software. I'd love another Mac to run ProTools and Logic, but- Apple have removed firewire from their current offering and therefore I'd have to switch from a perfectly good audio interface. Oh- and they're really, really expensive (did I mention that bit already?!) Nice one Apple.


I think the iPad, or any similar tablet PC does have a lot of potential. The fact that it's being marketed purely as a media reading device is only to continue sales of software on the iTunes store. That's where Apple really makes the money. It's the same with videogame consoles- the hardware is there to allow revenue from the software.

It's ironic that Microsoft bailed Apple out when they were on the brink as an act of self-preservation (and a few software/platform deals)- to keep the monopoly dogs off their heels- and now Apple is worth more.

So- in summary. I love Apple machines. I really think they're well designed, fantastic to use and often groundbreaking (sometimes at the cost of existing users).

However, Apple's tight grip on the market and dictatorship over your App choice and increasingly hypocritical attacks on other developers (ie Adobe) are seriously denting my opinions.

That said, it's nice to finally have a phone that is completely compatible with my machine (even if it is restricted to connecting with iTunes). And the iPhone is a joy to use, even if it is in honesty a palm computer with a basic phone function built in.

I'll probably end up buying a refurb G5 or one of the original MacPro's so I can run audio software on the MacOs again (and be able to use Logic- now Apple own it- it's much nicer than Cubase for me- but then I was using it for years before I got the PC). But I'll really think about it. Especially when I could build a rack PC for little more that is very up to date.

And let's not even get started with FoxConn...

Apologies- it's late, I'm tired and passionate about the topic. Though it's a rambling post, there is a point in there, somewhere. Perhaps I'm just trying to be a little objective- Been a Mac fan for years, but my opinion is starting to swing away. A shame- but you have to look at things from all sides.

[beabert]

I think you summed it up perfectly.

[wyrdness]

I couldn't really see the point of the iPad, bu I've just had a play with an iPad in PC World and it's a much nicer bit of kit than I'd expected. If I had the cash, I'd want one for web surfing and entertainment in the living room / bedroom. I also looked at the Dell Mini 10 notebook, but that was £400, so only slightly cheaper than the iPad.

I can't justify the cost of either, but I can get a refurbished Mini 10 for about £200 and install OS X on it. That would probably be the best solution for me, though I'll still lust after the iPad now I've tried it.

[hongman]

My supplier gets hold of them in 6 months so I'll just wait till then and get one at trade price ;)

[gettin2dizzy]

I have found an even more pointless device, the dell streak.

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/portable-computing/hands-on-dell-streak-review-693445

put Xp on it and ill consider it.

Getting my hands on one tomorrow. One day before the launch ;)

[wyrdness]

+1 about cost, but all apple devices have there limitations in my eyes. I am sure they are ok for casual users.

Most of the Apple users that I know are techies, rather than casual users. In my office (embedded software development for set-top boxes) there's a very high percentage of Apple users, both iPhones and Macs.

I've just ordered a Dell Mini 10V to hackintosh, rather than buy an iPad. The Dell is half the price and runs OS X flawlessly.

[metalmonkey]

Yeah, that's an old chestnut discussion. Interfaces were always going to go graphical at some stage, who took the first step deosnt matter that much to me.

A similar consideration exists with iPad in the way that its primary interface is touch. Will that be the norm in the future perhaps?

Yup agree on the first point.

I think the future will be holographic interfences, so tactile interfaces, 3d technology ect. As the technology we put in out bodies gets better, there could be bioneural computers/interfaces that would be very interesting...

[ThEGr33k]

Macs are really, really expensive- looking at the MacPros in particular. I believe that part of that is because they are top spec- including components. But also because they are all 8 core (they may still have a quad, but possibly not). If you were to build a Windows machine with twin CPUs to the same spec, you'd probably not come that short in the cost.


The funny thing about those Macbook pro's is that they are pants, no not meaning the OS though im not a big fan, im meaning hardware! The 8 cores never took off on PC because they were expensive (apple charging £2500!?!?) and they were no faster than a higher frequency 4 core. Most of the time the 4 cores out performed the 8. Its silly. For £2500 I could build a PC that would be OBSCENE! Talking 4 core Overclocked intel core i7 to 4+GHz, 12GB RAM, 4 SSD's (super fast but low capacity) stripe RAID (to further increase speed. 4 SSD's striped would be about 10 times faster than a fast HDD!), ATI HD5970... It would be silly fast and id probably still have change from £2500. I really do feel sorry for anyone who buys that 8 core system. Sorry for the geek rant but that really needed to be said!

Apologies- it's late, I'm tired and passionate about the topic. Though it's a rambling post, there is a point in there, somewhere. Perhaps I'm just trying to be a little objective- Been a Mac fan for years, but my opinion is starting to swing away. A shame- but you have to look at things from all sides.

I do like your open mindedness. It does seem to me and im an outsider that these days the computers at Apple have very much taken a back seat, now that the ipods and iphones are paying all the bills. A real shame but oh well.

I have found an even more pointless device, the dell streak.

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/portable-computing/hands-on-dell-streak-review-693445

put Xp on it and ill consider it.


Its probably no less useless than an ipad. I really like the android OS. Works real well. It is however a toy not a tool just like the ipad.


I think the future will be holographic interfences, so tactile interfaces, 3d technology ect. As the technology we put in out bodies gets better, there could be bioneural computers/interfaces that would be very interesting...

Like natal that is coming to Xbox. It is a possibility. Time will tell as to weather it really takes off though. Could be interesting. I think the future is implants though. A scary prospect in some ways but does hold exciting prospects in others.

[thedonal]

Fair comments El Greco.

I think that as far as dual CPU machines go, Macs and MacOS were more built to take advantage of this- and 64bit- than Windows was for a while. For audio users who run loads of plugins, this makes a difference as they can be allocated to seperate CPUs. The basic speed of a single app may not seem much faster, but once you've got a number of apps running (or plugins in the audio world), it probably makes a reasonable difference.

But the CPUs are only as fast as the buss speed of the motherboard and RAM.

I agree- the iTunes related hardware has become Apple's main revenue stream, so that's their core focus now.

But I do believe that they design very powerful computers too. Just at a price. I realise I was a little wrong now about the price of the 8 core- I thought they started at about £2k. Wow. But in Apple's defence, they do built their machines very, very solidly and the expansion possibilities are normally at the edge of the envelope.

Personally, if I had money to burn, I'd probably go Macwards. Currently I don't, however, so it'll have to be Windoze.

So- a home built 8 core Windows (or Hackintosh) i7 machine would be what- £1-1.2k? Fair enough. So still a lot cheaper.

Y'see- for a tablet PC for musicians running DAW's, the potential for using them as extremely flexible control surfaces for audio plugins (synths and so on) is very exciting. The surface could have tabs to switch between synths or just refresh to the synth that is in use in the currently selected track. It'd also be handy as a score-display device (though these are on the market already).

Even for some gaming- imagine running a great flight sim where you're screen is the main view for the cockpit, while the radars/navigation/payload controls (normally below the instruments in most flight sims/fighter cockpits) are on the iPad. This really increases tactile control over the game- saves messing about with changing screens or remembering what key's the functions are assigned to- you could pop the tablet on a stand in front of the Joystick.

Though I'm sure developers would charge for the apps that handle these functions...!!

[mr.anderson]

My supplier gets hold of them in 6 months so I'll just wait till then and get one at trade price ;)

Apple offers up to 15% trade discounts on their products, except the iPhone and iPad. Best you'll save is the VAT, if your company let's you get away with it.

Still, that's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!

[ThEGr33k]

I wouldn't build a 8 core, they don't perform as well as their 4 core brothers 95% of the time.

Sorry to digress but;

CPU i7 930 (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/193596) £233 (2.8GHz but they easily OC to 3.5 and even over 4GHz).
Motherboard Asus P6X58D (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/190909) £240
RAM OCZ 6GB (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166643) £170
Graphics ATI (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/221901) HD5970 £509
PSU Coolermaster 1000W (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/176419) £148
Case Corsair Obsidian 800D (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169725) £210 (my choice, but if you like pretty things there are hundreds of other cases to choose from...)
Storage 2x Corsair R120 SSD (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/196891) (to raid stripe) £470 If you need storage then a 1TB hdd is about £60...

Total £1980 Not quite as high spec as I thought but I can guarantee that that would blow the Mac pro out of the water at anything! The SSD's speed up loading times by about 4-5x, programs would open instantly! These are the best way to speed up any system atm, though they are VERY expensive... a 1/4 of the price infact. The GPU is the the most powerful in the world atm, the PSU is VERY high quality and the CPU wont lose out to the 8 core, especially when OC'd to 3+GHz.

Id never buy anything like that mind, its just mental money...


As to the using ipad as a screen... for £450 you could get a pair of amazing 24" OLED, full HD screens (1920x1080), why bother with a 9.7" 1024-by-768 LCD (old tech) screen? I suppose if you have one anyway its a valid use.

[hindle8907]

yeah thats all well and good but greek you are buliding that your self,
apples price comes with a built machine and a OS, centralised warranty and place of return.

I build my own machines there's no debate that you can get better spec for less money

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black-edition,AM3 3.2GHz @ 3.8 GHz,
Asus Crosshair III Formula
4GB (2x2GB) Corsair Dominator DDR3, PC3-12800(1600)
x2 1TB Samsung Spinpoint
1GB XFX HD5770
650W Silverstone ST65ZF-GM PSU
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro v2
Lancool K58 Black Advanced Tower

with a 24" 1920x1080 iiyama monitor for just over a £1000
Thats with no OS.

it just comes down to what you want, Im a IT Technician and lots of my friends are too,as said above most pefer macs,
I prefer windows myself but I do like apples technology and the way they implemnt it into slick clean devices/machines.

half the people that hate macs don't know how to use them or cant afford them thats why they cry ;)

[hindle8907]

o yeah and i used an ipad for the first time yesterday and I was very impressed.
I would have one but i have got other priorities at the moment.

[thedonal]

I wouldn't build a 8 core, they don't perform as well as their 4 core brothers 95% of the time.

Sorry to digress but;

CPU i7 930 (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/193596) £233 (2.8GHz but they easily OC to 3.5 and even over 4GHz).
Motherboard Asus P6X58D (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/190909) £240
RAM OCZ 6GB (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166643) £170
Graphics ATI (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/221901) HD5970 £509
PSU Coolermaster 1000W (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/176419) £148
Case Corsair Obsidian 800D (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169725) £210 (my choice, but if you like pretty things there are hundreds of other cases to choose from...)
Storage 2x Corsair R120 SSD (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/196891) (to raid stripe) £470 If you need storage then a 1TB hdd is about £60...

Total £1980 Not quite as high spec as I thought but I can guarantee that that would blow the Mac pro out of the water at anything! The SSD's speed up loading times by about 4-5x, programs would open instantly! These are the best way to speed up any system atm, though they are VERY expensive... a 1/4 of the price infact. The GPU is the the most powerful in the world atm, the PSU is VERY high quality and the CPU wont lose out to the 8 core, especially when OC'd to 3+GHz.

Id never buy anything like that mind, its just mental money...


As to the using ipad as a screen... for £450 you could get a pair of amazing 24" OLED, full HD screens (1920x1080), why bother with a 9.7" 1024-by-768 LCD (old tech) screen? I suppose if you have one anyway its a valid use.

Wow- that's a lot of cash!

I think, having looked at a few (non-Apple run) benchmarked test, the 8 core macs can give up to 45% improvement on performance.

I think the main thing here is whether or not the software using multi processors is geared up for it or not- this was common with older DP Macs- some software was actually slower.

It's like 32 and 64 bit processing- some software isn't yet designed to take advantage of it, therefore there is no performance gain.

[ThEGr33k]

Hey handle, same hdds as me. Raid 0? I'm getting 250meg transfer (max, but average is 200!) and its ace. Next best thing to ssd's. Got to say seeing 1.6 tb spare on c drive is interesting.

I don't mind the way macs OS works. grew up with it through school along side Windows. like I mentioned, I play games and macs just don't do it as well, and that's if the game is available. That and a general dislike of lies, and Apple are full of them from what I see.

as to the iPad, I don't doubt it will be a sleak machine! thing is it does nothing better than either my desire or my pc. I dare say its the same for most people but some will just get it anyway.

[gettin2dizzy]

I have found an even more pointless device, the dell streak.

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/portable-computing/hands-on-dell-streak-review-693445

put Xp on it and ill consider it.

It's actually pretty swish. Not too big surprisingly too. Not sure how it'll compare to the new Iphone though.

[hindle8907]

i just got a 32GB wifi one yesterday.

one word... amazing.
I would of been disappointed if you couldn't jail break them because the apps are so expensive !!!
but once jail-broken its win win.

photos movies apps are all a joy the mutili touch on a device like this is out of this world its endless the stuff you can do with these there are a really good bit of kit ... and the 500 pound price tag is worth it imo.

[ThEGr33k]

£500... In context its a lot of money for a pretty limited device... For £150 less you can get a laptop which is better in practically every way, unless you want an fast to hand internet device in your front room, but then you have your phone for that.

I think the main problem is, for the majority of people, its just not necessary.

Out of interest, why have you bought one when you have your new iphone 4?

[flymo]

£500... In context its a lot of money for a pretty limited device... For £150 less you can get a laptop which is better in practically every way, unless you want an fast to hand internet device in your front room, but then you have your phone for that.

I think the main problem is, for the majority of people, its just not necessary.

Out of interest, why have you bought one when you have your new iphone 4?

Do they have to be necessary? A book isnt necessary but its enjoyable.

These things really are a lot of fun. Its a little bit of electronics that I really think will change the way that we interact with the internet.

The iPhone doesnt replace the iPad just like the iPad doesnt replace the iPhone, they are different. Very similar capabilities but designed for their purpose. The iPhone is obviously small, small enough to carry around in your pocket. The iPad is too big for that but its perfectly sized for sitting at home by the TV.

If you have even a slight interest in computers and technology get one, you wont regret it. Tear yourself away from those anti-Apple feelings and experience a really cool device. When you're done (if that happens) then sell it on pretty easily.

[hindle8907]

i just took the plunge and got one, i have allready got laptops falling out my ears, my PC is up to decent spec,
I have the iphone4 for my Mobile/work needs,
i got the ipad as its somthing new and diffrent and i wanted to see what it was like as using it stood in a shop is no test.
I have got it home I have got some decent stuff running on it and i havnt put it down for hours lol.
its amazing fun cool device which i will keep for a long time .

+1 to flymo's last comment.

[ThEGr33k]

I have a lot of other things to waste my money on my like Push rod or motorbike, and maybe in the future a new Gaming PC, this one is getting a little older now :(

[gettin2dizzy]

Check these pictures out

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/picture-galleries/7866260/Apple-iPad-art-portraits-created-by-David-Kassan-using-the-Brushes-app-on-the-touchscreen-device.html

Just using an Ipad and finger

[beabert]

1 GHz a4, 256mb ram,32gb hdd for £600, off yer heads lol

[ThEGr33k]

1 GHz a4, 256mb ram,32gb hdd for £600, off yer heads lol


Ah but you missed the most expensive part... the Apple logo!

I have noticed something, on Apple products, it says "designed in California" in HUGE letters (well relatively) then "Assembled in china" in teeny writing... Wonder, is been Assembled in china not cool? :( poor Chinese.

[hongman]

Na, its just when we Chinese build things we dont feel the need to shout about it ;)

Except Motorcycles.

I'm Chinese but as a nation we cant build bikes for ****.

[hindle8907]

1 GHz a4, 256mb ram,32gb hdd for £600, off yer heads lol

But you got to rember its not a PC and doesnt run a hevy OS and the apps optmize the memory. The system Doesnt lag or freez and is really quick.
Untill you have one theres no point in trying to explain.

[yorkie_chris]

Not like you need much performance to run a web browser though is there.

[ThEGr33k]

Not like you need much performance to run a web browser though is there.

:twisted:

[ThEGr33k]

Na, its just when we Chinese build things we dont feel the need to shout about it ;)

Except Motorcycles.

I'm Chinese but as a nation we cant build bikes for ****.

I'm sure you'll get there... Maybe Apple need to design some for you... no doubt it would be the best motorcycle ever made, it will have an engine and brakes!

[beabert]

But you got to rember its not a PC and doesnt run a hevy OS and the apps optmize the memory. The system Doesnt lag or freez and is really quick.
Untill you have one theres no point in trying to explain.

I have used one briefly.

I have none of these problems now, theres nothing it can do a basic laptop cannot. Theres still key functions missing frm it, and at 600 it should have them.

The tablet pc format was always a good one for the living room environoment, but at the end of the day its a laptop with a touchscreen and no keyboard, theres no need for the vastly inflated price. There are a ;imited number of options on the market at the moment and Apple have took advantage of this.

Now that Apple has released one, more shall follow at a prices that are good valve for the money.

[hindle8907]

I have none of these problems now, theres nothing it can do a basic laptop cannot.

are u kidding ?

[yorkie_chris]

:twisted:

Not being catty but that's all that 99% of people will use this for, it might as well come with facebook as the default homepage.


Hindle what can this dooberry do that a laptop can't then? Way I see it it's the ipad that's failing to have useful function for word processing, emails etc.

[mr.anderson]

The choice is simple.

If you can afford one and want one then get one.

If you can't afford one or don't want one then don't get one.

I have had use of one (through work) and can see where it would fit into my life, but I can't afford it, so I wont be getting one.

[flymo]

The choice is simple.

If you can afford one and want one then get one.

If you can't afford one or don't want one then don't get one.

I have had use of one (through work) and can see where it would fit into my life, but I can't afford it, so I wont be getting one.

+1

[L3nny]

Check these pictures out

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/picture-galleries/7866260/Apple-iPad-art-portraits-created-by-David-Kassan-using-the-Brushes-app-on-the-touchscreen-device.html

Just using an Ipad and finger

http://api.ning.com/files/FaXmWoKfLo7PsHCjXHnfyepVYCSMnSkBNHtj8mwyVKI_/EtchasketchMona.jpg

[hindle8907]

Hindle what can this dooberry do that a laptop can't then? Way I see it it's the ipad that's failing to have useful function for word processing, emails etc.

The Email works fine on the ipad and the layout is good linked in with my Googlemail and the exhange server at work.

Manny office applications are avaiable but i dont want to use it for this i have office apps installed for the odd bit to typing but this device wasnt purtcahsed to replace my laptops or desktops or for doing full blown work from.


Making music on the ipad with your fingers is fun and there are alot of diffrent apps here are three of my best up to now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alnfAct_l_g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1nklgP_osM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJH3ZVwtvn4

Games are cool with the touch and the motion sensors here are a few i like but there are hundreds avaiable most of which are multiplayer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Neao1ajboKw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YGw17N3JLc < Air hockey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC4--Vt8fcg < Racing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DKzS2z8x3E < Labyrinth is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIumk-TW5ng < Pin Ball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_rXNRSQPSw < The famous angry birds !

Finger Painting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OLP4nbAVA4

its endless its just a joy to hold a lightweight device like this in your hands i have got mine linked up to my SKY TV and can watch sky TV from anywhere in the world as long as I have a wifi or 3g connection I have it linked up to my home network too on a VPN and can access all my media in seconds.

in its case its just like holding a small file and you dont mind picking it up on the way out not like a laptop or netbook which still have a carry case ect ect

I the Ibooks is brilliant i would never sit and read a book off the laptop screen but on the ipad it doesn't bother me its brilliant.
same for the comics and the newspapers.

Viewing photos and movies on the ipad is great too just passing it around and letting the family flick through photos with there finger tips.
Music is good aswell just sat down chilling with it rested again your legs being able to flick though your albums just makes everything so much more natural rather than using a touch-pad on a laptop or a mouse


you cant make music with your fingers on a laptop
you cant jd with your fingers on a laptop
you cant play motion sensored and touch screen games on a laptop
its boots in seconds and the battery lasts and age.
and there its tons of other stuff it can do wich a laptop cant but ill be here all year.

its not a replacement for a laptop for me anyway this is an entertainment/multimedia device and it does a brilliant job at it too.

anyway I could sit here all day and go on about what it can do and what i have got on it but im not going to bother.

as a techy guy who loves gadgets this is a brilliant device for me and I rate it highly.

if its not for you then fair enough but people have diffrent needs and this device suites mine.

[PoRk ChOp]

its not a replacement for a laptop for me anyway this is an entertainment/multimedia device and it does a brilliant job at it too.

anyway I could sit here all day and go on about what it can do and what i have got on it but im not going to bother.

as a techy guy who loves gadgets this is a brilliant device for me and I rate it highly.

if its not for you then fair enough but people have diffrent needs and this device suites mine.

+1

I totally love my 32gb 3G as does every member of my household.

I also love my iPhone 4.

If you don't like apple products move on and stop slagging them off. I bet half the people slagging them off have never owned an apple product.

[ThEGr33k]

I have unfortunately, does that mean I'm entitled to bitch? ha ha.

[beabert]

Its not that everyone dislikes them, a lot of use dont like the artificially inflated price of their products.

I have actually said myself the iphone 4 is the first of their phones id consider buying, not at that price though, i can afford it, but dont like being ripped off. This is the same reason i refuse to buy many motorcycle related products.

[PoRk ChOp]

I have unfortunately, does that mean I'm entitled to bitch? ha ha.

:rolleyes:

[hindle8907]

I think 500 is a good price for this device as my iphone4 is 500, the phone is expensive not the pad lol.... I don't mind paying for something that's providing what I need which they both do

[PoRk ChOp]

a lot of use dont like the artificially inflated price of their products.

Most quality items have an inflated price, it's called good business practice.

[wyrdness]

New from Apple... The Friend Bar (http://www.theonion.com/video/new-apple-friend-bar-gives-customers-someone-to-ta,17693/)

[hindle8907]

New from Apple... The Friend Bar (http://www.theonion.com/video/new-apple-friend-bar-gives-customers-someone-to-ta,17693/)

lmao Geeks.....