Did this guy just nail the reason why iPad is so popular?

[quest55720]

It is not that hard to figure out. For the longest time it was the best hardware for the money, best eco system and easiest to use. Then to add insult to injury the android tablet market was a complete disaster for a long time. Over priced buggy tablets like the Xoom tainted the whole android tablet market. The only way they have over come this was a race to the bottom in pricing.

 

[runawayprisoner]

The majority of people are not proficient users, and high end hardware does not sell as much as low/mid range. Is the OP insinuating that the iPad is a high end computer bought mostly by technical people?

No. It's the opposite. My point is that the iPad is a just-work cheap alternative to more high-end laptops/PCs. That's how it's selling well.

And then when you move one tier down, Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire are just-work cheap alternatives to the high-end iPad. That's how they're selling well.

Based on the same logic, proficient users are more willing to work with and accept the limitations of the iPad/Nexus 7/Kindle Fire. But that doesn't mean that they must/should do that.

Consequently, I believe less proficient general users would be better served by the iPad than Nexus 7/Kindle Fire. And then the same logic applies to the iPad. If you bump into limitations, then clearly what you "need" is a laptop/PC, and not an iPad.

 

[Red Storm]

No. It's the opposite. My point is that the iPad is a just-work cheap alternative to more high-end laptops/PCs. That's how it's selling well.

And then when you move one tier down, Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire are just-work cheap alternatives to the high-end iPad. That's how they're selling well.

Based on the same logic, proficient users are more willing to work with and accept the limitations of the iPad/Nexus 7/Kindle Fire. But that doesn't mean that they must/should do that.

I disagree. I think casual users are finding that they don't need high end hardware and their few uses are taken care of with limited devices like tablets and smartphones.

 

[runawayprisoner]

I disagree. I think casual users are finding that they don't need high end hardware and their few uses are taken care of with limited devices like tablets and smartphones.

If that's the case, what's the point in introducing quad-core chips in phones/tablets? What's the point in introducing high resolution high pixel density displays? What's the point in optimizing mobile web browsers? Make tablets play 1080p or 2K/4K videos? What's the point in a high-end 38MP camera phone?

It may sound contradictory to my last post, which suggested that iPad was the cheap alternative to laptops/PCs, but... when you compare the iPad to many low-end laptops, it's clearly superior in many ways.

The iPad started out as a cheap just-work alternative. But it has worked its way up the "high end" ladder steadily for the last few years.

 

[Red Storm]

If that's the case, what's the point in introducing quad-core chips in phones/tablets? What's the point in introducing high resolution high pixel density displays? What's the point in optimizing mobile web browsers? Make tablets play 1080p or 2K/4K videos? What's the point in a high-end 38MP camera phone?

It may sound contradictory to my last post, which suggested that iPad was the cheap alternative to laptops/PCs, but... when you compare the iPad to many low-end laptops, it's clearly superior in many ways.

The iPad started out as a cheap just-work alternative. But it has worked its way up the "high end" ladder steadily for the last few years.

To improve performance? To try and create more selling points for future iterations and give previous customers a reason to buy again? Honestly I don't even know why you asked that...

The iPad is neither "High End" in price nor features. It is a low end computer, as are all tablets.

 

[Aikouka]

Low end users should get quad cores with SSDs
Everyone else should too, but if they can't have that, at least they know how to deal.

I think the largest issue with his assertion is that he completely ignores the concept of a baseline comparison. If a rather technologically illiterate person purchases a slow computer, how do they know that it's slow? What are they comparing Microsoft Word load times to? They have nothing to compare it to unless they've sat there watching their SSD-equipped friends load up applications.

If I had to guess, I would say that these people stop using their computers or other assorted technological devices because they see them as a hassle. Why do you think we're combining so many pieces of functionality into one device? Consider the differences in uploading photos to Facebook with a standard point-and-shoot camera compared to doing that with a smartphone; unless the camera includes fancy web-based features, it's probably going to be rather cumbersome.

That's actually one of the things that I'm going to point out to my mom with the iPad Mini. If she wants to take a picture of her cat and put it on Facebook, then it's a ridiculously easy affair! Keep in mind that she was this close -- by the way, I'm holding my fingers really close together -- to paying Staples $80 to set her WiFi printer up when I gave her a flippin' step-by-step guide from HP and all the relevant WiFi information.

 

[runawayprisoner]

To improve performance? To try and create more selling points for future iterations and give previous customers a reason to buy again? Honestly I don't even know why you asked that...

The iPad is neither "High End" in price nor features. It is a low end computer, as are all tablets.

So you're saying a 2048 x 1536 IPS display is low end now?

Wow...

 

[Red Storm]

So you're saying a 2048 x 1536 IPS display is low end now?

Wow...

They could have put a 99999999 x 9999999 display on it, that doesn't change the fact that it's a low end computer.

 

[runawayprisoner]

They could have put a 99999999 x 9999999 display on it, that doesn't change the fact that it's a low end computer.

By "computer", are you referring to the whole device or just its CPU/GPU?

And the current iPad 4 would compare very favorably to a PowerMac G5, which was and still is a high-end workstation for some.

 

[Red Storm]

By "computer", are you referring to the whole device or just its CPU/GPU?

And the current iPad 4 would compare very favorably to a PowerMac G5, which was and still is a high-end workstation for some.

The latest and greatest mobile CPU is still low end compared to even yesterday's high end CPUs. I'm referring to everything, but the software, it's capabilities (and limitations) and performance are the real meat of a "computer" IMHO.

Powermac G5, released June 24th 2003. :| 404 high end computer not found.

 

[runawayprisoner]

The latest and greatest mobile CPU is still low end compared to even yesterday's high end CPUs. I'm referring to everything, but the software, it's capabilities (and limitations) and performance are the real meat of a "computer" IMHO.

Powermac G5, released June 24th 2003. :| 404 high end computer not found.

So basically you're saying "high end" is a moving goal, and that "high end" of yesteryear is not "high end" now?

And somehow your workflow changes to make your "high end" needs ever increasing much like the hardware underneath?

Huh...

Based on that logic, I guess I'll "need" an octo-core CPU in 2020 just to write a word document.

 

[Red Storm]

So basically you're saying "high end" is a moving goal, and that "high end" of yesteryear is not "high end" now?

Err, what world do you live in where this is not the case?

Based on that logic, I guess I'll "need" an octo-core CPU in 2020 just to write a word document.

I used to write in Notepad back when I had Win95. Today I write in Notepad on Windows 7. It's quite strange, but yes, I do need faster hardware to do the same task.

 

[runawayprisoner]

Err, what world do you live in where this is not the case?

A world where I can use my laptop for 4 or more years to accomplish the same set of tasks? And the only reason to switch or "upgrade" is merely because by 4 or more years, the hardware inside the device has given out (battery doesn't hold a charge, bad sectors on hard drive, CPU throttled, dead sensors, you name it).

I switch computers because my last one was worn out. Not because I "need" a new and faster computer. In fact, if I could still purchase the same computer in new condition at a reasonable price, I don't see why I should consider other options. Why do you switch computers?

I used to write in Notepad back when I had Win95. Today I write in Notepad on Windows 7. It's quite strange, but yes, I do need faster hardware to do the same task.

And yet somehow Windows 95 isn't "adequate" for writing? What am I missing here?

What exactly do you write on Windows 7 that makes Notepad on Windows 7 "superior" to Notepad on WIndows 95?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Based on that logic, I guess I'll "need" an octo-core CPU in 2020 just to write a word document.

That will probably be true if you are using Office 2020.

 

[Red Storm]

Why do you switch computers?

Because until the day comes where my computer does everything I want instantaneously, there is room for improvement. Why do people switch from mechanical HDD to SSD? Why go from 2GB of RAM to 4GB?

I think it's very bizarre that you don't see why "high end" is always a moving target, especially this being a tech enthusiast forum. This has always been the case in every industry.

And yet somehow Windows 95 isn't "adequate" for writing? What am I missing here?

I was giving you an example to answer your line about "needing" an octo-core CPU in 2020. You won't need one to write a document, but you'll probably need one to run the modern OS of that time.

 

[Ichigo]

Calling tablets "low-end" by comparing them to the best desktops is misleading.

Desktop computers don't have a lot of the limitations of tablets, of course, but the reverse is true too.

If you need a desktop, you won't buy a tablet. If you need a tablet, you won't buy a desktop.

Calling it a "low-end" computer doesn't change the fact that tablets are becoming more and more ubiquitous and the trend is likely to continue.

 

[Red Storm]

Calling it a "low-end" computer doesn't change the fact that tablets are becoming more and more ubiquitous and the trend is likely to continue.

Nor should it, but calling it a "low end" computer is not a disservice to tablets, as it seems like some people are taking it. That's just what it is.

It is a low end computer, and they are becoming more and more popular because of the opposite of what the OP posted. Casual users are finding that a low end computer (tablet) is taking care of their needs.

 

[Ichigo]

I get your point, but I don't call hatchbacks "low-end" SUV's compared to a Hummer. This is the only place I've ever seen anyone use that term to compare tablets and desktops.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Calling tablets "low-end" by comparing them to the best desktops is misleading.

Desktop computers don't have a lot of the limitations of tablets, of course, but the reverse is true too.

If you need a desktop, you won't buy a tablet. If you need a tablet, you won't buy a desktop.

Calling it a "low-end" computer doesn't change the fact that tablets are becoming more and more ubiquitous and the trend is likely to continue.

See in bold

Not only in software but in hardware as well.

Tablets will be popular until people realize they can't upgrade it AT ALL.

As if Dell/HP etc didn't make it hard enough on Desktop buyers......Tablets are a WHOLE another spectrum (especially Apple).

once they realize the limitation in software and especially hardware, it will make them think twice before purchasing such a device again.

Fact that apple sells ANY Tablet is beyond me. No way in hell I would ever buy a device I can't replace the battery in.....that limits me or doesn't even have a memory slot.

Won't even get into the whole "limiting software to get you to buy newer device" apple has a history of.

 

[runawayprisoner]

That will probably be true if you are using Office 2020.

Then it's actually because the software is unoptimized. Not because the hardware isn't capable.

And either way, Windows 8's performance improvements over Windows 7 are evident enough that I think there is room for Microsoft to keep optimizing its softwares.

If Office 2020 ends up needing more hardware, then it's more likely because it's actually doing something other than just letting you edit texts.

Because until the day comes where my computer does everything I want instantaneously, there is room for improvement. Why do people switch from mechanical HDD to SSD? Why go from 2GB of RAM to 4GB?

I think it's very bizarre that you don't see why "high end" is always a moving target, especially this being a tech enthusiast forum. This has always been the case in every industry.

There is a very large difference between "nice to have" and "necessary". It's "nice to have" SSD over HDD, and it's "nice to have" more RAM, but neither of those things are "necessary".

If they ever become "necessary", then something is fundamentally wrong. I don't "require" my clients to have SSD or 4GB of RAM in order to get the best out of my codes.

I was giving you an example to answer your line about "needing" an octo-core CPU in 2020. You won't need one to write a document, but you'll probably need one to run the modern OS of that time.

Unless the OS does something fundamentally different (run a resolution that's a lot higher, has a 3D UI, or cook your breakfast for you), I think it's unreasonable to expect more hardware just so the OS is functional (not even talking about having good performance).

And since we are talking about that, I think it's safe to say that it's more because the OS is unoptimized. Not because the hardware is incapable. Again, I'll cite Windows 8 performance improvement over Windows 7 here as an example.

And I'll even cite Apple's Mountain Lion vs Lion here as an example.

Let's redefine what we think of as "high end" here, because I'm thinking "performance of both hardware and software", while you seem to think that "high end" is merely "hardware performance".

 

[dolbark]

If you just need to cruise the web, email, Facebook, Tweet, read some books, and watch some movies then the IPad is perfect for that. Plus you get games that the kids (and adults) like as well. All other application serious / work related stuff is best suited to laptops (Dual core) is all that is needed.

As for the $199 net book... Im not a believer in ONLY web ability. You still need to have a good amount of software to run ... that to me says iPad @ $399