first ipad reviews are in...

[Pliablemoose]

This is going to be huge, not necessarily the iPad, (but I think the ipad will be huge actually), just wait till a dozen functional Android or Chrome tablets hit the market.... Not this JooJoo shit, but working devices from the major manufacturers.

Even netbooks intimidate people, a tablet with a simplified interface not so much.

 

[Anubis]

Sweet, I'm eager to read all the reviews/impressions. I was hugely disappointed after the keynote, but now that I've come to terms with the product I'm pretty excited. I'm not planning on getting one (going to try and hold out for the next generation) but I think this has potential to be the perfect couch/bed device for the average consumer. I actually think this might be the PERFECT device for my Grandfather. He can carry it around the house, check his emails, surf a view pages, and easily show Grandma photos of the kids.

props to your grandparents for being able to do that, My dad prob couldn't even figure out how to turn it on

 

[Pliablemoose]

props to your grandparents for being able to do that, My dad prob couldn't even figure out how to turn it on

Yeah, that power on button is really a bitch...

 

[Anubis]

my dad called me 3 years ago to ask me what the pause button was moose, dont underestimate him.

hes a really smart man he just sucks at electronics/computers

 

[Pliablemoose]

my dad called me 3 years ago to ask me what the pause button was moose, dont underestimate him.

hes a really smart man he just sucks at electronics/computers

My mom recently lost her notebook with all of her passwords that I made for her, and cant master a mouse 🙁

 

[dwell]

my dad called me 3 years ago to ask me what the pause button was moose, dont underestimate him.

hes a really smart man he just sucks at electronics/computers

My dad was an electric engineer for 30 years but he calls the web browser "Yahoo!"

 

[speg]

props to your grandparents for being able to do that, My dad prob couldn't even figure out how to turn it on

Yeah, that's the point of this thing that finally hit me. If this was full fledged OS X that did everything under the moon like so many of us had hoped... Then he'd have no shot at it.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Walt Mossberg is an Apple evangelist. He's about as impartial and unbiased towards Apple as John C. Dvorak (but in the opposite direction, of course).

I remember seeing this iPad flowchart posted a couple days ago...

I guess I don't hate the iPad or think it's a bad product, I just don't see where it fits in. It seems like the majority of buyers are Apple fanatics who already have a MacBook, an iMac, and an iPhone. There is absolutely no use for an iPad if you already have all that stuff other than showing off or getting rid of excess money. Maybe for someone who has a desktop computer and a basic phone and wants something between a laptop and a smartphone. Which again comes back to the idea of it being essentially a large iPod Touch. It's not really a bad thing, but it's not revolutionary at all and most people don't need one.

 

[vshah]

about the only real use i can see for this size device would be as an awesome remote control for a home media system. i'm sure an app will come out, but it will probably work best with the apple ecosystem. Which is why i'll wait for a windows tablet with xbmc or media center support.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Android has an app called Gmote that works pretty well as a media remote.

 

[vshah]

Android has an app called Gmote that works pretty well as a media remote.

it's pretty good, and there are a few xbmc remote apps as well, but they're all a little rough around the edges currently. the large form factor of a tablet device, combined with the right interface, would be really sweet for browsing your library / controlling playback.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Walt Mossberg is an Apple evangelist. He's about as impartial and unbiased towards Apple as John C. Dvorak (but in the opposite direction, of course).

I remember seeing this iPad flowchart posted a couple days ago...

I guess I don't hate the iPad or think it's a bad product, I just don't see where it fits in. It seems like the majority of buyers are Apple fanatics who already have a MacBook, an iMac, and an iPhone. There is absolutely no use for an iPad if you already have all that stuff other than showing off or getting rid of excess money. Maybe for someone who has a desktop computer and a basic phone and wants something between a laptop and a smartphone. Which again comes back to the idea of it being essentially a large iPod Touch. It's not really a bad thing, but it's not revolutionary at all and most people don't need one.

This. The only people I know irl who actually want one of these are, wait for it, Apple fanatics. Some of the functions seem... neat... but at the same time even the netflix streaming app doesn't do it for me. Where would that actually be of any use? Starbucks? I need my laptop with me 99% of the time anyway so what's the point? And I know it won't be of any use in my house because I would just use my ginormous plasma instead.

 

[Gooberlx2]

The reason I'm excited for it is because it gives immense exposure to this new class of device. I'm sure my Dad will buy one (2nd gen at least)....he's very happy with his apple products.

I will wait for a better priced competitor. I also think WebOS would be very well suited for this kind of device.

 

[dwell]

This. The only people I know irl who actually want one of these are, wait for it, Apple fanatics. Some of the functions seem... neat... but at the same time even the netflix streaming app doesn't do it for me. Where would that actually be of any use? Starbucks? I need my laptop with me 99% of the time anyway so what's the point? And I know it won't be of any use in my house because I would just use my ginormous plasma instead.

The point of this class of device is that it replaces 90% of what you need a laptop for. Are you really doing anything that absolutely requires a notebook 100% of the time? If yes, you're in the niche.

For those who surf the web, do social networking, check email, this replaces a notebook and completely eclipses the painfulness of a netbook.

 

[AstroManLuca]

The point of this class of device is that it replaces 90% of what you need a laptop for. Are you really doing anything that absolutely requires a notebook 100% of the time? If yes, you're in the niche.

For those who surf the web, do social networking, check email, this replaces a notebook and completely eclipses the painfulness of a netbook.

It's true, a lot of people buy the cheapest possible notebook (or a used notebook, which is often a bad idea because notebooks get worn down pretty quickly) because they don't really need a computer for everything. Currently, netbooks are a smart alternative for those people.

I could see the iPad being a good option for these people as well, but only if they have a full computer at home. There are too many features lacking to make the iPad your only computer. A netbook wouldn't be great as a primary computer either, but it would be possible since it doesn't run a phone OS.

 

[theeedude]

I don't see what the appeal is. Basically you get a neutered web experience without Flash, which may be OK for a smart phone, but for a home device doesn't cut it, IMO. What, you are sitting on the couch browsing the web, and you see a site that uses Flash, you can't see it. Then you gotta email yourself the link and open it up on your other machine. After doing that a few times, iPad will go on the shelf, and I'd just use a PC instead from the beginning.

Going to wait for Notion Ink Adam, which may replace my computer entirely, if the price is right.
I mainly use computer for browsing web, so Flash is a must.
Second use is for VNCing into work, so HDMI output to screen + usb keyboard is nice.
Can output 1080p video, so can double as HTPC from a USB HD or for streaming Hulu to screen.
Swivel camera, covers video chatting with family.
E-ink mode makes it a good e-reader plus great battery life.
Better graphics for gaming.
Can use it for GPS.
Basically thing will cover all my computing needs in one device, unlike iPad which would just be a toy to put on coffee table.

 

[Fingolfin269]

The point of this class of device is that it replaces 90% of what you need a laptop for. Are you really doing anything that absolutely requires a notebook 100% of the time? If yes, you're in the niche.

For those who surf the web, do social networking, check email, this replaces a notebook and completely eclipses the painfulness of a netbook.

I'm pretty sure I wrote 99% of the time. My issue with the ipad is that the cost does not match up with the value. Even if I were at 50% of the time it still wouldn't work out for me on a cost:value ratio. It just doesn't do enough to justify the purchase for me.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Notion Ink Adam

Thanks for pointing this one out. Sounds interesting if the price is right!

 

[Spicedaddy]

...looks at his 11.6" ULV notebook that cost less than an iPad, runs Win7 + an XP VM, has 3 USB, VGA, HDMI, etc...

iPad what?? Call me when they put a real OS and a couple of USB ports on the thing.

 

[theeedude]

Thanks for pointing this one out. Sounds interesting if the price is right!

Apple is probably going to sue them like they did HTC to stop competition from better devices. 🙁
I fear for these smaller innovative start ups with our screwed up patent system.

 

[dwell]

Apple is probably going to sue them like they did HTC to stop competition from better devices. 🙁
I fear for these smaller innovative start ups with our screwed up patent system.

Smaller start ups should fear themselves. 100 pre-orders of the JooJoo? Do you really expect any of these no-name devices to sell at all, much less be any competition for the iPad?

The sad thing is that the iPad is going to go uncontested for a while, in which time it will fortify its place in this new device market. The only real competition would be an Android tablet, but Google is all over the place right now between mobile, Android, and ChromeOS I doubt they could pull anything focused off that could compete with Apple. The MS Courier is another possibility, but seeing how poorly the Zune performed, and even the Xbox 360 in the grand scheme of things, I would not count on Microsoft for any kind of CE device miracle.

 

[zerocool84]

The point of this class of device is that it replaces 90% of what you need a laptop for. Are you really doing anything that absolutely requires a notebook 100% of the time? If yes, you're in the niche.

For those who surf the web, do social networking, check email, this replaces a notebook and completely eclipses the painfulness of a netbook.

A screen with tiny rez, extremely less capability, is going to be a bitch to type stuff on, and much more expensive??? Sounds great where do I sign up?

 

[TheWart]

A screen with tiny rez, extremely less capability, is going to be a bitch to type stuff on, and much more expensive??? Sounds great where do I sign up?

So I take it you similarly scoff at the joojoo, courier, hp slate, android phones, and any other device that doesn't have a physical keyboard and a 1280x1024+ res? Oh that's right, it is just the cool thing to hate on apple cause their products happen to be popular, lol.

 

[zerocool84]

So I take it you similarly scoff at the joojoo, courier, hp slate, android phones, and any other device that doesn't have a physical keyboard and a 1280x1024+ res? Oh that's right, it is just the cool thing to hate on apple cause their products happen to be popular, lol.

No it's the total package that sucks. At least those allow to do more than one thing at once and don't charge you crazy prices just to get internet that's not wifi.

 

[TheWart]

No it's the total package that sucks. At least those allow to do more than one thing at once and don't charge you crazy prices just to get internet that's not wifi.

???

I am glad that you know the price of the courier seeing it hasn't even been announced iirc, and as for the joojoo it costs $500 genius. Does it support 3G?

I am not sure why multitasking is a dealbreaker for you (given that most of what one would do on the ipad involves things like surfing that open up where you left off anyway), but would you agree to stop moaning about that if multitasking is included in version 4.0 of the software?