So I've had it for about a week, and I love it more and more every day.
The thing I hear most is that the iPad can't replace a laptop...and that's true. If you were to have one computer, and one computer only, and you desire even mild portability around the house, you should probably get a laptop, because everyone needs at least one machine optimized for doing work. But if you have a desktop, it's a different story altogether.
I've got a desktop, a laptop, an iPad, and an iPhone. I've got options here. And you know what? The thought of using a laptop to surf the web on my couch is almost repulsive to me now. To have to use an awful touchpad instead of just touching the link. To have a hot, heavy, laptop that I have to balance in my lap in order to do anything, even watch a movie. Even worse, a net book, which is too small and awkward to hold, running software than it can barely handle if it all.
Basically, I had a revelation - if iPad like devices had existed for years, and then some company came out with the first laptop in 2010, people would have the same doubts about them as they do now about the iPad. You'd realize you didn't need one, and why on earth would someone want to use something so inconvenient? This is of course, assuming you have a desktop. Because sometimes you need a real computer.
But let's not understate what they've pulled off here. It has limitations for sure, but the device is just so wonderful to use. It always immediately responds to your input...that can't always be said for PCs. The user interface is beautiful beyond anything available on the desktop - it's so incredibly fluid, everything is animated at a silky smooth frame rate....basically, interacting with it just feels right, and it doesn't have to compromise performance in order to look nice. And they managed this with a mobile 1ghz processor and 256mb of ram, specs that pale even compared to a net book? It's almost impossible to believe, but they pulled it off.
Honestly, it's better compared to a game console than anything else. A specialized device, with software written to take full advantage of the hardware, letting nothing go to waste. Eye candy is taken seriously - and why shouldnt it be? A device intended to be very good at content consumption, but still have the capability to pull off the basics of creation. And unlike PCs, but like consoles, it just *works*. Forget everything you ever knew about drivers, antivirus, performance issues, complicated installs, files...everything is either built in or installs with one click.
And did I mention the screen is gorgeous, weighs less than 2 pounds, and the battery lasts 10 hours...10 hours!
It's going to be a luxury item for a while, but man, what a luxury it is.
The thing I hear most is that the iPad can't replace a laptop...and that's true. If you were to have one computer, and one computer only, and you desire even mild portability around the house, you should probably get a laptop, because everyone needs at least one machine optimized for doing work. But if you have a desktop, it's a different story altogether.
I've got a desktop, a laptop, an iPad, and an iPhone. I've got options here. And you know what? The thought of using a laptop to surf the web on my couch is almost repulsive to me now. To have to use an awful touchpad instead of just touching the link. To have a hot, heavy, laptop that I have to balance in my lap in order to do anything, even watch a movie. Even worse, a net book, which is too small and awkward to hold, running software than it can barely handle if it all.
Basically, I had a revelation - if iPad like devices had existed for years, and then some company came out with the first laptop in 2010, people would have the same doubts about them as they do now about the iPad. You'd realize you didn't need one, and why on earth would someone want to use something so inconvenient? This is of course, assuming you have a desktop. Because sometimes you need a real computer.
But let's not understate what they've pulled off here. It has limitations for sure, but the device is just so wonderful to use. It always immediately responds to your input...that can't always be said for PCs. The user interface is beautiful beyond anything available on the desktop - it's so incredibly fluid, everything is animated at a silky smooth frame rate....basically, interacting with it just feels right, and it doesn't have to compromise performance in order to look nice. And they managed this with a mobile 1ghz processor and 256mb of ram, specs that pale even compared to a net book? It's almost impossible to believe, but they pulled it off.
Honestly, it's better compared to a game console than anything else. A specialized device, with software written to take full advantage of the hardware, letting nothing go to waste. Eye candy is taken seriously - and why shouldnt it be? A device intended to be very good at content consumption, but still have the capability to pull off the basics of creation. And unlike PCs, but like consoles, it just *works*. Forget everything you ever knew about drivers, antivirus, performance issues, complicated installs, files...everything is either built in or installs with one click.
And did I mention the screen is gorgeous, weighs less than 2 pounds, and the battery lasts 10 hours...10 hours!
It's going to be a luxury item for a while, but man, what a luxury it is.
to help alleviate the cost differential.
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