Why I'm buying an iPad

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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PDF's. That's pretty much it - for reading PDF files. I had a Kindle a couple years ago; I love e-ink, but the lack of proper PDF support is a real killer for me. I was all excited about the Nook, but it has the same crappy PDF implementation that the Kindle does.

The iPad, on the other hand: zooming, font increase, color, touch, horizontal and vertical orientation, embedded audio/video media files. I was initially very excited for an iTablet, then very un-excited, but once I realized that having a quality, portable PDF reader was high (very high!) on my wishlist, I realized that the iPad is actually the golden ticket!

I'm planning on picking up the 16gb (base) 3G version. Since AT&T's 3G is not on contract (pay-as-you-go sort of thing), I can just add a month of 3G for $30 a month whenever I feel like it, such as for vacations and trips. And $30 a month with my dumbphone is a pretty good deal.

I dumped my iPhone due to crappy call quality a couple months ago. AT&T is really bad in my area. I switched to Verizon and decided that if they ever bring the iPhone to Verizon, I'd switch back. Now? I'm not so sure - the prospect of having a basic pocket phone plus my iPad with Wifi/3G is pretty dang appealing. I was concerned about the size at first, but I'm usually loaded down with books anyway, so a little 10" device wouldn't be a problem at all.

I'm not particularly psyched about the first-gen quirks (no onboard SD/USB/HDMI/Webcam/Flash/Multi-tasking), but as a PDF reader - PERFECT! So that's why I'm buying an iPad :awe:
 
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Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
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I'll be buying it for web browsing on the go, my employer has a very strict internet use on work pc's policy.

The eTrade app is pretty good, ATT in LA isn't miserable (although I noticed Jobs said carriers when talking about 3G in the announcement) Check out the YouTupe of the announcement, he used the plural form of carrier, maybe he meant international carriers, but it was interesting.

Email, looks pretty slick.

Rather than get fired, I'll get either the 16GB WiFi and tether or get the 16GB GS and like Kaido, drop my smartphone and carry a traditional phone.

The cons really don't affect how I want to use it

Camera/Webcam: I have yet to use a webcam for anything, who wants to see me unshaven & in my underwear?

Multitasking: Why the fuck do I want to follow Ashton on Twitter? I follow Mosspuppet and the Dell Outlet on twitter, and I can just log in to do a catch up on that...

Memory: It's not going to hold anything besides contacts and apps, my camera uses CF format cards anyway. If I'm too stupid to use networking to move files I ought to be shot anyway...

No HDMI out/video resolution: I use a projector on my HTPC, why in the hell do I want to watch a movie on a 10" screen? Or use a portable device for movie storage, I have a TB of TV/movies on my HTPC. It'll work great for YouTube whenever I want to watch Ninja Cat creep up on me.

Kickstand/Keyboard: If I need to, I can carry both in my man bag.

Make phone calls: Um with Apple opening up VOIP on the iPhone, seems like that won't be an issue.

Flash: Yeah, wish it'd support Flash, damn you RedTube and your compelling Flash porn.

USB: It'd be nice, but WTF, like I said, with networking, I should be able to figure a work around.
 

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
23,583
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So you guys are gonna carry both a traditional phone and an iPad around? Well, I guess some people would.

Personally, I like my iPhone, and thus don't see the point of carrying around a huge 2nd device for email.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
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So you guys are gonna carry both a traditional phone and an iPad around? Well, I guess some people would.

Personally, I like my iPhone, and thus don't see the point of carrying around a huge 2nd device for email.

I have a Pantech c300, and love it, heck, I may just keep my 1st gen iPhone for texting.

Shit I have a BB Curve, the Pantech C300, a first gen iPhone, A Moto Razor, and a G1, I really need to list some of them on eBay :(
 

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
23,583
996
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Not sure what you're getting at. Are you going carry several of those around? Even if you did, none of those are as big as an iPad.
 

TheRickRoller

Member
Dec 2, 2009
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Kaido said:
but once I realized that having a quality, portable PDF reader was high (very high!) on my wishlist
Me too :)

Now theres a good use for one. If you could also watch slideshows/presentations, and jot down notes while watching, that would be interesting to me. Possible?
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
48,387
5,255
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So you guys are gonna carry both a traditional phone and an iPad around? Well, I guess some people would.

Personally, I like my iPhone, and thus don't see the point of carrying around a huge 2nd device for email.

Sure - I'm not going to put an iPad in my pocket.

I don't need both a smartphone AND a tablet. I wish I was a girl; having a purse would be so dang handy to put the iPad in. I foresee man bags making a comeback in a huge way...:biggrin: Again, for me, it's about the PDF reader. Reading on the iPhone isn't something I really enjoy doing long-term. I've read a few full novels on it using the Kindle app, but I can't say it was an optimum viewing experience. The iPad will be much, much nicer for that. And it's small enough that I can always have it with me - not much trouble for it to tag along, I guess.
 

speg

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2000
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www.speg.com
I'd love to have a iPad laying around the house so I could quickly grab it and browse the web or show off some photos. However, I think revision 1 is just a table setter and I can hold off for version 2.
 

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
22,378
705
126
Jailbroken iPad + bluetooth remote control app + my HTPC = WIN!!! I cannot afford the uber Pronto remote, it's $1,200. I will buy the base model once I see a kick ass remote app. I few exist but I wanna see one that takes advantage of the screen size + has tons of eye candy. The Pronto kicks ass, and I'd love something as good, or better for less than half the price.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
Not sure what you're getting at. Are you going carry several of those around? Even if you did, none of those are as big as an iPad.

I already carry a man bag (a couple of backpacks and messenger bags) to work, carrying a small backpack or messenger bag when I'm not at work won't be a big deal at all, it'll get all the crap outta my pockets... And I've found I can jam my Mini 9 into my cargo shorts/pants pretty easily.
 

Wonderful Pork

Golden Member
Jul 24, 2005
1,531
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my only question is: how do you plan on accessing the PDFs? Are you going to put them in Stanza or something? Right now, I keep them as a attachment to a draft in Mail, but it doesn't remember the last read spot and is generally a pain in the butt.

I'm going to wait for a month or 2 after initial launch to see if there are any dealbreakers with the hardware (like the cracking macbooks, etc) and to wait for iPad specific apps to come out. I'll most probably have one by the 2nd generation though.