Apple iPad. Your views? - Freeze-Frame Radio

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

Apple iPad. Your views?

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

Oh, I also still hate the fact that Apple refused to move away from that sealed battery format. But I suppose when it's that thin and that light having a removable battery would be hard.

JD The Jazz Doctor · Grand Poobah

lol I'd still have my pay as you go tracfone if I didn't get a solstice for christmas... smile

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

Well, I've really gotten more frugal myself on the electronics lately.

But I must say I'm really starting to become (as web would put it) an Apple fan boy. They just do things right.

I'd really like to get an Apple computer at some point and then start taking a class on APP building. That could be a great area to get into. A way to make a little extra cash from home.

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

From what I've heard of the iPhone, it's better to wait a while before getting it.

Personally, I'm not feeling the vibe. It's a netbook without the keyboard.

I'd still rather have a Kindle. I'd rather read a book on the Kindle, it has free wireless, you can browse the internet, and it's cheaper. The only things that the iPad has over the Kindle to me is that it's color and backlight, and it's Apple. I think the people buying the iPad will be the Apple fanboys and the hipsters. Depending on what you plan to use it for, I think a netbook or Kindle are more suitable.

Of course, I could be totally wrong. But I don't think it's for me. Granted, if I ended up with one I wouldn't complain, but I probably wouldn't buy one.

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

MZ,

I've never had a Kindle so I don't know a lot about it. When you say "free wireless" are you saying you get to connect to the internet for free without using your own router or local hot spot? If so that's a HUGE plus. The thing would pay for itself eventually.

I know how into books you are, if you haven't seen this video already I'd be curious what you thought after watching it. It's about 2 minutes long. You can follow THIS LINK and then on the left just click on the iBook icon. It explains how the iPad works as a reader.

If you have time and can check it out I'd be curious how it compares to the KINDLE and if seeing the video increases the likelihood you'd want one. I'm not a big book reader, and I find it hard to believe I'd be willing to pay for a book that I won't even have a physical copy of. But the idea of having the occasional book, always with me in my planner/browser/mp3 player is kind of intriguing.

I also just read that Netflix will stream directly to the iPad. That's another check for the PRO coloumn.

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

Jeremy Riggs wrote:

MZ,

I've never had a Kindle so I don't know a lot about it. When you say "free wireless" are you saying you get to connect to the internet for free without using your own router or local hot spot? If so that's a HUGE plus. The thing would pay for itself eventually.

Yep. "3G Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle; no annual contracts, no monthly fees, and no hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots" They do have the caveat that they can start charging for it at any time.

Jeremy Riggs wrote:

I find it hard to believe I'd be willing to pay for a book that I won't even have a physical copy of. But the idea of having the occasional book, always with me in my planner/browser/mp3 player is kind of intriguing.

Yeah, I kind of feel the same way. There's still a lot of books that I would prefer to buy a hard copy of. But for things like traveling, passing the time before a movie, etc., it would be nice to have a few books along. And apparently, because of the print on the screen thingy technology, it's just like reading a printed page; no eye strain like reading a screen.

Jeremy Riggs wrote:

I also just read that Netflix will stream directly to the iPad. That's another check for the PRO coloumn.

Oh, now that's a big plus. I watch a lot of Netflix streaming movies on my laptop.

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

Yeah, the Netflix is big for me. I'd be able to watch at work on Lunch.

Plus I really love the email & calendar APP.

The reality is all of the things I use my laptop for with the possible exception of IM'ing, they've made nicer and easier than ever it looks like.

In fact, if I order one I'll get the nice metal keyboard too, which serves as a charging station and basically turns your iPad into an iMac that can sit at your desk.

Tough call though. I should probably wait until my laptop dies. that would be the SMART thing to do.

WebGuy · Doesn't Do Windows

I will admit that it is cool, but for what I need to do, and the way I work, I'm not feeling the love.

I can see how it would be enough for a few people, but for the things I need to do, this could not replace my laptop. I need my programs with me to do my work, the apps wouldn't be enough.

For portability and size, it's still too big to carry around as a phone replacement (even after the 3rd generation when they put a Bluetooth phone in it.)

I can imagine people wanting to watch a movie on it and they are sitting there having to hold this 1.5 lb device in their hands to get the right angle on it to get the best picture. Or, trying to find things to prop it up so they don't have to hold it for the full two hours of a movie. If I'm watching a movie, I want to sit back and relax with the movie in front of me. I don't want to have to hold up my screen, or bend over a desk or table. In certain circumstances, like on a plane, it would be awesome, but those times are far and few between for me.

To comfortably use this at home, it looks like it would still need a keyboard, and then a nice holder to hold it up in front of you while you are typing on the keyboard . . . . basically setting it up like a laptop.

When I'm stationary, I want and usually need, the power of my laptop. When I'm mobile, I need the small size and portability of a phone/music player. I just don't have that many times when I could use a "middle device" between those two. It's cool, but I just don't see the iPad replacing either of those things, and thus only becoming an additional, third device that would get left on the stack of magazines in the bathroom.

Ultimo · King of the Ring

Being somewhat of an Apple fanboy, sat here typing on this iMac with my iPod Touch charging right next to it, I guess I will give in to temptation at some point and get one, but will wait a while to let them iron out any bugs, but the thing just looks so good, I need to have one.