Question: An easy one for ya: should I buy an iPad or what? The more I see them around, the more I want one. But is this just Apple trying to suck me in and steal my money? You have one. Tell me why I should get one.
Answer: Well, actually, I don’t own an iPad. But I have friends who do — and they love it. But I’ll be honest, it’s not for everyone.
I didn’t get one for myself because I need something handy to carry around with me that I can type on, take notes with, surf the ‘Net. While you can certainly do that with an iPad, I get more use out of my laptop than I would on a glorified version of the iPhone (that doesn’t make phone calls). I can do more on my MacBook than on an iPad.
But I will say, the iPad came in handy while traveling. My boyfriend has one and he was able to search for restaurants and book hotels much faster — and must easier — on the iPad than on our iPhones. And it sure beat trying to find a WiFi connection in Paris, let me tell you!
So I’m the wrong person to ask, since I didn’t spend the money to get one. (Plus, I figure Apple will only come out with a better version in a year or so. May as well wait.)
But here’s a clever chart by BB Spot to help you with your decision:
Can anyone else help?
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35 Comments
It’ll depend on how much you want to spend. Price starts at $499 and up. Initally Apple didn’t allow Flash on the early introduction but Apple is allowing it now. Basically some web sites won’t show up correctly on the iPad.
One of the drawbacks I didn’t particularly like about it was the inability to save files (Mac/MS Office files) directly to the iPad. I didn’t care to have to create the overhead of a VPN between the iPad and my home server.
You could also look at the purchase of a portable MiFi for additional coverage. Other than that cat covers what the iPad can do.
Good Luck.
@harrycovair cat Apple isn’t allowing it… they’re allowing “apps” to be developed with flash and sold on the App Store once converted to the standard app/non-flash format.
Honestly, with my iPhone so far, I have NEVER needed flash capability. The latest figures show HTML5 capability now in OVER 50% of web video content.
That chart told me not to buy an iPad. I’m okay with that. Seriously, though, this is why I have a laptop. I get the merits of a tablet, but if I could afford one, I’d choose one less locked in.
@sushi The chart was a joke ya know? ;^D It baiscally tells everyone who’s not rich not to buy an iPad, LOL!
Yeah, until the tablet is better about the word processing — and yes, I know you can buy a keyboard — then I’ll consider it. I do like the smallness of it. Oh, and it needs a USB port — two of them, actually — and a way to download photos. I’ve got standards!
@cat you can buy an attachment that will allow you to download photos from your USB device to the iPad. Seeming like a good storage/offloading solution while on the road. As applications evolve, I’d imagine being able to fully cut, edit video and photos for blogging, reporters, etc.
I have a hard time spending that kind on money that can be spent on a small laptop, NOT Netbook but maybe a 13″ or 14″ that has a DVD player and keyboard. I like the bang for da money.
However, if someone gives me one, who am I to refuse 🙂
My aunt has an iPad and it seemed to be pretty interesting. I do not like the “keyboard” touch screen because of the toggling between numbers and letters. Also didn’t like not being able to do ‘Flash’ related items. And I think the price is typical of Apple in general, too damn high. So I am waiting to see how the Samsung Galaxy Tab works for me. Rumor has it that it will be a $149 with plan device with Verizon and that will work for me. In the end though I am still thinking the smartest thing to do is to buy a HP® Mini 110–3098NR Netbook through Verizon for $39.00 yes that is right $39.00 and I can do anything I want pretty much anywhere with a 2.95 lb device. It is a Windows 7 device, I have a ton of software I can run on it, and it has a battery life of claimed 9 hours which means it can handle a 5 hour flight to LA and then 5 more to HNL without any difficulty. Using an external DVD drive I have I can copy a few movies to it to watch pretty easily. It can be used in 200 countries on mobile broadband and has wi-fi capabilities. It has a built in camera for SKYPE, MSN, and QQ video chatting. I think I like it. Let me think now… $499 actually more like $699 or $39.00 for greater capability but maybe a little less sexy. Still thinking iPad’s are WAY OVERPRICED. And I am with Cat on this one, no USB then why bother. Now if the little HP laptop could take and dial cell phone calls it would not even be a contest.
I think you could even make it a slight different question: should one buy an iPad, Galaxy Tab or a different tablet?
Personally I kind of do like the iPad but since I kind of dislike Apple’s policies, and it’s (in my eyes: ridiculous) hype around it’s products, I doubt you would ever see me buy one (mind you, I would make a difference when it comes to receiving one as a gift lol). Thankfully people do have a choice 🙂
For the same reason I wouldn’t buy an iPad, I wouldn’t buy an iPhone either. I’m currently using a Samsung Galaxy S (Vibrant) which looks an awfully lot like the iPhone and I’m loving every bit of it 🙂 (and if not havng a tie in the reviews, it even comes better out of some reviews. The only downside is the people who think it’s an iPhone G4 lol).
Oh well, for now I don’t have any of them, no iPad, Tab or other tablet.. I have this phone, a pc, laptop and netbook, and that should be enough 🙂
ps. I originally tried to post this with my Galaxy S but for some reason it didn’t exactly work out.. the irony lol xD
In my opinion, iPad is the perfect intermediary device if you’ve already got a laptop and if you’ve already got a mobile smartphone.
Its great for productivity, note taking, presenting graphics in meetings, couch surfing and smaller tasks that don’t have to involve unpacking my laptop, booting up, launching browser, etc.
It’s not for everyone but since getting my iPad, it’s replaced my laptop in situations where space is an issue or quick work such as calendaring or checking a website and it’s replaced my phone for things like checking movie showtimes and looking up a map on google.
Recently, I’ve been doing a lot of gaming and interactive app use and I’m enjoying the large screen and fresh UI. It’s also a great travel device and kept me busy for hours in Europe last month.
From a user interface design standpoint, I feel the iPad is a game changer that represents where technology and handheld device convergence is headed. Look at new twitter — modal boxes, “widescreen” optimized, sliding divs and fading effects. Very similar to how a native iPad app would be designed.
Many people make two arguments about iPad all the time — 1. I’ll wait until an “open source” Android based tablet comes out, that way, I’ll have full control over my device and 2. I’ll wait until the next version because I’ll get more for my money and It’ll be better. 1, what more is the average user really going to do with an “open source” device? Search the web for free apps that people create and have full reign of your file system?
90% of the apps on my iPad are free and go through Apple’s process of fully vetting the quality work of the developer to ensure that my device runs properly during operation of the app.
I’ve spent maybe $60 on paid apps this year including magazine publications I would have bought anyways, full interactive games and multimedia. I know that my sources are trusted and I know that the apps have been tested to work specifically on my device. Half the people I know who make the open source comment don’t even know how to change their e-mail signature. No offense to anyone stating that claim in these comments. 🙂
While I dont fully agree with Apple’s closed OS methodology, I wouldn’t use it as the basis of my decision on why I shouldn’t get a product.
2, of course, if you wait, the next one will be better, and if you’re having that hard of a time justifying the iPad, you should just wait until you’re ready to get it or until another product comes out that you feel good about.
Bottom line is, I saw a use for it in my personal workflow and I’m happy that I made the decision to purchase.
@harrycovair I have a few apps that allow me to save files to my iPad, connect to FTP, edit HTML and even upload to my servers. I save all kinds of files to my iPad for presentations or for offline reading and it works pretty well for me.
@JohnGarcia Don’t get me wrong but it is not the open-source thing that has drawn me away from it’s products, it is the policy of Apple deciding what I can and cannot use or do with it.
For example, if I want to have a certain app on my phone or tablet, then that should be my choice and mine alone, not Apple’s. In a way, people never really ‘own’ an Apple product without jailbreaking it first because Apple decides what can and cannot be used.
Sure, as a developer I do like the open source aspect, to change whatever I want in my phone. I made quite a few changes already, things I wouldn’t be able to do with an iPhone without jailbreaking but that was not my main motive.
@svache@JohnGarcia
Personally, Apple should just “embrace” jailbreaking. It was quell the arguments about being open or not, plus allow the user to decide if they want safety/stability or openess… I opted for jailbreaking mine and love it!
@svache@JohnGarcia
Personally, Apple should just “embrace” jailbreaking. It would quell the arguments about being open or not, plus allow the user to decide if they want safety/stability or openess… I opted for jailbreaking mine and love it!
@Johngarcia The apps to save files directly to the iPad weren’t available when the iPad was initially introduced. The apps were developed shortly after the need for one existed.
One of the best (background) features of the iPod/iPad apps is the extensive testing that the software must go thru to make it into the market. Aside from the agreements signed by the developers I understand that the apps are tested internally for any malicious behavior before being place in the market. I can’t say the same thing for Google’s Marketplace.
Hello Dr. Cat!
Isn’t the iPad just an extra large version of the iTouch?
I just have a plain simple flip cell phone, no iPhone, no iTouch, no iPad, no Blackberry, I don’t even text. I’m fine without those things.
that chart told me to seek professional help lol….I’m not much of an apple fan, for the simple reason that Itunes is not very user friendly. Apple tries very hard to make themselves so exclusive that interconnectivity with other systems can be quite difficult. In my profession PC is king! Another intial turnoff: Macs only used to have one mouse button lol…Im not sure about the networking capabilities of the Ipad in comparison with a laptop or phone…but one things for certain…if im gonna spend that much id much rather have a laptop
I sooooooo want an iPad… I agree that it’s just an oversize iPhone/iTouch but yet the experience is totally different. Watching videos, playing games, using apps and reading are a total different experience than my with iPhone4…that I love. Besides if I need a “computer-computer”, that’s what my desktop is for…the iPad would be for jaunts around the town. Anyhoo, I also agree that Apple will probably come out with a new iPad that I will lust over if I were to get the current version, so I’m on the wait for now.
It boils down to this… if you want one, GET ONE. It’s not like buying a car or condo. It sounds like you want one, so GET ONE!
Enjoy! ;^D
it’s not for me at this time. i use really lowend non-Apple devices: an Asus eeep netbook, Samsung ‘semi smart’ touch sreen phone with unlimited internet access, and my music player is a 4gig Sony job . these are ok for now. when i move to Apple devices my plan is the MacAir and a future iTouch with a robust wifi. and VOIP profie. someday we will wonder why we ever paid cell phone companies 100buck a month, just as we wonder why we put up with land lines for so long.
@turkfontaine True story… got rid of my land line in 1999! I still have to chuckle at people I know who still have FAX lines… yes FAX lines!
@turkfontaine Coming from Europe myself, I already wondered for a long time why we put up with the ridiculous high costs for telephones and monthly costs over here, while in my old country you would not only get the phone (which in the US is often 200 USD with a 2 year contract) for free but they sometimes even throw in TV’s, PS3’s, computers etc etc. This all because they still make profit out of the monthly costs. And as far as the monthly costs go, those are a lot lower as well.
But, and I have to be honest about this one, the above doesn’t go with iPhone phones (however, from what I read it is due to Apple’s selling policies/restrictions). They’re about the same as over here. Expensive in both the device and subscription. Never the less I still feel as if I get ripped when getting a phone and/or subscription over here because I know it could be done a lot cheaper.
@svache i have heard that in Europe, at least in France. you only pay for outgoing calls. is that true now, or was it ever? and does that obtain for GDR and UK?
@svache I assume now all countries have no limit plans available so the dif btw in&out would be irrelevant
@turkfontaine Yeah that is correct, incoming calls are free (were always free also, unless you’re abroad of course because that is not included in a plan, but when you’re abroad within the EU, they cannot charge more than a certain amount thanks to European laws). That was another thing I thought that was so weird when I first got here, paying for incoming calls or texts while you are not the one who can control that (well, I suppose you could not pick up the phone, but how do you stop spam texts from being received?).
I am super tempted by the iPad. Your “glorified iPhone” statement scares me because I’ve thought the exact same things about it. But, my father-in-law is a Mac fanatic, and he has shown me some pretty awesome apps and features. It’s an incredibly elegant and nifty piece of machinery, but I too struggle if it’s for me.
@jmatthicks The fact that apps are designed around its 1024 pixel screen, it really doesn’t ring true to call it a “glorified” iPod or iPhone because it causes you to use it totally differently and for more and different purposes.
Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal’s “All Things Digital” recently took it on a trip to Europe “without” his laptop, and said he hardly missed it. It really fills in more of a need than just an iPhone/iPodTouch.
You can make phone calls with an iPad. https://hula.me/i
For me, this is purely an academic exercise ( I like the flowchart, though). I have a Toughbook which I took to the sandbox with me, and back then, it was the cutting edge. Now, it’s a little slow, heavy, runs XP and it’s about 2-3 generations behind the current Toughbooks. But it’s solid and it will easily outlast me; I can bang it around, drop it and shoot at it and it will still work. So until Apple and Mac start making a rugged iPad, I’ll just keep living in the stone ages with my indestructible laptop Toughbook.
@hikino Just buy a tough case for it! Case (pardon the pun) solved! ;^D
@maxmaxmax D’oh! I walked into that one, didn’t I? But there are cases out there for the iPad which will protect it from most things (check out Otterbox Defender series). However, the iPads are not built from the outset to be fully rugged as the Toughbooks and other rugged series are. But then that would defeat the cool factor of the iPad, no?
Now, let’s test to see how hard your head is versus my Toughbook……which I know can easily crush angry birds–squish!
@hikino Actually, I think in some respects the iPad would fare better… the hard drive is flash memory (solid state), ie. no spinning disks. So the data would almost ALWAYS be recoverable in the worst case destructive scenarios.
I like the iPad but I don’t feel a great need for it so I’m gonna wait for the next version where there could possibly be a built-in webcam and other features. Remember the various iPod/iTouch generations? Every time one would come out people would ask Apple/Steve Jobs how about putting in this feature or that feature and Jobs would shoot back with some reply like “who’s gonna want to do that on an iPod?”. Sure enough in the next generation or two those features are put in and Jobs acts like *he* came up with those ideas! 😛 So I feel the same thing will happen with the iPad and that’s why I’m holding out. By that time maybe there will be a decent competitor to the iPad as well. Those competitors just gotta have “Angry Birds” working on it for me to consider them though LOL.
@808marv The first iPads reportedly had camera housings INSIDE. They were pulled from production at the last. Probably so Jobs can add it to the 2nd gen. But, if the camera housings are already inside, you know they must be coming!
Angry Birds rocks!
@MaxMaxMax Did you get the special Angry Brids Halloween levels? I did! 😀
Oh yeah I just remembered this hilarious cartoon from website “The Oatmeal” about people who run out and buy all the new Apple products as they come out.
“What it’s like to own an Apple product”: https://theoatmeal.com/comics/apple