iPad

[Optimus01]

Anyone getting an iPad? Apparently they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

A word of warning tho, careful what you read/download: http://www.lastclicknews.com/apple-ipad-becomes-targeted-by-black-hat-seo-10893.html

[splinter_watsup]

I want an ipad but I dont know if I want to pay the price it costs for one!

[DefecteD]

Dependant on the price - YES - but it will prob be a rip off in SA, perhaps i will purchase 1 off ebay

[Pooky]

It's like a large iPhone. If they put OSX on it then AWESOME.

[JStrike]

I'm going to be getting one

[assagai]

I'll definitely get one - just hope core doesn't do their usual

[Optimus01]

Im quite content with my iPhone... for the time being. I may jump on the band wagon after I actually see one (and myabe jump off after I see the price). ;)

[alf101]

Anyone getting an iPad? Apparently they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

A word of warning tho, careful what you read/download: http://www.lastclicknews.com/apple-ipad-becomes-targeted-by-black-hat-seo-10893.html

Panini > sliced bread

[VertigoZA]

I will buy one, but I'll be damned if I buy one locally.

[gentleman1]

Ipad is an wider iphone. Personally i wouldn't buy one because i didn't find his usabillity.

[mcryan]

Definitely depends on local pricing. Some guys are already advertising them for sale at double Apple's advertised price. I would have been much more keen if it was a different OS. There are limitations to working with the iPhone OS - and I mean work wise.

I personally might see what Windows 7 based tablets come here, there are certainly a few sexy ones being announced.

[macboer]

People that can't think further than their noses should just leave their comments at home. Yes iPad is basically a large iPod Touch but imagine you had to work on a computer screen 1/4 of the size you work on today. Then after that you can comment.

that's all.

[Crowley]

People that can't think further than their noses should just leave their comments at home. Yes iPad is basically a large iPod Touch but imagine you had to work on a computer screen 1/4 of the size you work on today. Then after that you can comment.

that's all.

Since this computer screen doesn't support multiple applications op en at the same time you will probably get more use out of a pen, notepad and calculator. No flash support so 50% of the websites won't work. Go read reviews before you decide on this because you are going to pay through your nose for something with less uses than a netbook.

If apple put their badge on a dog turd I'm sure it will also sell millions of units.

[macboer]

Since this computer screen doesn't support multiple applications op en at the same time you will probably get more use out of a pen, notepad and calculator. No flash support so 50% of the websites won't work. Go read reviews before you decide on this because you are going to pay through your nose for something with less uses than a netbook.

If apple put their badge on a dog turd I'm sure it will also sell millions of units.

Firstly, the "pen and paper" is one of the best inventions EVER and will not be able to be beaten easily.
Secondly, i'm most probably not going to buy an iPaaad. All i'm saying is that a device with a bigger screen is always beter ,especially when the screen is smaller(Hope this make sense :))
Thirdly, i can't read reviews yet because the product isn't out yet. Therefor i'm also not saying it is a good or bad product. I'm just stating the obvious(to me).:p

[Crowley]

Google ipad reviews. A few websites has had one to review.

[bwana]

I will buy one, but I'll be damned if I buy one locally.Yeah - I'll get one from overseas as well.
Since this computer screen doesn't support multiple applications op en at the same time you will probably get more use out of a pen, notepad and calculator. No flash support so 50% of the websites won't work. Go read reviews before you decide on this because you are going to pay through your nose for something with less uses than a netbook.How did you come up with 50%? Flash is a resource hungry dinosaur and the sooner it's gone the better.

Thinking about it now the number of websites I come across on my iphone that I cant access are becoming fewer by the day. Why? Because sites want to be visible.

Personally I think any device would battle to be less useful to me than a netbook.

[Madman88]

I will be getting one. I was keen on the kindle to start, but this is much better (and will probably have the kindle app anyway).
Weather locally or from overseas... price will tell.

[Crowley]

Yeah - I'll get one from overseas as well. How did you come up with 50%? Flash is a resource hungry dinosaur and the sooner it's gone the better.

Thinking about it now the number of websites I come across on my iphone that I cant access are becoming fewer by the day. Why? Because sites want to be visible.

Personally I think any device would battle to be less useful to me than a netbook.
50% was a thumbsuck but everything is not as straight forward as it seems regarding flash. Have a look here (http://www.biconews.com/?p=23434) and draw your own conclusions.

[macboer]

Google ipad reviews. A few websites has had one to review.

I don't think that the reviews that are now are propper reviews of real world experience with it. There are basically no apps out for it.
That's all.

[titeroper]

I too would like to join the iPad bandwagon, but a few aspects give me pause:
1. Remember the 1st gen iphone and how apple had to drop the price a few moths later for the early adopters? I do not want a repeat of that...
2. 1st gen early adopter issues,however small, are still a pain,and might be worthwhile until gen2 is rumoured and Apple adds camera functionality etc - that one more feature they held back on for gen1.
3. Might be worthwhile to wait and see re Dell Mini 5, HP slate etc. to make a better informed decision.

Barring these issues, I might still pick up one anyway when I head to the States end of July...

[Crowley]

ok. That's all. (http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-first-hands-on/)

[Globetrotter]

Phenominal hype existed before the launch of the iPad but in reality it turned out to be quite a let-down. Most reviews were negative. Apple make some good products but I was not exactly overwhelmed with the iPad launch.

* NO multitasking! You cannot open more than one app at the same time on this device
* Only runs iPhone and iPod touch apps
* The storage capacity is average
* No USB ports, so no external hard drives, no external DVD
* No support for Flash, so no videos on most websites
* RAM memory is not upgradable
* No camera
* No HDMI port

It's like a bigger version of the iPod Touch and not much more. For the price, you're better off just getting an iPhone. You can read e-books with it but you can get a Kindle for a third of the price that does the same.

It looks slick though and will look good on a coffee table. ;)

I'm sure a lot of the missing features will be incorporated in next generation iPads but I think only die-hard Apple fans will line up for the first generation.

Here is Hitler's view on the iPad: :D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

[VertigoZA]

* No camera



This is the iPad's only flaw. The rest is either outdated or fixable via a FM update.

[bwana]

This is the iPad's only flaw. The rest is either outdated or fixable via a FM update.A rear facing camera would be handy for video conferencing. I expect there will be one in Rev 2.

[Prof.]

I will be getting one. I was keen on the kindle to start, but this is much better (and will probably have the kindle app anyway).
Weather locally or from overseas... price will tell.

I like our local weather, it's nice and hot here, overseas weather is usually cold or TOO hot. :D

[assagai]

The "it's just a big ipod touch" argument doesn't work on me. I think a big ipod touch is an excellent idea!

[PeterCH]

I have a NEC VersaPro UltraLite VS and I will not be getting an iPad - that is an iPad they're selling now.

It is 750g in weight - which is almost the same as an iPad, it is the same thickness as the iPad, but it has a higher res screen, a 1.86GHz CPU, it's capable of decoding 1080p H264 video and I can run every app out there (Windows XP). I can sit on my NEC VersaPro because it supports 150kg in weight and I can drop it from my desk - and it won't break. It has a 64GB Toshiba SSD which is the best performing 64GB SSD out - I don't even know if Apple will use an SSD or just flash - there is a difference. There are other issues, but I didn't have my Japanese NEC netbook I may have been tempted to buy an iPad, but as is, I won't. I don't own an iPhone either. I do own a Mac Pro and I love OSX. Yeah it boots up in under 15 seconds.

[alf101]

I have a NEC VersaPro UltraLite VS and I will not be getting an iPad - that is an iPad they're selling now.

It is 750g in weight - which is almost the same as an iPad, it is the same thickness as the iPad, but it has a higher res screen, a 1.86GHz CPU, it's capable of decoding 1080p H264 video and I can run every app out there (Windows XP). I can sit on my NEC VersaPro because it supports 150kg in weight and I can drop it from my desk - and it won't break. It has a 64GB Toshiba SSD which is the best performing 64GB SSD out - I don't even know if Apple will use an SSD or just flash - there is a difference. There are other issues, but I didn't have my Japanese NEC netbook I may have been tempted to buy an iPad, but as is, I won't. I don't own an iPhone either. I do own a Mac Pro and I love OSX. Yeah it boots up in under 15 seconds.


So what u still doing in ipad threads then?

[VertigoZA]

I have a NEC VersaPro UltraLite VS and I will not be getting an iPad - that is an iPad they're selling now..

Peter, I think you've missed the point of the iPad?

[bwana]

I have a NEC VersaPro UltraLite VS and I will not be getting an iPad - that is an iPad they're selling now.Isnt the NEC VersaPro UltraLite VS actually a laptop? And with a thickness ranging from 15.8mm to 29.9mm actually thicker than the MacBook Air (let alone the iPad)?

[PeterCH]

So what u still doing in ipad threads then?

Is there a law which states I can't be in them or do you only want to read posts which agree with your own views?

[PeterCH]

Isnt the NEC VersaPro UltraLite VS actually a laptop? And with a thickness ranging from 15.8mm to 29.9mm actually thicker than the MacBook Air (let alone the iPad)?

It's actually a netbook (Atom processor although 1.86GHz not 1.6, screen size etc) and the thickness also includes the lid. It's actually thinner than the Air and definately more resilient than it or the iPad. The 29.9mm you quote, is at the hinge, the keyboard and base is much thinner than the 15.8 you cite and as said it is certified for 78cm drops and 150kg of weight on top of it (closed lid) which is something no Apple product can match at that weight or build quality.

Macbook Air:
MacBook Air - dimensions. Height: 0.16-0.76 inch (0.4-1.94 cm). Width: 12.8 inches (32.5 cm). Depth: 8.94 inches (22.7 cm). Weight: 3.0 pounds (1.36 kg) ...
vs NEC UltraLite VersaPro at 1.58 - 29.9 (hinge) and under 750g (0.75 kg).

[PeterCH]

Peter, I think you've missed the point of the iPad?

The point is what Steve Jobs'o makes it out to be -- as the Reg said - it's a portable Telly?

[cerebus]

Doesn't that have an msrp of r15k? Enjoy....

No the ipad isn't a portable telly. It's a lightweight notebook replacement - belongs in the same category as a netbook and for most people will be more useful than the majority of netbooks. Let's wait and see shall we.

[PeterCH]

Doesn't that have an msrp of r15k? Enjoy....

No. That's the price Engaget has. The MSRP is much lower, in fact it cost me the same as what a 64GB iPad would cost me. They still sell at the introductory price - in fact they even sell for less at NEC outlet stores in Japan. I'm not necessarily saying that everyone would have access to something like that, but if NEC (granted one of the best innovators out there) can do it, so could Apple Corp. Of course you won't find the iPad at $829 x 7.5 in your retail store (Core). You won't even find that on Ebay at that price $829 + $100 for shipping. On Ebay they'll sell for $900+ + $100 shipping and customs duties.


No the ipad isn't a portable telly. It's a lightweight notebook replacement - belongs in the same category as a netbook and for most people will be more useful than the majority of netbooks. Let's wait and see shall we.

How can it be more useful? Wait and see for what? How useful a TOY is? (a good toy is fun but not necessarily useful and unless you contend that netbooks and small ultra mobile PCs are toys you can't say so)

[cerebus]

It's more useful than a netbook because it is also a portable telly lol. Well that and a powerful ebook/magazine reader.

The problem you have with the iPad is that because you don't need it, you think that anyone else who would is an idiot - or a mindless Wal-Mart Stevedrone (I think you actually used words to this effect somewhere). You can't see its utility for the people who actually bought netbooks primarily because they wanted to surf the internet on the go - or listen to streaming music, or watch a movie, or create a few quick documents - and if they can read full length books on it so much the better. And they want to do it by just pressing the screen, controlling it with basic icons - not fiddling with menus and xp quirks on a tiny screen. They are not Lifehacker fundis, their specialties and interests lie elsewhere. Netbooks have become tailored for people like you - full of lists of tech specs to compare one device against another - just as intimidating and arcane as PCs. The iPad has the potential to be tremendously useful for that type of person.

[Sensorei]

iPad is a waste of money. I have seen some 9 inch Windows 7 tablets with GPS running on intel atoms for just over R2000 in Hong Kong. You can mount them in your car as a portable touchscreen PC with internet and GPS. Or plug in a wireless usb mouse+keyboard and an external monitor and you have a PC. With the R8000 I've saved I'll buy another full hd LCD. Don't buy into the hype.

[PeterCH]

It's more useful than a netbook because it is also a portable telly lol. Well that and a powerful ebook/magazine reader.

I think that what the El suggested was that it was the PORTABLE TELLY of the 80s/90s. What Jobso is suggesting is that this is a new revolution, but we've had that in portable tellys and walkmen.


The problem you have with the iPad is that because you don't need it, you think that anyone else who would is an idiot - or a mindless Wal-Mart Stevedrone (I think you actually used words to this effect somewhere).

Nope. I quoted some guy who called the MS CEO an 'executron'. :)


You can't see its utility for the people who actually bought netbooks primarily because they wanted to surf the internet on the go - or listen to streaming music, or watch a movie, or create a few quick documents

Yeah but the current iteration of the iPad is very limited in this regard. Can you listen to the music and write a document? Can you have more than a few tabs open? Can you run an IM session and view a website while listening to music or watching a video clip? Currently the Netbooks can do that and they're getting faster. You can view 1080p video with HDMI out on GMA 500 and Ion powered netbooks. You can run a full version of MS Office (yeah it sucks) but also Open Office. You can run PhotoShop or PaintShop Pro or Adobe Light Room. You can do anything you can do on a PC. And here Jobso had a chance to give us an OSX netbook tablet which ran OSX and let us run our OSX apps. You can of course read full books on your netbook- it all depends on the reader program.



- and if they can read full length books on it so much the better. And they want to do it by just pressing the screen, controlling it with basic icons - not fiddling with menus and xp quirks on a tiny screen.

Some people are so bad at tech, they will find the iPhone bad as well. Those who can handle the iPhone can handle OSX (and XP). XP and 7 suck because of issues but they're better than a special front end designed to sell Apple content. The iPad should be free with an iTunes subscription.


They are not Lifehacker fundis, their specialties and interests lie elsewhere.

That suggests that all these businessmen the VersaPro was designed for (it's a business netbook) are all lifehacker fundis.


Netbooks have become tailored for people like you - full of lists of tech specs to compare one device against another

Not at all. You do know that they caught on first in Taiwan when ASUS sold them with Linux and Taiwanese housewives snapped them up. They were easy to use then. OSX as pictured in the Hodgeson vs Long Apple Ads is also shown as being a basic OS for people who want simplicity.


- just as intimidating and arcane as PCs. The iPad has the potential to be tremendously useful for that type of person

No it doesn't. It will mould people who could use an OSX based system with multitasking into drones who then become Apple content buyers. This is Apple converting you into its way of doing things. While I like OSX and Apple's PCs (notebooks and desktops) I don't like a dumbed down product which says it's better than a small, cheap portable computer. Already Apple is converting people by telling them to dump Flash, then it will convert them further by telling them to dump their current browser, IM application, video viewer, ebook reader software, word processor, etc and use Apple's version - but a version which is tailor made to favour content which Apple gets a cut for. It's as if Final Cut Pro on Apple Macs worked preferentially with video files and plugins Apple sold.

[PeterCH]

Let me rephrase my opinion cerebus. I don't mind the iPad in its present form. I do however not see it as a replacement for ultramobile notebooks and netbooks. Jobs said this is better than a netbook but I feel only in certain narrow regards. It is better if you want an utterly simple appliance experience and can easily gain access to Apple content and only want to do that. However, if you want anything more you will suffer with the iPad. For example, if you want to load your own content or used other content providers, you may have to go through more trouble than someone who is using a netbook. Now if Apple made an appliance which could handle all types of content, including from Apples' competitors and peoples' own content, it would be a much nicer appliance. I would still not think it a netbook replacement.

[alf101]

Is there a law which states I can't be in them or do you only want to read posts which agree with your own views?

Well if there's a world record for whingeing about something you've never seen or used before and won't be buying, you'll be the holder of it.

You must have 1000 ipad posts already. :D

[PeterCH]

Well if there's a world record for whingeing about something you've never seen or used before and won't be buying, you'll be the holder of it.

You must have 1000 ipad posts already. :D

I've seen the specs and so have seen enough. And you must really like to convince other people that they must like something because Steve Jobs thinks it's cool. I remember you also throwing personal insults at me one time over this issue.

[alf101]

I've seen the specs and so have seen enough. And you must really like to convince other people that they must like something because Steve Jobs thinks it's cool. I remember you also throwing personal insults at me one time over this issue.

lol
touchy aren't you?

I don't care about the iPad, just like laughing at you.

[PeterCH]

lol
touchy aren't you?

I don't care about the iPad, just like laughing at you.

Play the topic and not the man. I just find it amazing that some people are so incapable of arguing the facts and not the man.

Enjoy.

[alf101]

Play the topic and not the man. I just find it amazing that some people are so incapable of arguing the facts and not the man.

Enjoy.

I'm not interested in arguing about a pad. :)
tx , I am enjoying.

[VertigoZA]

The point is what Steve Jobs'o makes it out to be -- as the Reg said - it's a portable Telly?

What I meant was I wouldn't carry both my 17" MBP and a Netbook, but I would definitely do so with an iPad.

It seems, to me at least, as a natural progression depending on the type of work I want to do. iPhone for the basics, to iPad for work of 10mins or less, then only to laptop when I need to do some heavy graft.

I just don't see the point of having a Netbook and a laptop?

[cerebus]

Let me rephrase my opinion cerebus. I don't mind the iPad in its present form. I do however not see it as a replacement for ultramobile notebooks and netbooks. Jobs said this is better than a netbook but I feel only in certain narrow regards. It is better if you want an utterly simple appliance experience and can easily gain access to Apple content and only want to do that. However, if you want anything more you will suffer with the iPad. For example, if you want to load your own content or used other content providers, you may have to go through more trouble than someone who is using a netbook. Now if Apple made an appliance which could handle all types of content, including from Apples' competitors and peoples' own content, it would be a much nicer appliance. I would still not think it a netbook replacement.

This is a reasonable position. There's no denying that the IPad offers a crimped experience - but it also cuts the dross away from netbooks in certain key (positive) regards. Namely that netbooks don't need to have a full OS experience - you pointed out that the original netbooks appealed to Japanese housewives, which I feel is somewhat the demographic that the iPad will target - who value simplicity over flexibility - and those original netbooks didn't even use a full fledged desktop OS.

Plus it can do many things well - multitasking aside (which was the central complaint you had) - web surfing looks very comfortable, in fact all the apps shown so far are highly professional and polished. Yes it is limited to the iPhone ecosystem but with 140,000 apps available is that such a bad thing? I don't foresee lack of multitasking being a great hindrance to those for whom it is designed - it's a non-issue with my iTouch right now; even though I have the ability to multitask I never use it.

[Rudimental]

What I meant was I wouldn't carry both my 17" MBP and a Netbook, but I would definitely do so with an iPad.

It seems, to me at least, as a natural progression depending on the type of work I want to do. iPhone for the basics, to iPad for work of 10mins or less, then only to laptop when I need to do some heavy graft.

I just don't see the point of having a Netbook and a laptop?

What exactly are you going to do on the iPad that you couldn't just do on the laptop? I understand that you could do some things that you already do on your laptop, but I don't really see any worthwhile gain from doing so. It puts the iPad right back at 'somewhat nice but pretty much superflous'. I'm not really a netbook fan, and I can't really see much gain from having one and a laptop, unless you have something like a 17" desktop replacement laptop that isn't nearly as portable. A netbook is a cheap and low power laptop, imo. That said, I can't see a gap for the iPad (that is a consumer gap, since professional tablets certainly have their niche, mostly as clipboard replacements, afaik). After all, Jobs, stupidly imo, compared the iPad, which is really a MID, to the netbook, which is very much a PC.

The iPad is also just crippled in too many ways: microsim 3G (and expensive on top of that); lack of expansion options; small fixed storage; poor ergonomics; and software limitations. It's 'nice' but I can't really see a useful place in a quite saturated mobile computing market for what is essentially a device with the limitations of a smartphone and the portability of a netbook. To my mind, it is pretty much the definition of a luxury electronic device.

[cerebus]

What exactly are you going to do on the iPad that you couldn't just do on the laptop? I understand that you could do some things that you already do on your laptop, but I don't really see any worthwhile gain from doing so. It puts the iPad right back at 'somewhat nice but pretty much superflous'. I'm not really a netbook fan, and I can't really see much gain from having one and a laptop, unless you have something like a 17" desktop replacement laptop that isn't nearly as portable. A netbook is a cheap and low power laptop, imo. That said, I can't see a gap for the iPad (that is a consumer gap, since professional tablets certainly have their niche, mostly as clipboard replacements, afaik). After all, Jobs, stupidly imo, compared the iPad, which is really a MID, to the netbook, which is very much a PC.

The iPad is also just crippled in too many ways: microsim 3G (and expensive on top of that); lack of expansion options; small fixed storage; poor ergonomics; and software limitations. It's 'nice' but I can't really see a useful place in a quite saturated mobile computing market for what is essentially a device with the limitations of a smartphone and the portability of a netbook. To my mind, it is pretty much the definition of a luxury electronic device.



Look - I might be wrong but I think Apple is trying to define a new market space with the iPad - or tap into an unfulfilled demand which netbooks have begun to do already, but to a large extent failed through lack of clarity about whom they were meant to be targeting. It's an ultra-simplified and ultraportable laptop - and I believe that there is demand for such a device.

Look - a netbook isn't meant to be a cheap crippled notebook - it should be a very simplified and portable (i.e. can fit easily into a handbag or side pocket of briefcase) web surfing, media aggregation tool. Something that can be picked up and switched on immediately, intuitively manipulated (anti-technocratic) and stored away - used for short bursts of time (over a coffee or lunch break, or travelling to and from work). Don't you feel that there would be a great demand for something that filled that space? From where I stand netbooks are being marketed in the same space as notebooks, just more cramped and with cheaper build quality and underpowered specs. iPad is coming from the opposite vantage point.

[VertigoZA]

What exactly are you going to do on the iPad that you couldn't just do on the laptop? I understand that you could do some things that you already do on your laptop, but I don't really see any worthwhile gain from doing so. It puts the iPad right back at 'somewhat nice but pretty much superflous'. I'm not really a netbook fan, and I can't really see much gain from having one and a laptop, unless you have something like a 17" desktop replacement laptop that isn't nearly as portable. A netbook is a cheap and low power laptop, imo. That said, I can't see a gap for the iPad (that is a consumer gap, since professional tablets certainly have their niche, mostly as clipboard replacements, afaik). After all, Jobs, stupidly imo, compared the iPad, which is really a MID, to the netbook, which is very much a PC.

The iPad is also just crippled in too many ways: microsim 3G (and expensive on top of that); lack of expansion options; small fixed storage; poor ergonomics; and software limitations. It's 'nice' but I can't really see a useful place in a quite saturated mobile computing market for what is essentially a device with the limitations of a smartphone and the portability of a netbook. To my mind, it is pretty much the definition of a luxury electronic device.

As I said, I have a 17" MBP and an iPhone. Almost everything I do online I've moved form my MBP to my iPhone. If anything, its the iPhone that's crippled... and I feel at the moment I'm asking too much of my iPhone, but not enough that it warrants hauling out a laptop. The iPad fits neatly into this gap. As for expansion ports etc, I just don't see a need for that.. If I'm at the point where I'm plugging in devices etc, then I've already hauled out the laptop, which is always going to do a better job than an iPhone/iPad/Netbook.

[Dusk]

My girlfriend advised me not to buy this Pad because it doesnt have wings ...

[Rudimental]

Look - a netbook isn't meant to be a cheap crippled notebook - it should be a very simplified and portable (i.e. can fit easily into a handbag or side pocket of briefcase) web surfing, media aggregation tool. Something that can be picked up and switched on immediately, intuitively manipulated (anti-technocratic) and stored away - used for short bursts of time (over a coffee or lunch break, or travelling to and from work). Don't you feel that there would be a great demand for something that filled that space?.

Quite simply, no. Firstly, I don't agree with your notions of what netbooks are meant to be, but that is neither here nor there, since it's pointless to argue about how things should be, when the issue is the consumer. Most people in fact get confused between notebooks and netbooks, preferring notebook-type functionality, and the portability issue seems moot, since most people also never take their netbook out of the house (link (http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_090622b.html)). I don't think that this is because they aren't portable enough, but simply because they don't see a need to. Secondly, I can't see how you would need an iPad when travelling to work, or that on a coffee break you would not just be able to use a normal pc (especially since drinking a beverage and using an iPad seems problematic). We have already got smartphones for things like this anyway, what could you need to do that requires an iPad? Sure it could be nice to use an iPad instead of your iPhone, but with the increased size and weight, and the need to have your phone anyway, it doesn't seem very practical. Another note is that the iPad looks pretty fragile (as most netbooks/laptops are) compared to a smartphone, which counts against its portability.

I'm not denying there is a market, I'm just saying that this market is not any sort of 'mainstream' user, who on buying the iPad will probably not get any benefit in usage terms over netbook/notebook/smartphone. Also, the mainstream market for computers is not 'anti-technocratic', and that would be targetting a minority fringe market, and I'm pretty sure this is not what Apple is doing. They're aiming this device at people who already use PC's and want some of that functionality in a very portable way. Even the examples you give are of luxury use, or perhaps compulsive behaviour. The average person is not going to need or really want to carry around such a device just so that they can squeeze in some browsing or something similar in the little free time they have during the day when they are not near a PC. I especially can't see anyone with 'anti-technocratic' tendencies doing anything like this. The market for this device seems very niche, imo. Maybe I'm out of touch, though, maybe a lot of people are sitting at the table after lunch thinking, "I can't really sit here and enjoy the company or do anything worthwhile. What I need to do is check Facebook right now, but I don't have an iPad. Oh the horror! The horror!"

Sorry, I can't even really take the iPad seriously sometimes.

[cerebus]

Look we'll have to wait and see whether I'm right, it could be a monstrous flop or only sell amongst a niche core of money-wasters. Personally, I carry an iPod Touch around with me for nearly exactly the purposes that the iPad would do much better. It's instant-on, compulsive, useful for e-reading and so forth. In a sense my iPod Touch substitutes a proper notebook for me - for proper computing I use my multicore 24" etc desktop - for portability the iPod Touch does everything I'd need a netbook for. If it was bigger and had an always-on internet connection and better battery life, it would be nearly perfect for me. (Although personally I lean strongly towards the Notion Ink vs the iPad).

In console gaming the Wii did a similar feat - opened up a market that nobody knew existed - not the traditional 'mainstream' but an untapped mass of non-gamers who never touched a console - and there were far more of them floating about than what constitutes the mainstream. It can accomplish pretty much everything that a laptop can do as far as that consumer actually needs from a laptop, with a sexier form in a proven upscaled mobile OS with a huge already-existing application ecosystem. I know for a fact that my wife would absolutely love something like that - and her parents who are scared to death of computers - if you ramify those types of people, the numbers are staggering. But I could be wrong.

[Optimus01]

Creating a new market is always risky. Seeing as I have both a PC and an iPhone I dont see the need for an iPad. I guess there are many othes like me and that they will not be willing to fork out a good R6000 (http://www.have2have.co.za/index.php?cPath=676_31_6428) for one. Although Im sure you can get cheeper from an international source.

Maybe if you dont have a PC or a cellphone/iphone and you need both then it may be an option. In some ways it does look like Apple are in a way reinventing the wheel?

[Madhawk]

Ladies & Gentlemen, the iMat....:D

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn113/Madhawk1/500x_evoipad21.jpg

[hjno72]

I used to be an anti-Microsoft hypocrite, whilst all my software and OS were Windows. Truth be told Microsoft makes brilliant OS'es and software, yeah the dominate the market but lets face it Excel were eons ahead of visi-calc and lotus 123.
Then I shifted my hypocritical energies to Apple; but once again when faced with an upgrade on my mobile contract, I fell in love with the iPhone (yes it was that strong).

I tell you all of this cause I noticed there is a lot of folk on this thread, spending energy criticizing without actually using any Apple products.

Yes, Apple is hype and their products are expensive but it certainly are great to use. And so will the iPad be.

[phiber]

I see someone revived this thread, I got an iPad two weeks, its awesome... Use it quite a bit at work, extremely responsive. Integrates with Exchange very well and the onscreen keyboard is fantastic for typing on during meetings. I can also email out my notes if i need to before i even leave the meeting venue, which is awesome!

[TYR]

Received my 64GB WiFi+3G a few weeks ago, cost me R10G's ... Was a tough decision as it is a hell of a lot of money, and you can probably get a decent laptop for half of that. Well, after owning it for a few weeks now, I can now honestly tell you that if I lost it and they doubled the price, I would definitely buy another one!

[PeterCH]

i am using a ipad , i have jailbroken it , it runs well , i think~
I suggest that every should try If the conditions permit~~~
i mainly use it to read book ,play games and watch movies.
here is a good Guidance about the ipad~
http://www.wikio.com/article/convert-video-ipad-iphone-apple-easily-207528416

I tried it and did not find it worth R10,000. It's also a PITA to have to convert all your video into H264 QT.

[Synaesthesia]

Well there's a $3 app that streams video from your PC/Mac. Kind of negates the point of the 64gb option!

[phiber]

Cine-X player plays AVI!!

[assagai]

Cine-X player plays AVI!!

true, but not very well unfortunately.. it only played about 1 in every 5 files i tried.. however the one that did work, word perfectly.

[whipper]

My girlfriend advised me not to buy this Pad because it doesnt have wings ...

....Eish Wenaa!! :)

[Oscar2]

Games games games, that is what it is built for:
BUT EXPENSIVE!
Try "MaizeArt", Good clean fun for the kidz..

[surfs-up]

Games games games, that is what it is built for:
BUT EXPENSIVE!
Try "MaizeArt", Good clean fun for the kidz..

Games ? I don't use mine for games - it would be a waste to use it as a gaming device

[Synaesthesia]

It works surprisingly well for games. The 3D capabilities are quite good. You can use it for whatever you want to!

[surfs-up]

It works surprisingly well for games. The 3D capabilities are quite good. You can use it for whatever you want to!

I agree it works well for games, but the original comment was "games, games, games, that is what it's built for". And to consider that statement as accurate would be misleading to prospective purchasers. IMHO It is far FAR more valuable for it's use with other apps, web browsing, mail, location/mapping device, media/video player etc etc
But then....I am not a big gamer - it may occupy less than 5 % of my time on my iPad