We spent two more days testing the iPad than most other reviewers. That makes us able to answer the question: iPad, netbook, or wait for something else?
Nearly four years after the release of its industry-changing iPhone, Apple has expanded its horizons once again. With the iPad, Apple attempts to take on the entire netbook and ultraportable industry with a handheld device many have scoffed at as an oversized iPod Touch. Indeed, at first glance the 9.7-inch screen appears to be just that, a bigger window into a world we’ve already become intimately familiar with. But the iPad isn’t just a supersized iPod Touch.
Apple means to change the course of computer technology, and for better or worse, it has succeeded for the last decade. With a completely touchscreen tablet, the iPad is no ordinary computer. In fact, its evolutionary lineage has much more DNA from phones than from computers.
But that won’t stop Apple from setting its sights on overtaking the portable computer and e-book markets. The company is literally taking on several different industries—all of them major successes in the last few years—with a tablet: a concept that has a long history of failure. Our news team took a first look here with an unboxing of the iPad. That article gives impressions from the first few hours of use. Want to know what it is like to live with an iPad for more than 48 hours? Keep reading.
http://www.shaggymac.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=13
Shame on you Apple...but thanks for the awesome iPad
http://www.umpcportal.com/products/
There are plenty of them actually... Oh and real Windows is far better than a cellphone OS or an app-based OS.
This is a fair review. To be honest some people will never "get" UMPCs because they don't satisfy their needs. However, there are many people who love UMPCs and can benefit from them immensely if they give them a try, its a very love or hate it type situation.
That said, a tablet this size is simply too big and ruins the form factor. If you want a large tablet then you need a real keyboard should you want it. This is were convertable netbooks or similar UMPCs come in. Take the Viliv S10:
http://www.umpcportal.com/products/Viliv/S10
This is a very fine machine and has all the naturalness and benefits of a tablet or slate, with the ability to be used as a laptop. I believe this is a great product in this segment.
However, where the UMPCs truly thrive is a place where portability and function meet, the 5"-7" screen size. Here there are plenty of slates/tablets, clamshells, and slider design devices to satify anyone.
Anyone interested should check out the:
Viliv N5
Viliv S5
Viliv S7
Viliv X70
UMID M1
UMID BZ
Just to name the most popular.
That said, the UMPC market won't appeal to a lot of people, simple as that, while some other people will love them. I for one love them as I have an Archos 5 which is a very basic one and I'm personally waiting for the Viliv N5 to be released.
Stanza is a great iPhone app! But, the selection is not so great. Is there a Stanza iPad app already? If so, very cool!
I've heard this before and I agree for most people it won't have the functionality of a laptop. Then I was reading the other day that you take the ipad out of the box and activate it through itunes... So you have to already have a computer running itunes in order to start using the ipad. Lots of people only have a laptop, don't have multiple computers, so they will already have a laptop for when they need a laptop, and can use the ipad when its functionality is all that they need.
So what you're saying is, "It was never meant to BE a laptop replacement." That very well might be true--in fact, I'm sure its true from Apple's perspective. But what about a netbook replacement? The question here is about 2nd and 3rd computers--not primary computers. I'd love to see a formal study of what types and how many consumers own 2 computers already. I think the demographic Apple is aiming for is that demographic.
I tried taking it to church Sunday, and it was just in the way. Its kind of heavy considering its size. It’s not the greatest for portable handling for kids.
The iPod touch has plenty of books, so not accessing the overpriced iBook app books isn’t really a hindrance, the few books I looked at were actually cheaper on the kindle app, however both apps prices were still higher then buying the actual book which is idiotic
I just can’t figure out why news outlets are so giddy over it. Either A) there getting paid to hype it up, or B they never played with an iPod or iPhone before.
Gaming on the iPad kinda lacks. it seems games are faster on the 3rd gen iPod and 3rd gen iPhone then on the iPad, though I’ve only run ipod/iphone games at 2x size since the currently release of iPad games so far aren’t the greatest offerings..
Here is to hoping mag sites get people who actually use a vast amount of technology devices so there not giddy like a school girl over an oversized iPod touch.
Unfortunately, both of these applications are unavailable for the iPad right now. There are some other available e-readers, but most are pay-for applications (meaning buy the app and then either buy books or get your own free ones, which is lame compared to both iBooks and Kindle). However, we are interested in seeing whether the iPad can pull off being a strong contender in the e-book marketplace, so we'll keep an eye out for new apps or new features to existing apps.
The reports right now are that Apple wanted to have it work as a standalone device, without needing to first connect to your computer via iTunes (as well as ship with iBooks preinstalled), but they simply didn't have the time. If that's true, then it's understandible. Still, cadder's point is valid: why make a standalone device that cannot actually function until some sort of activation? Kind of defeats the purpose, no?
AMW1011, Tablets have obviously been around for years. Viliv's, among others such as Archos, haven't performed well not because they aren't good devices, but because they aren't openly accessible to a larger audience. Yes, we all know how to use Windows, but the bigger concern is that the standard consumer may not want a desktop/laptop operating system for a touchscreen-only tablet. It's failed for years, and many, including several staff members, are hesitant towards these devices because they were built as a do-everything device. What I mean by this is that Microsoft's OS focuses on making sure everything is compatible, that everything works in every way possible. Apple is much more focused on a singular point for their products, which is easier for Joe Consumer to handle.
And, of course, the market goes to the biggest seller, not the best hardware, no matter what happens. So while companies like Viliv may be making excellent devices, they aren't streamlining them for the average consumer, or even the tech-aware consumer. They design them for tech-savvy people, like you and I, but ultimately they cannot succeed in the long run because we are just the 1%.
i think they should be addressing the problem with handling the device, create a mechanism to allow the device to stand on its own, and lastly to include a USB port for a small mouse and music, video, and photo uploads.
PS. Excellent reference to Ender's Game. That's what iPad COULD have been (and may yet become?). "Speaker for the Dead" is also good. I'm assuming you're NOT the same Jane that Ender talks to all the time...:-).
Just my two cents.
P.S. to "fawn" over something means to show affection for it, or to " to court favor by a cringing or flattering manner" (ty M-W.com). I'm fairly certain that you meant to say something to the effect of belittle or ignore. Yay literacy.
That pretty much kills it for me. It's a deal breaker.