So who went out and got the iPad ??

[Temetka]

Backlit screens aren't good for reading. Don't take it from me; Ipad not as easy on the eyes as the Kindle.

Also... a camera in an e-reader?

My friend has a Kindle. I borrowed it once. I couldn't use it for very long because it bothered my eyes. My iPod Touch on the other hand, I can read for hours. I have the background set to light yellow / cream color and the text is black. Works perfect.

A camera you say? I want one in it so I can take pics or video's on the fly and edit / view them on reasonably sized screen. There is plenty of room in the shell for one and I feel it it would enhance the pad's utility, especially for video chat.

[NorrisCell]

The thing that amazes me about a large number of Apple products is the sheer volume of people who will buy them without a legitimate need or even want.

I can't find the article now, but I read an article shortly after iPad launch which made me laugh. The author had gone to an Apple store and interviewed people who had waited in line for one on launch day. Some of the justifications were hilarious. One lady bought one in hopes they would later make a knitting app that could help her keep track of complicated patterns.

Let me make sure I'm clear on this. You bought a ~$500 pseudo-computer for something it might do in the future? (In all fairness, they did make the app)

Remind me again why that is better than a laptop.

I think Apple makes innovate, but unnecessary products, and many people buy them simply because of the hype

[asiafish]

The thing that amazes me about a large number of Apple products is the sheer volume of people who will buy them without a legitimate need or even want.

I can't find the article now, but I read an article shortly after iPad launch which made me laugh. The author had gone to an Apple store and interviewed people who had waited in line for one on launch day. Some of the justifications were hilarious. One lady bought one in hopes they would later make a knitting app that could help her keep track of complicated patterns.

Let me make sure I'm clear on this. You bought a ~$500 pseudo-computer for something it might do in the future? (In all fairness, they did make the app)

Remind me again why that is better than a laptop.

I think Apple makes innovate, but unnecessary products, and many people buy them simply because of the hype

Many also buy them because they are easy and fun to use, and historically, end up being the next must-have device. Nobody thought the iPod would be a success. Ditto the iPhone.

I would also guess that many of those iPad buyers already own an iPhone or an iPod Touch, and thus, already know exactly what they are getting.

[Navck]

iPad Contents
50% screen, 45% battery, 5% PDA/Smartphone level hardware. 100% RDF driven sales at hipsters.

Why pay close to 800+ then buy the accessories (Keyboard, carrying case, etc) when you can buy a tablet PC for 1.2-1.5k and get everything the iPad does AND infinitely more? Oh right, because the iPad is the next closest thing to the iToy that Apple has made so far. Reality distortion field, maximum power, burn their logical thought out and replace it with pure marketing through entertainment.

Why think for yourself? Let Apple and Steve Jobs think for you, don't even bother thinking about having to pick red or blue, let the groupthought do it for you.

Brought to you by RDF thought.

[Marin85]

iPad Contents
50% screen, 45% battery, 5% PDA/Smartphone level hardware. 100% RDF driven sales at hipsters.

Why pay close to 800+ then buy the accessories (Keyboard, carrying case, etc) when you can buy a tablet PC for 1.2-1.5k and get everything the iPad does AND infinitely more? Oh right, because the iPad is the next closest thing to the iToy that Apple has made so far. Reality distortion field, maximum power, burn their logical thought out and replace it with pure marketing through entertainment.

Why think for yourself? Let Apple and Steve Jobs think for you, don't even bother thinking about having to pick red or blue, let the groupthought do it for you.

Brought to you by RDF thought.

I couldn´t resist!

[pianowizard]

Why pay close to 800+ then buy the accessories (Keyboard, carrying case, etc) when you can buy a tablet PC for 1.2-1.5k and get everything the iPad does AND infinitely more?

The iPad really has only one advantage over a tablet PC: it's much lighter. But that's a huge advantage, especially for people who need to hold the device up for an extended period. Despite this advantage, I do think the iPad is a bit overpriced. $299 - $349 would be more reasonable, i.e. I think it should be about the same price as a basic netbook.

[VipFreak]

Til they break the screen...

[Navck]

Proprietary battery versus being able to rebuild the battery pack yourself. Hard to service proprietary PDA-like level hardware. Lower resolution. Accessories make iPad weigh close to actual tablet in practical usage...

[pianowizard]

Accessories make iPad weigh close to actual tablet in practical usage...

I was referring to people holding it up with one hand like a clipboard, to takes notes for example. Many people do this routinely, e.g. students and reporters. I would much prefer holding the 1.5lb iPad over a 3.5lb tablet! In this case, there would be no need for accessories such as an external keyboard or mouse.

[RealBlackStuff]

Reading this thread (and its title: "So who went out and got the iPad ??"), apparently NOBODY here went out and got one!
(Or is not willing to fess up...)

[Navck]

The hipsters at my college campus seem to be committed to using their iPads to the fullest extent that Apple demands them to. (RDF now scorching brains... Please stand by)
Also, I would take the 3-3.5 pound tablet over a bare iPad (! 400-600-800 (Taxes) iToy with no case or any productivity enhancement?) because I already have several items on my person that already add to a pound alone. (Multitool (Leatherman Juice CS4), flashlight with 2-3 sets of batteries, smartphone (HTC Fuze), etc.) A single pound to gain total dominance over the iPad in terms of capability and capacity is worth it.

RBS: Perhaps my presence is the reason no one is confessing? I have this amazing capability when confronting hardcore Apple fanboys to cause them to hide in their little shells. As with the open source ("Only") people and HP fanboys. Maybe this comes from my aggressive pursuit for engineering perfection and very high universal standards. It is as if I am a thermal lance and they realize their flame proof suits will do nothing, nor will their welding goggles.

[JaneL]

RBS: Perhaps my presence is the reason no one is confessing?

Hardly. They're probably adhering to the forum rules about no OS wars, and this one has gone on long enough. Locking thread.