The Apple iPad
 

Okay. They finally released a tablet and to be quite honest, I don't think it's all that bad. All the forums and internet and commenters are flipping out about how it doesn't have this and it doesn't have that, but I think everyone is missing the point.

The iPad is the FIRST STEP towards something that could be great.

Would I buy it now? Heck no! I try not to buy first generation devices, but I understand it's missing:

Flash
Multi-tasking
Camera
External storage
Removable batteries
e-ink technologies
Etc

Sure it doesn't have stylus pen capabilities yet, sure it's limited to the closed system that is Apple's iPhone OS 3.2, and sure it's aesthetics are premature. But you gotta take a first step first. How Apple develops the device will depend on how great it'll be. People complained how the iPhone was a horrid smartphone but could see the potential. Same with Android.

Compare iPhone 3GS to the original iPhone
Compare the Droid or Nexus One to the G1

If Apple sticks with it and doesn't drop support, listen to their fans, and impliment them properly, then this could be an astounding change in how do things. This could even change education (if they can implement writing styles into it).

That's my 2 cents. I'm waiting for iPad 2.0

Re: The Apple iPad
 

The $499 price kinda surprised me.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

LOL I had the same reaction.

Everything is typical Apple. Take a regular tablet, remove most of the features but make it sleek and look sexy, and then call it "magical" and overcharge for it. So it has everything of their typical product except the overcharging.

Which to me is my biggest complaint of Apple products. I don't care if you take away features from a product, but don't then turn around and charge even more for something with less.

EDIT: Then again, as far as price, compared to the Kindle and Nook this is much more expensive. So I take it back -- this is exactly another typical Apple product. I'm sure it will sell billions.

The Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid, on the other hand, looks like everything the iPad should be.



http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/l...d-impressions/

But I'm sure it won't sell nearly as much.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

This is also much better than the Nook and the Kindle.

It's basically a large iphone, and it's cheaper than the iphone, which is logical since smaller technologies are more costly to produce.

I'm not saying it isn't over priced, but it's not as overpriced as some are making it out to be.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

I assume you meant smaller technologies.

And I revert my opinion once again. You're right, the price for how much it can do vs. the price for a Nook or Kindle and what they can do is very fair. I think it being "much better" is too subjective of a meaning, but it can certainly do more.

And since it seems to be sans Apple Tax, this looks like it might be the first Apple product I consider buying.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

So it's just a large iphone minus being able to call people, then?

Re: The Apple iPad
 

I's say its more along the lines of a netbook lite.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

Well I just saw a little blurb on it - and the guy they were interviewing said it's basically a large iphone - and for the first while will only have the same apps that the iphone has.

Whoever pays 900 bucks for this thing is a fool.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

$499

Re: The Apple iPad
 

$499 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi ONLY version.

No expandable storage?
No Flash?
No camera?

NO THANKS.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

Yeah, I meant smaller.

Some of the guys I work with and I were talking about it today - I'm not sure why anyone would want the 3G, or be concerned with having another device with a camera. It seems silly to pay for another 3G dataplan when you probably will not be carrying this thing around outside your home. And if you're going on a trip, load it up before you leave.

Also I'm pretty sure it connects to your computer, so there's your expandable storage.

I'm not sure why I'm defending it, though, since I probably won't get one. I just feel like it's getting a bad rap for no reason.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

I don't get it. I'm already carrying a phone, and I can get an Air for a light laptop. I don't really see the market for a middle product.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

Me either. The only thing I see, from a business perspective, is that Apple is trying to undercut the competition with the $499 price tag.

Re: The Apple iPad
 

The only thing I would like this for is reading books, so im interested in this ibook store thing, ive wanted a kindle for the longest time now. I would also use it for music but I would feel akward as hell lugging that thing around with me :P

Re: The Apple iPad
 

The high-end version is $849.


So yes, if you want the worse version - 500 is correct.