iPad has landed: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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April 5, 2010 2:02 p.m. PHeller Dork

and ya know, I hate Apple products. My 8 year iPod mini is basically just a music HD at this point, a rarely remove it from my car. I hate itunes and prefer WinAmp for music management. I think most Apples products are overpriced.

But I need a laptop, organizer, pda, etc for basic coffee-shop and travel wi-fi access.

The beautiful thing about the iPad is the reliability of Apple products. They may be a pain in the ass but they always seem to work. I know if I were to by an iPad today that it'd probably work years from now virtually the same way.

Now if only Google would make a competitor...
April 5, 2010 2:12 p.m. turboswede SuperDork

If you want a Mac that is easy to carry and can be used as a laptop, get a Macbook air.

If you want an oversized smartphone that can only run one app at a time, get an iPad.
April 5, 2010 2:42 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

I've yet to figure out a use or a reason for the iPad. I like apple products, but this is the answer to a question that hasn't been asked, IMO.
April 5, 2010 3:10 p.m. Chris_V SuperDork

turboswede wrote: If you want an oversized smartphone that can only run one app at a time, get an iPad.

And can't make phone calls.

I deecided long ago that if I can't put it in my pocket, and have to carry it in a backpack or large carrying case, it might as well be an actual laptop. the smartphone can do email, it can do maps, it can do notes and calendar stuff AND make phone calls. Since you are still going to carry a phone with the iPad, then might as well get something only barely bigger than can also run my more serious apps like AutoCAD, Photoshop, 3D Studio/maya and Lightwave as well.
April 5, 2010 3:34 p.m. Jay_W HalfDork

The whole run an ipad-and-pu-a-voIP-app-on-it-and-ditch-your-raping-celphone thing has some appeal, but I dunno that I wanna carry around a celphone that's that big.
April 5, 2010 3:38 p.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

3 of them found their way into work today...I work in a warehouse for a competitor to apple, so the mgt has said any time the client is in here, iPads better disappear.

On a side note, how the heck much more are they paying my coworkers? I cant afford an iPad. Or perhaps, I choose not to (hint hint hint)
April 5, 2010 3:38 p.m. aircooled SuperDork

The iPad seems to really be a computer for what most people really use a computer for these days, email and web, with the added feature of being very simple and (one would hope) robust.

Most that are buying it now are likely just "gadget happy" but it could easily be used in place of a home computer for many. It's a bit of a strange market segment, it might catch one, but it will of course need to get cheaper (the iPhone was also very pricey when it came out).
April 5, 2010 3:44 p.m. Keith SuperDork

turboswede wrote:

If you want a Mac that is easy to carry and can be used as a laptop, get a Macbook air.

If you want an oversized smartphone that can only run one app at a time, get an iPad.

Macbook air: starting at $1499
iPad: starting at $499
Just sayin'. And if the iPad has a 10 hour battery life, that's another plus. It's also instant-on, which will change the experience.

I have a feeling the size of the iPad's screen would make it better at a lot of things than a smartphone. Of course, you give up portability to do it. I'd be willing to do that - I'm the sort of guy who carries an SLR camera, an ebook reader and a dumbphone because I find each of those individual things does their job better than trying to combine two of them - and I'm curious to see how many other people feel the same. My mind is open.

I'm in the middle of designing an ad for an ezine (do we call it an iZine (tm) now?). It's an interesting experience.

I'm not planning to buy one any time soon, but if I was shopping for an internet appliance like my wife's netbook I'd seriously consider it. Especially if I can just dock it and use it as a big music box in the meantime.
April 5, 2010 4:40 p.m. SupraWes Dork

PHeller wrote:

Now if only Google would make a competitor...

There are touchscreen pads running Google's android OS available already.
April 5, 2010 7:31 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

I refuse to drink from the apple flavoured coolaid
April 5, 2010 8:14 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork

mad_machine wrote:

I refuse to drink from the apple flavoured coolaid

But you've been stuck to the hind teat of Microsoft for years?
April 5, 2010 8:44 p.m. PHeller Dork

SupraWes wrote:

PHeller wrote:

Now if only Google would make a competitor...

There are touchscreen pads running Google's android OS available already.

Yes but are they as bug free as an Apple?

As much as I hate using Apple products because of the chain that comes with them, often times they are pretty much bug free. They do everything their supposed to...and occasionally, with a little bit of developer freedom, some pretty cool stuff too.

I'll probably end up going with a laptop (Lenovo) mainly because I don't want to wait for the prices to drop on an iPad.
April 5, 2010 8:51 p.m. pigeon HalfDork

I've said it before - hackintoshed Dell Mini 9 (now obsolete, got to go Mini 10V now). I'm typing this on mine. For under $300 with a legit copy of OS X it's a fully functioning small, lightweight mac laptop with around 3 hours battery life, a real keyboard and a 9" (or 10") screen - with an apple logo it would slot just under the 13" macbook. Close the lid it's instantly asleep, open the lid it's instantly on. Mine even has bluetooth and a webcam that works natively under OS X. It's the only laptop I'll probably by a new battery for rather than replace when the battery no longer holds a decent charge. Not quite as capable as a macbook in terms of the processor but I'm not running iMovie on this thing, mostly surfing the web and using it as a client to log into my office remotely.