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Apple Electronics Personal

Are you getting an iPad?

Now that the initial hype of the iPad has died down a bit I’ve been trying to figure out where and how I would use the iPad and I haven’t really come up with an answer. The iPad works with WiFi meaning for me I can only use it at home or at work. I don’t go and hangout at coffee shops so it wouldn’t matter if I can get WiFi elsewhere.

At the office I barely have time to scratch my head and I’m sitting in front of a pretty 15″ MacBook Pro so the iPad wouldn’t serve a purpose there. I also don’t want to carry the iPad along with my Blackberry and iPhone to work everyday.

At home I’ve got access to three computers, my MacBook, my G5 PowerMac and my MSI Wind (also running OS X). Where would I fit the iPad? The minute I get home from work I get on my MacBook and start work on my blog until I’m tired and go to sleep.

The only place I thought the iPad fit nicely was in bed. Its lighter than a laptop, easier to hold and felt cozier in bed. But again what would I use it for? By the time I get to bed I would have already spent around 15 hours of my day online on a computer so what reason would I have to get on my iPad at the end of that?

What about traveling? I continue to blog when I travel and so I would need a laptop with me. An iPad wouldn’t work for me, I need an Ethernet port for hotels that don’t have wifi, I need a USB port to connect my camera to and I need Photoshop to be able to resize, retouch and compress images so I could post them. I can’t trust the iPad for all of that, its like trying to go off-roading in a Corolla. For in-flight entertainment I’ve got my amazing Archos 7 which has a 160GB hard drive and can play practically any video format you throw at it. It also has an amazing battery life that lasts over 10 hours AND I can get an extra battery for extra long trips. So really the iPad doesn’t fit in my travel plans as well. Even if I wanted to travel light I could always take my tiny MSI Wind.

So will I get an iPad? Yeah of course, even though I don’t have a use for one its still an incredible need to have device and I need to have everything thats this cool. I’m sure as the iPad matures and more people develop applications for it I’ll find a use for it in my life.

94 replies on “Are you getting an iPad?”

Nice try mark,it would not affect you much,since you already have 5 other pcs and notebooks and stuff as you said.

LOL

Reading the ending of this post was like watching one of those movies where the hero gets shot in the end.

As you already know mark. Got a 64GB 3g version preordered and whenever it ships add a week to that and thats when I will be getting mine. Micro Sims are not found here in kuwait but apparently all it is is a normal sim card with less plastic, and according to sites on the web cutting down a normal sim card to a micro sims dimensions should work just as well.

The iPad is a solution looking for a problem.

I had initially thought I’ll pick one but now that HP slate has announced a technically better product (with GPU accelerated flash support), I’ll wait till that is released to determine which one to pick.

Hilaliya: I tried the Marvel App and downloaded a few comics, its pretty.

But, I don’t see how 3G changes anything. What does that mean, you can get online at a traffic light? the iPad isn’t small enough to put in your pocket and keep there until you need it. You would actually have to carry the thing around. You could leave it in your car the whole time but I doubt that is going to be good with the heat we get…

Cajie: The slate? less than 5 hours of battery life and windows 7? you might as well just get a netbook. Everyone is always a step behind.

you can still download whatever you want

books/movies/games

and you can take it with you everywhere

but i have a very simple question cant you connect it with your iphone through bluetooth ?

you are right its a solution for a problem we don’t have yet ;-). But is has a adapter to connect the cam with USB and you can create the wifi access from the iphone…so not to bad.

Excellent Review. This is precisely why I never bought one, Maybe Gen2 of the iPad will have better features and perhaps more useful.

Frankom no you cant tether your iphone to the iPad sadly.

I also doubt you’re going to carry it around, its not as light as you think and its not pocket size 😀

I have tried the app is called MyWi. Its not for the Ipad, it creates just a normal accesspoint, it works perfect with my powerbook.

If you got money and don’t know what to do with it and want something smaller than a netbook to carry around wait and get a dell mini 5: 5 inch touch screen,3g wifi, 5mp camera, 1 GHz processor, runs Android and you can use it as a mobile phone. If that’s too small get a Lenovo S10-3t (and you Mark can put OS X on it).

I just got mine today (thanks to the good folks at we-sell-them) and so far loving it. Like mark said not as light as u think, but still serves it’s function very well. I know “it’s function” draws a lot of hostility around here and I’m not going to get into what I use it for. All I’ll say on the matter is that it fills a void in my “lifestyle” – surfing in bed, reading news while I eat and I’m sure it’ll be great for travel.

There will be always people who like Apple and people who like others.Most of the ones who like Apple will probably buy it anyway ;-).Who is talking about a Dell Mini 5 😉 will they sell over 5 million mini5 in 2010? Apple is always great in marketing.

Thats what I’ve been telling everyone ever since it was announced! its a stylish BIG iPlone with no practical use.

P

I think the 3g version iPad will be more useful. Especially if you can get twin sim cards on your data lines such as the E-GO.

Will wait and see when the sim cards are out.

You can tether your iphone if it is jailbroken with a cydia app called myfi or something.

Also regarding the HP slate or any other form of windows device. A netbook would be a better platform for windows. Plus unless you don’t have a decent laptop or netbook there is no point in getting a slate or any other form of windows tablet since you would pretty much be doing the same things you do on your laptop with lower performance.

The same argument can be said for owners who own an iPhone or iPod touch and are thinking of buying an iPad. But in all reality these are different products aimed at different situations. For the best browser and movie experience, plus amazing battery life and an app store that is already populated with over 1,000 apps specifically made for the iPad. It makes it an excellent buy for the tech aficionado.

I agree with you Mark!
It’s engaging a [3rd or 4th] electronic device to our mobile life.
It’s enough, I’m just sayin!

hmmm iPad…
the way i see it is just a big iphone without the phone part !
will i get ? def. no unless im a student in the states or any uni which is ipad friendly and or compatible where i can buy books online/store em and carry it instead of heavy books.
its more of a student thing than my thing, being in the field im in.

ok some would say, u can show demo reel bla bla.. yeah true, and so can the iphone.

i dont know… i just dont see myself needing one yet but u never know

but to those who got it… 9a7tain !

Mark,

For me the use is clear. And I was waiting for something like this.

READING & BROWSING IN THE BATHROOM.

One of the review I went through mentions that by far this would be the best pooping device EVER.

Mark,
The advantages for me of HP slate over IPAQ (spec wise) are very clear.
a) The form factor is just right to be portable. Not too tiny like a phone but not too big like an iPad.
b) Most of us use/will use the device for web browsing. I am just comfortable knowing that the HP slate will give the full web experience (including flash) without me worrying about websites trying to update themselves to HTML5.
c) All the necessary components (USB, Video out) to make it a versatile multi-media device.
d) Windows 7 is pretty good, you know?. Anyway, HP is likely to wrap the OS with a touchsmart interface to make it finger friendly.
e) No need for encoding/trans-coding media. Throw anything at it and it will play.
f) Multi-tasking!!!! Chat/listen to music/browse at the same time.

I keep reading people’s opinions about iPad hoping that someone might change my mind but i’m still not interested in buying it.
MAYBE i’ll change my mind when they release 3G one in April at least i can have access to the internet wherever.

I know why Mark will get it, because he is a man that has a fetish for devices. Just count how many he mentioned in his post.

But, for the rest of us (including myself) I’ll pass on it. I don’t see where I would use it. Do you really want to be plugged in all day long? I get “e-fatgiue” where I’ve just about had enough of the internet/twitter/facebook/blogs. I am glad that when I go home, I don’t turn on my macbook or my IBM thinkpad. I just sit and listen to music and rest my eyes.

But, it definitely makes a great ice breaker and you will certainly be the center of attention as soon as you bring it to work. The problem is after all the goo-gagging wears off, will you actually use it?

It reminds me of the magnification effect on the dock on OSX. The day I got it, I started playing with it. Everyone that came to check out the laptop wanted to play with it – then, after 2 days or so, I simply turned the dock to auto-hide and turned off the magnification. It just got in the way of what I actually wanted to do.

Exactly! Thats what im saying, & been planning to write about. Do we really need yet another gadget???

Focus on the “Need”

We all “want” thing, but do we really “need” all of them?? I don’t think so…

Post Summary:
I work very hard at my job and use a mac. I go home and work very hard on my blog and use a mac. I don’t have time to use the ipad, but i would buy one because its an apple. And something, something archos.

I just ordered a USB attachment for the iPad; I’ll trade you for a kidney.

Hey Mark,

I went and checked out the iPad at X-cite and walked away thinking i could buy one cheaper in Dubai, HELL NO! did you know that they are selling the iPad in Dubai at KD 350/-.. Man I cant belive it, in fact what really makes me roll over is that X-cite here in Kuwait is actually 50KD cheaper than Dubai!!

Mark,

I own a PC desktop that i’m really comfortable with and every since the announcement of the ipad Ive been thinking of getting it .. I’ve been checking apples website and the macbook is $900 and the ipad I want to get (if i decide to) is $729 so the price difference is not that much .. what do you think, should i just get a macbook or is the ipad really worth it (i dont own a laptop)

well i didn’t like the iphone when it came out and now i can’t live without it. I am expecting the same to happen with the iPad as it matures.

There’s a lot of people talking about WiFi issues with their iPad.

It’s something about slow download speed or something.

You just listed every logical reason for not getting an iPad and yet you’re still getting one?

I, for one, am not convinced. And I refuse to be “that guy” who carries gadgets around all day. The Blackberry is bad enough!

No offense, but you should get out more.
Even though I too am a big fan of Apple products, I feel that the world is plagued with this disease where they spend more time burning their eyes behind a computer screen then actually going out and enjoying the world.
I mean, we go to parks with families, and each member of the family is stuck behind his or her iPod touches. One chats away with his freinds rather than his family – and only later will he or she find out that Family sticks by you when Friends don’t.
The other watches a movie which shows how beautiful nature and Earth is yet she could put the Touch away for a while, walk in the park and experience the same thing herself.
You might think i’m a lune – but seriously, I was once no different, spending days and nights on computers. Just take some time and reflect how much time you spent behind a computer screen? Is it really worth it. In the end what have you really achieved.
I’m sorry if i’ve offended anyone – but please do try to reflect.

Unless you are a tech geek, attention hungry or very status conscience, then getting the ipad at this point is almost a complete waste of money.

Yeah “Think” u nailed it! NOT! I dont own a laptop and I dont need one..but i would like something portable to surf, check emails, read news….Im no techie, I could less care about attention (in fact Im a bit shy), and I dont know what you mean by “status” (Everyones got an apple product these days – WHAT status??)…’Think” needs to do some more thinking…get with it ppl..if ur still “Pro-PC” theres something wrong with you…get help soon

OHH Yes im getting an ipad so i can look cool sitting at Starbucks sipping on some crappy coffee wearing a diamond studded vest acting intelligent.

Mark, you fool. Although you don’t have any place for it in your life; one thing’s clear, plain and Simple.

You DON’T NEED IT, you just WANT IT !!!

All should follow what Mariam said….. comeon y do u all spend so much time behind computer screen….. switch off all those gadgets….. save some power…… come out have some time with ur FAMILIES & try to enjoy outside in parks or other environmentally friendly areas….

Just because we like tech doesn’t mean were glued to our computer screens 24/7. Thats like saying if a guy loved cars hes always at some car dealership or if a girl loves designer products shes always at an LV shop or something. We all go out, we all have friends, and we all appreciate nature (No idea what nature has to do with this but you brought it up).

now is a good time and think about eWaste and carbon foot print. Summer is down the chicane and we need to start conserving and hibernating for the desert summer. Shed our bear ar$e carbon foot print and think about sutainability. Peace.

U just made me not wanna buy an ipad!! Maybe I’ll buy it but am not as desperate to get my hand on one as I was!! U made me use my brain on this one!

@Mariam

err what parks??? ohh.. you mean that piece of land with ugly trees, patchy grass, trash and asians? No thanks, give me my screen back.

I agree with many of u ipad is another gadget and its more of a want than a need. but i want one for a decent reason. all of u who think this is useless well let me explain.
at work my pc is only connect to the internal network i can brows some websites which r only for work purpose.

i use my iphone for everything email browsing listening to music. and i do a lot at work since i have to b at the office for 7 hrs and well lets say all i have to do is usually an hr when i get there and the last 2 hrs so what happens in between.

ipad to me would b a way to b useful by that i mean start up with my reading which i never did so since i will actually have to buy a book and carry it with me.

iphone works very well but u kinda get sick of the small screen when u r reading. and i will have many other ways to use the ipad for entertainment like connect it to my cars stero and have music so realy it will just b a replacement for my iphone course i will b getting the 3g not the wifi

i was trying to write this comment on my iphone but i got a call in the middle of this comment and after i hanged up i lost all i had typed so thats a good reason to have an ipad i wont b getting calls on it 😛

just wanted to say whats on my mind after reading all these comments

@Aradi
>>”i was trying to write this comment on my iphone but i got a call in the middle of this comment and after i hanged up i lost all i had typed ”

Another reason, to scrap that stupid Apple iPhone and go get a phone that really works (multi-tasks) and all.

@Jim
haha yeah true I didn’t like the idea of an iPhone b4 I used it. I actully baught the iPhone to use it just like an ipad so for about 7months I only had a data sim on my iPhone but recently I have come to like it so there u go.

Oh and I also used it as a modem for my laptop I had to jail break it soo many things u can do when u jail break, it’s kinda useless if u don’t do that

I will have specific use, that i can monitor my stock market on big screen, watch my favorite movies on standard size, play some games when i get bored, of course i can reply my mails when I hold it, and sure it will fit in the bag with my macbook when I travel. And at last I like its amazing battery life. But I’m waiting for 3g version.

@hypo”’Think” needs to do some more thinking…get with it ppl..if ur still “Pro-PC” theres something wrong with you…get help soon”

Snob, can you refer me to a PC rehab center? The self admitted non-tech geek is trying to tell me there is something wrong with me if I prefer a PC. Just reinforcing my original statement.

I can guarantee that most,if not all,the people on this blog who have bought/ordered an iPad have no idea why they buying it.I guess it’s the ‘Apple Factor’.I mean sitting at Starbucks with a laptop or iPhone is so ‘Last year’.By the time new applications are created a 2G version would have been released.

I agree with you… Eventhough you are not going to use it , but it is worth having it… i think I will get one and use it when i have a short trips like 3 to 7 days trip duration…

ipad is like finding car keys and trying to buy a car for the found keys , completely waste money just tell Mr Jobs ” take you Ipad and shove it ” I ain’t buying it .

iPad available at Electrozan, in stocks.
16GB@239KWD
32GB@289KWD
64GB@329KWD
All with 1yr warranty & free Apps

I got my 64 MG iPad from Apple store delivered to my house through Aramex. the whole cost from taxes to Aramex fares is KD 250 which is quite awesome 🙂 I’ve one problem now! I cannot download any free applications for my iPad through the Application store :((
Any suggestion?

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