Fanboi?
Let's get this one out of the way first. I'm not anti-Apple by any means. I'm on to my second MacBook now (Pro this time! :D) and my second iPhone. I've converted my wife who now uses my old MacBook and her own iPhone as well. We both own and use an iPod regularly even though they are now the aging 30Gb 5th generation. At the same time though I'm not one of those Apple fanbois that sing praises over their latest and greatest from the blogtops. Nobody's perfect, everybody has flaws and this includes Apple (iPhone 4 antennagate anybody?). Point being: I don't have an iBrain and this will be myOpinion not an iOpinion. I have had some hands-on time with the iPad from a co-worker who owns one and in-store so I'm not completely in the dark about it. I'm not one of those fence-sitters who is one experience away from converting to being a fan.
iPad is image
I was reading an article from Wired earlier today about what sort of people own iPads. It's an interesting read and the summary from the title was:
iPad Owners Are 'Selfish Elites.' Critics Are 'Independent Geeks.' Discuss.There are many people buying iPads primarily for the cool factor. They know it, we know it but chances are no iPad owner will ever say it: iPad is image. Those who are buying it for more than the cool factor will still be aware of it and we're probably even less likely to hear about it from them than those who have them primarily for that.
iPad is unnecessary
That seems like too big a word for an Apple product... When the iPad was first unveiled I heard it described as: "don't NEED but do WANT". Nobody NEEDS an iPad. A lot of people WANT one though. Touch screen novelty aside, what can you do on an iPad that you can't do on a smaller laptop or high powered netbook? I suspect that once the initial novelty wears off many iPads will end up in draws and cupboards all over the world alongside many other gadgets that were bought in the heat of the moment with vows of "it will be so useful and change my life!" only to be brought out for the "I'm so cool!" moments or for inducing waves of nostalgia.
iPad is lacking
Some functionality that is lacking out of the box can be added by downloading some applications from the App Store. Sure this is quick and simple but a lot of the time these apps are not free especially the new iPad specific versions. Aside from that there are a few other things missing from the iPad: USB ports, memory card readers, camera, multitasking, Adobe Flash support, no ability to connect to a phone for tethered internet - just to name a few. Every single netbook on the market, even models half the price, has these things. Sure you can get some of these things: enter the iPad camera connection kit but at a price of an additional $AU 39. These things may be fixed later but that brings me to...
iPad is young
I've heard advice along the lines of "NEVER buy first generation Apple products". Early adopters are beta testers. They find all the bugs, come up with all the complaints all of which get taken into account and are usually fixed with a later model. Look at the antenna problems with the iPhone 4. Shouldn't this testing be done in-house BEFORE releasing a product to the public? The price of buying a new, first or early generation Apple product, which isn't cheap, is quite a large price to pay to become a beta tester. As previously mentioned, the iPad is currently missing multitasking and a camera which a lot of people seem to be wishing for this Christmas. No doubt we'll see these features after the unofficial beta testing period has finished. Shortly after the iPad was released the iPhone 4 was announced with brand new retina display technology that is advertised as having a higher resolution than the human eye can take in. True or not, it is a big step up and no doubt it is great screen technology. Why is it not in the iPad??
iPad is big
First impressions are that the iPad is a giant iPod touch (wi-fi version) or a giant iPhone that can't make calls (3G version). I can already hear cries of "It's portable! It's small! It's thin!". I had a 13" MacBook for almost 3 years which came with me pretty much everywhere I went. I couldn't fit it in my pocket and I couldn't use it with one hand while I was walking around - oh wait, you can't do that with an iPad either! Well, not unless you're willing to look a bit silly.iPad is expensive
$AU 629 for the 16Gb base model is a fair wad of cash for anyone let alone a young couple with a $300k+ mortgage! Pick up the 64Gb 3G capable version and you're looking at forking out over $AU 1000. You could buy a decent netbook or second hand laptop with much better performance and almost limitless options. I recently bought my 2008 model MacBook Pro (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz, 2Gb RAM, 200Gb HDD, 256Mb GeForce 8600M, 15.4" matte screen, DVD+/-RW) for around $AU 1000. Add on the cost of applications and accessories like the camera kit and the iPad could become a very expensive albeit cool looking black and aluminium elephant.
iPad is for the kids
Kids love the iPad. I've been to the Apple Store at Robina twice now and both times the iPads on display were flooded with kids. It'd be easier to use than the iPod touch/iPhone for the little ones who might not have fully developed motor skills yet but man, what an expensive [chew] toy!
iPad is beautiful
No arguments here, it is a very slick looking device and I'm not the only one to realise this. In the time following the release of the iPad I've seen company after company release their offerings to take on the iPad. Many of them look remarkably similar actually - black border around the screen, few buttons on the bezel and a thin silver/alumnium/chrome strip along the outside. The greatest form of flattery is imitation as seen right here.
iPad is the benchmark
With all the talk that's going on about competitor's products, the iPad is the point of reference. Love it or hate it, every similar device that comes out from here on will be compared to it just like every smart phone that comes out now is compared to the iPhone. Apple have done a great job of getting their products out there and whether you like them or not they are what everybody uses as a comparison for better or worse, for richer or poorer, as long as their products shall live.
The End. Nearly...
According to the previously mentioned article from Wired, iPad critics are independent geeks. In case you hadn't figured: I am both an iPad critic and a very proud independent geek. Seems like I fit the bill! So at the end of the day, will I buy one? No. Not at the moment anyway. I said the same when the first iPhone came out because of some of the features it was lacking (which have since been resolved). When a mate of mine offered to sell me his battered but still functional iPhone for $50 while they were still $800+ outright and not in Australia yet, I couldn't resist. I've since gone on to get the 3G on a plan and use most, if not all, of its features regularly. I'm looking forward to a second generation of the iPhone 4 and will probably upgrade to that next year. When would I consider buying one? New - most likely never. Second hand - if the price is right (read: really cheap!) and possibly a newer generation then I may consider it. I'm sure the iPad will make Apple a lot of money but personally, I'm not a fan right now, can't find a need for one and don't want one. Every time the "What is iPad" ad comes on TV, I verbally reply "iPad is expensive, iPad is unnecessary, iPad is stupid", etc (my lovely wife, Riss, can verify this fact).
iPad™
Oh, and just in case you are interested in the official answer:
Courtesy of Apple on YouTube.
Or the original for the Newton, as pointed out by MacRumors:
Courtesy of classicappleads on YouTube.
I'm not sure what the original sources for the internet memes are. If anyone knows, let me know and I will add the necessary acknowledgment. The picture of the MacBook Pro was taken personally by yours truly. All image hosting is taken care of with Photobucket.
And it begins: I’ve Completely Ditched My iPad For The iPhone 4 on Gizmodo
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