01-30-2010, 12:31 PM

I think most of the complaints I've seen about the iPad as demo'ed fall into two categories:
1) It doesn't have [fill in the blank]
2) It won't completely replace [fill in the blank]

Nothing has or does everything. If it did you couldn't carry it or couldn't afford it. The real question is: Does the iPad do the things I want done well enough and conveniently enough to justify the expense? There are always tradeoffs and cost benefits to every decision.

To me the most pointless exercise is the demand that any device be a do everything device (as in a total laptop or netbook replacement). I like to cook and have an extensive collection of knives--of that number I have a few favorites and could get by with just one in a pinch. Since I don't have to choose only one I will continue to use and find value out of all of them.
None of my knives is ideal for every situation, but they each bring something to the table (pun intended).
I see the iPad I plan to purchase, the MBP and iPhone I already own, and all my other electronic devices the same way.

If I think that I will get $499 or more in value out of the new iPad I'll get one; if not I won't.

01-30-2010, 12:39 PM

Another big problem is no flash player

01-30-2010, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Fretboard

Another big problem is no flash player

Please explain to me how that is a "BIG" problem?

Is the website you are using right now using Flash? Will lack of Flash content keep you from getting the information you need on a daily basis?

I understand that not being able to view Flash content sucks, but it's not a big deal to most people.

01-30-2010, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by superbike81

Please explain to me how that is a "BIG" problem?

Is the website you are using right now using Flash? Will lack of Flash content keep you from getting the information you need on a daily basis?

I understand that not being able to view Flash content sucks, but it's not a big deal to most people.

Do you speak for everyone when you say that? I would like to hear from the photographers, digital artist, and web designers who actually invest a lot of time designing and using flash for their website.

01-30-2010, 02:13 PM

Well, those people won't buy the iPad if it's that important to them. The fact is most of us don't require Flash to enjoy surfing the internet.

You ask if I speak for "everyone", the iPad obviously wasn't designed for everyone. There is no single product designed for everyone.

01-30-2010, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Check this out:

Windows 7 on the iPad? There's an App for That - InternetNews.com

With Citrix on the iPad, I can connect to work remotely and use our company's entire suite of applications (if need be). That's a BIG reason. At least for me - it means I'll be able to do 95% of what I do on my laptop with this thing. This might just replace my MacBook Pro.

The more I look at this thing, the more I'm thinking I might want one. If it had an SD slot to expand storage, it would be a no-brainer. I wonder if the OS will eventually support removable media through the expansion port.

Holy cow! Is this real? Because if so it pretty much takes care of every software-related complaint people have!

I've been dreaming of a wifi-connected touchscreen running as basically a thin client for my mac so I could access my computer from downstairs on the couch or across the country when I'm working. This is basically what I've been dreaming of for months.

With so much iPad talk going on, why isn't this making news in the blogsphere??

01-30-2010, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Doug b

It's NOT A PHONE people ! lol.

Well, now that you can run Skype over 3G with their app, technically, it can be a phone! It's not an ideal phone, but pairing a BT headset could make it happen.

01-30-2010, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by fleurya

Well, now that you can run Skype over 3G with their app, technically, it can be a phone! It's not an ideal phone, but pairing a BT headset could make it happen.

I was going to say the same thing but hesitated figuring I would get chewed out like yesterday.

Glad you said it though as it's true. I use Skype all the time on my iPhone for LD calls and Chat. Works great and will on the iPad also.

01-30-2010, 06:42 PM

Just my humble opinion here, but for a tablet and all it's useful-ness, I'll probably just buy the Courier when it comes out.

01-30-2010, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by fleurya

Holy cow! Is this real? Because if so it pretty much takes care of every software-related complaint people have!

I've been dreaming of a wifi-connected touchscreen running as basically a thin client for my mac so I could access my computer from downstairs on the couch or across the country when I'm working. This is basically what I've been dreaming of for months.

With so much iPad talk going on, why isn't this making news in the blogsphere??

Well, if I'm not mistaken, Citrix already has an iPhone app. So, this would just need a bit of tweaking. I've had the same dream, but of course this particular solution would only be good for those that are connecting to a high end server farm. But I don't see why one couldn't develop an RDP or Apple Remote Desktop app for the iTouch.

01-30-2010, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by Calijoefornia

Just my humble opinion here, but for a tablet and all it's useful-ness, I'll probably just buy the Courier when it comes out.

LOL, have waiting another year or more until that gets released.

01-30-2010, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Calijoefornia

Just my humble opinion here, but for a tablet and all it's useful-ness, I'll probably just buy the Courier when it comes out.

Yeah, you'll be waiting for a long time. Pretty sure that's the epitome of vaporware.

Personally, I'm waiting for the tricorder from Star Trek. I'd be willing to bet I'll see that first.

01-30-2010, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

Personally, I'm waiting for the tricorder from Star Trek. I'd be willing to bet I'll see that first.

Let me know when they are out, and then you could beam one to me

01-30-2010, 06:59 PM

Apple Remote Desktop for iPad would go a loooong way for making this a great device for me. Add in multi-tasking and a webcam, and I would buy a totally loaded one.

01-30-2010, 07:02 PM

Can you explain how you would use the webcam? I'm not trolling here, I just can't think of why anyone would need to use a webcam on one.

Video conferencing on the go? Can 3G networks even support the requirement for something like that?