iPad Reviews Are Out

[DeusExa]

And...the initial iPad reviews are out:

State of the Art - David Pogue's Review of the iPad - NYTimes.com
Apple's iPad is a touch of genius - Boing Boing
Apple iPad Review with Video and Photos - Full Review - Reviews by PC Magazine
Apple iPad Review: Laptop Killer? Pretty Close. | Walt Mossberg | Personal Technology | AllThingsD


If you're wondering why Engadget, Gizmodo, other major tech blogs were passed over, well, go ask Jobs.
Apple Screws Top Gadget Blogs: No Early iPad Review Units

[bobman1235]

Is that you, Steve Jobs?

[cnh]

Just for the record...

The earliest reviews of the ipad, at least a couple by non-Maco-philes said, "Save your money and buy a good netbook, it's more powerful and can do more than the ipad?


cnh

[bobman1235]

After Gizmodo, in one of their more blatant fanboy moments, declared the iPad the future of computing, I had the following to say :

As others have said, it feels more like a devolution than an evolution. Apple decided people were too stupid to continue to use real computers, and made something much more simple. Nothing WRONG with that, but at the same time that simplicity is so restrictive and limiting that it takes away a lot of what gives computing the power it has. No doubt a majority of people will find the iPad does a majority of what they need it to do, but that minority, both of people and tasks, is still extremely important.

I kind of equate this to the prevalence of automatic transmissions in America. THe modern, complex automatic transmission is no doubt an evolution over a manual gearbox, but no matter how advanced it is, all it is is separating the user from the actual experience of driving, and as such creating much worse drivers.

The iPad is removing all computing knowledge from teh act of using a computer, and as such is DIMINISHING knowledge rather than fostering it. I can't see that as a good thing, I just can't.

The iPad is a cool device, and I don't fault it for such. But posts like this, that present it as a new level of computing that trumps all else... pure ignorance and short-sightedness.

[Fireman32]

I will pass on this. While I love my iphone I will not get an ipad. I will save my money and get a regular macbook.

[phuz]

I hear they're super absorbant.

[ryanjoachim]

Yeah, they'll absorb your paychecks like a trophy wife!

[Sherardp]

If I have some money to just blow I may consider 2nd or 3rd gen versions.

[polkatese]

Ok, who got theirs? First impressions? usage? weight? can you install MS Office for Mac?

[janmike]

I have though about getting one for my son. Light, portable and probably good enough for what he needs right now. I'll wait and see how more of the reviews sound.

[polkatese]

Sort of funny story: I've promised my 11 yo daughter a laptop and I've been in the market to find the right one for her. She uses it mainly for (occasional) home work, or mainly Farmville (FB). So, when the iPad launched yesterday, I asked her if she'd be interested, her answer is a definite NOOOOOO! I said why not? "No Keyboard!"...

(or perhaps she knows that I want a new toy) :p

[markmarc]

I think people are missing the boat on the iPad. As I've felt for some time, and finally saw it mentioned on Fox News the iPad is a content user device rather than a content creator device.

The real market that will launch the iPad and similar devices is the education textbook market. College texts cost a fortune because they are updated every year to two years. This is a huge reason why textbooks are obscenely expensive. In 5 years or so, virtually all textbooks will be electronic, with updates happening weekly. Secondly, these textbooks will be put together in a buffet style fitting of each how each professor teaches the course. Students will highlight via finger tip, and those sections will be put into a document along with appropriate images/illustrations, etc.

In 7-10 years, this type of publishing will move into the k-12 market. School districts will no longer be trapped with content their teachers don't cover or stuck with a version that was decided by the politics of Texas with it's statewide adoption policy. Supplemental materials will be a reflection of both the text and the teacher rather than and/or as it stands now. Most importantly, costs will drop dramatically even with the price of the display unit.

This is a paradigm shift in the way texts are used in education, as a teacher I look forward to how this pans out.

[janmike]

Sort of funny story: I've promised my 11 yo daughter a laptop and I've been in the market to find the right one for her. She uses it mainly for (occasional) home work, or mainly Farmville (FB). So, when the iPad launched yesterday, I asked her if she'd be interested, her answer is a definite NOOOOOO! I said why not? "No Keyboard!"...

(or perhaps she knows that I want a new toy) :p

I thought it came with a touch keyboard as well as the option to purchase a docking station with a wireless keyboard.

[SolidSqual]

I want to be able to flip the monitor of my Macbook so that it becomes a tablet PC with all the coolness of the iPad but the function of my notebook.

[danger boy]

If I have some money to just blow I may consider 2nd or 3rd gen versions.

same here. I would never and never have ever bought first gen of any electronics. the 2nd gen usually has more features and bugs worked out.

[markmarc]

I thought it came with a touch keyboard as well as the option to purchase a docking station with a wireless keyboard.

You have the option of buying a dock station w/keyboard. The dock station has USB capability from what I understand. Here is a link to the accessories.

I will wait until the second or third generation before buying one because it's my nature to wait, and I'm a cheap #@$%&*.

[SolidSqual]

I think people are missing the boat on the iPad. As I've felt for some time, and finally saw it mentioned on Fox News the iPad is a content user device rather than a content creator device.

The real market that will launch the iPad and similar devices is the education textbook market. College texts cost a fortune because they are updated every year to two years. This is a huge reason why textbooks are obscenely expensive. In 5 years or so, virtually all textbooks will be electronic, with updates happening weekly. Secondly, these textbooks will be put together in a buffet style fitting of each how each professor teaches the course. Students will highlight via finger tip, and those sections will be put into a document along with appropriate images/illustrations, etc.

In 7-10 years, this type of publishing will move into the k-12 market. School districts will no longer be trapped with content their teachers don't cover or stuck with a version that was decided by the politics of Texas with it's statewide adoption policy. Supplemental materials will be a reflection of both the text and the teacher rather than and/or as it stands now. Most importantly, costs will drop dramatically even with the price of the display unit.

This is a paradigm shift in the way texts are used in education, as a teacher I look forward to how this pans out.

+1999192823895874975917346973496793476947369376.

I have so many massive legal textbooks. I would pay the same for an electronic version just to save my back.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

The thing though is that even for the textbooks, this device isn't the best option. Something like the Kindle or the Nook is a much better option, with the -eink screen and all.

I have a Toshiba Tablet PC that I really like, and am somewhatsurprised that the idea never really took off. It works fine as an e-reader, but I prefer my Nook to be honest.

[greg2350]

Hmmm 16gb storage, no usb, iphone OS, $400 seems like a big iphone to me. Netbook same price with countless more features. I bought a netbook with win 7 love it never had a problem with it ohh yeah did i mention it has 160gb drive, 2gb ram, keyboard, oh and those ports called usb. No brainer here I guess you can get an ipad and be accepted by the yuppies. Stupid device enough said I see nothing good about it. Ok rant is over.

[phuz]

I'll keep my iPad nano. It's a phone, too.

[Sherardp]

same here. I would never and never have ever bought first gen of any electronics. the 2nd gen usually has more features and bugs worked out.

The more I keep reading, the more I want one now DB. I'll hold out though bro.

[mantis]

I gotta get out of the house and check one out. I have yet to hold on to pass any judgement on it.
From what I have read , from what the industry is saying about it, for home automation it's going to be a giant. We carry 2 of the home automation companies that are geared up for the Ipad , Control 4 and Savant. I'm certified in both systems.

[markmarc]

The thing though is that even for the textbooks, this device isn't the best option. Something like the Kindle or the Nook is a much better option, with the -eink screen and all.

I have a Toshiba Tablet PC that I really like, and am somewhatsurprised that the idea never really took off. It works fine as an e-reader, but I prefer my Nook to be honest.

I took a hard look at both the Kindle and Nook, neither displays much writing on a page, seems like I was turning a page every 5 seconds, though the lighting level is nice. Both are extremely limited in their own way. The next few years will really shape the final competitive design will be.

[Gadabout]

I'll probably get one after the next gens come out in a year or two.

There are lots of things I like about the design, feel and weight of the ipad.

However, No USB ports and No Multitasking are deal breakers for me at this time. It would also be nice if it could be used as a phone too (even though it is large)

I could deal with the small amount of storage if I could swap it out easily via USB. My interest was originally peaked because of its size and being on the 3G network. I had envisioned using it as a nice large GPS device while driving, that could double as a phone and also MP3 player Through a bluetooth connection the the Sync system in my vehicle.

It would also be used as a an Ereader and used for a few computing things I need to do online when I travel. The kindle while very portable just seems to small and not much text on the screen (as Mark said above).

I'm sure this is just the start of things to come, so I will be patient. Hopefully they will also add wi-fi hot spot from the Ipad too.

Scott

[Huck344]

My wife got one on Saturday (64GB version). I've played around with it for a bit. I was pretty surprised at the weight. It's much heavier than it appears. It seems like a cool little toy, but to be honest, that is all that it is, a toy. The touch keyboard is extremely awkward to use.

But to be honest, I think if you expect it to replace your laptop, you will be extremely disappointed. For me, the functionality appears to be for people who want to use it as an eReader (newspaper, books, etc.), an MP3 player, a movie player and basic web browsing and email reading.

The people in the store did tell her that if she choses to get the 3G enabled Ipad that comes out in a few weeks, she can return the one she got and be charged a 10% re-stocking fee.

[Sami]

Big question is, can you put in any software you like or are you limited to the content in Apple Store?

[bobman1235]

Big question is, can you put in any software you like or are you limited to the content in Apple Store?

Apple store, just like the iPhone.

[Sami]

Apple store, just like the iPhone.

Well, we have to wait for how to jailbreak them like the iPhone. Shouldn't be too long.

[ryanjoachim]

Well, we have to wait for how to jailbreak them like the iPhone. Shouldn't be too long.

It's already been done, now it's just a wait for it to be released.

However, I'll never buy anything I can't customize or use to it's fullest extent.

Pay $500 for a Tablet? Sure!
Pay $500 for the honor of being told what I can and can't do with something I just spent $500 on?
No.

Obviously it's going to be ridiculously popular, as the majority of "people" don't need or want something customizable or "techie".

But it's definitely not for me.

[Barefoot]

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