[geeks] iPad - NOT a 'Miss' for me I'm afraid

[nate at portents.com]

> On Jan 30, 2010, at 12:31 PM, "Jon Gilbert" <jjj at io.com> wrote:
>
>> ll I can say is that the iPad is going to end up in a lot of college
>> dorm
>> rooms. Ultimate college tool... think about it.
>
> No, it won't. Those who buy it will buy it because they are Mac fan-
> boys (or girls),

Way to show your bias - the only reason anyone would buy an iPad is
because they're fans of the Mac?  What a fabulously rational argument.

> and until $100+ textbooks suddenly become $10 ebooks,
> electronic college textbooks won't drive these devices into the hands
> of college students.
>
> The same $500 would buy one heck of a netbook OR a pretty capable
> laptop with larger display and an actual keyboard.

"OR"?  Why not "AND"?  $500 is a drop in the bucket when college costs
$20,000-$50,000 a year.

When I was in college in 1995 I remember spending $500 on a 2x SCSI CD
burner, and that was in 1995 dollars, and it took me a while to save up
that money from my work-study job.

> Carrying one of these devices around *almost* requires a 'man purse',
> and only the most ardent Apple fan will endure such an addition to
> their wardrobe... IMHO

Wha?  Last time I was in college, I used something called a backpack, and
the iPad would fit pretty well in one.

>> The other thing it will be huge for is musicians.
>
> Again, no. Anything this uPas can do, a full-function laptop/netbook
> can do. iPad is a new architecture, not a new form-factor for a
> MacBook...

Again, no reason to think people will necessarily stop using other devices
when they get an iPad.  (And I'd argue that especially because there is
less software maintenance to do on the iPad because of the App Store it
will be that much easier for anyone to have an iPad in addition to other
devices they already have.)

No reason to think an iPad + Modbook wouldn't be a totally sweet combo for
a lot of pros:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Modbook

>> I think business people
>> will use them for on-the-spot sales presentations.
>
> And again, no. They will be used in tradeshows on stands/docks for
> their novelty factor, much like the old "lamp base" iMacs were for a
> while... It's size undermines it's usefulness, IMHO - it is very
> nearly the same size as a clipboard, and as functional as an iPhone
> with a larger display.
>
> The iPad is useful in those cases where you look at your iPhone and
> say to yourself 'I wish the screen was bigger', which, BTW is NEVER
> when you slip your iPhone in your pocket and leave your bulky laptop/
> tablet/netbook at home/office.

'I wish the screen was bigger', which, BTW is quite often for a number of
people I know.  Different devices at different times/places is not a bad
thing.  Having multiple devices is also not a bad thing when those devices
are very manageable from a software perspective (not something I would
describe most Windows-based netbooks as, since they are going to require a
higher degree of maintenance, checking, and hand-holding).

> As a parent I can see loading this up with movies/shows for my 6 year-
> old, but having to buy content from Apple or figuring out the ripping
> process for converting my already purchased VHS tapes and DVDs are
> barriers to adoption by me, and many other buyers I suspect...

What gives you the impression that the VHS-tape owning segment of the tech
market is significant enough that anyone should be giving it consideration
when designing a new product for the tech market?  I think that boat has
sailed.

- Nate