how many people here own an Ipad

[drothgery]

Here is what shows up on the drop down list for apps.


books
business
education
entertainment
finance
games
healthcare and fitness
lifestyle
medical
music
navigation
news
photography
productivity
reference
social networking
sports
travel
utilities
weather

that is alot of choices for what you want it to do.
Take some time and really look into it. you might just change your mind.

The thing is, of those apps, how many are better suited to...
1) A real laptop
2) A television or
3) A smartphone (especially considering how many iPad apps are just iPhone apps)

 

[Fast Learner]

The thing is, of those apps, how many are better suited to...
3) A smartphone (especially considering how many iPad apps are just iPhone apps)

Of note, the 30,000 apps mentioned earlier are all iPad apps. It also runs the 250,000 iPhone apps, but there are still a ton of iPad-specific apps.

 

[falcarrion]

Lets not forget there are apps that let you login to your computer and run it.
So basicly you can do anything on an Ipad that you can do on a computer.

 

[Aeolius]

The thing is, of those apps, how many are better suited to... 1) A real laptop 2) A television or 3) A smartphone (especially considering how many iPad apps are just iPhone apps)

Ahh, but my iPad is infinitely better for reading/surfing the web/chatting via IRC/typing a few notes/etc. in the bed (where lugging a laptop is a pain - plus as a bonus I can use it as a remote control) or taking with me in the car. And the screen size makes it a more suitable choice, over my iPhone.

Most of the things I use a laptop for can be performed in a more expedient fashion, with my iPad. If I want to use Photoshop, type a large document, or play with 3D apps, I'll be using my desktop Mac.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

Here is what shows up on the drop down list for apps.


(cut...cut...cut)

that is alot of choices for what you want it to do.

Why would I want to write VBA applications on such a tiny screen? Develop software?

Methinks tablets don't cover all of the tasks I need my computer for. And the enhanced mobility aspect doesn't score points with me, as I even forget my cell phone at home more often than not.

And:

Take some time and really look into it. you might just change your mind.

Yes, I might change my mind. So I better don't look into it.

I'd rather wait for a powerful home computer with several virtual machines that I can access via desktop keyboard and monitor as well as via a tablet.

 

[Mavrik]

Lots of reasons for .. main against seems cost... Our group is an avid IT users in games, and I have been using my Ipad for a few months now in my sessions as a player, and DM...

As well as the obvious gread pdf reader for books, modules, sources, stuff from DDI... its also good as a web broswer to look at compendium, and for use with Iplay4e to actually use your character at the table.

I have downloaded dice programs, and I use sync'd onenote to hold all my campaign notes, info, house rules and timelines....

As I have advanced I use splashtop to make my ipad a PC, (virtual session) and run mapping programs, Character Builder and Adventure tools as if I had my laptop with me, but with 12hours of battery life, instant on and a fraction of the weight.

When I play at the table, a program like Air Display makes my ipad an additional wireless screen to my laptop.. I can drag onto it my initiative tracker, or use it to hand out note, pictures, or maps....

So while it is expensive, I have found it invaluable as a tool, notepad, screen, reference and beats the laptop or huge bundle of books and papers I use to carry round..

Have taken some pics, if anyone is interested

 

[Croesus]

Methinks tablets don't cover all of the tasks I need my computer for.

I think this sums up the iPad in a nutshell. It does some things very, very well. It does many things that a laptop, a television, a phone, an ebook reader can do, though not always as well. But it can't replace any of those other items.

For those, like myself, who refuse to spend several hundred dollars unless the iPad replaces one of our existing devices, the iPad's a non-starter. It can't replace any of the other devices.

However, for those who are willing to spend several hundred dollars for what the iPad does well, Apple gets a sale and a (hopefully) satisfied customer.

In effect, the iPad is a brand new device category - it's not a laptop, it's not a cell phone, it's not an ebook reader. And just like all new devices, not everyone needs or wants one. But those who do may get their money's worth and then some.

 

[Seonaid]

With that said, I went with the do not own one and do not want one option, though more specifically, I do not want one of this generation. First I want to see if this is a passing fad or if these things seems to be around for the long haul. Second, I think Apple (or a competitor) could improve a few things with them to make them a slightly better investment. Third, I am hoping for at least a slight price drop, either in an iPad or competing device that accomplishes the same things for less money.

So definitely keeping an eye on how these tablet devices advance over the next year or so and do not rule out owning one, I just want to see them mature a bit.

Plus the iPad has a few things that don't have me quite ready to pry $500 out of my wallet. No USB ports or SD slots. Tied into Apple's ecosystem, etc. Granted they are getting multi-tasking and printing in November, but again - I'm not ready to pry loose of $500 while the platform matures. I already have more than enough computers in various form factors that I can tide myself over to see where this tablet market settles.

As I said before, I do think the tablet in its current form is cool. I just think the next year or so will show a lot of improvements both in Apple's line and as their competitors catch up. So I feel like spending the money now will leave me with a device that is inferior in a year - even if in a year it is another iPad version that made the generation 1 version inferior.

I agree completely with IronWolf, except I voted that I plan to buy one. I also have had a chance to play with one. My biggest gripe is that there's no keyboard. No matter what happens with technology, until we have the possibility of a full virtual keyboard, I won't switch over completely.

The second thing that bugs me about the iPad is the screen size. It's significantly better than my netbook (especially considering its weight), but it's still too small for my liking. (Note that I have a Nokia 3595 and am completely happy with it. I actually tried a few newer models and ended up back with the Nokia!) Probably until there's no alternative, I'm going to go with screens at least the size of a decent laptop (I think my current one is 19").

We play games on it, including two-player games like Small World.

I can't imagine playing non-computer games on a computer (or TV). Is it because it's cheaper?

 

[Felon]

I think this sums up the iPad in a nutshell. It does some things very, very well. It does many things that a laptop, a television, a phone, an ebook reader can do, though not always as well. But it can't replace any of those other items.

No sure why the metric for evaluating a tablet would necessitate replacing an extant device. What did you throw away when you got a laptop? Rather, a tablet extends the experience into something very light and portable.

Moreover, not only can a tablet replace an ereader, but it almost certainly will once there's more variety in the tablet market and the cost goes down a bit.

 

[Croesus]

No sure why the metric for evaluating a tablet would necessitate replacing an extant device. What did you throw away when you got a laptop? Rather, a tablet extends the experience into something very light and portable.

Moreover, not only can a tablet replace an ereader, but it almost certainly will once there's more variety in the tablet market and the cost goes down a bit.

It's a question of value. For example, there are some things a pickup does better than a car, but I can't justify buying a pickup for those few things. Likewise, when I bought my last car, I didn't buy a Mercedes. It's a much better car in objective terms than the one I own, but the cost is greater than the benefit (for me). As for a laptop, I don't own one - my desktop does what I need, and the benefits of a laptop aren't equal to the additional cost.

The key consideration about value is that each of us measures it differently. Simply because some folks perceive the iPad as a good value, doesn't make it one for me. And the reverse is true - just because I don't perceive enough value in an iPad to justify purchasing one, it can be a value to others.

Really, I posted my earlier response in answer to my own question - why does anyone buy an iPad? It hit me that we're measuring the value differently and I was unconsciously applying my own standard to others.