Why the iPad isn't for me

Neither is it for me. I'm sending mine back. Things I don't like: (a) Eye strain, (b)It doesn't provide enough utility for me to justify another device in my life, and I don't want another media consumption device. In short, it's another toy. (c) An awkward device angle when touch-typing and trying to read what I'm typing.

With respect of iPads for moms and grandparents, I am also a bit doubtful. Since a lot of web sites probably don't work as expected (ie no Flash, among other things), wouldn't that be confusing to the noobs? I am waiting for the first review from an iPad-Mommy.

I think it's a wedge device. It will not be an overnight sensation. More so, the first viable larger format touch experience in the beginning of a steady and gradual increase in this kind of UI playing a major role in how we interact with information and media. Apple has planted roots creating enough momentum for the space to begin growth in earnest. We'll see steady improvements to the iPad, new competing tablets, touch screen desktops, and so on. It's started...the iPad is simply a tipping point. Not a singular revolution in itself.

&#62; <i>Just think about it on an airplane. I could load it up with movies and watch for an entire flight, thanks to the iPad's excellent battery life. Of course, because of the lousy keyboard I can't use it in place of a laptop, so I would have to carry the iPad and my MacBook. How is it that, for years, I've pined for a lighter laptop, and now I'm considering carrying an extra pound-and-a-half just to watch videos on an airplane?</i><p>Or, don't. The iPad goes with you into the seat. Apple's wireless bluetooth keyboard goes in your carry-on, and stays there until the hotel room desk where you might actually do some typing. The rest of your business trip, the iPad lets you reference things, make minor edits, show Keynote on a VGA projector, and keep up with email and news.<p>(And for printing at the client's location, you do the same thing with your iPad you do with your "real" laptop: email the client the file for them to print because their IT won't let your laptop see their printer queue.)

My main problem with the iPad is the weight. At 1.5 pounds it is incredibly light, yet at the same time becomes heavy quickly. Unless you are resting it on a table or on your body it gets heavy faster than you'd expect. My top use scenario, reading in bed, is just not comfortable with it. Mine already went back. I think we have about 3-5 more years before tablets are ready for me.

&#62; <i>Download an audio file of Ben Long doing a dramatic reading of this article (MP4, 10 MB).</i><p>Nice touch. I'd also like to hear it in Shatner.

An entertaining read, and for once a strong opinion is combined with some thoughtful explanation as to why the author's circumstances may differ from the reader's.

The audio file linked in the article is brilliant. If you have 10 minutes, I'd suggest listening to it instead of reading the article.

I think the most important thing I've gathered from this article among others is that the iPad can do a lot for you and can do it pretty well, but possibly not exactly as you would like it. I think it has one the best sleek form factor to performance ratios out there, with style and ease of use to boot. So it really can't help but produce entertaining and useful software for people (with developer support). Power users who already have multiple desktops/laptops may struggle to justify their purchase, but in a large household I don't think people will be questioning the irony of the device when they're too busy using it.

Am I the only one who found, when set at an angle using the apple case, that I can type at about 80% of my regular typing speed?

Here's a prototype of my iPad killer! <a href="http://twitpic.com/1fb2ox" rel="nofollow">http://twitpic.com/1fb2ox</a>

<i>" I'm comfortable using a computer, and I don't tend to surf the Web as a form of entertainment"</i><p>This is going to be the biggest factor to determine if a tablet is right for you. I'm comfortable enough at my desk using my computer but I can only take so much of it. Most of my web browsing outside of work is entertainment or at least long form reading. Both areas I think the iPad excels at. I could use a laptop on my couch or in bed but I find that a bit awkward but, most importantly, the iPad blows it away on battery life and screen quality -- and for entertainment purposes it's just easier to do most stuff.

I agree with the sentiments echoed in this article. For me, tablets, although useful, are not the revolutionary devices they are made out to be. As I see it they are not the gateway for new types of applications, anything you can do on a tablet, you can do on laptop (personally I like the idea of a laptop with a detachable screen).<p>I wholly agree with the comments about Kindle too. I can see the benefit in having a Kindle, it offers a relaxing and focussed environment on which to catch up on the one thing I never have enough time - or am to distracted by web/mail/chat - to do, and that is READ.

Apple should have forgotten about the iPad and focused on Apple TV. Selling an Internet box with a Boxee like interface and all the content from the studios we seek. Sell various subscriptions. That would be revolutionary and yet will take a years to get there due to the studios getting huge wads of their revenue via cable TV. Who the majority of us hate our cable company and long for substitute like the Apple TV mentioned here.

<i>This is a media consumption device. I'm trying too hard to create things on it</i><p>This is the bit that scares me.

From the beginning, I knew this device won't go so far. I'm more optimistic with the new HP slate.<p>When I get a device bundled with Windows 7, with the ability to run any windows application and not only Flash, it's just like tele-porting my computer to this little device.<p>The iPad OS is a phone OS, whatever powerful it is, it'll be always way behind any desktop OS.<p>Point 2 is multi-tasking. And about iPhone OS 4.0 multi-tasking, it just made me laugh, it just proved me Apple failed to support real multi-tasking.

The responses make for interesting reading.

The author thinks third party apps that open browser "sheets" are using an Apple "API". There goes any credibility he had.

I don't understand why this is worth writing about. The nexus one isn't for me, and neither is the iphone, I didn't run out to blog about it and repeat the same point 200 other people have already made