PC or MAC ?

[Austin8]

with the release of the iPad I thought it about time to re introduce this thread, what do you think iPad here today gone tomorrow or sweet deal that will stand the test of time?

 

[IrezumiKiss]

It's already starting to change things up but later gen models will be much, much, MUCH better than the first. I'm biding my time for the second or third gen iPad when the kinks will have been worked out and the advantages strengthened.

It's kinda hard not wanting to dip in right now because it's perfect for those who transit-read or sit back at a spot and want to chill out reading or writing or viewing something digitally sans the mass of a laptop. Which isn't really too big of a deal if you're used to doing it that way, but the visual real estate of the iPad is just a perfect median between that and an iPhone screen.

I personally want to use this as a portable portfolio/visual station to read graphic-oriented fare instead of text-based stuff. It's kinda there as is, but not really there enough.

 

[Smarmy_and_Sappe]

First, in keeping with the theme of this thread, I'm running Windows 7 on an Intel 2.8ghz Core Duo installed on an Intel DP45g motherboard with 8gb RAM with 3tb total disk space.

I don't own an ipod or an iphone, don't download ebooks, to me the ipad is nothing more than an oversized ipod.

Yes, it looks nice, and thats about it. The apple fanboys will be out in force wondering how they managed to live their lives without it, but at this point I think it's too early to say if it's going to be a success or a flop.

 

[IrezumiKiss]

at this point I think it's too early to say if it's going to be a success or a flop.

True that, but it's off to a pretty sweet start, tho'.

450,000 iPads Sold as of today, 3.5 Million iPad Apps downloaded

Written on April 8, 2010 by Philip Lam

Steve Jobs at today’s iPhone OS 4.0 event, announced that as of today — 450,000 units of iPads were sold, 3.5 million iPad apps and 600,000 iBooks downloaded and more than 3,500 iPad apps is available in the app store. He also mentions that the total iPhones sold to date worldwide is at a whooping 50 million units, where as the iPod Touch sold 35 million.

http://www.ipadinsider.com/ipads-sold-as-of-today-million-ipad-apps-downloaded/

 

[Smarmy_and_Sappe]

True that, but it's off to a pretty sweet start, tho'.

450,000 iPads Sold as of today, 3.5 Million iPad Apps downloaded

Written on April 8, 2010 by Philip Lam

Sure, the fanboys, and the "I gotta have whatever is new" crowd will carry it for a bit. Munster from the WSJ was looking for 700K units to be sold on the first weekend, and it didn't even come close to that.

I remember when the AMC Pacer came out, even Road and Track was fawning all over it.

Let's revisit this conversation again in a year and see where we are. One week, or two weeks doesn't mean diddly. Put some miles on it. Everything looks good when it's new and shiny.

 

[IrezumiKiss]

Sure, the fanboys, and the "I gotta have whatever is new" crowd will carry it for a bit. Munster from the WSJ was looking for 700K units to be sold on the first weekend, and it didn't even come close to that.

I remember when the AMC Pacer came out, even Road and Track was fawning all over it.

Let's revisit this conversation again in a year and see where we are. One week, or two weeks doesn't mean diddly. Put some miles on it. Everything looks good when it's new and shiny.

They sold 300K on launch day. Just in the US alone and the 3G version hasn't even come out yet. Most record labels these days not having Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber on their roster would kill for those sales digits. There's a little bit more than just the usual "fanboys" excuse getting in on this party, methinks.

All I know is that everything niche that comes thru Apple since its internet-age renaissance starts out this way and it's kinda foolish to sleep on the possibilities. I personally didn't think the iPod was worth getting until it was Nano sized and video capable, but it was selling like hotcakes when it was but a mere monochromatic-screened, non-dynamic interfaced, brick-heavy cigarette box.

The iPad has yet to truly open up as far as tech expansion within its frame and ability is concerned and that's why I'm waiting until the second gen version. Apple always holds the best shit back until the next go-around - always. Plus, this has light years more advanced support than the iPod did starting out the gate, so it's piggybacking on that as well. A lot should happen within your year's berth and I don't really see it being negative.

 

[Liar]

I've tried out an iPad. And as much as I'm impressed by the bells and whistles... I can't find any good use for it.

It's technologically cool and very well built, and there are some really fun apps for it. But its just still too big. Even for reading e-books. The Kindle whoops it in wieght and comfort.

All the things I want to do while moving around, I can already do on my phone. And that includes all the augmented-reality hooplah, web and media stuff that Apple are bragging about for the iPad. And that fits in my pocket.

There's really nothing new there compared to an advanced smartphone, except a realy sweet big screen, and lack of phone.

Five months from now, I'd like to see how many of the iPad owners actually use it in their day-to-day life, or if they've gone back to the smartphone/notbook combo, for getting real stuff done.

 

[IrezumiKiss]

I've tried out an iPad. And as much as I'm impressed by the bells and whistles... I can't find any good use for it.

It's technologically cool and very well built, and there are some really fun apps for it. But its just still too big. Even for reading e-books. The Kindle whoops it in wieght and comfort.

All the things I want to do while moving around, I can already do on my phone. And that includes all the augmented-reality hooplah, web and media stuff that Apple are bragging about for the iPad. And that fits in my pocket.

There's really nothing new there compared to an advanced smartphone, except a realy sweet big screen, and lack of phone.

Five months from now, I'd like to see how many of the iPad owners actually use it in their day-to-day life, or if they've gone back to the smartphone/notbook combo, for getting real stuff done.

Better not ask Colin Powell. Looks like he's already sold.

Colin Powell Is iPhone Crazy

April 14, 2010 10:40 AM ET
By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

When former Secretary of State and Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell got an iPad for his 73rd birthday last weekend, he finally confirmed what his family knew. He suffers from Mac attacks. "He's Apple crazy. He's iPhone crazy. He's iPod crazy," says a pal. Powell is known as something of a high-tech geek, so his devotion to Apple isn't surprising. Now that he has the Internet-focused gadgetry, he's turning to social networking, like on Facebook, where he has over 22,800 "fans," and is considering joining Twitter, we hear.

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2010/04/14/colin-powell-is-iphone-crazy.html

 

[3113]

Five months from now, I'd like to see how many of the iPad owners actually use it in their day-to-day life, or if they've gone back to the smartphone/notbook combo, for getting real stuff done.

I don't know about 5 months from now, but this is what I keep hearing from folk who bought iPads: "I can't put it down. I haven't touched my laptop since I got it."

Now, I, too, tried out an iPad in the store and I didn't get that "I need this!" feeling from it. Not yet (I'll get back to that). And I love Apple products. But I wouldn't dismiss this product in or out of hand. Two things were pointed out to me: First, that all kinds of small businesses already use a form of "iPad" made special (and expensive) for the business. You see them pull these electronic pads out at the business or if they visit your home to check inventory, to get signatures, to check off schedules, parts, etc.

Now businesses can buy an iPad off the shelf (much cheaper), and thanks to the apps store, customize them for that business. Doctors and nurses who want charts of patients and can now have everything checked off by everyone from admitting to surgery to pharmacy to check out--and e-mailing appointment reminders (one iPad user on a forum was a doctor who bought one for his practice). Businesses who want to keep track of customers, inventory, tax forms, etc. It pretty much goes on and on. So, point one, it is exactly what the business world wants, and that's a lot of different businesses, not just those with people sitting around at meetings offering up presentations and pie-charts.

The second thing is that there's every indication that it might be able to stream television shows (there is an app that lets you watch live sports). If it can be made into a portable television, I guarantee you it will be around five months from now.

Everyone is right that we do need to wait and see if it has the staying power--but it's not a one-trick pony. The only thing Apple has to worry about is that it's created something that could, indeed, put an end to its laptop business. Why would students carry around a 5-6lb laptop when they can carry this 1lb "notebook" to take notes, surf the internet, send e-mails, and read their textbooks? If they upgrade the iPad enough so that, using the external keyboard, you can really write long things like novels, papers and dissertations...then laptops will be on their way out. I, personally, would want one if I could do that. I mean, something that doesn't require I haul around a backpack--that simply fits in my purse, yet allows me to watch television, movies, send e-mails, surf the internet, read books, and write? All in one slender, hand-held device?

Oh, yes. I'd buy that in a heartbeat. But for right now, it doesn't look like I can easily write novels on it even with the external keyboard. So...I'll wait.

 

[Liar]

I don't know about 5 months from now, but this is what I keep hearing from folk who bought iPads: "I can't put it down. I haven't touched my laptop since I got it."

I had the same reaction. But to my iPhone and later to the HTC Desire I traded it for. the iPad? Nah. On account of it being too big to comfortably pull out. A matter of personal preferrence, I suppose. Maybe if I had a purse...

Now businesses can buy an iPad off the shelf (much cheaper), and thanks to the apps store, customize them for that business. Doctors and nurses who want charts of patients and can now have everything checked off by everyone from admitting to surgery to pharmacy to check out--and e-mailing appointment reminders (one iPad user on a forum was a doctor who bought one for his practice). Businesses who want to keep track of customers, inventory, tax forms, etc. It pretty much goes on and on. So, point one, it is exactly what the business world wants, and that's a lot of different businesses, not just those with people sitting around at meetings offering up presentations and pie-charts.

Yeah... but lots and lots and lots of businesses already do all that. With iPhones and other smartphones. And others do it with low price new-generation tablet PCs, that they can use both as handhelds and ordinary notebook 'puters.

The second thing is that there's every indication that it might be able to stream television shows (there is an app that lets you watch live sports). If it can be made into a portable television, I guarantee you it will be around five months from now.

I never said it would be gone in 5 months. Just that it will probably have found it's niche, and that people will want to be able to sit down with a keyboard and a flip-up screen once in a while.

Everyone is right that we do need to wait and see if it has the staying power--but it's not a one-trick pony. The only thing Apple has to worry about is that it's created something that could, indeed, put an end to its laptop business. Why would students carry around a 5-6lb laptop when they can carry this 1lb "notebook" to take notes, surf the internet, send e-mails, and read their textbooks?

Apples and pears and exaggerations. An iPad weighs 1.5 to 1.6 lb. What an iPad plus a portable keybd weighs, I have no idea, buit brobably in the ballpark of 2 lb. A nordern netbook with similar properties weighs 2 to 3 lb, and slicker versions are on the horizon. Apple has aways been on the forefront of casing design and low weight (remember Air?) but the difference isn't that extreme.

I hate to sound like a broken record every time I discuss gadgets with Apple fans. Every time I try to poke a hole in the hype, they get defensive and think I hate on the brand. I don't. I really like Apple. They make very good products.

But that's about it. The iPad does nothing that the iPhone doesn't already do. It just does it on a bigger screen. Which might make an awesome difference fro some, but that's all the difference, when it comes down to it. And it does nothing that a good tablet PC doesn't already do. But it does it in a lightweight frame with no keyboard attached and with a nifty looking operating system.

If they upgrade the iPad enough so that, using the external keyboard, you can really write long things like novels, papers and dissertations...then laptops will be on their way out.

I disagree. If they upgrade it like that, it becomes, essentially, a laptop. A very nice laptop, but a laptop. There are actually laptops in the pipelike planned from other companies (I've seen prototypes from HP and MSI) with multi touch screen and a detachable keyboard.

I, personally, would want one if I could do that. I mean, something that doesn't require I haul around a backpack--that simply fits in my purse, yet allows me to watch television, movies, send e-mails, surf the internet, read books, and write? All in one slender, hand-held device?

Oh, yes. I'd buy that in a heartbeat. But for right now, it doesn't look like I can easily write novels on it even with the external keyboard. So...I'll wait.

How come? With a keyboard all you need is the right software. No good word processing apps available?

 

[Liar]

Better not ask Colin Powell. Looks like he's already sold.

Colin Powell Is iPhone Crazy

Awesome. I can just picture him, getting his geek on.

 

[3113]

How come? With a keyboard all you need is the right software. No good word processing apps available?

I'm not sure how hard or easy it would be to transfer novels I'm writing to the Pages program on an iPad. I also don't know how much space the programs will require. When such programs start to require a lot of memory, you often get the "can't save this!" messages for long documents. So before I buy one to write novels on, I want to know how well it can manage long documents. A 500 page novel is not the same as a 20 page presentation. Also, sometimes when I'm working on "book 2" I find myself needing to look at book 1, can I open book 1 and see what I wrote there while still having book 2 open? Similarly, I sometimes need to search for information while writing. The iPad won't be supporting mutitasking till Fall.

Most of all, though, the keyboard isn't available and I haven't tried it. A good keyboard is an absolute must for me (which is why those 2-3lb notebooks aren't for me. Shitty keyboards; the Air, by the way, is the exception and I did have it in my sights for the next laptop I might buy...but now there is the iPad at half the Air's weight, and it can be used without the keyboard as an e-reader and traveling movie screen, etc.). If the iPad does well, and it seems to be doing fine, then companies will bring out products for it. If the keyboard provided by Apple doesn't satisfy, there will likely be others on the market and one might do very nicely for me. Likewise, a programs like Scrivener--which I sometimes use for my writing--might come out with iPad-friendly versions.

Which is why I'm waiting. I suspect that within about 6 months--when the iPad gets it's multi-tasking feature and many writing programs have been adapted to it, I probably will buy an iPad and keyboard...and leave my laptop behind.

 

[AllardChardon]

MAC all the way, no virus protection crap is so worth it!!!

 

[Smarmy_and_Sappe]

They sold 300K on launch day. Just in the US alone and the 3G version hasn't even come out yet. Most record labels these days not having Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber on their roster would kill for those sales digits. There's a little bit more than just the usual "fanboys" excuse getting in on this party, methinks.

All I know is that everything niche that comes thru Apple since its internet-age renaissance starts out this way and it's kinda foolish to sleep on the possibilities. I personally didn't think the iPod was worth getting until it was Nano sized and video capable, but it was selling like hotcakes when it was but a mere monochromatic-screened, non-dynamic interfaced, brick-heavy cigarette box.

The iPad has yet to truly open up as far as tech expansion within its frame and ability is concerned and that's why I'm waiting until the second gen version. Apple always holds the best shit back until the next go-around - always. Plus, this has light years more advanced support than the iPod did starting out the gate, so it's piggybacking on that as well. A lot should happen within your year's berth and I don't really see it being negative.

Again, Munster from the Wall Street Journal was expecting 700K units to be sold on launch day. It fell short. Simple as that. Comparing hardware units sold to Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber is an apples to oranges comparison.

Success or failure is not measured in one weekend, as I said before, look at this again in a year.

I think some of the shortcomings are the lack of a camera, lack of usb ports, Apple's restrictive DRM policy, lack of multitasking, and the inability to do any upgrades after you buy it.

 

[3113]

The Latest From Apple

The latest:

Apple announced this morning that due to strong sales of the Apple iPad, they have delayed international delivery for about a month. "Although we have delivered more than 500,000 iPads during its first week, demand is far higher than we predicted and will likely continue to exceed our supply over the next several weeks as more people see and touch an iPad. We have also taken a large number of pre-orders for iPad 3G models for delivery by the end of April."

Apple reports that the high demand is responsible for the delay in international shipments. International delivery will take place at the end of May. Details and pre-orders will be announced on May 10th.

Macbook Pros have also been updated. Battery life of the new Macbook Pros is said to allow up to "10 hours"--which probably means 5-7 hours with normal use, and 8-9 hours if you're very frugal.

 

[Liar]

Most of all, though, the keyboard isn't available and I haven't tried it. A good keyboard is an absolute must for me (which is why those 2-3lb notebooks aren't for me. Shitty keyboards; the Air, by the way, is the exception and I did have it in my sights for the next laptop I might buy...but now there is the iPad at half the Air's weight, and it can be used without the keyboard as an e-reader and traveling movie screen, etc.). If the iPad does well, and it seems to be doing fine, then companies will bring out products for it. If the keyboard provided by Apple doesn't satisfy, there will likely be others on the market and one might do very nicely for me. Likewise, a programs like Scrivener--which I sometimes use for my writing--might come out with iPad-friendly versions.

Seems like this one is shipping. Looks prettty good.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC533LL/A?fnode=MTc0MjU4OTY&mco=MTc0Njk5MDQ

Ipad is also compatible out of the box with the Apple wireless keayboard, if you have one of those.


Storage is an issue. Although I fail to see that even a bunch of 500 page mostly text documents would ever pose a problem.

I can't understand why they don't just have an SD reader in the side. Easiest thing in the world to expand storage indefinitely then.

 

[Liar]

Macbook Pros have also been updated. Battery life of the new Macbook Pros is said to allow up to "10 hours"--which probably means 5-7 hours with normal use, and 8-9 hours if you're very frugal.

They're using the latest combo of Intel platform and switchable Nvidia graphocs pretty much off the shelf, same one that for instance Asus and HP have released notebooks with recently. it's got excellent power saving, so 9 hours should be realistic with careful use.

 

[Smarmy_and_Sappe]

The latest:

Apple announced this morning that due to strong sales of the Apple iPad, they have delayed international delivery for about a month. "Although we have delivered more than 500,000 iPads during its first week, demand is far higher than we predicted and will likely continue to exceed our supply over the next several weeks as more people see and touch an iPad. We have also taken a large number of pre-orders for iPad 3G models for delivery by the end of April."

Apple reports that the high demand is responsible for the delay in international shipments. International delivery will take place at the end of May. Details and pre-orders will be announced on May 10th.
Macbook Pros have also been updated. Battery life of the new Macbook Pros is said to allow up to "10 hours"--which probably means 5-7 hours with normal use, and 8-9 hours if you're very frugal.

I dunno, color me cynical, but I smell spin in that statement. Personally, I think Apple may be staging a bit of strategic shortage. What better way to keep the hype about the ipad going than to somewhat limit, or at least create the appearance of a shortage of units.

As far as Macs go, they're fine, but my issue with them is that they are way overpriced.

 

[DeeZire]

...As far as Macs go, they're fine, but my issue with them is that they are way overpriced.

You're paying for the operating system, and the innovation. On another forum, I noticed a PC fanboy raving about how easy it was to do upgrades inside a certain PC box because of the configuration of the wiring harness. Then he said "wouldn't it be cool if PC's gave you a slot with a socket in the back end to add a second hard drive?" A mac guy replied, telling the guy that the new Mac's already do that.

 

[Smarmy_and_Sappe]

You're paying for the operating system, and the innovation. On another forum, I noticed a PC fanboy raving about how easy it was to do upgrades inside a certain PC box because of the configuration of the wiring harness. Then he said "wouldn't it be cool if PC's gave you a slot with a socket in the back end to add a second hard drive?" A mac guy replied, telling the guy that the new Mac's already do that.

Im not a fan of any particular OS, but I will admit to being a fan of Intel processors and Motherboards. I design and build my own computers based on my needs and wants. (Usually the capabilities of the wants far exceed the actual requirements of the needs.)

 

[Austin8]

Morning everyone, great posts by the way, Curious about 3's post, using the iPad as a writing tablet, alright off to work check you guys this evening.

 

[3113]

Storage is an issue. Although I fail to see that even a bunch of 500 page mostly text documents would ever pose a problem.

They don't--what poses a problem is the actual word processing program which starts demanding a lot of memory when you bring up those 500 pages. I recently had two full novels up (each about 300 pages) and open. When I started making changes in them, the program asked to close one up--not enough memory! If I'd had just the novel up, it would have been fine, but as soon as it two that it had to juggle, it started using every bit of memory it could get its hands on.

The novels take up almost no room at all. And it's easy enough to put them on a memory stick if I don't want to use up space. But word processing programs can be really demanding.

Morning everyone, great posts by the way, Curious about 3's post, using the iPad as a writing tablet, alright off to work check you guys this evening.

Behold!

http://news.cnet.com/i/tim//2010/01/27/IMG_3365_540x405.JPG

That's the iPad with it's keyboard (which is also a dock to charge it). Here's what it looks like without the iPad:

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim//2010/01/27/IMG_3366_540x405.JPG

Now, when I write, I usually only have half-my screen in use (for the page I'm working on), so there shouldn't be a problem with having to write on the iPad vertically (rather than horizontally which would make it more like a typical laptop screen). But I'd still need to test out the experience--and make sure the writing program and tablet can manage novels.

 

[Austin8]

They don't--what poses a problem is the actual word processing program which starts demanding a lot of memory when you bring up those 500 pages. I recently had two full novels up (each about 300 pages) and open. When I started making changes in them, the program asked to close one up--not enough memory! If I'd had just the novel up, it would have been fine, but as soon as it two that it had to juggle, it started using every bit of memory it could get its hands on.

The novels take up almost no room at all. And it's easy enough to put them on a memory stick if I don't want to use up space. But word processing programs can be really demanding.

Behold!

http://news.cnet.com/i/tim//2010/01/27/IMG_3365_540x405.JPG

That's the iPad with it's keyboard (which is also a dock to charge it). Here's what it looks like without the iPad:

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim//2010/01/27/IMG_3366_540x405.JPG

Now, when I write, I usually only have half-my screen in use (for the page I'm working on), so there shouldn't be a problem with having to write on the iPad vertically (rather than horizontally which would make it more like a typical laptop screen). But I'd still need to test out the experience--and make sure the writing program and tablet can manage novels.

Damn! don't get much sexier than that 3!!

 

[Liar]

You're paying for the operating system, and the innovation.

Not really. You pay for an OS when you buy a brand PC too. And Apple don't innovate as much as they refine.

What you do pay for, is design and construction quality. Which ain't peanuts either. It's the same for a Sony Vaio for instance. High priced because they are top quality builds and look a little better than the competitors.

And admittedly, in both cases, you also pay a little extra for the logo.

On another forum, I noticed a PC fanboy raving about how easy it was to do upgrades inside a certain PC box because of the configuration of the wiring harness. Then he said "wouldn't it be cool if PC's gave you a slot with a socket in the back end to add a second hard drive?" A mac guy replied, telling the guy that the new Mac's already do that.

And so did my Compaq PC, fifteen years ago. So meh on innovation, But they sure know how to take good ideas and make attractive products out of them.

 

[Liar]

They don't--what poses a problem is the actual word processing program which starts demanding a lot of memory when you bring up those 500 pages. I recently had two full novels up (each about 300 pages) and open. When I started making changes in them, the program asked to close one up--not enough memory! If I'd had just the novel up, it would have been fine, but as soon as it two that it had to juggle, it started using every bit of memory it could get its hands on.

Ah so it's the working memory, and not the storage that is the problem?

Lemme ask, what are you writing on today and get those issues?