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Why Do I Want an iPad?
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JulesandSand
25-06-2011
Every time I see one on TV , I want one, whenever I pass an Apple store I go in and play with one.

I'm not a particular Apple fan - their laptops are stylish but ridiculously overpriced compared with Windows laptops. I have an iPod nano somewhere that I used to use at the gym (ahem - used to) and nothing else they make interests me.

Why do I want one - I know gadget-freakery is built in to my genetic make-up, is it just the slick adverts or is there something else?
JamesParkin
25-06-2011
Because it is a very beautiful gadget.
It is so simple to use
It is convenient
Biffo the Bear
25-06-2011
Because you're intimidated by the wealth of superior Android devices?
JulesandSand
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Biffo the Bear:
“Because you're intimidated by the wealth of superior Android devices?”

Name 3.
alanwarwic
25-06-2011
It's OK being beautiful, simple and convenient if you keep aspirations low.

It can't do many of the things even a cheap £60 'best of the worst' android tablet can. It maybe never will, in that functionality interferes with corporate profit making.
soulboy77
25-06-2011
Because you are seduced by the Apple marketing machine which lets them charge a premium price for a product because of the perceived 'coolness' factor.
zapod
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by alanwarwic:
“It's OK being beautiful, simple and convenient if you keep aspirations low.

It can't do many of the things even a cheap £60 'best of the worst' android tablet can. It maybe never will, in that functionality interferes with corporate profit making.”

If you're talking about Flash - and I suspect you are - then that's a long dead horse.

Name me three compelling Android apps that either run better on a 60 quid tab, or are so exclusive as to have me dropping my iPad and running for the nearest Currys.

I'll save you some time: there aren't any.
TH14
25-06-2011
There are many detractors on these boards but I have an iPad 2 and love it. I browse the web on it mainly, watch my favourite tv shows, play games I took it on a 10 hr flight recently and it really did pass the time
IvanIV
25-06-2011
You need to go to AAA, Apple Addicts Annonymous
AJ2001
25-06-2011
To the OP

Why did I want an Ipad2? Because I wanted my newspapers and mags from abroad early morning available for me to read. I have fantastic news apps like Sky news and ESPN that keeps me updated on what's going on in the world, same for some other from retail and finance apps critical for my work, office tools, remote access to my desktop pc at work and then there's always the app store - beats the Marketplace hands down, no matter of what any Android fanboy might tell you. Now, some of the above can be given to you by a laptop or an Android Device. As effective, simple and functional as an IPad? I ve tried it and I don t think so. I want something that works with no hassle, 1 or 2 touches away.In my opinion No other device gives you that as well as an Ipad.You might have a dif experience. Try them all and then decide.
TH14
25-06-2011
It really makes me laugh how people aren't allowed to say they like an apple product without being called a fanboy etc etc. People say apple fans are obsessed but I think the android fanboys are worse as they are the ones who jump into every apple related thread and trash their products. I love getting home from work at night and using the BBC iPlayer app as well to catch up. It's a great device
psionic
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by AJ2001:
“Try them all and then decide.”

That's what I'd say too. Have a play with them all. Only you can decide what suits you. So far the only Android tablets that have impressed me cost close to, or as much as an iPad. Although something running W7 which can be laptop - with a detachable tablet screen is very tempting. I've had the iPad 1 since release and have been very pleased with it, I have to say.
John Malkovich
25-06-2011
You want one because everybody else seems to want one.

It's human nature to be led by the masses and starstruck.

The iPad is nothing special. Apple's marketing however is.
2shy2007
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by JamesParkin:
“Because it is a very beautiful gadget.
It is so simple to use
It is convenient”

This.
Chocdoc
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by JulesandSand:
“Name 3. ”

Well the Xoom and the ASUS tablet are 'better' imo.
Chocdoc
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by AJ2001:
“To the OP

Why did I want an Ipad2? Because I wanted my newspapers and mags from abroad early morning available for me to read. I have fantastic news apps like Sky news and ESPN that keeps me updated on what's going on in the world, same for some other from retail and finance apps critical for my work, office tools, remote access to my desktop pc at work and then there's always the app store - beats the Marketplace hands down, no matter of what any Android fanboy might tell you. Now, some of the above can be given to you by a laptop or an Android Device. As effective, simple and functional as an IPad? I ve tried it and I don t think so. I want something that works with no hassle, 1 or 2 touches away.In my opinion No other device gives you that as well as an Ipad.You might have a dif experience. Try them all and then decide.”

You can do all of that on Android. Quite simply well.
Matt D
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by TH14:
“It really makes me laugh how people aren't allowed to say they like an apple product without being called a fanboy etc etc. People say apple fans are obsessed but I think the android fanboys are worse as they are the ones who jump into every apple related thread and trash their products.”

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Chocdoc:
“Well the Xoom and the ASUS tablet are 'better' imo.”

How so?
alanwarwic
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by JamesParkin:
“Because it is a very beautiful gadget.
It is so simple to use
It is convenient”

I got seduced by a £5 egg timer that is identical sounding.
Chocdoc
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Matt D:
“Agreed.



How so?”

Well I no more about the Xoom, so:

Physically bigger screen
Higher res screen
Higher res camera's, font and back
Home screen widgets and customisation
Stereo sound (Ipad2 has mono)
Support for much more audio and video formats (even MKV with subs)
More RAM (Ipad 2 has 512mb, Xoom 1GB)
SD Slot
Xoom has 4g support to come for free
Can make phone calls on Xoom, cant on Ipad 2
Full USB support with the ability to plug in camera's, game controllers, flash drives etc
Drag and drop storage, no forced Itunes syncing
Built in HDMI out

However, the Ipad is lighter than the Xoom and is a bit thinner.

If any of these are wrong, feel free to correct me.
John259
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Chocdoc:
“Well I know more about the Xoom, so:
...SD Slot”

Thanks, that's useful info.

I did a bit of research and read comments saying the Xoom hardware is excellent but the SD slot wasn't working yet due to software problems, plus a few other similar but relatively minor quibbles. Do you know if they're fixed yet?
zapod
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Chocdoc:
“Well I no more about the Xoom, so:

Physically bigger screen
Higher res screen
Higher res camera's, font and back
Home screen widgets and customisation
Stereo sound (Ipad2 has mono)
Support for much more audio and video formats (even MKV with subs)
More RAM (Ipad 2 has 512mb, Xoom 1GB)
SD Slot
Xoom has 4g support to come for free
Can make phone calls on Xoom, cant on Ipad 2
Full USB support with the ability to plug in camera's, game controllers, flash drives etc
Drag and drop storage, no forced Itunes syncing
Built in HDMI out

However, the Ipad is lighter than the Xoom and is a bit thinner.

If any of these are wrong, feel free to correct me.”

But where's the software? The hardware's great, but where are the compelling, iPad beating apps?

My iPad is an app engine. It's a window onto software. And there are some truly amazing apps on iOS. That alone is worth the entry fee.

Phone calls? Skype.
HDMI? Why bother - I can stream wirelessly to my TV.
USB? I can attach a MIDI keyboard and control Garageband, amongst others.
Chocdoc
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by John259:
“Thanks, that's useful info.

I did a bit of research and read comments saying the Xoom hardware is excellent but the SD slot wasn't working yet due to software problems, plus a few other similar but relatively minor quibbles. Do you know if they're fixed yet?”

Well the fix for the SD card has just been released in Japan and the European roll out has started so I'm just waiting on the update. It's some time in the next few weeks.
Chocdoc
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by zapod:
“But where's the software? The hardware's great, but where are the compelling, iPad beating apps?

My iPad is an app engine. It's a window onto software. And there are some truly amazing apps on iOS. That alone is worth the entry fee.

Phone calls? Skype.
HDMI? Why bother - I can stream wirelessly to my TV.
USB? I can attach a MIDI keyboard and control Garageband, amongst others.”

Ok, well in the example you give above, one thing I do is play SNES games on my TV. I use the HDMI out to connect and I can play with a USB controller, such as PS3 controller.

And I could receive a phone call in the middle. None of this requires me to buy an app or a USB adaptor or an HDMI adaptor as it's all built in,

Please tell me the steps required to say, play Angry Birds on a non-wireless TV using an IPAD 2 and a controller. I genuinely don't know. Do you need to buy an adaptor to connect the Ipad to HDMI on the TV? How much is it? Where does the USB controller in this example plug into?
Matt D
25-06-2011
Although the Xoom has more RAM, the iPad 2 has a superior GPU, and they both have the same CPU.

Screen... Yes, the Xoom's screen has a slightly higher resolution, but only because the screen is slightly larger due to the AR being 16:9 rather than 4:3. iPad 3 / iPad 2HD (rumoured for September, if not March) will have a "Retina display" like the iPhone 4, with the vertical & horizontal both doubled. Still 4:3 though of course...admittedly I would prefer 16:9 due to playing a lot of videos.

Cameras... Don't care, personally. Never used the ones on mine, never plan on using them. I admit they are lower resolution, though, although they sound sufficient to me for what they're used for. VGA on the front for video calling, 720p on the back for video recording. Don't see why anyone would want to use a tablet to take stills (well, or even video for that matter), but that's me.

Phone... Why use a tablet as a phone?

Flash... Don't care, personally. Not needed for iPlayer, 4oD, YouTube, or TVCatchup.com. I don't play Flash games, don't like Flash sites, and have no desire to see Flash adverts. I rarely use Flash on my PC, and haven't missed it on the iPad.

Videos... Although the iPad's Videos app only supports Apple's fave formats, there are plenty of 3rd party apps that play Xvids etc. I use AVPlayerHD, which can handle pretty much everything, including HD MKV files with subs.

Sound... Only one speaker, yes, but the iPad has stereo sound via the headphone socket.

Accessories...£35 for the HDMI adaptor, £25 for the "camera connection kit" (USB plus an SD slot). Don't give a monkey's about either, myself, but I admit it's the standard Apple thing of making you pay for these things instead of including them.

Syncing... yep, sadly not drag and drop. Still, iTunes isn't as bad as some make out, plus syncing will improve greatly when iOS5 is out in September.
John259
25-06-2011
Several user reviews that I read said, in effect, that the Xoom is the better choice if you want to fiddle around with the operating system but the iPad is the better choice if you want to use the tablet to do things with.

Is that a fair assessment though?
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