Are you going to buy an iPad?

[Aeaea]

Here is a good article that discusses Apple's marketing strategies and how the iPad should be targeted (i.e., not at people who already have laptops and iPhones -- unless the iPad allows one to be given up).

Necessity vs. Want & Apple’s Mobile Pitch for The iPad
-- Apple-Bits

http://apple-bits.com/2010/02/necessity-vs-need-ipad/


"I really don’t agree with its product pitch, because all it’s meant to do is either entice previous Apple owners to buy yet another device, or to encourage you to buy more Apple products. Which isn’t right, because Apple isn’t selling a philosophy – they’re trying to sell a device (bad move). Apple, man up! Pull your pants up and sell this on the idea that it’s a laptop replacement, that it’s the future of computing, and not an accompanying device. Because there are three truths to reveal and I’m not afraid to call them out...."

[NineSwords]

Today I found myself leaning more to the "maybe" side. Let's see of Apple got me when this thing comes out.

[Thunderclaw]

It might be going on pre-order next week.
One thing that it really needs is a camera. I feel that the absence of a camera is the biggest thing that killed it for me.

Although some rumors indicate that it will have a camera.

[jimmeh]

The ipad looks nice and an enlarged itouch/iphone is very nice, but considering the price I would rather buy a new laptop. Holding the iPad in one hand, it's hard for me to type with only 1 hand and most of the time, I'm not in front of a table where I could set it down. I love to watch anime, but not all the anime I watch is viewable on youtube and if the iPad doesn't support the flash player for other streaming video websites, then it's a thumbs down for me.

[shigzeo]

Indeed - HTML has been beset with some poor planning. FLASH seems to be a necessary evil for now, but I do wish it erased NOW. Imagine if 50 years ago, some bloke who made the deadbolt fun to use on front doors sold his invention to everyone and it got so ubiquitous that every country in the world had to buy the same deadbolt in order to lock their valuables up: what would happen?

[VejOut]

Well, changed my mind on the iPad. Got tired of the ever increasing cost of electronic books from Amazon (who is bending to the whims of the publishers), so I figure since the iPad has the Kindle app, and iBookstore app, and a B&N eReader, as well as several others with free books, it's a good multi-book reader that I can also check my mail on.

[droogerj]

Having owned a Kindle and more recently a nook, I would have to agree that the iPad seems to be a better option. One device you can choose from three apps for reading, seems to be a smarter choice. You have the ability to read from Amazon, B&N, and iTunes. Hopefully they will all stay competitive with pricing to keep you switching between the three of them, which would be better for the consumer.

[cjrnic]

I think I'll pass. Just got into the iPhone, so I'll enjoy the newness of it for awhile.

[shigzeo]

10 hours of book reading is very, very good, plus the thing can be plugged in like the iPod, but plugging something large in is just more... intuitive. Cannot wait to see on at the Apple Stores when I visit Canada in the summer.

[Thunderclaw]

I doubt it'll last 10 hours. Probably only with the most dim setting with wifi off.

Plus, it's not e-ink, which will hurt your eyes.