Thoughts on the Apple iPad.

Hey, so i was wondering what everyone thought of the Apple iPad, im going to be looking at getting either an ipad or a notebook at some stage in the next 12 months. From what i can see it is more or less a new take on the notebook, the only reason i would look at getting a notebook would be that i think it would be easier to type on it.  
So, what are your thoughts, will the iPad sink or swim??? 

The lack of flash is lame. I'd rather get a 13" Macbook Pro.

I am a Mac user, but it isn't for me.  I can't justify the cost with it would do for me.   I will stick to the Macbook.

I'd rather get a Notebook/Macbook/Laptop.

It does certainly look interesting but, it's just a giant iPod Touch.

I already have an iPhone and a Laptop.

It really depends what you are looking for. And if you feel you want something like the ipad, don't rule out other tablet PCs, more of which are coming on the market every day. And they wont carry the apple tax either!

Well iv always wanted to try out a mac, but to be honest i dont have the money and i really dont need one seeing as i dont have any need for the graphic design functions. All i really need a computer for these days is email, internet and word processing.  

The first generation will almost definitely sink. But with more marketing and more features I could see the second gen succeeding. I imagine their target audience is not power users who need to multitask, but casual users who want to watch a movie in bed or something. 

" The first generation will almost definitely sink. But with more marketing and more features I could see the second gen succeeding. I imagine their target audience is not power users who need to multitask, but casual users who want to watch a movie in bed or something.  "

" @Geno said:

" The first generation will almost definitely sink. But with more marketing and more features I could see the second gen succeeding. I imagine their target audience is not power users who need to multitask, but casual users who want to watch a movie in bed or something.  "

Is that Audience willing to drop 500-800 dollars when there are much cheaper alternatives? "

" @Asurastrike said:

" @Geno said:

" The first generation will almost definitely sink. But with more marketing and more features I could see the second gen succeeding. I imagine their target audience is not power users who need to multitask, but casual users who want to watch a movie in bed or something.  "

Is that Audience willing to drop 500-800 dollars when there are much cheaper alternatives? "

That audience is not typically aware of cheaper alternatives.  "

" @Asurastrike said:

" @Geno said:

" The first generation will almost definitely sink. But with more marketing and more features I could see the second gen succeeding. I imagine their target audience is not power users who need to multitask, but casual users who want to watch a movie in bed or something.  "

Is that Audience willing to drop 500-800 dollars when there are much cheaper alternatives? "

That audience is not typically aware of cheaper alternatives.  "

" The first generation will almost definitely sink. But with more marketing and more features I could see the second gen succeeding. I imagine their target audience is not power users who need to multitask, but casual users who want to watch a movie in bed or something.  "

" @Geno said:

" The first generation will almost definitely sink. But with more marketing and more features I could see the second gen succeeding. I imagine their target audience is not power users who need to multitask, but casual users who want to watch a movie in bed or something.  "

The problem though is that Apple is locked into a certain developmental progression with the device because it's intrinsically tied to iTunes and the AppStore so matter how much marketing and improving they do the platform's inherent locked in limitations will always be superseded by better, less locked in devices.  How long do you think it will be before MS (who already has much more infrastructure in place - Netflix on XBOX 360, HD On Demand Movies via Media Center and so - all bolstered by world wide Akamai mirrors whom MS is the biggest customer of - Windows Updates have always been via Akamai mirrors) or some other company like HP or Asus comes out with a competitor to the iPad which will be more powerful, just as simple to use and likely cheaper with just as large a library of apps and content?  Not long at all I'd say.  Apple fucked up by making the iPad more like an iPod and less like an iMac Air sans keyboard.  It's already too late. "

Or you could just not buy the overexpensive apple thing just because it's new.

" @Geno said:

" @Asurastrike said:

" @Geno said:

" The first generation will almost definitely sink. But with more marketing and more features I could see the second gen succeeding. I imagine their target audience is not power users who need to multitask, but casual users who want to watch a movie in bed or something.  "

Is that Audience willing to drop 500-800 dollars when there are much cheaper alternatives? "

That audience is not typically aware of cheaper alternatives.  "

I think they are, but choose Apple very deliberately.  I am very sceptical that this will succeed.  I would be happy to be proven wrong, but I doubt I will. "

@SeriouslyNow

" @Geno said:

" The first generation will almost definitely sink. But with more marketing and more features I could see the second gen succeeding. I imagine their target audience is not power users who need to multitask, but casual users who want to watch a movie in bed or something.  "

The problem though is that Apple is locked into a certain developmental progression with the device because it's intrinsically tied to iTunes and the AppStore so matter how much marketing and improving they do the platform's inherent locked in limitations will always be superseded by better, less locked in devices.  How long do you think it will be before MS (who already has much more infrastructure in place - Netflix on XBOX 360, HD On Demand Movies via Media Center and so - all bolstered by world wide Akamai mirrors whom MS is the biggest customer of - Windows Updates have always been via Akamai mirrors) or some other company like HP or Asus comes out with a competitor to the iPad which will be more powerful, just as simple to use and likely cheaper with just as large a library of apps and content?  Not long at all I'd say.  Apple fucked up by making the iPad more like an iPod and less like an iMac Air sans keyboard.  It's already too late. "

There's already the iPod Touch and the MacBook. I don't see any need for a middle ground.

I'll be back in a couple of generations when these things are actually useful rather than gizmos.

dumb

" I already have an iPhone and a Laptop. "

I'm trying to figure out why everyone really thinks this is a super-horrible device. It's for those who also don't need the functionality of a laptop. It's more for casual usage. You can't honestly tell me that someone is buying this to write a novel.

"

 
Its a really difficult decision. Functionality or being the raddest kid on the block? 

"

Do yourself a favor and get an iPhone/iTouch and you won't miss out on anything.

" I am a Mac user, but it isn't for me.  I can't justify the cost with it would do for me.   I will stick to the Macbook. "

Underpowered piece of crap, but knowing mac users they'll gobble it up and force it mainstream.