MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Apple Tablet -- Who needs it?

Laurentiu · 01-07-2010, 09:31 AM

Well, let's make something clear: there is a market for iPhone as there is one for Nokia. There is a market for iMac as there is one for PC. And, there will be a market for iSlate (let's use this name, for now), as there is one for Sony PRS-600 and Kindle.

Each product has advantages and disadvantages. I don't think it's fair to start bashing a product or people that use it just because that specific product does not fit your needs. Each product is intended to serve a specific segment and companies make efforts to identify the needs and wants of that specific segment. So far, wheter some people like it or not, or want to admit or not, Apple proved to be a successful company - if you look at the share prices over the last five years, you cannot deny this: it went from $34 in 2005 to +$210 now! Add M$ to the chart and you will see that their share price stayed constant over these five years (+12.84%), while Apple registered an increase of 555%! In my eyes, that says a lot!

Let me put it in another words: there is Rolex and Timex. Both products show the time, however, they are clearly intended for different people (or markets, since people make the market) with the same NEED (they need to know the time), but different WANTS (and pockets). Saying that whoever buys a Rolex is snob is unfair. Same goes for the auto industry: some people would never spend more than $15-20K on a new car and will always buy a Hyundai or KIA, while others prefer to drive in the luxury offered by a Mercedes-Benz. They both arrive at their destination, of course, but in a different way!

Returning to the topic: I am sure that Apple did their homework prior to developing and launching the iSlate. I, personally, have always wondered how come they don't have a true e-reader - let's face it: iPhone and iPod can be used for this purpose but, in my opinion, the screen size is a major drawback (again, I know that some of you have iPods and read books on it. I, personally, am not part of that segment - so, here we come back again to market segmentation). If the new iSlate will incorporate a reader with a web browser, a multimedia player and a 10-12" colour screen, plus wi-fi internet connectivity, I think that its success is guaranteed. There is definitively a market for this kind of gadget - after all, I know people that use their computer just for browsing the internet, downloading music and movies, and for e-mail or other kind of social communication. Pricing it at around $1000 seems to be right, for me, although, as I said, I will not rush to buy it right away. I am sure that in one year the prices will drop, so, I'd better wait until then.

01-07-2010, 09:31 AM	#93
Laurentiu Connoisseur Posts: 94 Karma: 78 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Germany Device: iPad 2, Sony PRS-600 (no longer used)	Well, let's make something clear: there is a market for iPhone as there is one for Nokia. There is a market for iMac as there is one for PC. And, there will be a market for iSlate (let's use this name, for now), as there is one for Sony PRS-600 and Kindle. Each product has advantages and disadvantages. I don't think it's fair to start bashing a product or people that use it just because that specific product does not fit your needs. Each product is intended to serve a specific segment and companies make efforts to identify the needs and wants of that specific segment. So far, wheter some people like it or not, or want to admit or not, Apple proved to be a successful company - if you look at the share prices over the last five years, you cannot deny this: it went from $34 in 2005 to +$210 now! Add M$ to the chart and you will see that their share price stayed constant over these five years (+12.84%), while Apple registered an increase of 555%! In my eyes, that says a lot! Let me put it in another words: there is Rolex and Timex. Both products show the time, however, they are clearly intended for different people (or markets, since people make the market) with the same NEED (they need to know the time), but different WANTS (and pockets). Saying that whoever buys a Rolex is snob is unfair. Same goes for the auto industry: some people would never spend more than $15-20K on a new car and will always buy a Hyundai or KIA, while others prefer to drive in the luxury offered by a Mercedes-Benz. They both arrive at their destination, of course, but in a different way! Returning to the topic: I am sure that Apple did their homework prior to developing and launching the iSlate. I, personally, have always wondered how come they don't have a true e-reader - let's face it: iPhone and iPod can be used for this purpose but, in my opinion, the screen size is a major drawback (again, I know that some of you have iPods and read books on it. I, personally, am not part of that segment - so, here we come back again to market segmentation). If the new iSlate will incorporate a reader with a web browser, a multimedia player and a 10-12" colour screen, plus wi-fi internet connectivity, I think that its success is guaranteed. There is definitively a market for this kind of gadget - after all, I know people that use their computer just for browsing the internet, downloading music and movies, and for e-mail or other kind of social communication. Pricing it at around $1000 seems to be right, for me, although, as I said, I will not rush to buy it right away. I am sure that in one year the prices will drop, so, I'd better wait until then.