iPad Harvard Business Review: "Why I Returned My iPad"

kjk · 06-16-2010, 12:07 PM

http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2010/06...d-my-ipad.html

Quote:

It didn't take long for me to encounter the dark side of this revolutionary device: it's too good.

It's too easy. Too accessible. Both too fast and too long-lasting. Certainly there are some kinks, but nothing monumental. For the most part, it does everything I could want. Which, as it turns out, is a problem.

It's always something

scottjl · 06-16-2010, 12:10 PM

"be careful what you wish for, you might just get it"

kjk · 06-16-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

he'll be back...they always come back

Bremen Cole · 06-16-2010, 12:17 PM

That is a kick....

But really, it's not for everyone. As I've said before, I bought mine on a trial basis. Sure I kept it and love it. But if it didn't meet my needs, I'd of taken it back in a heartbeat....

kjk · 06-16-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bremen Cole

But if it didn't meet my needs, I'd of taken it back in a heartbeat....

But would you take it back if it met too MANY of your needs?

Bremen Cole · 06-16-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjk

But would you take it back if it met too MANY of your needs?

Truth be told, it is WAY better than I thought it would be, and beyond my expectations (which were really pretty low), and no I would not take it back and didn't take it back

scottjl · 06-16-2010, 12:45 PM

i'm with you bremen.. i picked up an ipad on release day because i had an opportunity to do so and it's a new gadget (and i have a serious addiction to gadgets). i expected to be.. indifferent about it.. not great.. not horrible.. and thought it would soon be collecting dust.

i'm glad to say it's been a daily companion for me now from checking email first thing in the morning (no need to power up my laptop), to reading a book settling to bed at night. it isn't "magical" in the sense that the device does something amazing i couldn't do on something else. it's "magical" because it's thin, light, versatile and so easy to use. i hit a button and tap an icon and i'm checking email. in 15 seconds. and i get a very good email experience. i'm not waiting for a laptop to start up. waiting for an application to start up. by the time my laptop is done booting i'm already reading some feeds on my ipad.

the ipad is here, in my hands, now, it is made by apple. if someone has something that meets my needs better in 6 months, a year, has more features that i need, you can be sure i'll be getting one and chatting with those folk who have them as well.

Maggie Leung · 06-16-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

i'm with you bremen.. i picked up an ipad on release day because i had an opportunity to do so and it's a new gadget (and i have a serious addiction to gadgets). i expected to be.. indifferent about it.. not great.. not horrible.. and thought it would soon be collecting dust.

i'm glad to say it's been a daily companion for me now from checking email first thing in the morning (no need to power up my laptop), to reading a book settling to bed at night. it isn't "magical" in the sense that the device does something amazing i couldn't do on something else. it's "magical" because it's thin, light, versatile and so easy to use. i hit a button and tap an icon and i'm checking email. in 15 seconds. and i get a very good email experience. i'm not waiting for a laptop to start up. waiting for an application to start up. by the time my laptop is done booting i'm already reading some feeds on my ipad.

the ipad is here, in my hands, now, it is made by apple. if someone has something that meets my needs better in 6 months, a year, has more features that i need, you can be sure i'll be getting one and chatting with those folk who have them as well.

I bought one because it sounded like a good fit, figured I'd resell if I didn't like it. Turns out I love it. My husband comes home, I greet him and joke that he should kiss the baby, because the iPad is attached to me like one.

As for magical, I think it is, because it obsesses even those who don't own one.

Just look at all those posters who spend time ranting about a device they don't own.

scottjl · 06-16-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

As for magical, I think it is, because it obsesses even those who don't own one.

Just look at all those posters who spend time ranting about a device they don't own.

magical troll attractor.. just what i needed.

Maggie Leung · 06-16-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

magical troll attractor.. just what i needed.

Lol. I'm into arm-chair psychology, so oddballs interest me.

mgmueller · 06-16-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bremen Cole

Truth be told, it is WAY better than I thought it would be, and beyond my expectations (which were really pretty low), and no I would not take it back and didn't take it back

I don't see your Sony 300 anymore in your profile. Has it been replaced by your iPad? Is iPad a dedicated reader for you? (For me, it's a multipurpose gadget. Surfing, playing games and reading magazines. Reading books is an option, but iPad isn't my preferred solution for that.)

kjk · 06-16-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I don't see your Sony 300 anymore in your profile. Has it been replaced by your iPad? Is iPad a dedicated reader for you? (For me, it's a multipurpose gadget. Surfing, playing games and reading magazines. Reading books is an option, but iPad isn't my preferred solution for that.)

I finally removed the Sony 505 from my profile...sadly, it was neglected for so long it no longer even charges...I guess the battery went bad?

Bremen Cole · 06-16-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I don't see your Sony 300 anymore in your profile. Has it been replaced by your iPad? Is iPad a dedicated reader for you? (For me, it's a multipurpose gadget. Surfing, playing games and reading magazines. Reading books is an option, but iPad isn't my preferred solution for that.)

Yes, my wife and I both sold our Sonys. They were great devices, it is just that the iPad fit us better....

scottjl · 06-16-2010, 03:42 PM

1 ipad for the 2 of you? how do you arrange custody? lol.

wife got a new macbook and is happy with that.

VictoriaP · 06-16-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

1 ipad for the 2 of you? how do you arrange custody? lol.

wife got a new macbook and is happy with that.

We made it about 10 days with only one iPad before I caved and bought my own. Then again, I have only-child syndrome--I don't like to share my toys!

06-16-2010, 12:10 PM	#2
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	"be careful what you wish for, you might just get it" Last edited by scottjl; 06-16-2010 at 12:37 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Yep. It's official. Sony Reader has "ruined" books for me. A final "review."	WilliamG	Sony Reader	48	01-14-2011 03:49 AM
Springer Science+Business Media bringt "MyCopy" nach Europa	beachwanderer	Deutsches Forum	0	05-17-2010 06:25 AM
The "Closed Circle" is open for business	pholy	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	0	12-20-2009 09:24 PM
Pure hilarity! Intro from Iain Bank's "The Business"	ahi	Reading Recommendations	10	08-05-2009 09:13 PM

06-16-2010, 12:17 PM	#4
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	That is a kick.... But really, it's not for everyone. As I've said before, I bought mine on a trial basis. Sure I kept it and love it. But if it didn't meet my needs, I'd of taken it back in a heartbeat....

06-16-2010, 12:45 PM	#7
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	i'm with you bremen.. i picked up an ipad on release day because i had an opportunity to do so and it's a new gadget (and i have a serious addiction to gadgets). i expected to be.. indifferent about it.. not great.. not horrible.. and thought it would soon be collecting dust. i'm glad to say it's been a daily companion for me now from checking email first thing in the morning (no need to power up my laptop), to reading a book settling to bed at night. it isn't "magical" in the sense that the device does something amazing i couldn't do on something else. it's "magical" because it's thin, light, versatile and so easy to use. i hit a button and tap an icon and i'm checking email. in 15 seconds. and i get a very good email experience. i'm not waiting for a laptop to start up. waiting for an application to start up. by the time my laptop is done booting i'm already reading some feeds on my ipad. the ipad is here, in my hands, now, it is made by apple. if someone has something that meets my needs better in 6 months, a year, has more features that i need, you can be sure i'll be getting one and chatting with those folk who have them as well.

06-16-2010, 03:42 PM	#14
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	1 ipad for the 2 of you? how do you arrange custody? lol. wife got a new macbook and is happy with that.