iPad 10 reasons why I'll be passing on the iPad

[dragonbone]

Originally Posted by Lo Zeno

Let's assume that I have an iPad and I am leaving for vacation with my girlfriend; I go to Rome, and I take lots of pictures with my digital camera; in the evening, in my hotel room, we decide to look at our pictures, so I take my iPad out and....
...oh, SHAME! We're forced to look our pictures on the small camera's screen! Had I brought my laptop instead, I would have copied them into it and watched them on a larger screen!

I am assuming of course that I didn't buy the external USB/SD adapter. But my point is, since I expect people to bring the iPad with them during vacation instead of their laptop (because a tablet is a lot less encumbrant), similar situations will happen a lot, and make USB and SD ports a necessity. That's why I don't understand why they are optional instead of integrated.

Another scenario: when I go on vacation, I bring my laptop with me because I actually use it as a media device (I also do work on it, and get beaten by my gf for it, but that's not the point ), for example I can loan a DVD and watch a movie on it in case the hotel/b&b/place where I stay doesn't have a TV set and DVD player.
If I buy a tablet, I expect it to be PORTABLE, so I expect it to satisfy my needs OUTSIDE my house (otherwise I'd buy a desktop PC, which I already have). But the iPad relies heavily on other devices to work... if I want to see a movie on it, I need another PC to transfer it from the PC to the tablet; if I want to install apps I need another PC equipped with iTunes; except the few cases in which I can use the external USB / SD adapter, I always need another PC.

Who goes on holiday to rent DVD's and more importantly who goes on holiday to watch a DVD in a room with no TV or DVD player?
When I'm traveling I'm usually much to exhausted after a full day of sighsteeing or fun in the sun to go and rent a DVD. If one is the type of person to want a TV in the hotel room, then obviously you will get a room with a TV. How can a cheap/budget room with no TV be Apple's fault? Anyway, you could load all your movies on your iPad before leaving home.

I was looking at the pics of the small neat SD card reader, and I can't see what the problem can possible be. On an aside... I have never spent any amount of time looking through my pics on holiday. Once again... too tired after a busy day. I usually save that for when I'm home.

From the Apple website:

Accessories

There are lots of great accessories specifically designed for iPad. The Keyboard Dock, for instance, combines a dock with a full-size keyboard. There’s also a standalone Dock. And because iPad has built-in Bluetooth wireless technology, it works with the Apple Wireless Keyboard, too. The Camera Connection Kit lets you import photos from a camera or SD card. The iPad Case not only protects your iPad, it also allows you to use it in various positions, making it easier to type, look at photos, or watch movies. And through a range of accessories, iPad can play your content on TVs, projectors, and displays.

[petermillard]

Originally Posted by ShadowAuthor

I had a friend ask me what my initial thoughts about the iPad were <insert long rant that could have been replaced with IT'S JUST NOT FAIR - IT'S NOT WHAT I WANTED, IT'S JUST NOT FAIR - IT'S NOT WHAT I WANTED, IT'S JUST NOT FAIR...> etc... Gets old fast, doesn't it?

Dude, we get it; the product that's been trailed in the media for the last couple of years, was announced a week or so ago and will ship in a couple of months doesn't seem to fit the bill for you.

Truth is nobody really knows what it will be like when the product starts shipping, but we do know it's called iPad; get over it. Even 14-year old schoolboys grow up to find that level of humour puerile, usually within a year or so. And no, with iPhone OS it won't do Flash. If it's a problem for you, when it becomes available in a couple of months time, just don't buy it - we won't hold it against you, honest. As for HULU - you do realise that it doesn't work outside the US, right? You know, where 95% of the world's population live? Sure, there may well be other flash-based content that people want to watch in their own language, in which case, see above…

What were they thinking about no multi-tasking? Well, battery life, maybe? Again, this has been discussed endlessly elsewhere, as has the whole e-ink vs LCD debate - do we really need to rehash it at every turn? And I don't think Steve Jobs ever called iPad a 'Kindle Killer' - that's hack tech journos and bloggers trying to drive traffic to their sites with cheap alliterative headlines…

iPad appears to be part of the iPod line-up; none of these products have user-replaceable batteries. Or HDMI out, SD slots, USB ports or RJ45 ethernet. Again, get over it or don't buy it <shrug>

AT&T - see HULU; outside of the US, nobody cares. No camera? No, not on this version at launch, but appears to be a planned additional feature; again, if it's important to you, don't buy one at launch.

I could go on, but to be honest, I'd just end up sounding like an Apple apologist, which isn't my role in life - but I'm sure I can't be the only person getting tired of these constant tirades of what this thing won't do for people, based on the comments of a few hundred people who've actually handled one for ten minutes.

Stay happy.

Pete.

[HansTWN]

It is, of course, easy to watch Hulu and similar websites via VPN when outside the US.

But seriously, everybody here is thinking if he/she should get an iPad. So it does make sense to discuss each of the missing features in detail to see how important it really is, if you can work around them, etc. This "take it or leave it attitude" makes no sense at all.

[Lo Zeno]

Originally Posted by dragonbone

Who goes on holiday to rent DVD's and more importantly who goes on holiday to watch a DVD in a room with no TV or DVD player?
When I'm traveling I'm usually much to exhausted after a full day of sighsteeing or fun in the sun to go and rent a DVD. If one is the type of person to want a TV in the hotel room, then obviously you will get a room with a TV. How can a cheap/budget room with no TV be Apple's fault? Anyway, you could load all your movies on your iPad before leaving home.

I was looking at the pics of the small neat SD card reader, and I can't see what the problem can possible be. On an aside... I have never spent any amount of time looking through my pics on holiday. Once again... too tired after a busy day. I usually save that for when I'm home.

Well, I do. Maybe you didn't notice, but I always wrote in first person, singular. No really, I did. And I do those things a lot, because I like to look again at the pictures I made during the day and I like to watch old sci-fi series before I go to sleep.
Also, while most hotel rooms I have been do have a TV set, not everyone has DVD players, and this, I noticed traveling in Italy, France, Germany, Austria and Czeck (spelling?) Republic, is common. Yet I, and many other that I know, like to watch a nice movie before going to bed.

Also, I am in no way blaming Apple of anything. You said that you didn't see how an SD slot or a USB port was even needed on an iPad, and I told you why some people, like me, see it as necessary instead. I know that Apple has made the adapters, I simply stated that I don't understand why it is optional instead of integrated. Also, the iPad is not cheap, and the adapter isn't either. Money always matters when you are considering a purchase.
A portable device, to me, is a device that I carry with me on vacation (among other things). But I am also one who doesn't carry with himself half a dozen devices: if I can carry the ONE thing to do them all (think Lord of the Rings) then I carry it. Otherwise, it's a waste of space. For example, while I have both a smartphone and an mp3 player, when I am on vacation I carry only the first one and use it as mp3 player. If I were forced to carry with me a DVD Player, an SD card viewer, a netbook and an ebook reader, I'd call myself an idiot because I'd be carrying a lot of things when I could simply take my laptop with me. And if I could switch the laptop with something even more portable, less encumbrant and slimmer, I'd be extremely happy and buy it right away.

Why do I insist on using it on vacation? Because I am not one who walks in parks or does short trips on weekend, the only times I am out of my house are when I am at work or on vacation. If I am at work, I can't, of course, use the iPad (hell, I'm working! I can't run the Eclipse IDE on an iPad); if I am at home, I have my 29" TV set for movies, DVDs and Blu-rays, my PC for internet, my iPod stereo dock for music, my wii for gaming, etc. So far, I think that most people will agree that buying an iPad to use it only at home would be a waste.

[dragonbone]

Originally Posted by Lo Zeno

Also, the iPad is not cheap, and the adapter isn't either. Money always matters when you are considering a purchase.

OK, I finally get it; you will be passing on the iPad! It's too expensive and not what you want.
I totally forgot that this is the '10 reasons why I will be passing on the iPad' thread. I'm a bit slow on the uptake sometime. Yes, I'm getting treatment for my condition .

[Yoshi 1080]

My Sony Digicam has a proprietary port that needs an adapter to connect to a standard USB port. The battery can't be charged via USB but has to be taken out of the device and plugged into a separate charger. And, of course, the photos are stored on a crappy flash card format that nobody but Sony uses. All of this sucks a** but I can live with it. So I'm sure the extra USB adapter for the iPad won't kill me either.

Clearly, this is a bug rather than a feature, but there are simply no perfect gadgets in the world. Every gadget has its own shortcomings and compromises. To me, the iPad has the least shortcomings and the most to offer, so I'm buying it.

[nekokami]

Reminder: You are welcome to post your speculations or opinions about the iPad, whether you love it, hate it, or are indifferent. But please avoid statements that amount to "...and anyone who doesn't agree with me is a moron." (And just to be clear, "who would want to do that?" is exactly that kind of statement.)

We now return you to your regularly scheduled banter.

[Lo Zeno]

Originally Posted by dragonbone

OK, I finally get it; you will be passing on the iPad! It's too expensive and not what you want.

I will be passing on this first version of the iPad, for sure. But as I wrote in the last lines of this post, I expect Apple to make quite soon some new versions of the iPad, which will probably cost less or have more features for the same price (as happened for iPod and iPhone), and I can bet that one of the next versions will be the one for me.

I learnt a long time ago that often it's a better idea to wait and see if they make new versions of something before buying it (and it applies to anything, not just Apple products).

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by Lo Zeno

I learnt a long time ago that often it's a better idea to wait and see if they make new versions of something before buying it (and it applies to anything, not just Apple products).

Agreed. Early adopting a new type of product is seldom a good idea unless you're the type that just has to be the first kid on the block with the new gadget.

You end up paying the highest price to feature ratio that this new device will ever have. I mean if the first gen device does everything someone needs, then by all means snap one up at launch. But for most it's better to wait until there are more options, kinks are worked out, prices come down etc.

[CyGuy]

And who knows, maybe Apple is viewing this very thread and will take the rants constructively, we may get a better product at some point because of this!

[Yoshi 1080]

There will always be something better on the horizont. But I'm living now so I want an iPad NOW!

I'm still happy with my iPhone 2G so I'm sure I won't regret investing in the future too early.

[Trubu]

Originally Posted by Lo Zeno

If I buy a tablet, I expect it to be PORTABLE, so I expect it to satisfy my needs OUTSIDE my house (otherwise I'd buy a desktop PC, which I already have). But the iPad relies heavily on other devices to work... if I want to see a movie on it, I need another PC to transfer it from the PC to the tablet; if I want to install apps I need another PC equipped with iTunes; except the few cases in which I can use the external USB / SD adapter, I always need another PC.

iTunes is built into the iPad, so you can happily download movies/music directly to the device, no PC required. Now, maybe you don't buy from iTunes but instead convert your own DVDs or whatever (this is typically what I do); yeah, in that case you need a PC/Mac to transfer movies/music to the iPad. I have a 32GB 3GS that currently has 4 movies, 10 or so TV episodes, and various podcasts on it, in addition to 15GB of music, a dozen or so audiobooks, and several dozen ebooks. Even if I'm on vacation and don't bring a computer, I have plenty of media to get me through (not to mention all of the games and other apps). Unless you plan on spending all of your time away from a computer voraciously consuming media, I don't see this as a big issue. (BTW, my wife hooks her iPhone up to a computer about twice a year and she's perfectly happy that way.)

There are also a few different apps like Sling and Orb that can give you remote access to your entire media library at home if you really, really need access to it at all times.

Your point about "if I want to install apps I need another PC equipped with iTunes" is just flat wrong. You can download as many apps as you want via the built-in App Store directly to the device without ever touching a PC.

Don't get me wrong - I used to be a "I want my entire media collection with me at all times!" guy. What I found when I first got an iPhone is that even with "only" 16GB to work with, the amount of media I can carry at any one time vastly outstrips the pace at which I can consume it, and that a good deal of my extensive media library is composed of stuff that I really don't need access to on a daily basis (and, truthfully, that I'll very likely never or rarely revisit again).

[scottjl]

i have about 6TB of video (hundreds of movies) and 600G of music (over 2000 albums) on my home media server (yes, all converted by me using LAME and Handbrake). i don't expect any device currently available to be able to carry it all with me, and i don't want to. like trubu i have a 32G iPhone and currently carry 13 videos, 810 photos, 1541 songs and 157 apps (including stanza loaded up with 50 or so books, classics with its books, and great books with however many it has) with 2G still free. i'd say that's plenty to get me through a week or four without seeing a desktop again to reload.

let's just say i'm glad i don't have to carry my dvd or cd collection around with me.

[Crowl]

Originally Posted by dragonbone

Who goes on holiday to rent DVD's and more importantly who goes on holiday to watch a DVD in a room with no TV or DVD player?
When I'm traveling I'm usually much to exhausted after a full day of sighsteeing or fun in the sun to go and rent a DVD. If one is the type of person to want a TV in the hotel room, then obviously you will get a room with a TV. How can a cheap/budget room with no TV be Apple's fault? Anyway, you could load all your movies on your iPad before leaving home.

Typically hotels in european hotels will have a tv, but not a dvd since most would prefer to sell you on demand movies and as far as nobody wanting to watch a film, just because you don't relax in that way doesn't mean lots of others won't.

I was looking at the pics of the small neat SD card reader, and I can't see what the problem can possible be. On an aside... I have never spent any amount of time looking through my pics on holiday. Once again... too tired after a busy day. I usually save that for when I'm home.

The issue with the usb/sd card reader is that even being fairly compact it is still drastically larger than if the device simply had a port built-in, not to mention the needless additional cost.

Also, you should probably bear in mind the fact that anecdote is not the singular of data and just because you have no interest in viewing your photos that isn't the case for many other people.

[scottjl]

Originally Posted by Crowl

The issue with the usb/sd card reader is that even being fairly compact it is still drastically larger than if the device simply had a port built-in, not to mention the needless additional cost.

Also, you should probably bear in mind the fact that anecdote is not the singular of data and just because you have no interest in viewing your photos that isn't the case for many other people.

You make some very large assumptions here:

1. That Apple could fit the necessary hardware, along with the proper port, into the iPad, while maintaining the smooth, clean design that Apple is all about.

2. That Apple felt they could pass the cost for this additional hardware and design on to the consumer successfully (and don't say they have "wiggle room" because all of those articles are speculation).

3. That Apple felt there would be sufficient customer need for a SD slot on the hardware to begin with (you don't have a single point of data indicating the masses want a slot).

You have to think, Apple's not stupid, and this iPad has been in design for some time now. If Apple wanted a SD slot in there, it would be there. So they obviously felt it wasn't worth the time, money, or fit into their plans to include one in this version.

To be honest, I have SD slots in 3 of my current laptops and I rarely use them. When I do, it's for "sneakernet" type activities. So I won't miss a SD slot on the iPad. Would it be nice? Sure. But if it gets as much use as the slots on my notebooks and netbooks it will be filled with dust more often than a SD card.