I'm sick of hearing about iPad! iPad iPad iPad!!

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

You haven't found a review that points out the good and the bad?

Read your own words! You did a great job, and I agree with them all!

It is great device, except for what it doesn't have!

Perfect!

But I'm not a reviewer! When I want to buy something, I generally search for reviews (in the case of the Ipad I wasn't going to buy, but rather was curious about it). But those reviews that only mention a device is perfect, I generally skip. Those reviews that only mention a device sucks, I usually read, with a healthy amount of skepticism. I always read reviews that describe the good and the bad. I'll decide for myself if I find that good, good, and the bad, bad, but at least I'll know more about the device.

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

I am waiting for the perfect device. But I am pretty certain when it arrives, it will slip through my fingers, and splatter on the floor.

... And even then, it will be obsolete 6 months later.

Will there ever be a prefect device?

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

And I also agree that to my eye, the kindle is an ugly device, But I find their users beautiful, and charming.

Charming, generally yes. Beautiful, no idea, never actually seen a Kindle owner

[Katti's Cat]

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

... and find no reason to degrade them, or their users.

Lets call the iPad & their users the blondes of the reader world. Or don't you laugh about blonde jokes either? Well, I am sure we'll find someone else soon.

Gotta laugh about something. And not enough people laugh about me craddling my Sony.

[nikkie]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

But I'm not a reviewer! When I want to buy something, I generally search for reviews (in the case of the Ipad I wasn't going to buy, but rather was curious about it). But those reviews that only mention a device is perfect, I generally skip. Those reviews that only mention a device sucks, I usually read, with a healthy amount of skepticism. I always read reviews that describe the good and the bad. I'll decide for myself if I find that good, good, and the bad, bad, but at least I'll know more about the device.

Here's the problem:

The good:
Support for multiple drm formats.
Lit screen for reading in the dark.
Large size is good for PDFs and technical books.
Zippy fast rendering.
Costs $500 instead of $800 like a Que proReader or iRex DR1000.
Can load files via Wifi to apps that support it.

The bad:
Supports it's own proprietary DRM format.
Lit screen is not e-Ink.
Large screen means it is considerably heavier than all the 6" readers.
Can be used for other non-reading distracting things like watching movies or playing games.
Costs $500 instead of $259 like the Kindle or Nook.
Must use iTunes if you want to add files via USB.

Any given user will have to decide for himself what light he sees the iPad from.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by nikkie

Here's the problem:

The good:
Support for multiple drm formats.
Lit screen for reading in the dark.
Large size is good for PDFs and technical books.
Zippy fast rendering.
Costs $500 instead of $800 like a Que proReader or iRex DR1000.
Can load files via Wifi to apps that support it.

The bad:
Supports it's own proprietary DRM format.
Lit screen is not e-Ink.
Large screen means it is considerably heavier than all the 6" readers.
Can be used for other non-reading distracting things like watching movies or playing games.
Costs $500 instead of $259 like the Kindle or Nook.
Must use iTunes if you want to add files via USB.

Any given user will have to decide for himself what light he sees the iPad from.

Actually, you're doing the same as most reviewers that did point out both sides. Comparing a larger LCD device with a smaller e-ink device. You just can't compare them! It's like comparing apples with pears. Also, you're only focusing on reading on it, while it's not a dedicated reader.

But your example gives me a good starter to explain what I mean!


What i would have written is:

The device has a good LCD screen, backlit, so you can use it in the dark.
It is a large sized screen, thus good for PDF's and technical books.
It has a fast processor, so pages are rendered fast.
It has WiFi so you can connect to the internet if you have a wireless signal available (some models also support 3G).
The weight is xxxg, which means it's heavier than the average e-ink dedicated reader, but lighter than the average laptop.
The price is lower than the average larger screened e-ink dedicated device.
It can be used for more functions than reading, such as internet browsing or watching movies.
Files can be loaded by way of USB, but this must go by way of Itunes.
It supports Apple's own DRM and other DRM formats *.


I wrote exactly the same as you, but I didn't put any personal values to them. It's those personal values that can completely ruin a review. I always get a feeling they want to push you in a certain direction.


* where did you read support for multiple DRM formats? Can you read DRM mobipocket on them? DRM ebook? DRM LIT? I'll presume you can read DRM epub (not only their own DRM scheme)

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Either a person is crazy about it and only points out its strong points, or a person finds only flaws with it. I've not really found any review that points out both.

I have read a very nice review at the very beginning.
The first part of review was a test it the reader is a geek and then there were two parts of review.
First part was for non-geeks - you are going to love it.
And the last part was for geeks - you are NOT going to love it.

It was very nicely written and pointing out all important aspects.

[nikkie]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Actually, you're doing the same as most reviewers that did point out both sides. Comparing a larger LCD device with a smaller e-ink device. You just can't compare them! It's like comparing apples with pears. Also, you're only focusing on reading on it, while it's not a dedicated reader.

But your example gives me a good starter to explain what I mean!


What i would have written is:

The device has a good LCD screen, backlit, so you can use it in the dark.
It is a large sized screen, thus good for PDF's and technical books.
It has a fast processor, so pages are rendered fast.
It has WiFi so you can connect to the internet if you have a wireless signal available (some models also support 3G).
The weight is xxxg, which means it's heavier than the average e-ink dedicated reader, but lighter than the average laptop.
The price is lower than the average larger screened e-ink dedicated device.
It can be used for more functions than reading, such as internet browsing or watching movies.
Files can be loaded by way of USB, but this must go by way of Itunes.
It supports Apple's own DRM and other DRM formats *.


I wrote exactly the same as you, but I didn't put any personal values to them. It's those personal values that can completely ruin a review. I always get a feeling they want to push you in a certain direction.

None of the comments above are "personal" values. I love my iPad, but not really for any of the reasons listed. I like it mainly because the tactile experience makes it feel more connected to me personally, and because it's fun. Those aren't things you can quantify or objectively measure, so I usually just leave them out.

Part of the problem is that there really aren't any good product comparisons for the iPad. So people have to compare them against what they do have, and it leads to very dual-edged arguments. Just like you wouldn't prefer to use a pick-up truck for commuting, but you might if it was your only vehicle, the iPad is more of a van (or maybe a cadillac??) to a 6" reader's civic. (Making a desktop a dumptruck? But I thought we already knew the internet wasn't a dumptruck... :-P) Anyway, sometimes its nice to have more than one car?

It really depends on what and who the reviewer is reviewing for. If they want an ebook reader for fiction, comparing against a 6" device is a good choice since 6" devices emulate paperback pretty well. If you're comparing against technical books, comparing against the Que or iRex DR1000 is a good choice. That's why I slanted the first one towards comparisons of that type, and the latter for paperbacks. Technical books and large format reading (and comics) is really where the iPad shines. It can do all the things a 6" reader can, but there's no real reason to use an iPad for it, since it is kind of heavy. (But then again, so is my Wheel of Time novel...) Some people will not be bothered by it, I personally already have an iPhone which I tend to use when reading fiction, so I'd say that it doesn't shine as well when compared against smaller fiction readers. I'd love to have an iPad that was about the size of my iRex, in-between my iPhone and iPad.

As far as the screen, I have never had any eye-strain from reading on an LCD, so I can't really comment on that at all. I like my iRex, but prefer lit screens most of the time since I live in the Pacific Northwest where most of the year it is dark in the evening, and I prefer not to light up my house like a Christmas tree.

I absolutely agree that it is great for non-reading purposes. I use my iPad for more non-reading than reading, admittedly. It's absolutely fantastic for games and movies. My favorite activity with it is to play scrabble or boggle while watching a movie.

* where did you read support for multiple DRM formats? Can you read DRM mobipocket on them? DRM ebook? DRM LIT? I'll presume you can read DRM epub (not only their own DRM scheme)

You can read DRM Mobipocket (Kindle), DRM ePub/PDB (B&N), DRM Adept (txtr). DRM LIT is dead so far as developers go, otherwise I bet you would find an app for it too. You don't use iBooks for these other DRM formats, but instead the corporate app that was designed for them.

DRM ePub and DRM Adept are still iPhone applications that happen to run on the iPad, and they only take up about 1/4 of the screen. B&N is working on the iPad version of their app (expected within 1 or 2 months) and Kobo is working on adding Adept side-loading support to their pre-existing iPad app.

[nikkie]

Originally Posted by kacir

I have read a very nice review at the very beginning.
The first part of review was a test it the reader is a geek and then there were two parts of review.
First part was for non-geeks - you are going to love it.
And the last part was for geeks - you are NOT going to love it.

It was very nicely written and pointing out all important aspects.

I recognize that review: It's David Pogue from the New York Times.

[kacir]

Originally Posted by nikkie

I recognize that review: It's David Pogue from the New York Times.

Thank you. That is the review I was referring to.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by nikkie

None of the comments above are "personal" values. I love my iPad, but not really for any of the reasons listed. I like it mainly because the tactile experience makes it feel more connected to me personally, and because it's fun. Those aren't things you can quantify or objectively measure, so I usually just leave them out.

They may not be your personal views, but you still point a reader in a certain direction if you mainly list "good" and "bad" points. That's why I like reviews where they really make a story, and only spice it up with sentences like how well-made it feels, or how fast the screen responds to the touch (or how cheaply made and how sluggish, if that's the case).

Originally Posted by nikkie

You can read DRM Mobipocket (Kindle), DRM ePub/PDB (B&N), DRM Adept (txtr). DRM LIT is dead so far as developers go, otherwise I bet you would find an app for it too. You don't use iBooks for these other DRM formats, but instead the corporate app that was designed for them.

DRM ePub and DRM Adept are still iPhone applications that happen to run on the iPad, and they only take up about 1/4 of the screen. B&N is working on the iPad version of their app (expected within 1 or 2 months) and Kobo is working on adding Adept side-loading support to their pre-existing iPad app.

Ah, forgot about the Kindle... But when I think of DRM mobipocket, I mean DRM mobipocket, not DRM kindle (be it mobipocket format or kindle format)

And about the other formats (DRM Epub, Adept and ereader), I wouldn't even mention those without mentioning that they aren't supported on the Ipad natively, but by using the Iphone app (and thus having only 1/4th of the screen available).

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by nikkie

Here's the problem:
Can be used for other non-reading distracting things like watching movies or playing games.

That's a plus for the iPad or other tablets for me.

I'm not an avid reader and spend a ton more time on movies, tv, sports, video games etc.

So I'd get a lot more use out of a tablet that I have my Kindle which mainly just gets read for 20-30 minutes before sleeping a few times a week.

[markbot]

The iPad is a large iPod Touch. I really don't understand the hoopla.

[HappyMartin]

I am not sick of it at all and will buy an Ipad as soon as they show up here in South Africa. I use a netbook and hope to be able to do all the stuff I do on that device, internet browsing email and such, on something a little more user friendly.

To be an apple fan and get all breathless over the media hype is no different to reacting negatively because of the media hype. If you need it or like it buy it and if you dont then ignore it. To start a religious crusade about a funny looking computer seems a little energetic to me.

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by markbot

The iPad is a large iPod Touch. I really don't understand the hoopla.

It's just a matter of whether you have a need/desire for a tablet device.

Some do, some don't.

I definitely want a tablet for a host or reasons. Not the iPad though as I want something a bit closer to being a tablet PC than just a large iPod Touch.

-Reading and marking up scholarly research articles instead of printing them out. Sucks trying to do it on a laptop or pcs. Sucks on e-ink devices as the refresh is too slow.

-Reading magazines, comics and news papers. Sucks on laptops or PCs. Sucks on e-ink due to slow refresh and lack of color.

-Light web browsing on the couch, in bed etc. Tablet form factor better for reading based web browsing--news sites etc. IMO. Also just nice to get away from PC/laptop after spending probably 10-12+ hours most days at one between work, forum posting etc.

-Video watching in bed. Better than a hot laptop.

-Internet and e-mail machine on short trips--better than lugging a laptop or netbook if I don't need to do any real computing.

etc. etc.

I have a need for such a device and others do as well. For some the iPad fits their tablet needs, for others it doesn't. Like anything just a matter of personal needs, desires and preferences.

[wodin]

Everything that dmaul1114 said plus the ability to jot meeting notes and email them to myself as PDF files for proper filing. I just HAVE to get out from under the mountain of steno pads I’ve been accumulating!

My handwriting is bad enough to have no hope of handwriting recognition software, but If I could file the notes by meeting title and date it would be a huge help.

[cklammer]

iPad can still not replace newspaper as a flyswatter - more than once, that is!