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Poll: Are you getting an iPad?

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Poll: Are you getting an iPad?

#42

Post by slyn »

My mom wanted a Kindle for christmas, but we (the rest of my immediate family) passed on it as an idea because we didn't think she would actually end up using it much. We got her an iPod nano 2-3 christmasses ago, and only as of the past 6 months or so has she really managed to figure it out and start aquiring music from iTunes for it, as well as listening to Bob Brinkers weekly raido show on her own time with it (which was really how she first started to learn how to use it).

We got my dad one of the original Eee PCs (Eee 901?) from when they first came out because he wanted a small computer he could wander around the house with, and at the time it was basically the only netbook on the market. It has aged fine to do what he wants it for, but it has always been a pain to get it to connect to our wireless network. Usually it connects on startup, but when it doesn't it basically stops working until one of us re-enters our hotspot name and password after turning the wifi card on and off.

Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone and get them both something better with just one device. I'd definately want to test out the hardware myself though to see if it meets "can my parents learn to use this?" first impression.

Re: Poll: Are you getting an iPad?

#44

Post by tallanvor »

Definitely not. It's just a big iPod Touch and Apple still controls what applications you can use on it. Plus, I'm not interested in reading ebooks on a backlit screen. I'll stick with the Kindle since I can read it for hours without worrying about my eyes getting tired.

Re: Poll: Are you getting an iPad?

#45

Post by docgnome »

intellectronica wrote: post #28

No. I've had it with apple. I bought a few of their products. They're beautiful and clever, but eventually I always end up feeling humiliated by how evil they are - treating me as a user like I was a worthless money machine. Also I find it hard to imagine how I would use such a device - too big to put in my pocket, no e-ink, so it can't serve as a book reader and no keyboard, so I can't use it to create things.

I completely agree. Whoever their target is, it's certainly not me.

Re: Poll: Are you getting an iPad?

#46

Post by lurch_mojoff »

Unless hands on wows me off my feet, I almost certainly am not getting one. There are two things I can fully understand in the context of the iPhone - no third party background apps and apps only through the App store - that I refuse to accept in what is supposed to be a laptop replacement. Everything else for me falls between Meh and Wow - no deal breakers, but also nothing making me lust after the thing, unlike the original iPhone.

Re: Poll: Are you getting an iPad?

#47

Post by sjs »

novum wrote: post #32

No. Who is the iPad for? I don't understand the target market. People whose computing needs are basic enough that this can serve as a primary computer? It plays video, and runs apps, and syncs with iTunes, but so does my iPhone and so does my macbook. It's too big to fit in your pocket, so you need a bag for it, but why not just put my macbook in the bag? I'm a power user and I demand a lot from my computers. That's…

The iPad replaces a computer for most people, and does a lot more by being so portable and simple to use. Seriously, get one of these a keyboard dock and you're good to go.

For developers and other content creators we still need the power of a notebook. If we have a smart phone then this isn't as compelling, but for most "normal" people who consume content this is huge. Make no mistake this is a game changer.

Re: Poll: Are you getting an iPad?

#49

Post by sophacles »

mey wrote: post #39
sophacles wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you. I am aware of which current option is closest to my choice. I was not really referring to that tho. The poll question is a yes/no question, and all the answers are either No, or the answer to an implied "which iPad?" question. I was hoping maybe to get an option to say no, and to answer an implied "why not?" at the same time. Seems more balanced that way.

And what do you think this comment area is for? Edit: To clearly state what I'd expect to see would be "I'm waiting for " as a comment, not a request for more poll options.

I think this comment area could equally well be used for telling which iPad one would be buying. So by asking for a poll option I not only specify what I intend to do, I also meta comment on the strange implied answer/question part of the poll.

Edit: I would not really have this problem if the question was 'Which iPad will you be buying?' since that is the question most of the choices answer. The "No option" could then morph into "I won't be", or could be omitted entirely, as not voting is the same as "I won't be".

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