Help, I have an urge to buy an iPad.

[capsulecorpjx]

The dark side is pulling me.

I'm considering buying an iPad ($600 for 32 GB) to read manga and comics on the couch/bed.

Or should I get a Kindle DX instead?

Or wait for the HP Slate?

[NickThissen]

600 bucks to read comics. Wait, what?

[techgnome]

"to read manga and comics" <--- that.... that right there should be your driving force... the Kindle isn't going to have color... that's something that is still a ways off. The iPad on the other hand IS color... and if you're indoors, you don't need to worry about the display washing out in the bright sunlight.

As for waiting for the HP Slate.... I know next to nothing about it (other than it's called the HP Slate)... so I couldn't tell you.

-tg

[GaryMazzone]

If you have an extra $600 to waste on an iPad just send it to me I can make better use of it then that.

[capsulecorpjx]

600 bucks to read comics. Wait, what?

Honestly, I paid $1800, buliding a computer + a large widescreen LCD screen just to play Bad Company 2 at top settings and Starcraft 2 when it comes out.

[NickThissen]

Must be nice :P

I still think a computer has more value to it then an iPad (yes, 3 times as more), but that's just my opinion of course. I just think there's much more you can do with your computer, like play even newer games later. Of course you may have some more ideas to use your iPad for, but if you plan on buying it to read comics then imo 600 bucks is a bit much.

[mbutler755]

Why buy an iPad? There is no USB support and no damn flash support. Also, the HP Slate has been discontinued. You should wait for the Motorola Android tablet coming out later this year.

[capsulecorpjx]

Why buy an iPad? There is no USB support and no damn flash support. Also, the HP Slate has been discontinued. You should wait for the Motorola Android tablet coming out later this year.

Really? Wow HP gave up already?

[techgnome]

Dell is jumping into the game: http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...let_smartphone

-tg

[The_Grudge]

Why buy an iPad? There is no USB support and no damn flash support. Also, the HP Slate has been discontinued. You should wait for the Motorola Android tablet coming out later this year.

What do you need USB ports for in this instance? It's a tablet! I think you're missing the point of the device. It's to use in your living room and hang around the house with it. No, it will not play Bioshock 2 - nor will it accept firewire connections from 1TB external drives. If you absolutely must plug a camera into it there is an adapter for that.

The point is the thing works and it does so without any messing around. On a forum full of Windows guys that know what they're talking about I totally see where you're coming from but...that's not what this device is about.

Oh, and anything I've ever owned that was made by Motorolla was a total peice of junk. That's my .02 anyway.

[Hack]

I'm considering buying an iPad

Buy an iPatch instead.

It will be a lot cheaper and a lot more fun (you will get to play pirate whenever you want).

*shakes head in disgust...I can't believe the garbage this younger generation finds to spends its money on*

[techgnome]

Sadly... it's not just the younger generation ... and not limited to the western world either....
http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/27/news...x.htm?hpt=Sbin

-tg

[dilettante]

I think there is a line of Android based slate/tablet devices with WiFi, about a 7" screen. $200US and less.

[abhijit]

I think there is a line of Android based slate/tablet devices with WiFi, about a 7" screen. $200US and less.

ArchOS tablets?

[abhijit]

The dark side is pulling me.

I'm considering buying an iPad ($600 for 32 GB) to read manga and comics on the couch/bed.

Or should I get a Kindle DX instead?

Or wait for the HP Slate?

I think you should give in your urges. Nothing good ever came out of suppressing feelings.

[mendhak]

Buy a manga comic.

[Milk]

Buy a manga comic.

Buy 300 manga comics.

Battery life exceptional.

Nice page turning effect when you, erm, turn the page.

Weighs in at only 50 grammes

Display clear to read even in bright sunlight.

Unfortunately no multitasking.

[Shaggy Hiker]

What do you need USB ports for in this instance? It's a tablet! I think you're missing the point of the device. It's to use in your living room and hang around the house with it. No, it will not play Bioshock 2 - nor will it accept firewire connections from 1TB external drives. If you absolutely must plug a camera into it there is an adapter for that.

The point is the thing works and it does so without any messing around. On a forum full of Windows guys that know what they're talking about I totally see where you're coming from but...that's not what this device is about.

Oh, and anything I've ever owned that was made by Motorolla was a total peice of junk. That's my .02 anyway.

I have a rock. It works all the time. I can draw on it using the stylus, which can come in several different colors (look for sidewalk drawing supplies). I can carry it wherever I want, and it always has the same reception. Better still, it is incredibly durable. If I drop it, it doesn't break. It also cost NOTHING!

[techgnome]

And it too does not play Bioshock 2. But it does multi-task... and quite well. Something else the rock can do that most other tablets won't be able to do - fight off a bear. in the snow. going up hill. both ways. barefoot.

-tg

[kregg]

Buy 300 manga comics.

Battery life exceptional.

Nice page turning effect when you, erm, turn the page.

Weighs in at only 50 grammes

Display clear to read even in bright sunlight.

Unfortunately no multitasking.

If I could give rep in Chit Chat forums...

[mbutler755]

Really? Wow HP gave up already?

Yes, they gave up on the Slate. Dell is developing three different versions of a tablet: 5", 7" and a 12". I can't wait for Dell! ETA End of the year for the 5" and 7".

[mbutler755]

What do you need USB ports for in this instance? It's a tablet! I think you're missing the point of the device. It's to use in your living room and hang around the house with it. No, it will not play Bioshock 2 - nor will it accept firewire connections from 1TB external drives. If you absolutely must plug a camera into it there is an adapter for that.

The point is the thing works and it does so without any messing around. On a forum full of Windows guys that know what they're talking about I totally see where you're coming from but...that's not what this device is about.

Oh, and anything I've ever owned that was made by Motorolla was a total peice of junk. That's my .02 anyway.

Motorola used to make some crap back in the day. Their Droid phones have been pretty reliable. As far as plugging stuff into the tablet - my biggest complaint is that you MUST buy apple devices in order to plug anything into the proprietary slot on the iPad.

Additionally, it is basically running the iPhone OS. What's the point of a super-sized iPhone that can't make phone calls. I would rather have a $265 Kindle instead of a $600 crapple.

[baja_yu]

This looks nice though http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/30/e...late-hands-on/

Still on the expensive side though.

[moonman239]

What's the point of a super-sized iPhone that can't make phone calls.

Maybe in the future. Who knows? In the meantime, you can get a VOIP app that will allow you to make and receive calls. Unfortunately, there are three drawbacks to this method: 1) the app gives you a Washington state number, 2) the iPad won't ring when it's locked, 3) you don't get that fancy screen that tells you who's calling.

[stlaural]

This looks nice though http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/30/e...late-hands-on/

Still on the expensive side though.

Yep, and it runs Windows 7 and has usb ports ! It should also be assembled here in Canada, which I think will be better than having it assembled in china or somewhere else.

[baja_yu]

I could see myself using something like that instead of a netbook. The only thing I didn't like was the navigation home screen (with shrotcuts). A lot of 'dots' and a colorfull backdrop, looks a bit confusing, but if I could change the picture (instead of those leaves, flowers, whatever they are) and change the ammount of the dots (I wouldn't need as much) it would be perfect. But that's just a small software feature that's easy to fix, and I guess you could use the standard desktop instead as default. The hardware platform looks very good, and I like the speed and responsiveness.

[stlaural]

I could see myself using something like that instead of a netbook. The only thing I didn't like was the navigation home screen (with shrotcuts). A lot of 'dots' and a colorfull backdrop, looks a bit confusing, but if I could change the picture (instead of those leaves, flowers, whatever they are) and change the ammount of the dots (I wouldn't need as much) it would be perfect. But that's just a small software feature that's easy to fix, and I guess you could use the standard desktop instead as default. The hardware platform looks very good, and I like the speed and responsiveness.

Yeah, I assume the GUI layer will be customizable, and if I'm not mistaken were supposed to be able to jump to the default Windows desktop in a single button click. We'll see when it comes out ...

[Arrow_Raider]

eee pad.

[abhijit]

In the meanwhile 2 million iPads have been sold.

[baja_yu]

So we have a definite confirmation that there are at least 2 million retards in the US. As it went on sale in other parts of the world a few days ago, we expect those figures soon. Stay tuned... My name is Baja Yu and you're watching CNN.

[abhijit]

So we have a definite confirmation that there are at least 2 million retards in the US. As it went on sale in other parts of the world a few days ago, we expect those figures soon. Stay tuned... My name is Baja Yu and you're watching VBF-CC.

FYP

All of the might not be from the US. Some of them might have purchased more than one.

[baja_yu]

You're right. We have to establish some sort of retard classification based on the number of iPads they purchased.

0 (but plans on buying) - wannabe retard
1 - regular retard
2 - aspiring retard
3 - professional retard
4 - HRH Retard the third
5 or more - Retard almighty

[pcuser]

We've just received breaking news that almost 2 million people are lined up to jump off a cliff and the only explaination we can get from them before they jump is "The person in front of me did too". This is pcuser, reporting live for TheOnionNews network... Back to you Baja...

[techgnome]

This is TechGnome with continuing Team Studio Coverage...
The poster that started all this mayhem hasn't been seen since post #8... we're now up to #34 (with this posting). That can only mean one thing... he's bought an iPad and is too afraid to admit it. Now, if he had jsut said "Never mind, I've come to my senses, decided against the iPad." and then remarked the thread as resolved, we could go on our merry way. But seeing as how he hasn't, perhaps it's time for an intervention. If we actually cared.

And now back to Baja in the studio.

-tg

[baja_yu]

Thank you techgnome and pcuser for your detailed and informative reports.

We have just received breaking news that BP has managed to contain the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, with the help of Apple's iPad. The solution came at the last minute from a young engineer at BP that came upon the idea after buying the new iPad that just went on sale in Britain.
After just a few hours he realized that Apple's products suck so much that they might just be the thing that can stop the oil gushing. The US military quickly confiscated all iPads and injected them into the well. Within minutes the devices created so much suction and managed to collect all the oil from the well effectively stopping the spill.
The news comes as a great relief to everyone. The US and European Parliament immediately started the process to put into law that all oil rigs have a mandatory supply of iPads as a safety measure.

Thank you for watching. Stay tuned for the weather report.

[Foxer]

I've been watching this thread for 8 hours waiting for the weather report ...

[baja_yu]

We apologize for the delays due to technical difficulties. And now the weather.

http://www.bom.gov.au/

(see, we even get you localized weather for your region)

[abhijit]

See baja, if you had purchased an iPad, you wouldn't have faced these technical difficulties.

[oceanebelle]

The first time I saw iPad, I though, wow, a bloated iPhone and I already think the iPhone is a bit over hyped however iPad beats that...

A sage once told me that to live happily, I should avoid creating scenarios that justify that need for something. It's like this way... Can you really not live without reading manga, is it an absolute need or did you conjure up this need to read manga to justify the buying of an iPad?

If it's the former then we all have our eccentricities and I say go for it, however if it's the latter and you should be honest about it, then maybe you should give it a month at least before deciding... By that time, either the need will vanish or the thirst for the iPad would strengthen... You'd come to love iPad more if you allowed yourself restraint.

I known a few apple product lovers that buy any i* product on release date and then find no use for it after a week and just either sell it or leave it to rot... It's really sad this capitalist market.

[capsulecorpjx]

The first time I saw iPad, I though, wow, a bloated iPhone and I already think the iPhone is a bit over hyped however iPad beats that...

A sage once told me that to live happily, I should avoid creating scenarios that justify that need for something. It's like this way... Can you really not live without reading manga, is it an absolute need or did you conjure up this need to read manga to justify the buying of an iPad?

If it's the former then we all have our eccentricities and I say go for it, however if it's the latter and you should be honest about it, then maybe you should give it a month at least before deciding... By that time, either the need will vanish or the thirst for the iPad would strengthen... You'd come to love iPad more if you allowed yourself restraint.

I known a few apple product lovers that buy any i* product on release date and then find no use for it after a week and just either sell it or leave it to rot... It's really sad this capitalist market.

Hmmm, but I think it's just an obvious niche that Apple addressed and marketed aggressively. An obvious niche that I'm surprised nobody has exploited before.

The idea that some people might want a screen that can be both landscape (movies) and tall oriented (for reading books and comics).

The Tablet PC's yes, but they were full computers, too expensive to be media consumption machines. Also there was no convenient shop for app/book/comics.



Apple is overpriced & restrictive. I probably will end up waiting for Google OS Tablet.

But no one can argue with Apple's and Steve Jobs' ability to be innovative, and create something convenient & cool that users want to use.

They did it with fully developing the first GUI and now they're doing it with the iPhone and iPad's touch interface and an app store that makes buying easy, and screens out buggy / malware applications.

Only downside, is of course inflexibility, arbitrary censorship and being overpriced.

But I argue that's actually good for a large section of casual consumers.