Apple Ipad

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah, it's just a giant iPhone functionally. No "real" desktop programs run on it. Anything that runs on it has to be specially developed or ported for the iPad. Also, the DRM the iPad uses restricts unhacked iPads to only running App Store downloads. Other mobile OSes, like Android, allow you to download and install programs from any web link, similar to your Windows PC--or at least allow you to download programs on your PC and install to the device via sync. Apple won't let you do that unless you hack your device. So, like Red coupe said, unless there's an apple-approved p2p program on the App Store, you're screwed for that stuff.

If you're going to get a tablet, get one that runs either Windows, Linux, or Android (Archos, for example). Go x86 if you can, because that means it'll run more "real" programs.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Yeah, it reads MS files. IIRC it can save them as them too, but don't quote me on that one.

As far as typing, the touch pad doesn't seem THAT bad from what I've seen in videos. But it's nothing their wireless keyboard can't fix, which is a MUST imo if you're going to be typing papers.



You can't deny that apple makes the coolest wireless keyboards.

[Red coupe]

You can't deny that apple makes the coolest wireless keyboards.

DEFINITELY

You know, other then the obnoxious trendy color, the lack of media keys, the absents of a number pad, any sense of ergonomics or value.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

If you're going to get a tablet, get one that runs either Windows, Linux, or Android (Archos, for example). Go x86 if you can, because that means it'll run more "real" programs.

I've read up on those and I KNOW none of them will be as responsive as the Ipad. They might have the downloading capabilities/features I want but they suck functionality wise. I doubt there will be a tablet to compete with the Ipad in under a year. It's gonna take a while for other manufacturers to catch up, just like with the Iphone.

I have an HP TX series and I just use it as a regular laptop. I hardly ever use the touch screen, unless I'm bored. It doesn't work very well, the screen is grainy, and it's unresponsive. Don't even get me started about typing on it either.......

[AZ89two4Tsx]

DEFINITELY

You know, other then the obnoxious trendy color, the lack of media keys, the absents of a number pad, any sense of ergonomics or value.

It's called being simple and thin. I don't care about short-cut keys, they're just clutter to me. More to collect dust.

While a number pad would be nice, I can deal with it, but I think they do offer one with one.

As far as ergonomics, I found the angle perfect to type on, and the keys feel great.

And value, $70 is about right on par, it being wireless and all.

[Red coupe]

lol, its funny that they you complain about functionality when you want to buy a computer with no keyboard that only runs programs from the apple app store for school work and email.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Even if I can't download music (the way I want to) I'll still probably get it.

I really don't use my computer for anything else. Like, I can't really find anything I have downloaded on my computer that I can't live without. I like the Ipad because it's so SIMPLE. Less to go wrong and freeze up.

Besides, if I REALLY need a "computer" I can just buy a cheap desktop. They're like $400 for a semi decent one and I have a few monitors laying around. Or I can be adventurous and build my own. Problem solved.

[Red coupe]

It's called being simple and thin. I don't care about short-cut keys, they're just clutter to me. More to collect dust.

While a number pad would be nice, I can deal with it, but I think they do offer one with one.

As far as ergonomics, I found the angle perfect to type on, and the keys feel great.

And value, $70 is about right on par, it being wireless and all.

$70 for a keyboard with no number pad or special features that is simple and flat is insanely expensive. A generic wireless keyboard can be had for like $30

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Yeah, you're right, I just googled prices on keyboards. They are pretty cheap. My bad. If I can, I probably will get something non-apple. But I will be kinda disappointed that it doesn't match my Ipad.

Okay, don't hate on this one though. Have you ever used apple's magic mouse?



I currently have a Microsoft Arc which is quite a nice mouse, but this one makes it look like a pos.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I've read up on those and I KNOW none of them will be as responsive as the Ipad.

You're reading the wrong stuff then.

What does "responsive" mean, anyway?

[Red coupe]

1 button mouse with no scroll wheel?Sweet.Your seriously impressed by what ever shiny thing has a fancy brand name aren't you?

[AZ89two4Tsx]

What does "responsive" mean, anyway?

I touch it, it responds.

Bear with me here, but I'll compare it to the main types of phone touch screens. The non-apple tablets I've used all have resistive type touch screens. The touch screen used in the Ipad will be the capacitive type one like in the Iphone. Or is it infrared? Idk, too geeky for me.

But yeah, it takes more effort and just doesn't respond as quickly and accurately.

[Red coupe]

I touch it, it responds.

Bear with me here, but I'll compare it to the main types of phone touch screens. The non-apple tablets I've used all have resistive type touch screens. The touch screen used in the Ipad will be the capacitive type one like in the Iphone. Or is it infrared? Idk, too geeky for me.

But yeah, it takes more effort and just doesn't respond as quickly and accurately.

You have absolutely no idea what your talking about and are just reciting something you read and didn't understand on the internet aren't you?

[AZ89two4Tsx]

1 button mouse with no scroll wheel?Sweet.Your seriously impressed by what ever shiny thing has a fancy brand name aren't you?

Absolutely not. It has left click, right click, and a scroll wheel. Did I mention it can scroll vertically, horizontally, and even diagonally?

Yeah, not just one button.

[Red coupe]

I still require forward and backwards buttons on my mouse :P

Not too bad... but I would still rather have physical buttons.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

You have absolutely no idea what your talking about and are just reciting something you read and didn't understand on the internet aren't you?

While I'm not as technically inclined as you or MoD, I know there are two basic types of touch screens on phones. One is resistive for sure, and the other is either capacitative or infrared, I can't remember.

If you've ever messed around with different phones you can easily tell the difference. A good example is most entry level Samsung phones. You can set off the touch screen with anything i.e. a stylus, pen, w/e. But on phones like the Iphone/Droid, you must use your finger. Nothing else works because it works off the electric "flow" in your body, a constant low charge; capacitative.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

I still require forward and backwards buttons on my mouse :P

The forward and back buttons are swipes with two of your fingers.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Modern tablets rarely use resistive touch screens. That's old tech. Any new tablet you look at will have a capacitive screen. Windows 7 and Android 2.0+ both support multitouch natively, so any tablet built around either OS will have a capacitive screen to make use of multitouch.

The Archos 7 has a capacitive screen. Dell's XT2 has a capacitive screen. Anything designed recently will. Sure, if you look at old models you'll miss out on it, but old models also don't have the features to necessitate it. So like I said, get a Windows 7 or Android 2.0+ tablet and you'll be better off than with the ipad.

There ARE downsides to capacitive screens. In fact, there's a huge one: you can't use stylii with them, and you can't use them with gloves on. Has to be bare skin or a similarly conductive object. There's a picture floating around the internets of some asian dudes at a train station in the cold using hotdogs to operate their iphones so they can keep their gloves on.And as someone who has used both (multiple resistive Palm and Pocket PC devices in addition to playing with iphones and owning a phone with a capacitive screen) I have never noticed any difference in "responsiveness" beyond the lack of support for multitouch, which is half software anyway.

[BusyBadger]

its funny that you complain about functionality when you want to buy a computer with no keyboard that only runs programs from the apple app store for school work and email

This.

Besides, if I REALLY need a "computer" I can just buy a cheap desktop. They're like $400 for a semi decent one and I have a few monitors laying around. Or I can be adventurous and build my own. Problem solved.

Which will only serve to further reinforce your myopic "PCs & Windows sucks" viewpoint. And there's the added two-for-one bonus of making yourself a victim and your own worst enemy with one purchase.

[AppleBonker]

MoD, you seem to have more knowledge on a lot of this than I do, so I'll direct this question towards you. I am honestly considering buying an iPad (hear me out first). I have a desktop running Ubuntu (and windows dual boot), a netbook on Ubuntu, a laptop on Ubuntu and a HTPC running mythbuntu. I am comfortable enough in running Ubuntu (haven't branched out to other distros yet) and windows, and I wouldn't consider myself an apple fanboy. I'm considering the iPad to use it for checking email/light web browsing from the couch. I currently do this on my iphone (but the screen is a bit small) so I'm not concerned about the lack of flash. The netbook can do this, but it is a bit cumbersome and the battery drains in about 8 hours without hibernating (the iPad should last longer with minimal use).

Also, I would like to use it as an ebook reader. I do like the idea of having a number of books on one small, lightweight device. Plus, with the color screen it should be able to run magazine subscriptions which could make my life easier. Again, the netbook isn't ideal here because I don't know how to hold a netbook for an extended period of time to read a book off of it. I don't get why some people claim the screen is too harsh when compared to e-ink as I've sat in front of a computer for 14 hours straight before without problems.

Now having said all that, can you think of any other tablet-like devices that have a similar form-factor but will run a real OS (I would prefer some flavor of linux)? I'd rather not be crippled by the iphone OS, but there doesn't seem to be another option out there that fits these needs. And, I do realize that I am in the painfully small majority with my wants (I wouldn't consider an iPad without first having the desktop, laptop and netbook).

[MinisterofDOOM]

As far as e-ink, it IS very easy on the eyes, due to the ink-on-paper-like contrast. But it's real benefit is power consumption. LCDs require constant power to display an image. E-ink "shifts" once to display a static image and once the image is there it can display "indefinitely" without using anymore power. Because of this, NO tablet will ever be able to compete for e-book reading alone.

The Archos 9 is very close to the iPad in dimensions. It's widescreen, versus the iPad's 4:3 (actually sacrifices a bit of vertical resolution to achieve this, though...1024x600 vs the iPad's 1024x768) so it's not as tall but about an inch wider (when held landscape, obviously). It LOOKs fatter at a glance, because it lacks the iPad's rolled rear cover (this is true of a lot of tablets, actually) but is really incredibly close. It comes with Win7 Starter (no aero).It's a Being windows- and x86-based, it should run linux fine, although I have read some in the past about Linux not getting along with some touchscreen hardware configurations so you'd want to look into that.

I'd take an Archos over an iPad any day, even for "just" web browsing.It's $550 and offers 60GB of hard drive space (64GB iPad goes for over $800 new [!]). Anything the iPad will do, the Archos 9 will do, most likely better, almost assuredly cheaper, and with a lot more user freedom (swap ebooks from device to device, connect your camera via USB since it's a real PC, etc.).

iPad wins for battery life. Since the Archos 9 is more powerful, it eats a lot more juice. 5 hours is estimated battery life for the Archos 9.

The big thing is...anything you do on the iPad is going to have to be done with the iPad's default software (unless you hack it and alternatives show up, and even then options are limited). But with something Win or Linux based you get access to your choice of program for whatever. Your favorite desktop web browser on your tablet. Your favorite email client. Your favorite ebook reader (and choice of multiple vendors). Do your taxes on your desktop tax program on it.The amount of choice and software freedom offered by non-apple tablets is worth so much...yet it's the Apple that costs more.

iPad is awesome for people who don't want to think about using their tablets...it's the Toyota of tablets. But for a guy who has a favorite open-source OS on multiple computers, it's just going to be restrictive. Getting something with more capabilities--I would think--should serve you better in the long run.

[breadbox]

yeah, almost got and archos, The guy I bought a lot of MD stuff off of bought an Archos and said it replaces so much shizz, due to how portable and functional it is.

[AppleBonker]

As far as e-ink, it IS very easy on the eyes, due to the ink-on-paper-like contrast.

I wasn't questioning that. I was unclear, but my comment was that I don't have an issue with LCD. e-ink would be nice, but LCD isn't a deal breaker.

It's a Being windows- and x86-based, it should run linux fine, although I have read some in the past about Linux not getting along with some touchscreen hardware configurations so you'd want to look into that.

Didn't even think about that. I've never tried installing linux on a touchscreen, so that's probably how I glossed over it. I'm not opposed to windows, it just seems like it might be a bit bloated for a tablet (not to mention the security issues on windows.

I'd take an Archos over an iPad any day, even for "just" web browsing.It's $550 and offers 60GB of hard drive space (64GB iPad goes for over $800 new [!]). Anything the iPad will do, the Archos 9 will do, most likely better, almost assuredly cheaper, and with a lot more user freedom (swap ebooks from device to device, connect your camera via USB since it's a real PC, etc.).

I'm not considering buying anything this weekend, so I'll get to see how the iPad plays out in terms of ebooks. The space probably isn't much of a concern. I've got a music player, and the books can't possibly take up that much space. If I were to get an iPad, it would almost certainly be the 16 gig model (wifi only). I usually travel with either my netbook or laptop, so photo storage and the like is really a non-issue.

iPad wins for battery life. Since the Archos 9 is more powerful, it eats a lot more juice. 5 hours is estimated battery life for the Archos 9.

This could be quite important, but I'll have to evaluate a bit more.

iPad is awesome for people who don't want to think about using their tablets...it's the Toyota of tablets. But for a guy who has a favorite open-source OS on multiple computers, it's just going to be restrictive. Getting something with more capabilities--I would think--should serve you better in the long run.

The restrictive nature is my biggest issue. I don't have anything that I can think of right now that would require anything other than what's in the app store (for this particular device), but that could easily change in a few months. My iphone is jailbroken for almost this exact reason. And this is the largest sticking point holding me back from the iPad. Open source ftw.

To be honest, I didn't even know the archos 9 was out there (not sure how I missed it). But I'll definitely be giving it a thorough inspection. Thanks for the heads up.

[breadbox]

I'm guessing steam for mac won't be on the Ipad.

[numbnuts240]

nope, but i'm sure menstrual fluid will.

[breadbox]

lol. gross.

[numbnuts240]

i just want my boy adam to have all the info on a possible future purchase. remember the chunks, adam, remember the chunks....

[AppleBonker]

remember the chunks, adam, remember the chunks....

Good thing I don't plan on eating it or putting my junk in it, huh?

[Razi]

i just want my boy adam to have all the info on a possible future purchase. remember the chunks, adam, remember the chunks....

HEY I'M EATING HERE!

[zacmil]

I'm not opposed to windows, it just seems like it might be a bit bloated for a tablet (not to mention the security issues on windows.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that Windows has a lighter version of Windows 7 designed with devices such as netbooks in mind.

Personally, I would really consider an Archos 9. A few months ago I was considering replacing my iPod with an Archos 5 so I went and played with one for a little while. It was definitely neat, but my only concern was the availability of applications (I was looking at the regular Archos 5 which is running an OS based on Ubuntu (I think), not the Archos 5 Internet Tablet which uses Android). Since the Archos 9 is running windows, I'd say that this isn't a real issue.

As far as hardware goes, it seemed pretty solid and It appears as though they make some pretty nifty peripherals. The one that I was really interested in was a DVR docking station that allowed you to hook the Archos up to your TV and use it as a DVR. Because the content is saved to the device you are (supposedly) able to watch your recorded programs wherever you like.