New Apple iPad

[CJ Sonic]

Just announced and can i just say WOW. A giant iPhone that does so much more. What do you guys think? It has great potential. I want one but do i really need one is the questions lol

http://www.apple.com/ipad/

[DarkUFO]

I'm afraid I'm very "meh" about it.

No USB port without buying their "accessory".
No SD-CARD slot to upgrade your memory.
No Camera
No Open Source OS - I'll wait for the Android Tablet

For me for that money I think I'd rather have a nice netbook which I can expand etc.

I already have an iphone and this just seems like a larger version.

I suppose for gamers this could be quite a nice niche machine.

[Iceman]

"iPad" sounds like some fancy feminine product.

But yeah, I agree with some of what Dark said, it is just kind of a big iPhone. It is a very cool piece of technology, but not something I will invest in as of yet. I'm sure it will improve though.

[DarkUFO]

The best thing about this release is that it will force innovation in this technology space.

Others will be force to compete now and this is a good thing. Once an open source version is available that will let me attach usb devices to it, let me upgrade my memory without having to buy a new machine, let me install any app that I want like Chrome etc then I'll probably look at it again.

But for now it seems to me to be a "Solution looking for a Problem".

[DarkUFO]

Here are 9 upcoming alternatives
http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/9-upcomi ... +(Mashable)

[Owa!]

"iPad" sounds like some fancy feminine product.

You beat me to it good sir. Bravo!

[Dreyesbo]

Although right now I'm not a fan of it, I'll hold my judgment until I have a look at it.

However I do want to point you to this thread: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=500

The initial reaction in 2001 to the iPod. It's funny to look at it now. It's funnier that it sounds a lot like the iPad bashing right now.

[Nick]

I don't really like it. It's like an iTouch on steroids with a few extra functions thrown in there that don't really interest me. And it's too expensive.

[DestinyFound]

I don't really like it. It's like an iTouch on steroids with a few extra functions thrown in there that don't really interest me. And it's too expensive.

IT IS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE
especially in this economy

and i agree . . . it is just a huge i touch

[Gideon]

The iPad is not a big iPod touch. If anything, the iPod Touch is a small iPad. Read anything by anyone who used it during Apple's announcement event. I haven't read one person who says it's just an iPhone/iPod. (Stephen Fry says something similar.)

As for the price, it's $500. That's totally affordable for most people who want or need a computer, and if they're the average user (AVERAGE, as in, a soccer mom who just uses the internet, or a grandmother, who just wants to have pictures of the grandkids), that's pretty nice, especially when they don't need to worry about viruses or slow computer, and best of all, it's portable. Personally, I want one to take to class for notes or quick internet checking, etc. It would be much easier to use than my iPod Touch and much less of a hassle to cart around than my 17-inch laptop.

If you have time, read this to understand much of the iPad target audience: http://northtemple.com/2010/02/01/on-ip ... as-and-gam

But if you're more than the average computer user, I definitely recommend this link. This post is definitely what made me "get it." http://stevenf.tumblr.com/post/35922439 ... s-ive-been

[Magic Box]

I might get it, as I've always been looking to take the Net to bed, finding the laptop a bit too heavy compared to a book. I've resisted the iTouch/iPhone craze so far, but the iPad might be just what I was waiting for: reading articles on the Net from the bed from something neither too big, nor too little. This might just be the perfect teddy bear for adults.

[Devil's Arcade]

Very pointless, can't have two apps open at once?
No flash or java or somwething like that?
No USB, probably no discs or anything, not thanks.

[vader182]

After playing around with them at the Apple store, I gotta admit they're pretty rad.

Most universities are switching to ereaders for text books, so when that time rolls around I'll probably buy one of them, or see what they have in store for the next few generations.

The bookstore is actually really neat, and the way in which you read the books is as well. I dunno, if I had a ton of cash laying around I'd probably buy one. Too bad most people don't, but then again, the sales are going crazy for a reason.

I recommend playing around with one and see what you think, could change your mind.