Comments on: The iPad is not a computer

By: E Mason

E Mason — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:34:04 +0000

Not a computer, For reading not writing, light web browsing. Anyone remember the Nokia mini-tablets?

By: ocube

ocube — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:49:02 +0000

So its agreed the iPad is a kindle with colour?

By: Jon B

Jon B — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:36:44 +0000

I like your summary – it’s similar to my own opinion. The device is fantastic for 80% or more of what I do with my computer at home. The only fails are the requirement of a computer to actually sync and update the iPad, the lack of simple stuff like a SD card slot for camera photos (the dongle is big and ugly) and most importantly the fact that it wont connect to DLNA servers for receiving media content streams, and it can’t ‘play to’ DLNA clients like a modern TV. For a device so focused on media consumption, this seems like a real missed opportunity – and one that basically ‘unsells’ me from the device. Something that makes me a little sad inside because until the next Apple refresh of the iPad I doubt any other device will come close to the iPad for looks and interface, or provide the nice experience of such a device.

By: John Cotterell

John Cotterell — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:32:18 +0000

Apple had me sold on e-book reader. But they forgot to add a readable e-ink screen and remove their hideous DRM control, making this device useless for that purpose.

If you buy an i-pad, you still need a PC/mac, you still need a smartphone, and if you want an e-reader too that’s yet a third device.

The only device you might be able to say goodbye to is your PSP or DS, as handheld gaming might be the only saving grace of the i-pad.

As for the browser… this is clearly a gambit on their part to redefine people’s expectations of the browsing experience to suit their own agenda. I really hope it falls flat on it’s face for that reason alone.

By: JR

JR — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:56:43 +0000

I forget where I read it, but apparently Apple will be offering a $29 adapter that plugs into the standard Apple port at the bottom, and that adapter will offer USB and SD card connectivity.

By: Fernando Colaco

Fernando Colaco — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:44:54 +0000

They did a big deal of advertising the iPad as an e-book reader. Well, it has neat “book-like” eye candy animations and a nice ripoff of the design of a few existing “book shelf” software, but as you mention on your post “to read the newspaper in the garden on a sunny Sunday afternoon” might not be that possible, since this is a (reflective) screen and it will be as good to read in the sun or even not so extreme light conditions as a normal laptop or netbook. E-ink ebook users will know what I mean. The eye strain is also way different. I can’t stand more than 15-20 minutes reading a PDF on screen for example, as opposite to endless hours in my Sony ebook reader. Hopefully it will allow you to import your PDFs or eBooks you already own.

By: daniel clarke

daniel clarke — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:07:19 +0000

Before this post gets polluted with all the Flash hates that seem to have creeped out from under their stones in the last few days I think its worth adding some other areas of concern.

The device is being promoted as an eBook reader yet for some reason known only to SJ and his cronies this feature will not work at launch outside of the UK. I assume that this lack of core funcationality will mean a heavy discount in the UK ? Yeah right – Apple will just xharge their usual inflated prices to subsedise their US customers.

The device is going to sell in its bucket loads regardless but for a crowd to assume this is the mystical device that will seek out and destroy all Flash content is just proof that sadly reading an open source / HTML book and possessing an internet connection is not qualification for valued comment in the futre of the web. That crowd can go back to the 2 tone green screen geko browser internet connections. Flash is here to stay and will continue to lead the way in rich and engaging internet experiences.

By: Rob McMichael

Rob McMichael — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:59:37 +0000

I agree, the iPad is not a computer and therefore it’s
a huge luxury, as it requires the owner to have another computer.

This, I think, it it’s biggest problem. Many of my friends that are looking for a computer around the £300 mark would love this, but with limited storage and the lack of basic features common in a netbook (a file system for example) and also the in ability to support an iPhone (you need another ‘computer’ to run iTunes) it just can’t compete.

So it falls to the likes of me and you, who have many computers, but feel they can splash out on yet another device to, as you quite rightly said, “consume media” on.

By: Dr. Rob

Dr. Rob — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:20:51 +0000

Good considered review. You make some excellent points and in particular the focus on the ipad being a consumer gadget rather than a user gadget. It’s remarkable to think that the computers that got men on the moon are nothing like as powerful as the machines sitting in bedrooms being used to watch porn, send emails and play solitaire! Ain’t technology wonderful!