Will you buy the new Apple iPad
By Scott
@scottcoleson (578)
Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
January 27, 2010 3:04pm CST
Apple Computers announced the long awaited Apple iPad today. It is basically an oversized iPod with many of the capabilities of a MacBook. There are several versions that are going to be available to the public. One has 3G network capabilities while another one has both 3G and WiFi networking. The price is great for the iPad and ended up being less expensive than most experts predicted. However, there are some downfalls, in my opinion. The main one being that they are still offering data plans through AT&T. I believe I speak for most people who have dealt with the iPhone and AT&T when I say that the best thing Apple can do is get as far away from them as possible as quick as they can! Open the iPad and iPhone up to all cell phone and data providers. This would no doubt increase their revenue and profit margins. Another thing that I believe could be bad about he iPad is that it is way too much like the iPod Touch and iPhone. I just don't see how this new piece of technology will differentiate itself from the other Apple products already available to the point that people will buy it. I hope that I am wrong though because I absolutely love all Mac products and am a firm believer that they are much better than any PC. What is your opinion? Do you think the iPad will be a success or failure? Will you buy an iPad?
4 people like this
19 responses
@MrKennedy (1978)
•
27 Jan 10
Okay, so Apple's new iPad is going to retail at:
- $499 for 16gig.
- $599 for 32.
- $699 for 64.
Add roughly $120 to that price for the privilege of 3G from ATT. Access to 3G itself is $14.99 per month for 250 MB, or an increased price of $29.99 for unlimited. Wifi is built into every iPad as standard.
In theory, it's basically a modified iPhone OS, so the only applications available for it are through the iTunes store, now with an added bookstore.
However, at this moment in time, the iPad will not feature a camera nor USB ports, meaning you will have to sync it through iTunes to get documentss and stuff onto it.
So, in short, it's a less powerful netbook with a touchscreen, no physical keyboard, can only offer Apple-approved apps designed specifically for the thing, no webcam, no removable storage, no USB, no flash capabilities (limiting much of the internet) and no multitasking options (you cannot run multiple things at once).
I think I'd rather buy a laptop (or even a netbook) thanks
2 people like this
@scottcoleson (578)
• Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
27 Jan 10
Where are you getting the $120 cost just to have the privilege of access to 3G from AT&T? The only charge for 3G is the monthly cost of either $14.99 or $29.99 and it is on a month-to-month basis so there would be no contract. The argument about the apps available for it only being the ones that are made for a Mac OS...well isn't it like that for any other computer? You can't run a PC app on a Mac and vice versa. You have to run software or application that were made for that platform. So that really nullifies the argument about the apps. And anyway...there are over a hundred million applications, many of them free to download. Granted, the iPad is not for everyone, but it wasn't designed to be that way. It wasn't designed to really take the place of laptops or desktops or even the iPhone/iPod. Mac has a specific niche market and they know their customers well and are successful because of that. There are some downfalls to the iPad, but I see it much in the same way as the first iPod or iPhone...they will have to work the kinks out over time.
2 people like this
@johneds456 (53)
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
Actually you still have to pay an extra $120 to have 3G because the 3G is biult-in to the device, but in anytime you can cancel your subscription to AT$T as it has no contract. I'd still go for Verizon MiFi
2 people like this
@johneds456 (53)
• Philippines
27 Jan 10
I just finished watching the live stream of the keynote. I think the iPad will be a success because so many people have waited for this device since 2004 I think. If you put the case accessory for the iPad i think it won't look like an iPod anymore. And talking about the 3G for the iPad, if you don't like using 3G you could just buy the WiFi one, but the iPad doesn't have a contract so data plans through AT&T is not a must, but if you want or will use 3G you can get a plan from AT&T which is not a downfall because the prices are way cheap. $29.99 for unlimited data and $14.99 for 250 MB per month. Or if you don't want to wait for the 3G version of the iPad, which will be out 30 days after the initial release of the iPad, you could buy the WiFi only version and buy your self a Verizon MiFi, which is way better than the 3G of AT&T. So the iPad is a best buy, because of the new iWork, and the new things you can do with it. I will surely buy myself an iPad.
2 people like this
@scottcoleson (578)
• Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
27 Jan 10
I don't really mind the 3G network itself, I just can't stand AT&T. Their prices are pretty good on the surface, but they hit you with a lot of extra fees and their customer service sucks to say the least. I really would love to see the iPhone to be available to all cell phone providers! You are absolutely right about getting a MiFi from Verizon...that is a really good way to get around going with the subpar 3G network of AT&T and getting much faster speeds of WiFi. I would love to have an iPhone for sure, whenever they do make it available to other providers (as there is speculation about this happening by this fall), and I'm not sure if I would buy an iPad myself, but I would love to play around with one to see what it's like. Who knows...I might change my mind pretty quick about getting one then. Thanks for your response!
2 people like this
@nijolechu (1842)
• Canada
28 Jan 10
I guess it would be useful if you were a business person. But I don't think I will buy one for me use anyway. It looks too much like an oversized Ipod to me. But I'm sure that Apple will probably sell a ton of them anyway.
2 people like this
@dreamnishu (1247)
• China
28 Jan 10
I believe Apple ipad is batter then other so they will success as people like there brand. But i will not buy as right now i don't have any money. And anytime i buy it then i will buy it for my younger brother. Because he likes Apple ipod so much and i want to give him it as a surprise gift.
@scottcoleson (578)
• Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
28 Jan 10
Thanks for your response! I definitely agree with you that people like the Apple brand. I guess the main reason that people like their brand is because the name Apple or Mac has become synonymous with quality, user-friendliness and so many other things that people love and want from a computer and other technologies. Apple has an incredible marketing team that puts their name out there like no other company I have seen and has the quality to back it up.
@Logan3745 (302)
• United States
28 Jan 10
I don't plan to buy it anytime soon there are a lot of features but I'm not really interested in it. Plus the i feel better using a laptop that a Ipad. And in this economy i cant really afford to spend $500 on something that i don't need.
2 people like this
@myliezl0903 (2726)
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
hi there! i saw it in their website awhile ago and i was so amazed with the kind of unique technology they have ., i think this would be a success again with apple ., thanks a lot for giving us a lot to explore ., have a nice day ahead! 
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
28 Jan 10
scottcoleson,
I believe that the iPad will be a success even though when you perceive it to be a oversize and repeat technology. For me, I see iPad to be a versatile, enhanced and practical to their own iPod and iPhone. I stand together with those who appreciates the increase in size without compromising portability.
Though the current 3G service provider is currently with AT&T, I am sure that the iPad will be available with the rest of the network providers. I am still comfortable with it considering that I can still connect wirelessly with WiFi.
Overall, I am impressed and have already made up my mind to get the 32GB model with the inbuilt 3G modem.
@coolcoder (2018)
• United States
28 Jan 10
I refuse to buy an iPad. There's no need for it...if I want to get on the Internet, I use my computer at home. If I want to take notes, that's what pens, pencils, and paper are for. If I want to read, that's what all of the lovely hard copies of books are for. An iPad? I'll pass, thanks.
@verabear (796)
• Philippines
29 Jan 10
First let me say that this thread has been pretty interesting. :) Next, I don't own an Ipod or its range of products, although my partner has an Ipod classic which I sometimes borrow. I think Apple really has dominance over that market and I don't see any competition there, having a blown up Itouch is something that Iphone and Itouch owners will surely appreciate. Personally, I like the mobility it offers but also note that it isn't for computing at all. I would probably buy it (but not right away), use it with Wifi, and browse, play games all i want. It's also probably a good way to carry your photos around with you to share. the disk space is quite limited though. :(
@verabear (796)
• Philippines
30 Jan 10
You're welcome, this is really a very interesting thread. I personally would probably be happy with the Ipod Nano Video that came out last year. Hehe. Waiting a year or so before getting the iPad is probably a wise move. I'm sure there will be a lot of improvement on the product, just like how they've kept on improving on the iPod line.
@Picquarian (724)
• United States
29 Jan 10
I'm not sure if I will get it or not. I want to see what other people think of it before I invest. It doesn't sound like a bad idea, but it's a lot of money to spend on something I don't know much about.
@miravu (100)
• United States
28 Jan 10
Let me start this out by saying that I still don't even have an iPod.
For the price point the iPad is pretty reasonable. Given what's out there, it's a competitive product. I won't be buying it right now. Why? Because I'm not an eBook kind of girl and the competition in this genre of products is going to ignite over the next couple of years, driving the prices down and forcing new generations with improved features. If you've seen Microsoft's version of a touch screen PC you might be thinking the same thing.
@miravu (100)
• United States
28 Jan 10
I agree with you. The iPad is much more versatile than than an eBook reader.
However, for myself, and I'm guessing for many consumers, at this price point, I would want to use the iPad more as a computer than a fancy iTouch. That kind of functionality won't be added until there's enough competition to drive new generations of the iPad. I travel for a living and would welcome the opportunity to avoid carrying my personal computer alongside my work computer, but as great as this product will be, I don't think it will meet the need that my laptop fills and I won't be adding anything to my carry on just because it adds more value than an eBook reader.
This will be great for college kids and techies who like to have these bells and whistles on hand, but like I said I need more functionality.
@scottcoleson (578)
• Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
28 Jan 10
I would agree that this is going to be a competitive product for several years to come and there will be many people coming out with their own versions of it. The thing about the iPad is that it is so much more than an eBook or anything like that that anyone else has put out so far. It's a touch screen computer, music play (i.e. iPod), multimedia player, picture viewer, and it has internet capabilities. No one else has all that yet...at least not on the scale and the same quality as Apple. I have used touch screen PCs and I can honestly say that I hate them! They are not easy to use or practical at all. However, my experience with the iPhone and iPod is much different. Their product is very easy to use even by the most inept computer or technology user. I think that is one of the major things that differentiates the two brands: Mac and PC
@smokeywins (120)
• United States
22 Feb 10
I would be tempted but the only things holding me back are a) cost, & b) the fact that it is only available from AT&T. Sorry to all of those who swear by their service but where I live AT&T provides very poor reception. If Apple had actually allowed their iPad to be offered by Verizon, then the cost may have been the only thing holding me back from purchasing a new toy.
@johneds456 (53)
• Philippines
27 Jan 10
In addition to what I said about whether to buy an iPad, because of already 140,000,000 apps in the appstore and the iPad being backwards capable, you should definitely buy it.
1 person likes this
@illfavors (590)
• United States
28 Jan 10
I won't buy a new one. I have two that I hardly use as it is. I will be using one today though for when I go to the dentist to have my root canal finished so I don't have to hear the drilling.
@Rose_Wolf (55)
• Greece
28 Jan 10
I don't believe that the new product is something special really.
And I don't know how many people can will buy it.
We live an financial crisis so who has that money to buy another expensive product with services that will cost you too much.
I am not impressed.
@iharidh (308)
• Indonesia
28 Jan 10
Yes, I too see this announcement in TV a moment ago. I don't know about the teamwork with AT&T because I don't live in America either. But apart from that, I am really curious to try iPad. Especially when they announce its price. I think the price is quite affordable.
@kornic (5)
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
I don't think I'll be wanting to buy iPad for its functionality because I think a notebook with good specs is much better then pair it up with an iPhone or iTouch+"your cellphone here" and your good to go. At least if one gadgets fails or go out on batteries, you would still have the other/s. Another thing, I want to play on something that requires a mouse and a touch functionality for games such as an RTS game would really be frustrating. Just a thought. As for the wanting part, I want to try it out of curiosity, who wouldn't.:D
