I've been wanting an iPad pretty badly, and there's a good chance I might get a summer job this, well, summer. Do you think that the price of the WiFi iPad (don't care about 3G, don't want a monthly contract) will have dropped by this summer? And if not, when do you think it will?
I think that if someone is looking for something totally groundbreaking, you are not going to find it in the iPad - however, it does a lot of things well, and IMO was worth purchasing for me. Graphically it has the typical gorgeous Apple screens - which for me, are just nicer than the typical Windows PC (and PC wise, all I own are Windows types ranging from 14 inch portable to 32 inch desktop) Obviously has the touch interface which I really like for casual web browsing, reading, playing games, watching movies, etc. Size makes it perfect to sit in a chair, recliner, bed, plane, etc. Much easier to pack than a PC for trips. Obviously has a lot of limitations, and is NOT a PC (again IMO) - but is a nice entertainment "center". I think that subsequent iterations will probably be much better, and will become more "mainstream" - but even though I am one of the "early adopters" - there are LOTS of them around - as iPad sold way more than original iPhone - and look how sucessful that has become. If you are looking to replace your PC - don't get an iPad - after all, you need a PC just to back up and restore, but if you want a great looking "entertainment computer" the iPad can be a wonderful addition. I was very skeptical about purchasing, but am very glad I did, and most of what I used to do with my iPhone as far as casual gaming and entertainment I do with the iPad (except match 3s, the pieces are too big for quick swipes). Innovative - yes, groundbreaking - no. Defintely not for everyone especially at the price point - just like many console gaming machines - people still complain about the Sony PS3 prices - I thought it was a great price especially when they dropped them to $399 a few years back. It sounds as though OP is not ready for one of these, and is not convinced that it is worth the money. I don't think that any posting will convince s/he of that, but should not discourage others from checking the iPad out, and others may find like me, that the purchase was definitely "well worth it".
Yeah, what he said. I appreciate the larger screen, the 10 hour battery, and the 3G connection (I've previously been an iPod Touch guy, never went for the iPhone). It makes web browsing, emailing, and movie viewing a lot easier. Also, don't believe the haters, a lot of iPhone games don't look too bad 2X (sure, a little pixelated but nothing worse than some PS2 games on a big screen TV for the most part...Dungeon Hunter and Space Dock, however, are examples of two games that somehow look pretty nasty when scaled up). Most line drawers are actually easier (IMHO) than doing it on the iPhone since you can do much more finite routes without the usual hassle of your fingers blocking half the screen. All that being said, a number of iPhone games, even if they look okay 2X, just don't control that well (at least for me). I'm not even talking about the obvious games with virtual buttons now out of reach from your thumbs on either side of the iPad, but some of the tilters like Doodle Jump/Mega Jump. There is no reason they shouldn't work but I'm finding it harder to make the precise tilting adjustments two handed like I could do intuitively with the iPod in one hand. Maybe it is just a matter of practice. Games that expect you to do a lot of rotating of the screen as much as 180 degrees, just isn't feasible on this device.
I would be pretty surprised if they dropped in price that quickly. Analysts are saying that apple is selling a lot more iPads than they anticipated. That's why the worldwide release date was changed to a later date--too much demand, even in the US. And there is no monthly contract with the 3G service--you can buy it on a month-to-month basis, which is the main reason I bought the 3G version instead of just the wifi. Agreed. As time goes by, I am hoping that more and more people will realize that the iPad is an entertainment device...not a desktop or laptop replacement! I think that most games look alright at the 2x pixelation. I was playing Spider: the Secret of Bryce Manor and was pleased at how it looked--and it's more fun on the bigger screen than it was on the Tiny Touch. Enough to make me play the whole game over. But games that rely on the accelerator are not that great, IMO.
Agreed. There are actually quite a lot of games that look quite nice on the iPad (Sparkle comes to mind) even at the 2x. Spider also looks very good, and the control is certainly easier. As has been mentioned above, many of the line drawing games are easier - and many of the SHMUPs are significantly "better" for being able to finely control aiming the gun, but also missing "bullets" and "bombs" being sent your way. Movies are also great, and sound quality with some good headphones, or ear buds is also quite nice and so a great personal way to be entertained. On a more personal note - I was recently at a conference and took my iPad. Sitting in the lobby (for the free wifi), I had quite a large number of people - both men and women - coming up, asking if they could sit, and wanting to know about the iPad, how I liked it, what it looked like, etc... Quite a nice conversation starter potentially for those among you that might be shy.
I'd love one of these but Apple is too unpredictable. I don't want to buy one and find out a month later that Steve does something to piss me off again. I also keep getting refurb quality products from them labled and sold as new. Thanks Apple and BestBuy!
Don't hold your breath for flash compatibility. Steve Job is not going to allow flash on iDevices in his lifetime.
