iPad

Anyone here thinking of getting one (or already got one)? Curious to get the pulse of the clan. A lot of negative reactions out there and of course a lot of early adoptors. Something like 300,000 on the first day alone. Personally, I am considering it. Not as a laptop replacement, but a mobile entertainment device. I don't have a netbook or anything that is extremely mobile so this has me intrigued. I know it has some shortcomings but for the most part it would handle everything I would want it to do... Movies, music, games, personal organizer, web and e-mails in an ultra portable format.

Your thoughts?

does it have photoshop?

nope. Its really just a big iPhone/iPod Touch. It is really not a computer but a mobile entertainment device. Or at least that is how I see it.

Well it would be win if it had Photoshop. You could get an Ipad touch Stylus and rock Photoshop like never before... Oh well, it's their short sighted ideas that will bite them when another company releases a similar product with PS (Microsoft mayhap?)

Actually, you can already do that. And have been able to do so for quite some time. Tablet and Slate PC's have been around for a while. Although you would probably spend at least $1500-$2000 to get a good one.

The iPad is a completely different animal.

S7 Interseptor wrote:Actually, you can already do that. And have been able to do so for quite some time. Tablet and Slate PC's have been around for a while. Although you would probably spend at least $1500-$2000 to get a good one.

The iPad is a completely different animal.

Wacoms Cintiq runs between 1000 and 2000, and it's a tablet that has the screen on it. Still needs to connect to a computer though. Any tablet pcs have horrid pressure levels so drawing on them would make you want to kill yourself.
If you get an R4 (or any mod chip for the DS) then you can download a freeware program called 'Colours', and while it won't be the same as using a Wacom and Photoshop, it is very easy to use and you can make some great paintings/sketches.

On topic: Not getting the iPad.

yeah, touch computers are nothing new with graphic designers, but a mini touch computer? There would be a very large market for that sort of angle. Hell, even if they do an App for it, then it's fine. I'd just like to see these Ipads and Ipod touch models become more like mini computers.

EDIT: after atrum's post

I thought these used heat recognition instead of pressure like the nintendo DS?

I'm hoping to receive the WiFi+3G model for an early b-day present.

Personally, the deal was sealed for me when I found out that the iWork suite (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) was going to be on it. This way I can save files in those native formats plus import, work on, and save Word, Excel, and PP files. And I plan to use it a lot at work during meetings and for project notes. Plus, Zak, I'm sure you can picture the marketing possibilities with the photography biz. Just think showing clients slide shows with music on the iPad's screen or connecting it to a projector. I can see how this can benefit my print sales.

If you're not into the iWork suite, then, Docs-to-Go has updated it's app for the iPad so you can edit Word, Excel, and PP docs on the go. I have Docs-to-Go on my iPhone, and it has been useful, but obviously the iPad's screen size will make it will make it that much more appealing.

The larger screen in the iPad, will also be nice for remote access to my home and work computers. There's already apps out there for that.

Nothing replaces Photoshop (which I love), and I am a little disappointed that they don't have a version if iPhoto for the iPad. It's a powerful enough consumer photo editing app with solid tools that would have been nice for this type of device. However, there is time, and apple could develop an iPhoto app for it, and they should. Still, there are plenty of photo editing apps out there, and the iPad hardware specs will allow for someone to create a solid photo editing tool.

All-in-all, I think the potential for this device is pretty substantial. This is the first version, and it is more of a luxury item, but I'm sure with a lot of trial and error, more biz uses will emerge.

What I like the most is like with products like the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad, apple is upping the ante, and in turn other companies are responding. MS and HP both have really cool devices in the works. This will force Apple to step it up for the next iPad. The increased competition only benefits us, the consumer, and I love it. Make better, cooler stuff for me; that's what I care about. We live in a great time my friends. I mean this is some sci-fi stuff right there.

I also notice how companies aren't giving apple too much of a lead this time before they're planning to get their devices on the market. That's smart. They've finally learned not to let Apple get a foothold. Even though I'm an Apple fan boy, I respect competition because it only make products better for us.

To all those naysayers, I say if they have a better device then whip it out. If not, they need to shut up! The one thing I cannot stand is people complaining or heavily criticizing something when they either don't have any solution, or don't have a better or cooler solution. The iPad is a cool, game-changing device. The gauntlet has been thrown. We'll see who rises up to the challenge.

I don't plan to get one although the thought has crossed my mind. It has tons of up side but like with the iphone I will wait at least 1 generation. I think there is way more that should be put into it. Like a usb input , network printing / connection to server networks for example.
On another note you can get apple's version of the microsoft office for it to do word documents, powerpoint slide shows, and spreadsheets. For me It would be more of an entertainment device as well as almost every thing my iphone does. If I were to get one I would seriously have to consider getting a simple phone and not use my iphone. But who knows. If in the next few years they make if so I don't need my laptop then it would be a done deal.

S7 OC wrote: network printing / connection to server networks for example.

This depends on the network (and if you're cool with your IT guys). But it is kinda hit and miss...

Wireless printers should be no problem. Older USB printers.. not so much.

Well can you print from you iphone? If do how? it will be the same for the ipad.

Need to print a document? There's an app for that. Seriously. There are a number of apps available that let you connect and print. but the popular rumor is that the OS4 will allow for easier printing via wireless printers.

Also, the iPad will be able to send files in PDF format from pages, numbers and keynote. Not ideal but a workable solution until the new OS is released. (the iPhone does not have this capibility)

S7 Zero wrote:
I thought these used heat recognition instead of pressure like the nintendo DS?

By these do you mean the iPad or tablets? All tablets use pressure sensitivity. The nicer ones detect pen tilt and which nib (tip of the pen) you have on. No clue on the iPad, but if it goes off of heat recognition it would be a lot more difficult to produce a good drawing program.

Also, here's a link to a gallery of paintings made in "colors!" on the DS.
http://colors.collectingsmiles.com/top.php?page=1

If indie devs can make an app as powerful as Colors then I don't see why there wouldnt be an app atleast that good for the iPad in the future.

Edit: An awesome thing about colors is it has a built in replay that you can put on your computer, which PS really needs. I always thought it odd a small ds program had a feature a full blow version did not.

I had a conversation about these with a friend of mine...we're both thinking of doing it . But I already have a netbook and really that's all this is. A netbook that doesn't close.....LOL

I can't "REALLY" justify $500 for something when I have three or four other technical objects that do the same task. If I do buy, I'll wait to see if there are problems...maybe next year. The price will be lower, expectations not as high, and it should have a stable kernel version by then. That, or just get a Kindle DX...LOL

Seriously it would be wort spending $50 more for an ipad over a Kindle. You would get so much more.

I'll get one but I'm waiting a bit till the next models drop it's apple so I'll give a year tops and thats pushing before they release another, better, version of it.

agree with smack going to wait a year , and also going to get the new iphone in june , but the ipad is a apple answer to the netbook and it does a amazing job was playing with my friends today and i wanted one 3g also the battery life is great

I have a Macbook Pro and an iPhone already, so whilst I think the iPad is great and would love one, I can't justify spending that cash on something that doesn't really offer anything new to me. That said, if it had a programming IDE, either for web or a high-level language like C++, Java, etc. then I would more than likely end up buying one before the end of the year.

Seriously doubt it'll happen though, so my next major purchase is more than likely a new guitar or a new car...not the iPad, which I see more as a convenience than a necessity.

N.B. - I would, however, be very interested in developing games for it though, which I may look into over the summer, if i'm not already too tied up with my other projects.

If it came with one of these :
http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/iCade.shtml?icpg=Carousel_iCade_1
I would buy the imaxi , but I've got the iPhone, pc, htpc, &netbook that suxs
no multi task and no hdmi killed it for me

Heard a lot of wi-fi issues already with these things. Apparently it's the case it sits in...aluminum that acts as a blocker. The second generation will be better I'm sure. Also a few of the apps don't go "full screen" almost as if they are made for and still only capable of being used on the iphone instead of the full screen iPad.

Rushed product? perhaps...
I noticed they didn't give them to the media like PC World to get good solid reviews before putting them on the shelf. Afraid the experts would find things not worth the price?

That is a WIN Droopy!

Developers are working on ipad apps. There are a lot out all ready and they can use iPhone apps but they don't have the best resolution quality when you use the 2x zoom mode. There are way more apps for the ipad then there were for the iPhone lanch almost 4 years ago. I think alot of use who love there gadgets are on the wait and see as we all have laptops phones mp3 players and tons of other gadgets. I am really looking forward to the new iPhone this summer. I'm starting to save up now.

S7 OC wrote: I am really looking forward to the new iPhone this summer. I'm starting to save up now.

I hear you on that bro I've been waiting myself hopefully it's the new 4G lol edition with a few new perks here and there.

S7 Interseptor wrote:nope. Its really just a big iPhone/iPod Touch. It is really not a computer but a mobile entertainment device. Or at least that is how I see it.

yep just without the phone part. not getting it as its not worth the money when i can get a laptop thats better with more features