Five reasons why the iPad… isn’t good
The iPad was met with loads of criticism and praise when it was announced. Many hate it and think it’s terrible, but here’s what I think about the new tablet.
A small word of warning before I start this off – some of you may not agree with what I’m going to say. There are people out there who think that the iPad is utter trash and will frown at anyone who would buy one, and there are others who think it’s the greatest thing that Apple has ever created. I would consider myself around the middle of those – it’s a nice device for sure, but the amount of negatives overweigh the positives and I cannot imagine myself purchasing one. Anyway, here are my five reasons why I think the iPad is, well, not good.
1. No Adobe Flash
Flash is pretty much one with the web these days, and the lack of Flash support on the iPad right now just plain sucks. While it was somewhat okay with the iPhone and iPod Touch, the iPad has a 9.7″ display, after all. Although you could probably watch Youtube videos using a specific app, all the other sites that don’t have that kind of app are left in the dark.
2. No Camera(s)
What, you mean I can’t do video chats on here? How about taking photos? Or video? No? For a device like this, a camera is almost a required accessory, so it’s too bad Apple didn’t think to include one.
3. No Multitasking
This is the dealbreaker for many people, including me. That’s right, you can’t have Twitter, your browser, AIM, a couple iWork documents and some other stuff open all at once (although that’s probably stretching things a bit.) You’ll have to choose one of those. It sure makes doing real work on this thing pretty difficult, that’s for sure (although doing work on an iPad would still be sort of difficult either way.) It’s a bit sad because Apple’s custom A4 processor should be able to handle the workload fairly easily.
4. No HDMI output
Nope, you can’t watch those HD movies you got from iTunes on your giant 40″ TV, let alone any monitor supporting the HDMI interface. You’ll need an adapter to get an iPad to output through a VGA interface, and even so that’s… VGA. An analog output. C’mon Apple! You can do better than that.
5. The Name
“iPad”? Really Apple? Whatever happened to iSlate? Not only is the name of this tablet going to spur a whole bunch of jokes related to female hygiene (and not in a good way either,) Fujitsu actually owns the iPad name and plans to take the company to court because of it. Nice going Apple, way to screw yourselves over… twice!
Okay, maybe I was a bit hard on the iPad there, but it’s the truth. Besides the negatives the iPad is a very nice piece of technology, with a good UI and some other interesting features. Also, iPhone OS 4, which should come later this year, could fix some of the gripes. Just Apple probably should’ve put more thought into the device before following through with it. As I said above, for many people, the negatives will outweigh the positives. How about you readers? What do you hate about the iPad?
Excellent post. Personally, I only need 1 reason why I wouldn’t get one: I’m simply not into the whole ‘fad’, ‘trend’, ‘brand name’..however you want to infer to that…
Is a name really one of the reasons you wouldn’t buy an iPad? You also said you couldn’t watch youtube videos…you can with the youtube app that comes standard. I still don’t get this fantasy with flash, a buggy, memory hog, battery draining software that mostly shows ads anyways. So you wanna watch a flash video? Theres apps for that..CNN anyone? Apple is going to lay back and watch the money pile up while the haters keep hating.
The author very specifically says you can watch youtube with a special app. He’s referring to the fact that you wouldn’t be able to watch video’s on other sites that utilize Flash for playing their videos.
Read, *understand*, then respond. Good boy.
I think you mean Adobe
Now how on earth did I miss that… -.- Thanks.
Some of those missing features could easily be fixed with a software update. They could make a sleek iPad camera. And the name, well, it’s not like it’s set in stone.
Buy a laptop. The iPad is not for you! But it is for me and my needs. My iPhone quite often suffices/ replaces my laptop when I need to do certain things. Just the size and presentation needs increasing…….=iPad! This fixation from people about lack of flash is strange. Kind of like looking for something to hate. For me, iPad replaces textbooks, newspapers, magazines, note taking, facebooking, mobile movie watching…etc. I predict that it will revolutionise the gaming experience. IMHO
It should have had a camera and projector.
Can’t people who review stop using the word ‘sucks’. It really detracts from the discussion as I have no idea what the reviewer is really trying to say.
I do agree, the Ipad is an over hyped over priced piece of technology. There is no reason someone could not buy a netbook for the same price, and have it do as much if not more then the Ipad with the exception of a touch screen. I liked somebodies previous quote on about apple “If apple crapped in a box and sold it as Icrap, those lovely apple fans would still but it”
Just figured I’d respond to yours and say that not only can netbooks do more, at a fraction of the price, but if you shop well enough and do some research, you can even get a slightly underpowered touchscreen netbook:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5618113&Sku=A50-08906
I am canadian, and 599 dollars for an ipad compared to 569 for the asus Eee PC T91 is a no brainer.
If you don’t like that deal, then buy a netbook with bluetooth capabilities, buy a wii remote, and do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5EvhHy7eQ&feature=fvw
Either way, 350 bucks for a netbook w/bluetooth and a wii remote is far far far more economical and just as good as a 600 dollar glorified phone minus the phone part. Furthermore, I dont know too much about the ipad, but i know u can throw on skype on ur netbook and make calls with just a little bit of extra spending. Which even within a year is still cheaper then an ipad….
The ipad is unnecessary. You can easily get all the functionality and more from other things, and for cheaper.
Plus a netbook can do conference calls with its built in standard webcam + mic…… And is WAAAAYYYY better for taking notes.
And if you want to spend money on junk, then buy the Ipad, I hope that the frivolous spending comes back to bite Ipad fans in their butts… Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate apple. While I am not a huge fan of their overpriced everything, I still enjoy the iphone quite a bit. Though now android by google on LG phones and other devices has easily outshined the apple OS, I am not so included to buy one anymore…
Apple makes fancy dancy expensive things, that dont necessarily do anything better then something else already on the market, except be more visually appealing – with the exception of the iphone, which while it will be outshined soon by android, was a very awesome breakthrough in mobile phone technology.
I love my netbook. ^_^
I think it will do just fine. The iPad does way more then the Kindle or any other e-reader for that matter. As for all the features you mentioned, those will be on the iSlate not the iPad.
“The iPad does way more then the Kindle or any other e-reader for that matter.”… Well yes, I should hope so – it’s not the iReader and for the price it had BETTER do much more.
“As for all the features you mentioned, those will be on the iSlate not the iPad.”… Wait a minute, there’s going to be an iSlate? And I have to buy one of those AND an iPad to get what Apple promised in the first place?? Sorry, consumers have other options and Apple’s arrogance and over-confidence may end up costing them (not us) dearly.
Marla, I don’t think Apple promised anything. The iPad will be a great media, e-reader, and internet device. It wasn’t suppose to be laptop replacement. The iPad will be great for college students that can’t afford a laptop, or people that want a e-reader that can access the internet with color but do not need a full blown expensive laptop, plain and simple!! If your looking for a laptop replacement the iPad is not that, you will just have to wait for the iSlate with OSX, OLED screen, built-in web cam, and usb ports. The big problem with the iPad is the hype that was built around the iSlate and the media has confused the iSlate with the iPad.
Quote ” Ipad will be great for college students who can’t afford a laptop” Guess again there are laptops less expensive than the Ipad and that do a heck of a lot more. !!! It is just Apple’s way of trying to get more $$$$ from people that “think” they need the latest stuff.
Relax save your $$$$$ this is one product that you really don’t need !!!!!!!!!!!
First you say “The Ipad wasn’t supposed to replace the laptop.”Then you say”The Ipad will be a great substitute for students who can’t afford a laptop.” Well,which is it?
The OS!! Why put the iPhone OS in a tablet computer. All that does is make it an oversized iphone. It should run Mac OS X really.
Indeed.
To get the price down to $499 you can’t run a resource hog OS. To run OSX or Windows 7 you need more gear and more gear means more money.
@Apple Ipad How much should we spend on you to justify your existence?
I like Mac’s and have nothing against them (I switched to PC’s years ago only due to work) but although it looks ‘cool’ I don’t really understand any need for it other than as a net-surfing device? Too many ‘have nots’ built into this thing. You can do alot more with a laptop so why the need for the ‘iPad’?
Greetings all; I just realized one thing,and that I am the luckyest one in the world,because I just stumbled into this area by accident and I haven’t the faintest idea what all this techy ticky clap trap b.s. is all about.Have a good day everyone, Regards John
Has anyone considered how much it will cost to operate this on a network? Sure it comes with Wi fi, but what if no wi fi connection, you will have to have a subscription to a mobile network, Which will charge huge amounts as it is not a cell phone. Just and oversized Itouch, not even an Iphone. Apps apps and more apps, just ways for apple to screw people and they dont even realize it.
Flash is essential. Thousands of websites require a flash plugin. It’s an annoyance on Blackberry as well. It is necessary in most sales websites especially Real estate.
The thing looks like an IPhone for seniors. Like those giant remote controls
not even an iphone but an itouch for seniors!!! i love it!! thats too funny!!!
Has anyone stopped to consider where we are going with all this high tech instant communication.
There was a time, not long ago, that a guy could get instructions in the morning for a whole weeks worth of work, and he would just get at it. Now, with all this instant everything, you are as likely as not to be interrupted three times on your way to work, turned to a different worksite each time, and by quitting time have not arrived at any worksite.
Just how productive is that? We must truly deserve the mess we are in!
There is nothing instant about a full days work: it takes all day if someone would just leave you to it.
The five reasons stated why you think the iPad isn’t good are insignificant at best, and I’ll tell you why:
1). No Flash support. Yes, there’s an app for that, problem solved.
2). No cameras. Seriously, doesn’t every freaking device we own have to have a built in camera? What the heck did we do 10, 15, 20 years ago when we just carried a camera around when on vacation, going to a party or taking baby pics. Now we have to take pics of ourselves while using an iPad or laptop? You obviously missed the point of why/how the iPad was specifically designed. If you want a camera, use your blackberry/cell/digital camera, goodness knows every other device has one.
3). No multitasking. That’s what an macbook or laptop is for. Again, research why the iPad was created in the first place. It’s not meant to be a notebook killer or replacement. If you wanna multitask in public, get a macbook or another notebook. If you are on the go, you can still get stuff done, just not doing 5 things at once. By the way, if you are working on a document in iWork, best to shut off your IM, Twitter or Facebook anyway, they are all annoying distracting while you are trying to get work done.
4). No HDMI output. If you want to download a HD movie and show it on your TV, you can always do this through your macbook or desktop and burn it to a dvd. DVDs are, what, 20 cents now? The iPad is meant to watch movies in a pinch, like if you are waiting at an airport or at the cottage. If you really want to watch a movie on your big screen TV, simply burn a copy and then watch it.
5). The name iPad. Get over yourself, only someone immature would make a reference to it relating to a feminine hygiene product. I take it you don’t have a girlfriend or are married, right? Just like the name iPhone, I doubt Apple blindly chose the name not knowing it was already taken. When Steve Jobs wants a name, he takes it and settles out of court. It may be regarded as just plain dumb to most but think of the logic. He uses a name that’s very identifiable already and then once a lawsuit is then initiated, he gets even more press for free (well, not technically for free, it’s the cost to settle out of court). Jobs didn’t grow Apple to the point by being stupid or reckless, he’s calculated how much each new product will cost the company and what the immediate and long term rewards will be. Obviously, he’s been nothing short of a genius so far with the iPhone, iPod, iMac etc.
Apple created the iPad as a hybrid iPod/iPhone/Macbook tool. It certainly doesn’t replace any of of these devices (every one already has it place) but it does allow a user to capture the essential tools of each of these devices and puts it in one sleek product. The demographics of the people Apple is thinking will buy the iPad most likely already have a macbook and/or desktop system. This device is all about going mobile with a wide array of tools at your disposal, which I think people will either buy it for or decide that a notebook is good enough for them.
Well there you have it.If you buy an Ipad you still need to carry around your phone,camera and notebook.Just buy a bigger
carry all.
hey!
i need all the help i can to stop my husband from buying one!
Re: Dale Thompson’s comment… what a load of pompous, sanctimonious drivel. What ivory-towered, lavender-scented planet are you living on? “Immature”?? Get real: ask 100 people on the street what comes to mind when they hear the word “pad”. Uh-huh. Now ask 100 women. Uh-huh again, with an even greater majority. Maturity has nothing to do with the iPad’s name being unfortunate and a poor choice. Even the most mature person in the world is going to have doubts knowing that some of his/her friends and co-workers are going to snicker – even inwardly – at their fancy new device. This is all about Apple’s arrogance and their conviction they can ignore human nature because They Are Apple. Period.
Well said Marla.I’m betting that the name will change.
I think the iPad is great. I truly appreciate it’s size and the fact that leaving my laptop at home is finally an option. The iPad is my dream come true and I don’t care about the price. I think people should concentrate on critizing the Blackberry, now that is one outdated piece of cr..p people are still carrying around.!
Leave Apple products alone, if you can’t afford it then shop flea market.
By the way the iPhone is the best phone I have ever had.
Say what you want about Apple,but
leave my Blackberry alone.
hey Marla I am just wondering if a netbook is an option for you? They do everything the Ipad does yet a lot more and at a much cheaper price. and RE: to Dave Thompson. He sounds like one of those guys that would buy apples Icrap