People don't know how to complain about the iPad 2

[bogiesan]

I'm not really an Apple fanboy but the Macintosh has been the only major computer in my career. I barely tolerate the time I am forced to use a PC but only because it isso alien. If I spent all of my time at a PC, I would wonder why anyone would want a Mac.
I feel the same about playing go instead of chess, or most other games, and riding recumbents instead of conventional bicycles. I am still amazed at the prejudice folks have about Apple, Macintosh, or 'bents. People will presume much about me knowing only that I use a Mac or ride an unbelievably comfortable bike 5,000 miles a year.

I enjoy my iPad tremendously but it's my wife's unit that has had the deepest impact on our lives. After barely tolerating my online time and other Mac-based hobbies and twenty years of computer-phobia, she has become an online junkie, can't put it down. Now she's even starting to use her digital camera after it's been sitting in a drawer for ten years. She can use Boolean search. she is now in contact with many lost friends and family. The iPad changed her life completely and brought her willingly and eagerly into the 21st century instead of kicking and screaming.

We are eagerly awaiting the iPad3.

David Boise id

[judicata]

After spending more time with the iPad, I won't back away from my position that it is a huge iPod Touch. But I will extol the virtues of the iPod Touch XL, as it has been more useful (and even more fun) than I had anticipated.

Still, its practical use (at least for most people) will be lower than a laptop and a smartphone.

I still don't see this as an e-reader for me (to the extent I would use an e-reader at all). Adjusting the screen brightness does help, but, among my other complaints, the letters aren't as crisp as I'd like. Perhaps the next iPad will have a higher resolution "retina" display like the iPhone 4 (the iPad 2 does not) which may resolve this problem.

Although many of the programs ("apps") I use are modified iPhone apps, they are far more useful and usable with the larger screen. For example, I was able to quickly look up a statute in a meeting yesterday to answer a question (without having a conspicuous laptop at the meeting). I could have done this on my iPhone, but it would have taken longer.

I was surprised at how easy it was to connect to my work computer (and even that it was possible--I don't have any control over the computer or VNC setup). Same for my home computer running Ubuntu--easy as cake. I wouldn't play KGS games on my iPad (well, technically on my computer using my iPad as an interface)--in part because there is too much lag through the VNC. But I it works for observing.

[hyperpape]

Still, its practical use (at least for most people) will be lower than a laptop and a smartphone.

What do most people do with their computers?

I think the iPad will be more useful for most people. Most people hate their computers and are scared to install apps.

Most people I know like their computers, run Firefox or Chrome, and are comfortableish with how these crazy machines work. But I don't know most people.

[judicata]

Still, its practical use (at least for most people) will be lower than a laptop and a smartphone.

What do most people do with their computers?

I think the iPad will be more useful for most people. Most people hate their computers and are scared to install apps.

Most people I know like their computers, run Firefox or Chrome, and are comfortableish with how these crazy machines work. But I don't know most people.

...right, if you want me to substantiate every vague generalization with quantifiable evidence, no.

But if you want more context--it simply will not replace a typical PC/Mac workstation, and doesn't have much of the software (or versions that are sufficiently powerful) often required for such uses.

If you're marketing this as a laptop replacement, you're the first--Apple doesn't even make that claim.

[LocoRon]

I would assume that the average computer user uses a computer for (in no particular order): Games, web surfing (with some major specifics: email, youtube, facebook, blogging), watching movies, and listening to music, for entertainment. For work, email, word processing (probably with just the basic functions, which can be easily implemented through the GUI), and they might POSSIBLY have some power point and excel type tasks as well.

I may have missed a couple things that an "average person" will probably use a computer for, but I think these are all the really big things.

I don't have a tablet yet (I have a Droid 2, and am looking at picking up a Xoom in the next couple weeks), so I may be mistaken, but I think that a tablet can cover most those major points, just none very well.

Games: I'm not a computer gamer, instead preferring consoles, but I think most computer gamers practically swear by the keyboard and mouse combo. Obviously, a tablet lacks this, instead basically relying on touch input, and perhaps the accelerometer, GPS, or some other sensor (or combination thereof). While this does create a very interesting new style of gaming, I personally hate every game I have seen so far that has been made for tablets/phones. Of course, this is just me. I also think that the "hardcore gaming" crowd will not be too impressed with tablet gaming. The "average computer user", however, may be satisfied with tablet/phone gaming.

Websurfing: iOS: Very limited. You're never going to get flash, and that's what a lot of sites still rely on. All platforms: The web (aside from very "heavy" websites) will generally be accessible. I guess it depends on what you're looking at. A tablet can in some ways be as good as a computer. Just from using Dolphin HD on my Droid 2, "power features" such as tabbed browsing and plugins are nowhere near the level of a common desktop browsing experience.

A special note for youtube: I don't really care for youtube. The Android 3.0 youtube app looks absolutely amazing, though. I think it'd beat a desktop youtube browsing experience, hands down.

Movies: I'm just gonna take a stab in the dark on this, based on limited reading: The files that a tablet can handle, are handled well. If your collection is already in a compatible format, then both experiences may be comparable. However, I doubt you'll ever be able to just throw in a DVD/BluRay, etc. and watch it, and tablets do have very limited codec support compared to full desktop/laptop computers. Also, I doubt you'll ever get 5.1/7.1 etc surround sound out of a tablet, which you can from a desktop with just a proper sound card (and all the other equipment, of course).

Music: Basically the same thing as for movies.

Office productivity: I think there are some decent office suites available for both iOS and Android, however, any real work will beg for a bluetooth keyboard--thus it's not really a "pure" tablet experience. But, with this keyboard, I think the "average computer user" would be able to get the same amount of use out of a tablet as a more powerful computer.

Special note: ebooks. I think the "average computer user" is more likely to engage in, and enjoy, reading digital books on a tablet, than on a PC. I've personally read many 1000 page books on my desktop and laptop, and perhaps a hundred or so manga scans on my desktop, laptop, and netbook. It's an ok experience, but I think a tablet would make it far more pleasant (and this sentiment seems to be echoed by everyone I've heard or seen talk about ereading, even if they don't have any experience with trying it on their computers).

All in all, I think that a tablet really can be a computer replacement for most people. It is a replacement that will obviously necessitate a certain level of compromise, and perhaps even sacrifice, and in some cases, lower productivity, but, I do believe it is possible. I also think that as technology advances, slates will be the most common "average" computing platform, with laptops being more reserved for coders, or those with very high computing needs, and desktops being almost non-existent (maybe for those with very specialized needs).

I also think that there will be a push along the lines of what Google is doing with Chrome OS: the user's machine is just a client, and the actual computing and storage is off somewhere in the cloud (maybe this is what desktops will be used for). But this is all very hypothetical....

[Mivo]

There has been a pretty sharp turn in the more recent past concerning what "casual computer users" play. The people who used to spend a lot of time on Minesweeper, Solitaire and Bejeweled now sink significant time into playing Facebook games like Farmville, Ravenwood Fair and City of Wonder. And they all require flash, which the iPad does not support (because one man thinks he knows what's best for others). This segment of casual entertainment is currently exploding as it combines simple gaming concepts with social networking, almost like a MMMO experience, just with "less gaming" and more "social". The aforementioned titles rake in millions of dollars every month.

For me, a tablet (or slate) would just be a gimmick that I'd use for web browsing, replaying pro games, perhaps playing on a go server and watching shows. A virtual on-screen keyboard is not really working for me. I recently read a pretty good article on how well an iPad can replace a laptop in an office environment, which I thought covered my concerns nicely. It's located here.

I also chew a little on the whole ebook thing. On an intellectual level, I would prefer electronic books over the dead tree ones, but whenever I have myself half convinced that a) more space and b) fewer dead trees would be really nice, I inevitably attempt to read a longer text on the screen and catch myself losing focus, concentration and interest unusually fast. Almost like ADD, but only when reading books on a screen, whereas reading traditional books doesn't cause any mental fatigue even after hours of reading. It doesn't help that Kindle editions are frequently more expensive and that probably 90% of my books (and more than 70% of the new ones I purchase) don't even exist in an ebook form.

Hey, Ron, you should wait for the Flyer and then post a review here. Your general preferences seem to be similar to mine. Also, have you looked at the upcoming Sony NGP? I'm mildly optimistic about it, and hopeful that it will have better third-party support than the PSP did, and not cost an arm and a leg. (Maybe they are learning since they also dumped the disc-based approach.) But it's just for gaming, of course.

[judicata]

I should probably clarify what I meant by "replace." "Most people" could get by without a laptop, tablet, or PC at all and replace it with, say, a typewriter and a pen and paper (and perhaps a few board games). Sure, someone *could* ditch their laptop and PC and replace it with a tablet, but it would be an extremely uncomfortable experience.

Obviously, a "tablet" with the right hardware, keyboard, and other input devices (USB input), and operating system, but at that point, we're not really talking about a tablet anymore.

Setting that aside, it would be pure awesome to have a tablet that was fully and seamlessly integrated into a laptop (i.e., you could dock/undock it). There have been similar devices before, but the execution hasn't been great.

[hyperpape]

Yes, I do think tablets can replace laptops for many many people. And not in Judicata's typewriter way. I'll try and articulate why when I can (sick wife and a 15 month old here).

As for the docking thing, I'm not enthusiastic, though I used to be. Apps and OS controls need to be written with consistent expectations for input devices, but using touchscreen input on a laptop seems dodgy and tiresome.

[judicata]

Yes, I do think tablets can replace laptops for many many people. And not in Judicata's typewriter way. I'll try and articulate why when I can (sick wife and a 15 month old here).

As for the docking thing, I'm not enthusiastic, though I used to be. Apps and OS controls need to be written with consistent expectations for input devices, but using touchscreen input on a laptop seems dodgy and tiresome.

First, I hope your family gets better soon (and you don't get ill yourself).

On your second point: Fair enough, and this is perhaps a large reason former attempts have failed. But operating systems and software are adaptable. While there are certain tasks you'll want a laptop, keyboard, and input for, you can do some on both (note we're almost making arguments opposite from our positions on whether a tablet can replace a laptop). I'm not saying I know how it will work, but it doesn't seem to be a huge leap to me. I know Ubuntu is already making itself more suited for touchscreens in its main desktop OS (not a separate mobile OS). All that said, I could be wrong.

I don't know what you mean by "can replace laptops," I guess. Perhaps you could clarify? If someone has a desktop computer, it depends on what they do while mobile, but perhaps they could use a tablet instead of a laptop. Regardless, if someone would only use a laptop for casual web browsing and e-mail, a netbook or tablet may be all they need. And if you really want to get technical, I don't believe most of the people in the world own a personal computing device at all. Those described above don't really need a laptop to begin with, so why not grab a tablet? But for someone who actually uses a laptop, the tablet is simply no replacement, but rather a useful supplement (even if a far more useful supplement than I originally expected). Also, consider the largest buyers of laptops and other computers--businesses (such as the place I work), where tablets would never be sufficient without transforming into fully-functional laptops, though tablets are certainly finding their uses in business applications (something Blackberry is betting on).

I am surprised this is even a point of contention--I can't even find a tablet manufacturer (Apple or anyone else) that markets a tablet as a laptop replacement.

[LocoRon]

I recently read a pretty good article on how well an iPad can replace a laptop in an office environment, which I thought covered my concerns nicely. It's located here.

Yeah, that was a pretty good article, although it seems to have been written from very early in the life of the first iPad, so some of the software issues may be obsolete by now (either on the iPad itself or Android tablets).

I also chew a little on the whole ebook thing. On an intellectual level, I would prefer electronic books over the dead tree ones, but whenever I have myself half convinced that a) more space and b) fewer dead trees would be really nice, I inevitably attempt to read a longer text on the screen and catch myself losing focus, concentration and interest unusually fast. Almost like ADD, but only when reading books on a screen, whereas reading traditional books doesn't cause any mental fatigue even after hours of reading. It doesn't help that Kindle editions are frequently more expensive and that probably 90% of my books (and more than 70% of the new ones I purchase) don't even exist in an ebook form.

I was very reticent to read ebooks as well. For me, I found that the only way I get could through a whole book was to read the file fullscreen, thus hiding the toolbar, etc. I also liked having the text a little larger, although it did create for a very different feel compared to the hardcopy books. The kindle pricing does leave a lot to be desired. From just looking at the past entries in one particular series, they are actually priced to match the mass market paper back editions, which I think is a little absurd. I also don't like that the kindle editions for new releases are sometimes actually delayed by publishers' request, although, for the new book, the kindle edition is better priced than the hard cover, so I guess it evens out a little bit.

Hey, Ron, you should wait for the Flyer and then post a review here. Your general preferences seem to be similar to mine. Also, have you looked at the upcoming Sony NGP? I'm mildly optimistic about it, and hopeful that it will have better third-party support than the PSP did, and not cost an arm and a leg. (Maybe they are learning since they also dumped the disc-based approach.) But it's just for gaming, of course.

I'm too impatient to wait!
Seriously though, I may end up also picking up a Flyer, depending on its price, and my finances at the time. If I do, I'll be sure to post a review here.
As for the NGP... It seems interesting. I'm usually not an early adopter for game consoles, but, if it has good enough games, I'll definitely be picking one up. You should do a review of it, if you happen to pick one up.

I should probably clarify what I meant by "replace." "Most people" could get by without a laptop, tablet, or PC at all and replace it with, say, a typewriter and a pen and paper (and perhaps a few board games).

Not really. Does a typewriter (and perhaps a few board games) come with Internet access, email, instant messaging, Facebook, blogging, or any other sort of instant gratification communications or multimedia entertainment support?

Sure, someone *could* ditch their laptop and PC and replace it with a tablet, but it would be an extremely uncomfortable experience.

For you, yes. Just one example to the contrary: I randomly met someone through text messaging (long story) who never even used her computer, because her smartphone did everything she wanted, without any of the hassles. And that's just a palm-sized device! Would she have preferred a similar, albeit larger device (aka, a tablet)? I don't know. The point is that, for this one particular person, the simplicity of a phone that performed the few functions she wanted it to was more important than all the power and flexibility of a PC.

Obviously, a "tablet" with the right hardware, keyboard, and other input devices (USB input), and operating system, but at that point, we're not really talking about a tablet anymore.

I think the term you mean would be slate. A tablet is (pretty much) any touch-operated, portable computational device.
My Toshiba Portege M700 (currently running Windows Vista, though I've been meaning to upgrade to Windows 7) may appear to be a laptop, but is in fact, also a tablet.

[judicata]

Not really. Does a typewriter (and perhaps a few board games) come with Internet access, email, instant messaging, Facebook, blogging, or any other sort of instant gratification communications or multimedia entertainment support?

No, but not everyone uses those things. The debate seems to be a moving target--probably for both sides due, in part, to imprecise language (I'm blaming myself as much as anyone). What does it mean to replace a laptop? What does it mean to not need one in the first place? If you just check e-mail and send text messages, you don't need a tablet or computer at all. The concept of "need" is of course soft as well (none of us argue that we need these devices for survival). What is the difference between a tablet and a laptop?

These are all issues I don't really care to get into further, but it is an interesting discussion, so don't let me stop you. My initial thoughts on the issue were just that--thoughts. I haven't done any emperical studies or even informal surveys, and I don't intend to. Anecdotally, the people I know who actually use their laptop/desktop computers could not replace them tablets unless they started to morph into laptops.

I also don't want the discussion to detract from my ultimate praise of the iPad 2. I'm finding new uses for it every day. Today, I discovered marking up draft documents while on the go (even in freehand!); a few days ago I discovered some great legal research tools. All of these things have made my life easier or more enjoyable in one way or another.

[Mivo]

I was very reticent to read ebooks as well. For me, I found that the only way I get could through a whole book was to read the file fullscreen, thus hiding the toolbar, etc.

Yesterday's discussion in the "go books reviews" section (an unfortunate place) about ebooks triggered me to do some more research on ebooks and readers. I'm still intrigued, but between prices, selection of books, various formats and DRM, I believe it's too early for me to switch from paper to digital books. There are some readers that would appeal to me, but they cost more than half of what the Xoom or the Flyer will cost (Kindle DX, the 902/903 PocketBook series). I love the concept of e-ink, however, and how readable and power-saving it is. If I buy a player now, it'll delay other electronics purchases.

I think, though, what I really want is a portable all-purpose device. And that brings us right back to a tablet. Even if that means having to make some compromises (e.g. worse readability of larger documents due to LCD displays radiating light).

I'm too impatient to wait! Seriously though, I may end up also picking up a Flyer, depending on its price, and my finances at the time.

Well, tell me about it. The Xoom wasn't even on my radar until you mentioned it. 629 Euro at my hardware store. Ho-hum. No, not this soon! Maybe in a couple of months, depending on reviews and, more importantly, user feedback after they had the device for a while and the novelty wears off. I'd even consider an iPad2, but I need Flash support for professional reasons, so it's pretty much out unless I make strange arrangements like "taking my netbook along because it has a keyboard". I'm also still trying to decide to what degree I need a tablet and what the "WANT! MUST HAVE!" percentage of my interest is.

As for the NGP... It seems interesting. I'm usually not an early adopter for game consoles, but, if it has good enough games, I'll definitely be picking one up. You should do a review of it, if you happen to pick one up.

I have two PSPs (normal, lite) and three DS devices (EU lite which died and was replaced with an US lite as a Gameboy player, and a DSi), so ... yeah, I'm a sucker for handhelds. It all started some time in the early 90s when Atari sent me a review "copy" of a Lynx and then didn't want it back (great hardware, crappy third-party support). So, yes, I'll probably pick up a NGP, if only so I can play Unchartered Portable. The smart thing would be to wait for the second generation, though. I think I'll make this dependent on the price and whether it "supports" custom firmware.

[Mivo]

So I finally decided that I'll bite the bullet and go with an iPad2 (mostly because of the app store, iBooks and SmartGo Kifu -- and I'll just use a netbook for Flash-requiring work stuff), and now the iPad2 is out of stock everywhere in Germany. No new shipments before Easter, and even the Apple Store can't deliver before then. I guess that means May.

It's terrible sitting on money that I want to spend. Perhaps I'll look at the Xoom again, or the Flyer when it comes out. The Xoom reviews weren't as positive as I had hoped, but that had partly to do with the lag of tablet-designed apps on the Android store.

[imabuddha]

So I finally decided that I'll bite the bullet and go with an iPad2 (mostly because of the app store, iBooks and SmartGo Kifu -- and I'll just use a netbook for Flash-requiring work stuff), and now the iPad2 is out of stock everywhere in Germany.

Sorry to hear it's still hard to find, but I'd say it's worth the wait.

Regarding iBooks, it's a good app for reading epub format, but for pdf files I recommend an app called GoodReader. Amazon's Kindle app is also quite good for books from their store. The Google Books app is pretty primitive, but it does provide easy access to their public domain scans.

I think you might also like another app which will debut as soon as Apple approves it…

[Mivo]

Is it the same mystery app that Anders briefly (and without any details!) mentioned, or a different project that's luring in the bushes and waiting to surprise us with its awesomeness?