Well, what I'll say is that the iPad, and indeed tablets in general, are still a pretty niche product, at least for now.

So far, in my everyday life, I really haven't came across many, if any at all, situations where I told myself "damn, a tablet/ipad is exactly what I need right this moment".

To me, the tablet/ipad is kind of like a device that is pretty average at a lot of things, but really doesn't excel in any.

For pure productivity, it doesn't beat your desktop.

For portable productivity, like giving presentations or typing e-mails when outside of office, it doesn't beat your laptop/macbook/whatever.

For pure entertainment, it doesn't beat your console/PC/home theatre/whatever it is you have at home.

And for pure portability, it doesn't beat your smartphones which can fit inside your pocket and can be operated with 1 hand while standing/walking if you choose to.

So really, to me, the ipad or tablets in general are mostly products that you use due to the novelty factor. Sure, it has its uses and advantages, just not very compelling ones.

This post has been edited by clutch31: Dec 20 2010, 02:46 PM

We are obviously talking about the consumer electronics industry from the end user point of view, regarding Mobile Phones and PDAs (it's what this sub-forum is called, what a surprise ).

If you want to nitpick and say that tablets have other applications in other industries for other purposes, of course. But why the hell would you want to drag this discussion off topic?

And besides, like Nukke mentioned, we are not trying to say that ipads (or tablets, relating to the consumer mobile phone and PDA industry) is useless. I'm just saying, there really aren't any compelling reasons to go out and get ipads, aside from the novelty factor.

This post has been edited by clutch31: Dec 21 2010, 01:59 PM

The other guy said "Tablets have it's use in various industry."

There's nothing wrong with his statement. In fact, it's perfectly true.

But it's so obvious we are here in this Sub-Forum called "Mobile Phones and PDAs", posting in a thread called "iPad", the discussion here is obviously in the context of consumer electronics, specifically tablets, targeted at end users.

Why would someone want to talk about the applications of tablets in other industries?

So yes, that would be going off topic.

This post has been edited by clutch31: Dec 22 2010, 05:22 PM

1. I don't think drivers are supposed to divert their attention to playing games while driving, even if they are stuck in a traffic jam.

2. If you really HAVE to play game while driving, any handheld gaming device can do the job just as well, if not better. Mobile phones, for example, is easier to operate with one hand, compared to the more cumbersome iPad.

You're right in the sense that the iPad doesn't really replace anything. As for easing your daily life, even that is debatable.

I really don't think anyone can come up with a long list of common daily tasks that only the iPad is capable of performing, or at the very least, perform it the best compared to other available devices. A short list, comprising of a few very situational tasks, maybe. That's why it's a niche product. Not useless by any means, but very niche. Like I said, the main, overwhelming reason why someone would want an iPad now is for the novelty factor, I believe.

I know what you are trying to say. Bigger screen = easier to see, yes. But like I said, bigger screen also = more cumbersome. Especially if you are playing games while driving. So it's a trade off basically. Meaning pros and cons, give and take. Which was why I said if you want to play games in a car, other gaming handhelds are just as good. Which brings me to my point: you CAN use the iPad for the purpose you described, yes. But there's no real compelling reason why you WANT to use an iPad over other available devices, other than "HEY OMG LOOK IT'S AN IPAD WOOT!".

Makes sense?

No, no, I wasn't saying you cannot come up with a list of what you CAN do with an iPad. Heck, one can even use an iPad as a drink coaster if they want to.

What I said was, if you paid attention, is that there really isn't a long list of tasks that ONLY the iPad can do, or at least DO IT BEST.

Let me give you an example for smartphones, or mobile phones in general.

1. Mobility. They fit in your pocket. This is something that ONLY mobile phones/smartphones can give you. You cannot achieve this with PCs or laptops or tablets, unless you have huuuggge pockets.

2. Communication on the go. They allow me to use telephony services on the go. Other devices can also do this, yes, like laptops with Skype, but there's no mistaking that a mobile phone/smartphone does this THE BEST overall.

So you see, these two examples give me very compelling reasons why I would want a mobile phone/smartphone. And if you sit down and think further, you can easily expand the list.

Now try doing that for the iPad. Like I said, you might be able to come up with a short list of a few very situational tasks, that's it.

Anyway, just go re-read my post. I feel like I'm repeating myself.

This post has been edited by clutch31: Dec 24 2010, 01:57 PM

And I suppose you cannot do that with a laptop, netbook, or a smartphone.

I attended a presentation recently, whereby the presentation giver used an IPad to give his presentation. Looking at the guy setting the presentation up, the first thing that came to my mind was, hey, at least with a laptop, you don't have to prop it up with an ashtray.

After a while, the guy realized his futility as well, and began holding the IPad with his hand, alternating the viewing angle between my colleague and I as he gave his presentation. It was quite a funny sight.

At the end of the presentation, the biggest impression that he left me was, what's wrong with using a laptop?

And no, we did not end up buying his inventory.

And yet you'd still have to prop it up with something, or hold it with your hand(s). Laying the IPad flat down on the table does not give a very good viewing angle. So no, I really don't think the IPad is ideal as a device to give presentation with. Of course, if you managed to connect it to a projector, that'd be a different story. But then, it goes back to the original question, what's wrong with using a laptop?