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What experience does an iPad deliver that I can't get from an iPhone, a netbook or a laptop?

by philk 17y ago

redcap 17y ago
who knows really as it's barely out, but I agree with the principle that there is far too much technical bullshit in most modern computers. Things should just work. If I were to break it down, you get a bigger screen over the iphone so you have a better web experience. You'll get a more portable device so you'll have a less weighty experience compared to a laptop. Dunno about netbooks.
stcredzero 17y ago
Some real life experience might throw some light on this. I've been using an old HP tc1100 slate computer for the past couple of months. Executive summary: it is much more intimate to have a tablet/slate form factor. It's just a more useful and flexible form factor. I can do everything I do on an iPhone, but much more comfortably with the larger screen. XP Tablet's handwriting recognition is great. (1) And I can do even more than the iPhone, since I can just install whatever Windows program I want. (Chrome with synced bookmarks on all my machines FTW!) I can attach a keyboard/mouse and do everything I do on the netbook/laptop. But I can do even more. I can use it as a slate and recline in an easy chair or on my bed, just continuing what I was doing before. I can carry it into meetings and refer to my information or references on the network while maintaining intimacy with whoever I am talking to. It's more like referring to my notes, an agenda, or a reference book than having all of my attention soaked up by a portable workstation. Someone can come into my cube to talk, and we can just slip into a conference room while casually taking all of my information resources with me. I don't even have to pause and tell my colleague "Wait a moment, I need to bring my laptop." I just always casually take it with me like I would a notepad. (2) I can walk around and take notes without looking like a total dork: http://amzn.com/B001G713NO http://amzn.com/B001G713NO (The case HP made for it is nice and looks like a big agenda. So maybe I look like a clipboard/planner dork, just not a total one.) With Skype and my USB 3G, it has replaced all of my daytime cellphone use. I was paying overage on my anytime minutes, but now I'm racking up rollover minutes. I'm even considering going prepaid on my iPhone just so I can have it in a pinch but relying primarily on the tc1100 and Skype. Incidentally, I do most of my HN posts with the tc1100 now. But this is a long one, so I'm sitting at my desk with the MacBook. And yes, I am planning to get an iPad. (Commensurate with Windows XP, I have spent a lot of time tinkering with the tc1100 to get it where I like it.) (1) - But I'm a geek and I can figure out gadgets easily. I can see how average users would find this frustrating. Also, I print and never write cursive. (2) - Battery life is old-school laptop: 2 hours in real life. But I just keep it plugged in at my desk at work or home. If I get a 2nd battery, I can hot swap it in suspend mode.
philk 17y ago
To clarify, as the original post I replied to has been deleted. Premptively I'd like to say thanks to stdcredzero because his experiences with an HP tc1100 were very interesting. a) If I want to surf the web seriously or do some real work, I'm sitting down somewhere. At this point I want a decent keyboard, something that stands up by itself so I can use the keyboard and the ability to use more than one application at once. b) If I'm out then I care about portability. can put an iPhone in my pocket without ruining the line of my suit. I can make calls, listen to music, watch video, read books, play games, surf the web and more. It weighs ~130gm. I'm going to have to carry a phone anyway because there's no way I'm whipping out at 10" tablet to make calls. An iPad is much less portable. The line between "something I can put in my pocket" and "something I can't put in my pocket" is much larger than the line between "something I can't put in my pocket" and "something larger that I can't put in my pocket" because now I have to carry a bag around with me to hold the thing and keep track my bag while I'm out. Yes, I get a larger screen but that's only really good for more web browsing. If I'm out, and not sitting at a cafe by myself or something I don't care to browse beyond looking up answers to quick questions ("how do I get to the cafe?") So basically all I'm seeing is a large, kludgy iPhone that is a hassle to tote around. The big screen doesn't make up for the fact that I now have a 10" device with me at all times when I'm out and something that's less efficient than a laptop when I'm sitting down somewhere.
- GHFigs 17y ago
  If I want to surf the web seriously What does this mean, exactly? How would this be distinct from un-serious browsing? Is this something that a netbook is capable of? ...now I have to carry a bag around with me to hold the thing and keep track my bag while I'm out... Millions of people do this daily without issue, whether backback, briefcase, messenger bag, or purse. It certainly hasn't held back netbooks or the Kindle. Why do you think it would be different for the iPad?

What experience does an iPad deliver that I can't get from an iPhone, a netbook or a laptop?

by philk 17y ago

What experience does an iPad deliver that I can't get from an iPhone, a netbook or a laptop?

who knows really as it's barely out, but I agree with the principle that there is far too much technical bullshit in most modern computers. Things should just work. If I were to break it down, you get a bigger screen over the iphone so you have a better web experience. You'll get a more portable device so you'll have a less weighty experience compared to a laptop. Dunno about netbooks.

stcredzero 17y ago

Some real life experience might throw some light on this. I've been using an old HP tc1100 slate computer for the past couple of months. Executive summary: it is much more intimate to have a tablet/slate form factor. It's just a more useful and flexible form factor. I can do everything I do on an iPhone, but much more comfortably with the larger screen. XP Tablet's handwriting recognition is great. (1) And I can do even more than the iPhone, since I can just install whatever Windows program I want. (Chrome with synced bookmarks on all my machines FTW!) I can attach a keyboard/mouse and do everything I do on the netbook/laptop. But I can do even more. I can use it as a slate and recline in an easy chair or on my bed, just continuing what I was doing before. I can carry it into meetings and refer to my information or references on the network while maintaining intimacy with whoever I am talking to. It's more like referring to my notes, an agenda, or a reference book than having all of my attention soaked up by a portable workstation. Someone can come into my cube to talk, and we can just slip into a conference room while casually taking all of my information resources with me. I don't even have to pause and tell my colleague "Wait a moment, I need to bring my laptop." I just always casually take it with me like I would a notepad. (2) I can walk around and take notes without looking like a total dork: http://amzn.com/B001G713NO http://amzn.com/B001G713NO (The case HP made for it is nice and looks like a big agenda. So maybe I look like a clipboard/planner dork, just not a total one.) With Skype and my USB 3G, it has replaced all of my daytime cellphone use. I was paying overage on my anytime minutes, but now I'm racking up rollover minutes. I'm even considering going prepaid on my iPhone just so I can have it in a pinch but relying primarily on the tc1100 and Skype. Incidentally, I do most of my HN posts with the tc1100 now. But this is a long one, so I'm sitting at my desk with the MacBook. And yes, I am planning to get an iPad. (Commensurate with Windows XP, I have spent a lot of time tinkering with the tc1100 to get it where I like it.) (1) - But I'm a geek and I can figure out gadgets easily. I can see how average users would find this frustrating. Also, I print and never write cursive. (2) - Battery life is old-school laptop: 2 hours in real life. But I just keep it plugged in at my desk at work or home. If I get a 2nd battery, I can hot swap it in suspend mode.

philk 17y ago

To clarify, as the original post I replied to has been deleted. Premptively I'd like to say thanks to stdcredzero because his experiences with an HP tc1100 were very interesting. a) If I want to surf the web seriously or do some real work, I'm sitting down somewhere. At this point I want a decent keyboard, something that stands up by itself so I can use the keyboard and the ability to use more than one application at once. b) If I'm out then I care about portability. can put an iPhone in my pocket without ruining the line of my suit. I can make calls, listen to music, watch video, read books, play games, surf the web and more. It weighs ~130gm. I'm going to have to carry a phone anyway because there's no way I'm whipping out at 10" tablet to make calls. An iPad is much less portable. The line between "something I can put in my pocket" and "something I can't put in my pocket" is much larger than the line between "something I can't put in my pocket" and "something larger that I can't put in my pocket" because now I have to carry a bag around with me to hold the thing and keep track my bag while I'm out. Yes, I get a larger screen but that's only really good for more web browsing. If I'm out, and not sitting at a cafe by myself or something I don't care to browse beyond looking up answers to quick questions ("how do I get to the cafe?") So basically all I'm seeing is a large, kludgy iPhone that is a hassle to tote around. The big screen doesn't make up for the fact that I now have a 10" device with me at all times when I'm out and something that's less efficient than a laptop when I'm sitting down somewhere.

GHFigs 17y ago
If I want to surf the web seriously What does this mean, exactly? How would this be distinct from un-serious browsing? Is this something that a netbook is capable of? ...now I have to carry a bag around with me to hold the thing and keep track my bag while I'm out... Millions of people do this daily without issue, whether backback, briefcase, messenger bag, or purse. It certainly hasn't held back netbooks or the Kindle. Why do you think it would be different for the iPad?