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I make a prediction that the iPad will be popular for a while with the uber geeks but that ultimately it will be a damp squib. The market will get taken over b

I make a prediction that the iPad will be popular for a while with the uber geeks but that ultimately it will be a damp squib. The market will get taken over by a cheaper, more open product that runs flash. That is my Nostrodamus bit done then.

endlessvoid94 17y ago
But Apple's products aren't marketed towards uber-geeks. Sure, they're the ones that initially buy the products, but I guarantee you that my parents will see this shiny new iPad and want one. Then they'll buy one. And they'll use it for recreation.
- stcredzero 17y ago
  My retired physician dad is getting a 3G model. He can turn on the 3G just for the months he's staying at his house in Florida. I look forward to this, as it will reduce my family sysadmin duties.
  - endlessvoid94 17y ago
    I suspect that the number of tech-savvy people who encourage their family to get Apple products is nontrivial. 10x easier to maintain (in the average case).
    - mschwar99 17y ago
      It will be interesting to see how the iPad will do in the non-techie segment when the market becomes saturated with all the other pad-type products. In my little world I have noticed that most all of my non-techie family and friends consider the iPod to be the default choice for an mp3 player regardless of any price differences. However, most of these same people would scoff at the idea of buying an Apple laptop or desktop as a waste of money when compared to a Windows machine that could be purchased for a few hundred cheaper. There is a big difference in the price points of an iPod and a Macbook, and the iPad is right in between the two. It will be interesting to see if a $100 or $200 premium for the iPad compared to a Windows or Android pad will be palatable to the masses or push non-techie people to a non Apple alternative.
      - stcredzero 16y ago
        The iPad is a chance to convert lots of Windows users. Because the MultiTouch interface is completely new, there are no established Windows/OS X camps. This is mostly new interface territory. I expect both Apple and Android pads to carve out a niche. Maemo's descendants may do this as well. There may also be a Windows camp, but they will be fighting on a level playing field where their installed base of Windows users isn't an overwhelming advantage. I expect Microsoft to fare as well as they did with Web apps.

endlessvoid94 17y ago

But Apple's products aren't marketed towards uber-geeks. Sure, they're the ones that initially buy the products, but I guarantee you that my parents will see this shiny new iPad and want one. Then they'll buy one. And they'll use it for recreation.

stcredzero 17y ago
My retired physician dad is getting a 3G model. He can turn on the 3G just for the months he's staying at his house in Florida. I look forward to this, as it will reduce my family sysadmin duties.
- endlessvoid94 17y ago
  I suspect that the number of tech-savvy people who encourage their family to get Apple products is nontrivial. 10x easier to maintain (in the average case).
  - mschwar99 17y ago
    It will be interesting to see how the iPad will do in the non-techie segment when the market becomes saturated with all the other pad-type products. In my little world I have noticed that most all of my non-techie family and friends consider the iPod to be the default choice for an mp3 player regardless of any price differences. However, most of these same people would scoff at the idea of buying an Apple laptop or desktop as a waste of money when compared to a Windows machine that could be purchased for a few hundred cheaper. There is a big difference in the price points of an iPod and a Macbook, and the iPad is right in between the two. It will be interesting to see if a $100 or $200 premium for the iPad compared to a Windows or Android pad will be palatable to the masses or push non-techie people to a non Apple alternative.
    - stcredzero 16y ago
      The iPad is a chance to convert lots of Windows users. Because the MultiTouch interface is completely new, there are no established Windows/OS X camps. This is mostly new interface territory. I expect both Apple and Android pads to carve out a niche. Maemo's descendants may do this as well. There may also be a Windows camp, but they will be fighting on a level playing field where their installed base of Windows users isn't an overwhelming advantage. I expect Microsoft to fare as well as they did with Web apps.