Matthew Knott
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Misc.

iPad, Rhymes With Guy Fad

Posted on Tuesday, 01 June 2010 23:19

So, I couldn't make my mind up whether or not to get an iPad so didn't pre-order. Instead I spent a couple of days deliberating and eventually went to the local reseller on Friday. I was expecting a hefty dose of buyers remorse but I haven't stopped playing with it long enough to let it take hold.


Hardware

The hardware is pretty much what you'd expect from Apple, uncompromising quality combined great design. The battery life is immense, the display share and vivid. It weighs more than I was expecting and can be awkward to hold comfortably, but it's just about finding a position that works for you (said the sex therapist to the fat guy).

Software

Despite the fact it was heavily rumored before launch the the iPad would be running a derivative of iPhone OS some people were still shocked at launch that it wasn't running full blown Mac OS. A lot of people thought this was a mistake but it was ABSOLUTELY the right thing to do. Windows tablets have been around fir a very long time and have never taken off, why? Because a full blown OS nailed in to a small form factor device doesn't work.

Take scrolling as a big example of why a full OS fails to work on a small touchscreen. On a windows device, for example, touch is interpreted as mouse movement, and as such you need to use scrollbars, tiny things at the edge of the screen, whereas with the iPhone OS it's a natural swipe anywhere in the screen to scroll.

Typing is great,comfortable and simple in either orientation, and that's all I have to say about it, go buy one and get rid of your laptop.

Comments

  • You've convinced me..., posted by Dim...that I'm right in my reservation and borderline phobia of Apple's latest.

    I've pretty much decided that it is a mere frippery of a device, but look forward to a meet when you try to convince me otherwise...

    x

    PS - awesome news about your neighbours? More info, please!
  • Don't be frightened, posted by MattYou just need to think of it as something other than a hand held computer or a laptop without a screen, because it's not those things. Thnking of it like that brings expectations that it'll behave like a computer.

    Approach it with an open mind (like you told me that time at the oyster bar) and you'll see it's the taste of a generation?

    It will revolutionise print media, save it in some respects. It opens games up to non gamers in the same way the wii did. It's not going anywhere. 2 Million sold in under 60 days is impressive, and whilst that's partly driven by fanboi-ism, either way it's a good start. I won't deny that it may be a platform for world domination however.
  • Neighbours, posted by MattThey're moving out the odds and sods now, all the big stuff's gone. Dogs still there though! There's some lovely graffiti on the wall now the flags gone. Clearly says "Fuck u Sinead", on his own wall, lovely.

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