The Apple iPad: Seriously? -- Redmond Channel Partner

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The Apple iPad: Seriously?

It really looks like a grossly overweight iPod touch? And it's really called the iPad? Seriously? (We're going to take the high road here for once -- unlike a lot of other commenters whose thoughts we've read over the last couple of days -- and hold off on jokes about the iPad name. Let's just say that it's...awkward.) And there's really a slew of stuff that this thing doesn't come with and doesn't do, and it looks like a major pain to use and carry around? Really, Apple? Really?

We're in a little bit of disbelief here, given that this device was supposed to consume all other devices and enslave us all to its genius and that of Steve Jobs. The iPad is probably the dorkiest thing we've ever seen -- and we know dorky. Oh, we know it well. In all seriousness, why are we supposed to dump our (much cheaper) netbooks for this cartoonish hunk of plastic and weird rubbery stuff? What's the point of it?

Oh, the Apple legions will be all over us for this one, but we're thinking that the iPad looks pretty iBad. This could be the product that finally shatters Vista's record for worst hype-to-success ratio. Apple's losing it.

Posted by Lee Pender on January 28, 2010 at 9:41 AM

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Reader Comments

Thu, Jan 28, 2010 Andy A Geek Elyria, OH

I think it has good market potential. Browsing with a PC tablet is good - but 4 lbs (X61) ?? 1.5 lbs and $500 is a winner. People pay $1000 a year to carry around an iPhone - and many of them squint to see the image on the screen...

Thu, Jan 28, 2010 Ken Phoenix, AZ

Wow! serious haters here... I think it is gorgeous, but would never buy it or iAnything because of Apples closed ecosystem and general smugness. Make a generic pad with no DRM or other lock-in technologies and no artificial restrictions on what I can do with it and I will buy it. As delivered the iPad is a niche product trying to create a reason for its own existence. But you know it will still sell.

Thu, Jan 28, 2010 Jim S. Westchester, NY

The thing's a joke. My wife's the perfect candidate for a basic appliance. She took one look at the thing, snickered, then turned on her iPod Touch. Maybe if the iPad had been introduced before the iPhone and iPod Touch the reception would be different, but those devices set a pretty high standard. Only the Apple kool-aid drinkers will be lugging these jokes around.

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

Well said. This is a great basic appliance. Having to crank up a laptop/netbook for casual email reading & surfing is a pain. Perfect for non-coders, especially if the productivity suite delivers.

Thu, Jan 28, 2010 Max Peck

I thought I was the only one who wondered whether or not the thing had any real appeal. It's cool looking, but it strikes me as something you might find at Brookstone or something, not as a mainstream product. I think only iPod Touch users are going to buy it.

Thu, Jan 28, 2010 Kevin Parker Redwood City CA

I was in disbelief when I saw it. How could they miss so badly! iPhone is genius - iPad is insanity. $829 for less functionality than my $250 iPhone. If it ran OSX and/or Windows I'd be first in line but now I am going to save $500 and buy a netbook and lighten my luggage by a couple of pounds.

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

I think geeks everywhere are totally out of touch with the computing needs of the general public. I think the iPad will have tremendous appeal to people who just need a basic internet appliance for reading, surfing, and watching stuff online.