Why I Won’t Be Buying A First Gen iPad
I haven’t seen anything hyped this much only be such a disappointment on release since Crystal Pepsi. That’s what the iPad is, the Crystal Pepsi of computing (no John Scully jokes, I promise).
We were all hoping for something to lead us into the next generation of mobile computing, but what we got was a giant iPhone with a couple new features – the kind of features that should be in iPhone OS 4.0 anyway. Steve Jobs opened up the media event by saying, “…netbooks aren’t better at anything,” but I can’t help but be glad that I bought a netbook and put Ubuntu Linux on it last month instead of saving up for the iPad, and here’s why:
My netbook has a faster processor
Most netbooks run on a 1.6Ghz Intel Atom processor, while iPad runs an A4 1Ghz processor. To put that into perspective, the iPhone 3GS runs an 833Mhz processor, so this is not anywhere near a huge jump up in processing for a device four times the size of its predecessor. The A4 processor gives the iPad about 10 hours of battery life, which is impressive, but you’re not going to be able to do the level of processing available in most netbooks.
My netbook has a camera
This is a WTF non-feature for me. Apple had a chance to make the iPad the premier Augmented Reality device of 2010, but instead they’ve left every AR developer scratching their head. It’s not as if there isn’t enough room to put two cameras, one facing each way, in the device. How many more iPads would Apple sell if you could use Skype with it?
My netbook runs Flash
Apple’s continued cognitive dissonance when it comes to Flash on their mobile devices is getting rather annoying to me, and not just because I develop on the platform. Flash pretty much runs the interactive web nowadays, and it’s exclusion makes the iPad a “web-lite” device, unable to run Vimeo, Hulu, and any media embeds on social networking sites and blogs other than YouTube.
Apple has a good reason for not allowing Flash, which, believe it or not, is actually ready for the device – it will hurt AppStore profits significantly. Yet, when 90% of apps in the store are complete crap, who cares if their developers move to Flash. The real moneymaking apps will still be iPad and iPhone native.
My netbook runs a full OS
I have full install of Ubuntu 9.10 running on my Acer Aspire 1, giving my netbook the full functionality of a normal laptop. I can multitask on multiple, switchable workspaces, using fully functional applications, and I can engineer and compile new applications. I can browse through folders and files. I can do full network administration on a device that is taller than the iPad, but smaller in width and height.
I can do everything on my netbook that is capable with the iPad and then some, minus the slick user interface. To be fair, one of my favorite things about Apple products are the interfaces, but my MacBook and iMac back up the beautiful interface with tons of under the hood functionality. The iPad offers less than I can already do between my MacBook and iPhone.
My netbook cost half the price of the cheapest iPad
I bought my netbook at Fry’s Electronics for $250. It has a 160Gb hard drive, while the most expensive iPad model only has 64Gb for $829. The cheapest iPad only has 16Gb, or half of the storage of my iPhone 3GS, and costs $499. This is unacceptable for a ten inch device when you can get a 16Gb Micro SD card on Amazon for less than $50. Also, my netbook has two SD card slots on it, allowing me to expand it’s storage capabilities.
What Improvements would get me to buy the iPad
I have hope for future generations of the iPad if Apple integrates the following:
- Front and back facing cameras
- An OS that is less like the iPhone and more like OSX
- Allow Flash 10.1 on the device
- Make a slightly thicker version with a full hard drive and USB and SD ports
- Swap out the A4 processor with an Intel chip
- Stop hyping the current model like its something more than a big iPhone
I don’t expect these changes anytime soon, making this the biggest opportunity for Microsoft and Google to outdo Apple in years. A Windows, Android, or other Linux kernel iPad clone that has all the features serious computer people are looking for would deal a huge blow to the folks in Cupertino.
I get it – you don’t get it. Which is OK. I’m cool that you have your Fry’s netbook with Ubuntu.
Processor speed, without any other information – does not tell you that your netbook has a faster processor. Simply put, you nor I know. Listing it as a reason either shows desire to deceive or no knowledge about processors. I have no reason to believe you are trying to deceive – the post seems really sincere. You probably need to learn more about processors before further public statements.
Your 160 moving parts HD comparison to Solid State HD storage in the iPad is a bit silly. Sure, SSD are smaller. And faster. And use less power. And have no moving parts. there just might be a reason Apple chose that.
We’ll see, but I rather suspect the iPhone OS on the iPad with small tweaks will be perfect. And no one said it didn’t multi-task, they just didn’t stand on a stage and said it did. The multi-task issue just isn’t an issue on the iPhone for example – it will multi task between running music and a newspaper app for example, but you can’t play two games at once. Which you wouldn’t anyway.
You’ll get it better soon, if you will allow yourself.
January 27th, 2010 at 2:56 pm@Keith, Being that I am well aware of how processors work, I’ll pose a question. Do you think that the iPad would run a full Snow Leopard install as well as my friends hackintosh netbook running an Atom Processor? I think not, fully aware of how RAM plays a part in that too.
I also know the difference between the hard drives on the two devices. My point had nothing to do with power usage or retrieval time or any other differences between the systems. I just think that it’s a joke that in 2010 someone would want to carry around a $500, 10 inch, 1.5 lb device with only 64Gb of storage or less, with no ability to expand on it – battery life or not.
Yes, you can listen to iTunes and run another app, but what about Pandora or AIM? Multitasking has been around for twenty years, and in computer time that’s a aeon. It doesn’t multi task because it’s only running iPhone OS 3.2
You might not believe it, but I’m a HUGE Apple fanboy and am known for it around the Zugara offices. I work on an iMac here and personally own an iMac, a Macbook, and an iPhone 3GS. I will, however, not own a first generation, $829 (only one half way worth it) half-computer that costs another $30 every month.
January 27th, 2010 at 3:13 pmWhat a missed opportunity for Apple. I’m loving my $250 Dell Mini 10v netbook w/ Snow Leopard so much right now. I have no need for another device running iPhone OS. I could only see picking one up if I were in the market for a Kindle. I’m also shocked they settled on the iPad name. It’s gonna cause confusion in Boston where “iPod” sounds like “iPad” anyway. hee hee.
@Keith- buy an iPad if you’re so impressed with it. We’re all drinking the same kool-aid, but it sounds like the bartender needs to cut you off.
January 27th, 2010 at 3:19 pmYour point re Pandora or AIM is fair. And to that point, iPhone OS 4 may no be too far away.
I still think (sincerely) the processor argument is not pertinent. We don’t know, and it really doesn’t matter how well it would or wouldn’t run Snow Leopard. Sure, some jailbreak hack site will try, but for the other 99.99999% of us that isn’t a useful ruler.
I’ll agree with your last paragraph. I’m quite glad there are WIFI only options, that works fine for me. I don’t need nor desire a 3G connection for such a device. I won’t be ordering one on day one, but I don’t order anything on day one. After 3 or 4 months I can see getting the $499 model, or maybe the next step up.
I will use Skype with it, FYI. I use the cam maybe once or twice a year on my MacBook, but use audio Skype all the time.
I’ll be at the coffee shop with my iPad. You’ll have your Ubuntu netbook. We’ll both think we will have the better option, and the world will spin on….
January 27th, 2010 at 3:30 pm@Keith, I think that processing is very important when you consider what they could have accomplished with this device but chose not to do. Atom processors are cheap and can handle Snow Leopard. This means that they could have given the iPad a hybrid OS, capable of running both OSX and iPhone apps.
One could build a fully functioning SL iPad from parts for under $1000, allowing them to also run an iPhone emulator. That means that Apple could have done it for less.
January 27th, 2010 at 3:51 pmAlot of bloggers aren’t too happy with the new iPad.There was 2 much hoopla over it and alot blogers got turned off.Thing is, I for one see great deal of the cool potential of this device. Third-party soft for composing tunes, games, newspapers and magazines and FFS books, tons of cool stuff, but IMHO they failed to sell it very well (aside from the books). It feels rather not finished
January 29th, 2010 at 12:06 amI get it – you don’t get it. Which is OK. I’m cool that you have your Fry’s netbook with Ubuntu.
Processor speed, without any other information – does not tell you that your netbook has a faster processor. Simply put, you nor I know. Listing it as a reason either shows desire to deceive or no knowledge about processors. I have no reason to believe you are trying to deceive – the post seems really sincere. You probably need to learn more about processors before further public statements.
Your 160 moving parts HD comparison to Solid State HD storage in the iPad is a bit silly. Sure, SSD are smaller. And faster. And use less power. And have no moving parts. there just might be a reason Apple chose that.
We’ll see, but I rather suspect the iPhone OS on the iPad with small tweaks will be perfect. And no one said it didn’t multi-task, they just didn’t stand on a stage and said it did. The multi-task issue just isn’t an issue on the iPhone for example – it will multi task between running music and a newspaper app for example, but you can’t play two games at once. Which you wouldn’t anyway.
September 29th, 2010 at 6:08 pmSome very interesting points however i believe your research and bias leaves a lot to be desired. Then of course, that’s just my opinion. Have an amazing day undoubtedly a thought-upsetting post.
January 17th, 2011 at 2:56 pm