Emperor's new clothes

[TimberWolf]

Pros for me include the usability and that it works. Looks good too. Cons are the price and the price. Oh, and that it can't take photos and its lack of connectivity, e.g. a USB port. Not sure if it could function as a standalone device, without a MAC or PC & iTunes to assist, from day one and forever more?

I might have liked to gift one to my parents, as they are still unconnected to the virtual world. Currently if anyone wants to send them a photo they must physically take it or post it. PCs and phones are too awkward and complicated, whereas pressing a screen email icon probably wouldn't be. But the price is too high, and that's even before considering the data tariff rip-ioff. It's a rich wo/man's toy.

I don't think there is an iPod Touch with a 3G connection though? If so, it's not a big Touch, except the WifFi only model. The latest Touch has a (albeit carp) camera too...

[VectraMan]

If you watch the F1 coverage you'll see Jake Humphries sporting an iPad, but as he's usually walking around and holding a microphone, he actually can't use it, because unlike a phone you need two hands. It's just a pointless piece of tat to show off on the telly and one that makes it harder, not easier for him to do his job.

If you need to use the iPhad on your lap, or on a desk, you may as well have a laptop. If I wanted to use the net on the bog, or in bed, I could just as easily pick up my 15" Dell laptop for the purpose (although in the former case that may result in burned legs).

[MrMark]

I don't get the iPad either, maybe I'm a luddite, but I don't feel the need for one. I certainly wouldn't spend £500 on one, I don't think I'd be happy spending >£100 on one either. I don't much like typing on a touch screen either.

I've got a big laptop for my main computing needs and a netbook for when I'm travelling, Slingbox, browsing etc, I suppose if I really felt the need to surf the net while on the bog then the netbook would do the job.

I've got an Android phone and that's fine for what it is, but do I want a bigger one that doesn't do a great deal more or I can't do on my netbook? Nah.

There are two things that tempt me about the Ipad. Firstly is the great battery life; since I often spend a long time on trains travelling to contracts, it would fit the bill. Secondly, it isn't Microsoft, so I imagine you don't get the eternal waiting for the machine to boot up/power down.

However my next purchase will unfortunately be a laptop as I want to do some data crunching and programming, including having sql server installed (despite being a big fan of mysql). Luckily people tell me the battery life is now a lot better, so that's one issue dealt with. Now, if I could only get rid of the eternal wait when the message "Please wait Windows is closing down" is displayed, I'd be a happy man (does it damage the system if you force a quick shutdown?)

[shaunbhoy]

Now, if I could only get rid of the eternal wait when the message "Please wait Windows is closing down" is displayed, I'd be a happy man (does it damage the system if you force a quick shutdown?)

That is an unknown variable which I am surprised MS have not tried to pass off as an additional feature, and charged extra for.

[VectraMan]

There are two things that tempt me about the Ipad. Firstly is the great battery life; since I often spend a long time on trains travelling to contracts, it would fit the bill. Secondly, it isn't Microsoft, so I imagine you don't get the eternal waiting for the machine to boot up/power down.

I suggest if you're booting/powering down your laptop you're using it wrong. Close the lid, it goes to sleep. Open the lid it's back in half a second. I don't understand why people keep going on about boot times.

My laptop can manage 6 hours, and that's a chunky heat producing fan whirring Dell.

So why do you want an iPad?

[TykeMerc]

The battery life on my main laptop is pathetic, but it's basically a desktop in a laptop format as sometimes I'm away for weeks and want to do proper computing or even to play games.

The Netbook which cost me ~£150 has a good 6 hours battery life, 3 USB ports which I can't do without as I USB charge a fair few things as well as it being a really handy interface port, decent keyboard, ok screen, standard apps installed and it's even got a sensible size hard drive at 160 Gig.
I don't see the point in paying over 3 times as much for less capability other than a longer battery life which I can replicate by buying a spare battery for ~£25. It's not like I'm unable to get to mains power source at least a few hours a day.

[ChimpMaster]

My mate just bought the Galaxy tablet - it is utter tripe. Too small to be useful as a laptop-type device, too big to be used as a phone (though it's funny standing there shouting HELLO into it. Yes it's more open than stupid Apple's iPad but in terms of usability and it's place in the market - and the fact that it's still £499 - I'd say Samsung have wasted an opportunity.

[d000hg]

There are two things that tempt me about the Ipad. Firstly is the great battery life; since I often spend a long time on trains travelling to contracts, it would fit the bill. Secondly, it isn't Microsoft, so I imagine you don't get the eternal waiting for the machine to boot up/power down.

I suggest if you're booting/powering down your laptop you're using it wrong. Close the lid, it goes to sleep. Open the lid it's back in half a second. I don't understand why people keep going on about boot times.

WHS. A Mac takes time to cold-boot too, unless you get a new SSD MacBook Air.

My phone takes longer to do a cold start than my PC can wake from hibernation.

[d000hg]

I posted a unfunny joke, but decided to change it.

So you class all your other jokes as funny?

My wife has a kindle - its a nice item but it is limited. It is better than a book: smaller, lighter, easier to use, can even read it out loud for the deaf (although in monotone) but I don't want one for Christmas.

Hmm, what?

[OwlHoot]

I was toying with the idea of putting together a stonker of a desktop PC; but on checking the latest Intel motherboards, I found none seem to support USB 3 - Little point in doing anything yet then.

Er, sorry, what was the topic again?