Monday, March 7, 2011
Top Ten Reasons Not to Buy iPad 2
5:32 AM
If you have already seen my in-depth list of reasons to buy the iPad, you may be wondering “are there any reasons not to buy an iPad 2?” Sure, there are:
10. The competition is heating up.
As more companies are scrambling to catch up with the iPad and stand out, there will be tons of new innovations and options over the next few months. Just sit back and watch.
9. Same iOS.
You can run the same version of iOS on your current iPad, so you do not miss a lot in terms of the operating system experience.
8. Longer accessory/case lifetime.
Since iPad 2 is a third thinner, many accessories and cases you already have will not work with it, which can be easily overlooked. You would probably be likely to spend extra to buy new toys for an iPad 2, making your wallet even lighter.
7. No Retina Display yet.
Rumors are already suggesting that Apple will bring the stunning Retina Display pixel density to the third-generation iPad. There is no doubt that this is a desirable feature, and one that most people will want. Plus, you never know what else could be in the next iPad…
6. There is always next year.
In a year, who knows if both iPads will feel outdated. If you are not compelled to buy an iPad 2, just wait to see the new features added next time around.
5. Great deals.
You can purchase the old iPad for over 20% off, and many cases and accessories are on sale as well for you to satiate for your desire for shiny things. Apple's iPad 2 is thinner, lighter, and boasts more processing power than original, but that doesn't mean you should toss your first-gen If these reasons not to purchase the iPad 2 appeal to you, then hey, keep your cash. App compatibility.
4. Extra $.
Even if you manage to sell your first iPad, you will still have to shell out a few hundred for a new iPad 2. If these reasons not to purchase the iPad 2 appeal to you, then hey, keep your cash.
3. App compatibility.
The majority of new apps will still be compatible with your current iPad for at least another year or two.
2. Far from slow.
Face it, despite how fast iPad 2 is, your first-generation iPad can not be called slow.
1. It is not outdated.
The reasons above lead to the conclusion to your first iPad is still far from outdated and incapable.
No matter how you slice it, both iPads are ahead of the competition. That could change over the next few months, but if you do not already have an iPad, you certainly could not go wrong with a discounted iPad or iPad 2. Again, make sure to also check out my list of ten reasons to buy the iPad 2 and five reasons to ignore the current competition. (I think it is worth upgrading to the iPad 2, so I will be.)
Face it. If you're foaming at the mouth over the iPad 2, you already have an iPad Sure, the newer iPad 2 is more compact, faster, and adds cameras, but besides that, there's not much more in the way of upgrades. Reasons Not to Buy an iPad 2: Apple's iPad 2 is thinner, lighter, and boasts more processing power.
Top Ten Reasons to Buy iPad 2
4:48 AM
There are quite a few compelling reasons to rush out and purchase an iPad 2. iPad 2 puts the iPad even further ahead of the competition, but does that mean it is worth the purchase price to replace your first-generation iPad? It may be:
10. Gyroscope. Not only will iPad rotation be less annoying and more sensitive, but the countless apps that utilize the accelerometer in the iPad will benefit from the added precision of a gyroscope if the developer adds support.
9. Built-in magnets. While I am not a fan of the Smart Cover made by Apple that attaches to only the front of the iPad 2, I think accessory and case manufacturers will think of more unique and useful ways to utilize the magnets. Smart Covers will certainly not be the only thing that actually makes use of the magnets.
8. Black or white. You now have the ability to choose an iPad with front glass in your favorite color. Well, if your favorite color happens to be black or white. The previous iPad was only available with a black front.
7. iMovie. Only the iPad 2 will be able to run the tablet version of their popular video-editing software, iMovie. This app changes everything for video editors, allowing them to edit videos on-the-go without skipping a beat.
6. Lighter. Apple made the iPad 2 about 15% lighter, which will be easy to notice after holding the iPad for an extended period of time.
5. Thinner design. The iPad 2 is definitely a nice step in Apple’s desire for the tablet to become strikingly thin. Not only does this make it more portable, but it leaves users even more impressed.
4. 3G network choice. If you want an iPad with built-in 3G, you are no longer tied to only having the choice of AT&T or AT&T. The iPad 2 is available in models with either built-in AT&T GSM connectivity or Verizon CDMA connectivity.
3. Front and rear FaceTime cameras. Now many popular apps can be released for the iPad. Augmented reality apps and video chat apps on the iPad were not possible until now. Of course, you can also make FaceTime “video calls” to the millions of devices with FaceTime.
2. Faster processing performance. No matter how you look at it, a faster iPad is nothing to ignore. From more speedy interaction to improved loading times, the dual-core processor is really a notice change.
1. Faster graphics performance. With up to nine times better graphics performance, apps, especially games, can now support really stunning spectacles and a new door is open for the type and scope of games that can be played.
Sure, the newer iPad 2 is more compact, faster, and adds cameras, but besides that, there's not much more in the way of upgrades. I have some compelling personal reasons to go with the iPad 2. At least that's what I tell myself.
If your mind still is not set, then maybe all you need are five extra reasons to buy an iPad and ignore the rest of the current tablet market:
- iOS is far superior, especially in intuitiveness and user interface design, to other touch-based operating systems.
- Other tablet app stores only have a very small fraction of the 65,000 tablet-optimized apps in the App Store.
- The iPad’s design is premium, elegant, durable, and well-built. Compare it to the many cheap-looking tablets on the market with bad build quality.
- You can get an iPad for the same price or even less than many inferior tablets.
- There is a wide range of iPad 2 models to choose from to suit different tastes and price ranges, eighteen in total.
If you have yet to purchase an iPad, iPad 2 is a no-brainer. For current iPad owners, keep in mind that iPad 2 not just a step forward, but a leap forward. A good argument can be made that current iPad owners should not buy an iPad 2, so check out my ten reasons why it may not be a great idea to purchase an iPad 2. (I think the iPad 2 is a worthwhile upgrade, so I will be upgrading.)
Top reasons to buy an original iPad. By cerdaskomputer on March 4th, 2011. Tweet. Leave Comment. In the wake of Apple's iPad 2 reveal, many will doubtless be keen to Here are our five reasons on why you should wait for the iPad 2 flock to Apple Stores the world over to buy their camera-ready iPad 2.
Is Apple Will Get Huge Success on iPad 2 ?
4:16 AM
Since last Wednesday's announcement of the iPad 2, we've heard a lot of tech bloggers stating that they think the newest Apple tablet is going to be a flop. Well, maybe not exactly a failure, but not as successful as the original iPad was.
I think the naysayers are completely out to lunch, and it's not just because I am a rabid fan of Apple products. Follow along as I go through my reasoning as to why the iPad 2 is going to be a resounding success for Apple.
Newer is better (or at least that's the perception)
Unlike the innovators and early adopters who write for tech blogs, there are a lot of people who don't buy the first round of anything; instead, they wait until the second edition becomes available. I heard this a lot from people who were gazing at my iPad with lust in their eyes: "I really want to get one, but I'm going to wait until the second generation comes out."
For those who waited, they now have their chance to get an iPad that is demonstrably better than the first model. It has cameras, it has a dual-core processor, and it has graphics capabilities that are much better than what came with the first-generation iPad. Those people who waited are still in the "early majority" of consumers, so they'll still appear to be ahead of the curve in terms of being technological leaders to their friends.
I think we'll see a lot of people who were on the fence about buying an iPad suddenly deciding to pick up an iPad 2. The features of the newer tablet address many of the complaints that the tech press had about the original iPad, and for a number of people, those features will take down the last barrier to making a purchase decision. Even if the iPad 2's specs aren't a huge step forward over the original iPad, for many people the perception is that "newer is better," and that perception is all it takes for someone to make a purchasing decision.
Many networks are better than one
When the original iPad hit the stores last year, it was available only in the United States, and for a while it was Wi-Fi only. When the Wi-Fi + 3G model finally made it to market, it was only available on the AT&T network. For a lot of people on the Verizon network the iPad wasn't an option, as they didn't want to get a Wi-Fi version with a MiFi tacked on.
With the iPad 2, we'll see availability of GSM and CDMA models (as well as the Wi-Fi only version) immediately. Better network coverage by two American mobile carriers will make for less indecision on the part of potential buyers. As noted in the next section of this post, there will also be faster worldwide availability of the iPad 2, most of those devices connecting to GSM-based networks around the globe.
Greater Retail Availability
Last April during the launch of the iPad, there was one place you could buy one: at an Apple Store in the United States. As time went by, availability grew dramatically. AT&T Stores started carrying the iPad, then Verizon was selling them with mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. Best Buy had 'em, along with Target, Walmart and Sam's Club. The iPad is now sold in a huge number of countries worldwide, and the iPad 2 will only see a two-week delay before it starts appearing in overseas markets.
More instant availability in stores is going to make the iPad 2 even more of an impulse buy for people who were considering the original iPad but decided to wait.
FaceTime (almost) everywhere
Although I've heard other tech bloggers pooh-poohing the impact of FaceTime on the iPad, I think that it's going to make the new device even more popular that the original. FaceTime has made it very easy for anyone with a Mac, iPhone, and now an iPad to easily make face-to-face video calls.
So why will FaceTime on the iPad be so compelling? It's the size of the screen. Sure, those Apple iPhone 4 ads last year tugged at the heartstrings and made video calling look like something that all the cool kids were doing. In reality the 3.5" screen of an iPhone 4 doesn't have the impact of the iPad 2's 9.7" screen, even if it does have almost the same number of pixels.
Rather than having the family huddle around an iPhone 4 screen to make a FaceTime call to Dad in Afghanistan, they can now use an iPad 2 to make the call and everyone can see the screen. FaceTime's ease of use compared to other solutions (i.e., Skype, Google chat, and other video chat options) and the new portability of the application on a large-screen device like the iPad 2 are sure to make it a selling point for many potential tablet buyers.
iPad 2 May Repeat Success Of iPad With New Features Market is expecting iPad 2 to be priced in the similar price range. Seven Key Features that could increase the chances of Apple iPad 2's Success in Tablet PC World and US Markets.
Competition? What competition?
Earlier today, Apple stock blogger "Sammy the Walrus IV" provided an enlightening analysis over at Business Insider about the iPad's market share. While Steve Jobs noted during his talk on Wednesday that "Many have said (iPad) is the most successful consumer product ever launched. Over 90% market share and our competitors were flummoxed," a lot of people were wondering where that number came from. After all, Strategic Analytics had showed the iPad's market share to be around 75% and dropping rapidly.
I won't go through the details here, as Sammy provides a logical argument in his post, but if you look at actual devices sold and not just shipped, Apple's market share does appear to be over 90%. Now, there is a certain percentage of the population that wouldn't buy an Apple product even if it was the only available product in its class, but a lot of people want to go with the market leader. Why? Just because they know that they're making a solid and safe purchasing decision.
During CES 2011, we heard about over a hundred new tablet devices that are expected to hit the market this year. Given the number of manufacturers who are going to be creating "me too" Android tablets, the noise and confusion in that part of the market is going to be tremendous. Sure, a few larger players like Samsung and HTC may pick up market share percentage points here and there, but faced with the overwhelming variety of devices that are going to be coming out, it seems likely that the average consumer will go with the iPad 2 because it's a safe decision.
Apps make the device
Robert Scoble made a good point in a post on March 2nd: "No apps, no sale." For the iPad and iPad 2, there are already 65,000 apps available. As he points out, the highly-touted (and over-advertised) Motorola Xoom has a whopping total of 16 apps, and most of those are smartphone versions that are stretched to fit the larger screen rather than apps that have been specifically designed for the big screen. As we all found out last April, stretched apps look like crap.
As for the other platforms, HP's TouchPad and BlackBerry's PlayBook, there are no apps right now. Zip. Neither of those devices are even shipping right now. Scoble also points out that in terms of hardware specs, most of these devices are remarkably similar to the iPad 2. So what does the iPad 2 have that the others don't? A huge variety and depth of apps.
Conclusion
I'm sure that this post will generate a lot of comments. There will be those who agree with my points and believe that the iPad 2 is going to do even better than the original, and then there will be those who think that the rising tide of Android devices is going to knock Apple out of the tablet business altogether. Whatever your feelings, we'd like to hear them in the comments. Just one thing: please respect your fellow commenters and don't make personal attacks.
Very true, the app market gives Apple a big advantage over their competitors although the Android market is becoming huge now also, there is also more free content through Android. I agree that Apple will be a success with the iPad 2 because they have this great ability to dominate markets. Will be interesting to see if the iPad 2 is as successful though.
[via tuaw]
