Tech & Biz

CNET iPad Reviews: It's Good, but What Is It For?

by Jordan Yerman | January 29, 2010 at 08:00 am

6398 views | 1 Recommendation | 6 comments

CNET iPad reviews are in, and I'm not surprised by their findings: not so much that the iPad sucks, but that its place in the market isn't clear. Overall, there's a pervasive sense that the iPad is a disappointment, which is probably more a functionality of fan-driven hype than anything else. Would you put down your laptop, pick up your iPad and start surfing the web? Would you lug it onto the subway instead of your smartphone? CNET editor Donald Bell sees the iPad as more of a home computing product than a mobile tool.

Personally, I can't see myself bringing something like the iPad onto the bus, especially if I can't get a seat. Also, you'd be the butt of iPad jokes.

There was some skepticism when the iPod was first introduced, too, as I recall. The main anti-iPod arguments focused on its price (more than double that of other MP3 players, and it was Mac-only. Eventually, of course, the iPod won the public over with its aesthetic and ease of use: a monkey could figure it out, so technophobes were lured to the iPod, and, by extension, Mac OSX. Again, this seems to be the target audience- people who want a digital lifestyle, but fear and hate computers. However, this is a far smaller pool than you'd find in 2001.

Now, though, we already have the iPhone and the iPod Touch, the latter of which is like a smaller iPad, except with a camera. I guess it's not that the iPad reviews are bad, but they just point out the obvious: the iPad is a larger version of a product that already exists.

In fact, for the iPad to get any traction, it needs to first prove that there is, in fact, a gap between your mobile phone and home computer.

This is a tough one. I think it is for people who want a second computing device, for sure. It won't replace your laptop. It is good for casual Web browsing in the house--seems like a great way to be even less social while watching TV with the family.

The size of the product:

It is a little awkward--too big for any clothing and yet not a full replacement for a laptop. It's between a PC and a phone, and the key question is if people want something that size.

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Michael Haskett (not verified)

at 08:17 on January 29th, 2010

Reviews before the products is even out . How novel . Why would anyone want a Kindle when you can have a book to lug around ?

J2B (not verified)

at 08:24 on January 29th, 2010

the iPad is for the baby boomers, of course, with their failing eye sight and stiff fingers making the iPhone more difficult, and Jobs is a baby boomer.

pebble (not verified)

at 11:21 on January 29th, 2010

I agree, it's good but what is it for? But frankly that is a question you could have asked before it came out - during the previous several months of frenzied speculation and rumour. Indeed its a question that could have been asked over recent years about any tablet device of this size. The iPad doesn't change that equation - what is the point of having a device bigger than a smart phone but less capable than a laptop. Netbooks filled some of that gap and the gap that remains, does it need to be filled?In the final analysis its another gadget that us Apple fanboys and girls will buy on day one, because its a new toy. And don't let anybody fool you if they give you some complicated reason why they do need it. They don't. Its a lovely new toy to have and they should not be embarrassed by admitting it. By Version 3 with a camera, multitasking and say 120gb capacity, a bookstore replete with modern and classic books; and apps created just for it, it will be as successful as ipods are today.For me the killer "app" will be games. The games industry will be the biggest beneficiary of this new format and Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo will be worried sick already

ChrisSym (not verified)

at 17:49 on January 30th, 2010

@pebble:Games? When the PS3 was first announced, there was a massive anti-Sony backlash for its pricing at $499 and $599. Here we are talking about a machine that is probably hundreds of times more capable and powerful as a games processing machine than the iPad. And you think the iPad will interest gamers at all?Why would you want to game on a ridiculously underpowered iPad, when you could buy a PSP or DS for mobile gaming at a far lower price and with proper games for them? If you are willing to go for a device of that size, why not buy a netbook which is cheaper, more powerful, can play hundreds of old PC games, flash internet games, and practically the entire catalogue of dozens of actual games machines (all older consoles, handhelds, and arcade games) for FREE via emulation. Gamers don't tend to be the non tech-savvy segment of the population, they know how to access all these choices, and the idea they'd ever buy an iPad to game on is laughable.

rim (not verified)

at 08:42 on February 2nd, 2010

What most gamers don't understand, due to their ego, id that casual gamers don't buy consoles, the farmvillians among us, our parents, aka baby boomers just want something that works when they push a button that it, i know it hard for the it crowd to wrap there head around that, something is only used to read books, check email and play games, newsflash thats already more than most people do! The kindle is a single purpose device with no flash, yet people don't expect it to be a server. another example of narrow minded people deciding what is best for everyone, sign of the times.