iPad launch day: Blogger’s cravings nearing unmanageable levels
posted at 4:06 pm on April 3, 2010 by Allahpundit
The question: Does a man who spends nearly every waking hour at his work computer and who already owns an iPhone really need another portable Apple thingy? The answer: “Need” can mean many things, my friends. Do I “need” to spend seven hundred dollars so that I can explore the periodic table while lounging on my futon, even though my brand spanking new Dell desktop is located six feet away?
Perhaps. Perhaps.
Here’s the dilemma. My home computer is almost eight years old (I know) and on its last legs; the Dell is beautiful and up-to-date, but it technically belongs to the boss. So I need a new one of my very own, but I don’t like laptops and it seems a waste to buy a desktop that does the same stuff as the Dell. If only there were a third option, something geared at personal entertainment that’s light enough to carry around. Something shiny, with bright lights, and sleek enough to make rational human beings start behaving like the apes at the beginning of “2001” when they first see the monolith.
I’m reading articles like this to steel myself, but I can’t lie. I’m on a hair trigger. I could snap and place an order at any time. (Tomorrow’s Media Matters headline: “Teabagger blogger ‘on a hair trigger,’ ready to ‘snap.’”) I fear the fateful hour is near. Exit question: Stick with the Wi-Fi only model or wait a few weeks for the 3G?
Blowback
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No self-respecting metrosexual would be complete without his iPad.
On the map app, I hear you can even locate your nearest mani-pedi places or appletini bars by typing those words in the search bar, wherever in the world you might be.
Nirvana, baby. This iPad’s for YOU, AP. Go for it!
TXUS on April 3, 2010 at 5:29 PM
The only thing worse than Apple fanboys is Apple fanboy hype.
brak on April 3, 2010 at 5:30 PM
The iPad will be this year’s version of the Members Only jacket. The coolness is just irresistible. Now, will I buy an iPad one day, maybe in a year or so? You betcha. Once they’ve fixed all the bugs that the beta-test people encounter (aka the folks who are buying iPads today). Right now, I can’t drop $700 to be a guinea pig…
joejm65 on April 3, 2010 at 5:32 PM
This just makes me wanna buy a new purse.
Oh, the horror.
Key West Reader on April 3, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Heh. “Members Only” jackets. Oh, i so wish that we were back in that era. Things were bad, but at least we weren’t dining with …. “oops.. can’t say that”
Key West Reader on April 3, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Allahpundit = Beta
MaleTesterSeven Percent Solution on April 3, 2010 at 5:44 PM
Yeah. Seriously.
Cody1991 on April 3, 2010 at 5:46 PM
AP, go for it!
(I probably will, although I’m still about worried about its inability to use Flash Player and I’m still concerned about its link with Kindle and/or Nook? the B&N ebook)
It would probably be wiser to wait until the 2nd version comes out when they’ve worked out some bugs…
If you can spend $700 (gotta get the Wi-Fi with 3G) and not miss it and you need some fun and a new toy in your life that might be the next Big Thing-which I think it is, buy it!
Jenfidel on April 3, 2010 at 5:47 PM
I enjoy working on my bikes, but I prefer not to do it with a tiny tool kit 100 miles from home. :)
pugwriter on April 3, 2010 at 5:28 PM
pugwriter:)
canopfor on April 3, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Just came home with two, as a biz customer I did not even have to wait in line.
Netflix streaming rocks.
bbz123 on April 3, 2010 at 5:53 PM
I’ve got several Dooney and Burkes that I will give to anyone who can fix my weed eater.
There used to be real men roaming around, but they have either gone into hiding or they’re playing with some sort of gadget.
What a mess.
Cody1991 on April 3, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Do it dude…do it for the economy…do it for obama
winston on April 3, 2010 at 5:53 PM
The IMonolith would have a big screen and room for all the stuff that should be in the IPad.
BL@KBIRD on April 3, 2010 at 5:54 PM
Do it! Join me on the dark side! Give in to the need!
Just ordered mine and my Dell is only 9 months old. :)
Hammerhead on April 3, 2010 at 5:55 PM
This is for you Allah.
annoyinglittletwerp on April 3, 2010 at 5:55 PM
Uh-oh, looks like they have over 450,000 Kindles for iPads!
Amazon.com Kindoe for iPad
Jenfidel on April 3, 2010 at 5:57 PM
When I used to work for IBM, marketing had a term for anyone who bought release one of anything: “Lunatic fringe.”
NeighborhoodCatLady on April 3, 2010 at 5:57 PM
Barnes & Noble’s site said that Nook iPad apps are “coming soon” (bummer for them because they’re still trying to get their Nook off the ground).
I was going to get a big Kindle but now that I’ve found out that they have thousands of Kindles for iPad and the iPad can so do much more than just be an ebook, the iPad’s a cinch!
Jenfidel on April 3, 2010 at 6:00 PM
One day I will get an ipad to replace my old iPhone
word
blatantblue on April 3, 2010 at 6:02 PM
Ah, gee! Here we go again, and now “The Boss” isn’t around to be so handy with the Christmas gifts.
mugged on April 3, 2010 at 6:02 PM
I think I might go out and by a little 10.1 inch netbook. With one of those you can actually do computing!
Dasher on April 3, 2010 at 6:06 PM
I encourage EVERYONE to buy one – as I’m heavily invested in APPLE stock.
:)
honsy on April 3, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Read Althouse, Allah, for a blogger’s response to using the iPad.
You can write it off your taxes, right? That’s always my rationale for buying something.
PattyJ on April 3, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Thanks for the reminder…I had some and sold it a few years ago when it was about $15/share.
I am just sick about it.
(How could I be such an idiot?!)
Jenfidel on April 3, 2010 at 6:14 PM
3G; you won’t regret it; it’s no contract so you don’t have to activate it until you really need it. Also, only the 3G models have real GPS.
Anonymous Finch on April 3, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Steve Jobs did a similar move. So you’re not alone.
the_nile on April 3, 2010 at 6:19 PM
It’s pretty easy to replace the hinges. I replaced the hinges on my HP laptop with no problem, and I’m not exactly Mr. Fix-It. You need to order a replacement hinge set from the manufacturer (or find a cheaper one on eBay), and also download the manufacturer’s maintenance manual (not the user manual, but the manual for service technicians). Then just follow the steps and try not to lose any of those tiny screws.
Google the make and model of your laptop + hinges and see what comes up. The whole repair job shouldn’t take more than two hours.
sauropod on April 3, 2010 at 6:22 PM
Dude…Cmon.
Decider on April 3, 2010 at 6:25 PM
Just give us readers a break and buy the damn thing. ;)
McBaine on April 3, 2010 at 6:27 PM
Steve Jobs to Allahpundit….”How’s it feel to be my little beeatch…?”
hehehe
ted c on April 3, 2010 at 6:27 PM
Allah, the iPad will not serve your needs to blog and stuff. It is nice as a gimmick, but, why not look at at one of the desktops, if that is what you like, that have the touch screens? Check out the all-in-one computers at Best Buy.
Really, all you will get with the iPad is a giant iTouch, which will not give you the speed on the keyboard necessary to do your blog business.
William Teach on April 3, 2010 at 6:27 PM
PS: If you prefer desktops, but want something you can carry around, get a laptop with a docking station.
William Teach on April 3, 2010 at 6:30 PM
I’ll wait until Droid comes out with something better and cooler.
rollthedice on April 3, 2010 at 6:30 PM
…and less gay.
rollthedice on April 3, 2010 at 6:31 PM
Some people are addicted to the new gadget buzz. It’s a mental condition. You fantasize about how life is going to be so different when you get it. Updating or fixing your present system doesn’t cut it, gotta have the all-new. I suffer from this tremendously. For instance, I have a Blackberry Bold 9000 which is perhaps the most useful mobile gadget I’ve ever owned. But then the trackball started to fail so for a week I whipped myself up into a foaming frenzy at the thought of having an excuse to buy the new Bold 9700 with its vastly superior optical mouse. But right before I bought it, I thought “hang on, I can buy a new trackball for $20 and fit it myself.” Obviously the more sensible solution, yet still it took a superhuman act of willpower to refrain from buying the new Bold. But refrain I did and now I have a new trackball and everything’s fine and dandy. I plan to use this case as a precedent when future temptations arise, which they surely will.
Sharke on April 3, 2010 at 6:31 PM
is this the same rationalizing that you go through with a crack dealer? c’mon… cowboy up.
Either buy the damn thing and make the kill, or wait till the better one comes out and make Apple be your little beeeyotch and work for their $700….
ted c on April 3, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Buy an IMac…. Problem solved!
JVelez on April 3, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Hey, Rush is one, too.
He talked about getting his iPad(s) on the show this week and he loves Apple stuff even more than I do, which is a lot.
I’m on my 4th iMac and my 2nd Intel iMac.
Jenfidel on April 3, 2010 at 6:35 PM
BUY THE 3G!!!!!
It’s like when color tv came out – who wanted to stick with black and white????
Stephanie on April 3, 2010 at 6:36 PM
Let’s just say, not only the betas want one of these babies.
crashland on April 3, 2010 at 6:41 PM
Here, let me help you with this AP -
No Flash.
Andrew Ian Dodge was reporting that it doesn’t play well with WordPress.
You may be able to listen to iTunes while you surf or type or whatever, probably not.
Skype? Fuggedaboudit.
Jobs has launched the Tablet, Special Olympics version.
Wind Rider on April 3, 2010 at 6:41 PM
do like Rush:
wait for the 3G thingy.
mooseburger on April 3, 2010 at 6:50 PM
I’ve had my Droid Eris for two months and the track ball is already acting up. Other than that, I love the thing.
pugwriter on April 3, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Learn to live with disappointment.
mojo on April 3, 2010 at 6:58 PM
ipad?? oh nope nope nope
what you need, my friend, is microsoft surface.
just picture it, or better yet, follow yon link to nirvana.
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/Pages/Product/WhatIs.aspx
gordo on April 3, 2010 at 7:21 PM
I just don’t see the point, since it can’t multitask. My Verizon phone can post facebook messages and listen to music. It makes no sense that the iPad can’t at least do that.
But then, I tried to post on here from my phone and failed.
Esthier on April 3, 2010 at 7:22 PM
If you must get a iTampon, get one with 3G….
Tim Burton on April 3, 2010 at 7:26 PM
First edition Apple products are buggy and overpriced. If you want to pay an exorbitant premium for the dubious privilege of being one of Apple’s iPad beta testers then, sure, throw down your cash. If you can resist the hype, buy one in six to twelve months after the price has been lowered and the bugs have been worked out.
Django on April 3, 2010 at 7:39 PM
I’m a certified hillbilly, redneck, rock-ribbed conservative from the Intermountain West. An iPad is on my list of gadgets to get. This little fit by the naysayers here is really amusing. Metrosectual? Really? Whatever, name calling is something liberals engage in.
chasmartel on April 3, 2010 at 7:52 PM
MITS Founder and Altair Inventor Ed Roberts Dies Aged 68 Henry Edward Roberts, designer of the Altair 8800 personal computer that inspired Bill Gates and Paul Allen to enter the software business, has died aged 68.
TheBigOldDog on April 3, 2010 at 8:03 PM
Will the IPad Live up to the Hype?
TheBigOldDog on April 3, 2010 at 8:07 PM
Who Wants to Buy Apple’s iPad?
TheBigOldDog on April 3, 2010 at 8:20 PM
“Hey guys I’m super cereal…should I get it?”
Enjoy your giant iPod. Lametown.
selias on April 3, 2010 at 8:40 PM
iWant.
Jocundus on April 3, 2010 at 8:42 PM
Nerdvana
DrAllecon on April 3, 2010 at 8:45 PM
Since my comment on page one I’ve watched a few reviews on YouTube. The iPad looks cool fer sure!
However, I love my MacBook Pro (which does so much more, including my video editing which the iPad will NEVER do) and iPod for music, so I don’t really need an iPad. It’s looks great, but I don’t have $700 (or even $500) lying around. I’ve thought about upgrading my iPod to an iTouch and the iPad would be a great upgrade, but only for a few hundred less and with a camera for Skype.
Ordinary1 on April 3, 2010 at 8:53 PM
I have no idea why they think trackballs are a good idea. People just rub all sorts of greasy crud into them via their thumbs. With me it’s my morning buttered bagel on the bus. It’s not so bad on some phones where you can just pop out the trackball, but with my Bold I had to take the whole phone apart with a torque screwdriver, lift the board out, unspring these fiddly little clips to take the trackball cover out and then replace it. I even tried cleaning the old one, no go. It was just too far gone. Optical mice are the way to go on phones. My old Samsung had one and it was splendidly awesome.
Sharke on April 3, 2010 at 8:53 PM
I’m living in the stone age; I just bought a new oem western digital hard drive for my –wait for it — PC and the drive is only 640 gb.
Here’s the worst part…I’m installing it myself.
The horror, the horror.
B Man on April 3, 2010 at 9:08 PM
Every 2 years I get a new processor and motherboard, some of the sellers even install the processor on the motherboard so I all I have to do is four screws to remove the old motherboard and install the new motherboard. Then I plug everything in. Hard drives are even simpler. 4 screws, power wire, data wire. The current drive is about a year old. The ATX case is 12 years old, but the power supply is only couple years old. It is all so simple.
Allah, you should not admit that your computer is eight years old.
slp on April 3, 2010 at 9:36 PM
Can a Jedi ever have to many light sabers ?
Aggie95 on April 3, 2010 at 9:51 PM
I have a basement full of machines newer than that. At some point I figure I’ll strip them and sell off the processors for the scrap gold….
TheBigOldDog on April 3, 2010 at 9:53 PM
In truth, I’m still trying to even tax my Q6600 – Intel got the g0 stepping of this processor so right they won’t even sell them any more. You’re still looking at $175 range for just a used one. They’re easily overclocked into the 3ghz range without breaking a sweat…amazing processor still…I can’t even imagine bother with an i7 right now….
TheBigOldDog on April 3, 2010 at 10:02 PM
No Ipad for me. I love the feel of my manly HP Pavilion Pro Quad Core laptop! I have the Kindle for book reading; but it felt so smallish that I had to buy a cover to beef it up.
TN Mom on April 3, 2010 at 10:36 PM
Pads are far different from tampons.
Esthier on April 3, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Next news item:
Idiots are doubly depressed when the not only can’t live on Pandorum but the iPad won’t make them cool.
mad scientist on April 3, 2010 at 10:45 PM
There are a number of competitors with their own machines coming out. There could be epic buyers remorse if Google or even multiple other machines outperform the iPad.
Of course the Apple fanboys will never admit it.
mad scientist on April 3, 2010 at 10:51 PM
Anyone who bought the first incarnation of the iPhone will probably wait for the 2nd iteration of the iPad before plunking down the jack.
Mojave Mark on April 3, 2010 at 10:58 PM
Are Apple fanboys all beta males?
Just wondering…….
slp on April 3, 2010 at 11:20 PM
I don’t have an iMac or iPhone and I don’t want an iPad.
I read hardcover books, I don’t have a Kindle/don’t want one either.
But I do have an iPod for my car and it’s the best thing ever for listening to tunes in your car. I’ll say that for Apple.
It beats the hell out of changing cds or the crappy stuff that passes for radio these days.
Another thing is: PC fanboys tend to bask in the complicated-ness of the PC world. Like they wear the difficulty of working with windows and the hardware as a badge of honor.
The only Apple thing that I own is an ipod and it just works.
B Man on April 3, 2010 at 11:48 PM
Who are these people who find PC’s complicated? I can’t think of anything that I do with mine that is remotely complicated.
Sharke on April 4, 2010 at 12:06 AM
After playing with my IPad all day, my iPhone seems so small now.
Denverslim on April 4, 2010 at 12:25 AM
…
I’m an Apple fanboy and I’m a girl…. got my first Mac in 1991…
About the lack of Flash support … apparently it’s inherent in the nature of the device.
YehuditTX on April 4, 2010 at 1:04 AM
I’d skip the pad. I had a ipod mini, but it was buggy for the two years I owned it. Bought a Zune HD instead (which, imo, rocks the iTouch for the Zune pass alone).
Mind you, the iPhone is really neat, but if you’re gonna drop that much money on something without Flash… that’s a huge flaw in these devices. I wouldn’t rely on this device for working, despite its neat-ness. Lack of a keyboard should be pretty daunting for anyone, let alone a full time blogger.
As someone already mentioned, try a touch screen desktop (HP has a great model) or a tablet PC. Honestly, I’ve seen some (where you can flip the screen around and use it like an actual pad/tablet) and it can do anything the pad can do, but let’s face it, better!
Vortaine on April 4, 2010 at 2:57 AM
As someone who’s been reading long enough to remember your numerous postings about your iphone obsession, this post was really well done. Very humorous!
clancy_wiggum on April 4, 2010 at 3:45 AM
180 degree turn(off) for me
the apps are no longer $0.99 but , oops, they typically now cost $9.99
even the WSJ requires you to subscribe for an extra $18 a month (although I already have web+print)
so it looks I will just get a boring non-apple Pad, probably one of those with nvidia in them so you **can** watch HD, have a camera and all gizmos and a, yes, one of those screens that is color but also ink (or something like that so it lasts forever).
and my iphone apps clearly will stay iphone apps.
what a letdown.
mooseburger on April 4, 2010 at 4:42 AM
I don’t know how you could not like laptops, AP. That’s just weird.
I just don’t think I’m an iPad candidate. I’d rather spend less money on a netbook that actually behaves like a computer (lets me run email and internet at the same time) and runs Flash. Steve Jobs will not get the luxury of determining how my computing experience will unfold.
stvnscott on April 4, 2010 at 9:51 AM
…and here I sit, morally smug and self righteously congratulating myself for never buying any product that begins with an “i”
E9RET on April 4, 2010 at 10:20 AM
I bought a Motorola Droid not long after getting a Samsung Rogue because I got tired of having to accept the limitations imposed by the designers of my phone. My purchase was validated when I discovered the alarm app is programmable by individual day, and that a free download allowed me all of the text message flexibility that I could ever want, and then some. I’m on call 24×7 so I need repeating pages etc.
I carry my phone everywhere, like most people, so it’s great to have one that does lots of stuff. I carry my laptop only when necessary. I really can’t imagine toting around something in between because it would require me to plan, and would be little more sensible than carrying a laptop.
I guess I’m getting old. I’ll wait a few years and see if you crazy kids figure out a purpose of the thing.
Immolate on April 4, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Next news article:
iPad sales tank as public discovers how cumbersome and useless it is. Google sales skyrocket, will not accept iPad trade-ins.
mad scientist on April 4, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Anyone that buys first gen anything is a moron.
Moesart on April 4, 2010 at 12:25 PM
no flash
no USB
no keyboard
no multitasking
no camera
At&T
no sale
buy a mini laptop
windansea on April 4, 2010 at 4:56 PM
PS It probably won’t get you laid
windansea on April 4, 2010 at 4:57 PM
Buy the Wi-Fi only and at some point by a Sprint or Verizon mobile 4G Hotspot. That way it will work with any of your devices wherever you are.
Personally, I am trying to force myself to hold off for the first revision – should be out by Christmas?
holdfast on April 4, 2010 at 5:53 PM
So a laptop is now a maxi-pad and an iPhone is a mini-pad?
I’ll stick with my Osborne 1.
The flight instruction graphics in amber are tu kewl!
profitsbeard on April 4, 2010 at 6:05 PM
I think I can see your dilemma, AP. Since Apple doesn’t make a bigger iphone, of course you also have to spend twice as much money on an ipad to fill in that gap. It’s obvious!
There Goes The Neighborhood on April 4, 2010 at 7:18 PM
Or you could spend a couple hundred bucks for a “nettop” computer, not much bigger than a laptop and for a lot less cash. Then plug up USB keyboard and optical mouse, and plug in a regular monitor. They’re not exactly speed demons, but would probably still be a lot faster than the ipad, and pretty much guaranteed to outrun an 8-year-old home PC. Or, if you just have to have an Apple product, the Mac mini will work about the same. It just won’t be near as cheap.
If you spend a lot of time on a computer, touch-screens get old. If you’re not planning to carry it around with you, there’s not much advantage to a portable device.
If you want a cheaper but still powerful device that can double as a cell phone, there’s the Nokia N900, originally marketed as an “internet tablet”, with an 800×480 display.
There Goes The Neighborhood on April 4, 2010 at 7:39 PM
The HP Slate is defintely less expensive and more powerful than the iPad. When it comes out, you’ll find the HP Slate has a feature set that is much more appealing than anything from Apple.
ScottMcC on April 5, 2010 at 12:06 AM
Allah, consider getting a laptop and an air desk stand.
I’m a software developer and work at home. My office is a leather recliner in front of my home theater in the living room. The most comfortable office known to man!
The air desk provides a sleek stand for the laptop and an extension for a mouse pad/mouse (I’ll never give my mouse up!)
I also use the laptop in bed at night when working late. Work till the point the eyes won’t stay open anymore, set the laptop on the night stand, roll over and go to sleep.
BruthaMan on April 5, 2010 at 2:01 AM
Let’s see, strong propagandists for how wonderful Che was . .
Just added Al Gore to their Board of Directors . . .
Liberal to the core . . . (sorry for the pun)
Nope. No more Apple products in this household. Ever.
PastorJon on April 5, 2010 at 1:03 PM
An NPR story features iPad fans happily sacrificing freedom for security. Truly the iPad is a product of its time.
calbear on April 5, 2010 at 2:13 PM
Wait, so, just so, my child for input from the “average” user. Then and only then make your purchase.
Or just buy the damned thing on impulse.
Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don`t.
Fohgetboudit!
Sherman1864 on April 5, 2010 at 3:28 PM
Are you going to use it outside of the apartment? Then yeah, 3G model. If not, skip it. I mostly plan to use it in the house, and I have a MeFi credit-card 3G router that I can slip into a pocket if I’m taking it for a spin outside of Wi-Fi range. Full review forthcoming, but for feed reading and chomping through e-mail (which for me is 98% reading/sorting, 2% writing, it is a dream machine. I almost never used the sofa in my office before — now I spend couple hours there a day, catching up on feeds, news, e-mails.
Mark Jaquith on April 6, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Now that all the antiApple trolls hath decreed how wondrous all the imitators coming out AFTER the iPad are,
just wanted to say I got a chance to use a colleague’s iPad today – very smooth response, performs as expected. I’ll be picking one up to use as a thin client soon.
But I guess to people who think that having a wired ethernet jack and Flash, which increases attack vectors, are BENEFITS on their portable me-too tablet, no amount of logic will suffice.
And here most of us thought only LEFTIES were “logic-challenged”…
BemusedMalkinite on April 8, 2010 at 12:06 AM
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