Celebrating my first iPhone… a year and a half after my American neighbours.
I’m going to be a total party-pooper and say, “nay” on purchasing the new Apple iPad. “Ohh, but it’s so shiny and new. You know you’ll want one when you see it,” say the fanboys. True, it is shiny and new, but I still don’t want one.
That doesn’t mean that I won’t sweat and quiver a little when I hold an iPad in my hot little hands, but the moment will be fleeting and easily replaced when I grasp the 16-35mm f/2.8 I have my eye on.
Besides feeling mentally bloated with the sheer number of iPad related articles in my RSS reader, chatter on Twitter & Facebook, and unboxing and app preview videos on YouTube, I actually feel quite underwhelmed by the product. Here are the reasons why I’m not buying an iPad:
1. The iPad is not available in Canada yet.
Canadians and International customers are snubbed again. It’s like the iPhone all over again. All the Americans grinning with their new fancy toy, saying, “Haha. Want one of these? Hey? Want one? Well, you can’t have it. So ha!” What’s the deal? I live 1 1/2 hours from the US border. Couldn’t just pop a few in an air canon and send some our way?
2. I already own an iPhone.
I love my iPhone. It’s light and small and fits in my back pocket. It has 3G so I can use it outside of my house when I actually need to be connected to the internet and google maps, as I have the tendency to wander. It has a plethora of cool apps and I can even take pictures with it!
3. Any gadget without a camera is useless to me.
It should be a rule that every gadget has a camera. If I could take pictures with my toaster I would. Think about it. Toaster cam. Actually, add a video camera to that and live stream it on YouTube. Done.
4. I own a laptop.
I get it. Laptops are heavy to truck around. Even the Air can weigh you down after a while. But, laptops can actually do useful things like run Photoshop and Final Cut and they have actually have real keyboards that are attached to them! And honestly, who would ever go on a trip without their laptop?
I am an extreme multi-tasker. When I am on a long plane ride, I don’t watch movies or play solitaire, I edit photos or videos. If all I could do was look at pictures and videos and flick them around, I would become so frustrated.
5. I don’t have $500-$800 kicking around in my back pocket.
As a photographer I have a long list of “Things I need” that should and will go before buying something as frivalous as an iPad. Sure it’s cool, but I’m going to be honest with myself and my financial situation and groceries unfortunately have to come before gadgets.
It’s not that I don’t think it’s cool, it is just a completely impractical product for me. Honestly, I just don’t think I’m the right demographic for the iPad. For me, functionality and simplicity trumps any shiny, new fun thing.
What about you? Are you gonna buy the iPad or save your money and buy a sweet new lens?
Lathan
April 3, 2010 at 2:44 PMIf it could run Photoshop I’d buy one.. Wishful thinking maybe one day.
Lester
April 3, 2010 at 3:43 PMI agree, if you already have an iPhone and a laptop, the iPad may not be worth the expense.
Bill Irwin
April 3, 2010 at 4:15 PMI am one of those snubbed international customers. But I also have gadget overload; too many chargers / cords / built in obsolescence. The ipad to me is just another gadget. I did just buy a 14mm 2.8 for my 5DMk2, could have flown to the US and bought an ipad for less, but it is the sort of tool that excites me!
Blaine
April 3, 2010 at 4:26 PMI was going to write this exact blog post, but I think I’ll just link to yours instead. I have a 10″ netbook and on a trip last week I dId exactly that – edited photos and videos. I’ll use the iPhone for all the stuff the iPad does, but smaller.
Christoph Spiegl
April 3, 2010 at 4:42 PMI take all your reasons, replace the avalibility in Canada with the one here in Germany and have to say I am a little gelous. The apps I have seen so far (for the ipad) look just plain awesome, if just the developers would rethink their mac/iPhone apps the way they did with the ipad version! It can’t be possible that it is not possible to create something that snappy and awesome for mac or iPhone!
I am going to: Not buy!
Oh and it is a first version: I think this is just the start but for now it’s not what I would want.
Stephen
April 3, 2010 at 7:10 PMI’m with you Lisa… the MacBook works just fine. I guess I just don’t “get” the iPad. A 5DmkII is on my list as well as the 16-35… 50 1.2, and a few others!
clarke thomas
April 3, 2010 at 7:21 PMagreed. it’s quite underwhelming.
I can’t imagine the bills for the monthly data usage. (that’s one nice thing for the kindle, no data charge). I don’t see it as any better than big iphone, especially with no camera. If you had a camera, at least you could walk & skype at same time?
I saw a video, that an iPad + case was about $800. What? Why not just get a netbook or a used Air?
Plus you have to put your priorities inline, I’d much prefer more L lenses over an iPad.
Stephen McGrath
April 3, 2010 at 7:30 PMCouldn’t agree more. After all, the iPad is really just an expensive toy.
resistance to persistence » Blog Archive » iPad – to buy or not?
April 3, 2010 at 7:59 PM[…] And I’m not the only person thinking this way. Another Canadian and photographer, MostlyLisa summed up her 5 reasons why she’s not buying an iPad either […]
JD
April 3, 2010 at 9:03 PMclarke thomas, if you don’t want to pay for 3G service, there aren’t any bills. The cost of the Kindle and Kindle book purchases pay for the service it uses, but it’s not the same kind of service, Kindle provides a much more limited version of the web, and on a screen that’s not well-designed for non-linear reading such as web pages.
Amy Martin
April 3, 2010 at 9:59 PMI agree!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE my iphone. In fact I will go on and say what is so wrong to say, I do not know what I would do without it! I tell my husband that I keep it in my bra close to my heart! haha!
I just dropped $1,800 on a new 13inch macbook pro in Novemeber and it does a million more things than the pad.
So yes I agree shiney and new, but very very unneccessary if you are an avid mac person and have laptops and iphones
Adarsh Pallian
April 4, 2010 at 2:38 AMI’ll let you play with mine for a few hours and then lets see who’s not rushing to Seattle to get her own iPad :-)
Mika Ha
April 4, 2010 at 4:11 AMThe most honest review about Apple product ever ))
Jeff Wilson
April 4, 2010 at 5:17 AMI think it’s an awesome way to display your photography. I can envision you going to see a client and showing them the photos you took for them on this device. Very bright and viewable off-axis. So much better than flipping a laptop around. They can hold the iPad much like they would hold a (real heavy) 8X10 photograph.
missbhavens
April 4, 2010 at 8:02 AMI’m with you 100% (actually, more like 90% because I’m not Canadian and I don’t hanker for a new camera lens)!
Got an iPhone.
Got a laptop.
Got a camera.
I’m good.
clarke thomas
April 4, 2010 at 9:07 AMJD: WiFi only mobile devices are rather useless. The point of mobile device is to take it with you, not to be tethered to a hotspot.
I understand the limitations of the Kindle, but the inclusion of the 3G service with the book purchases is extremely cheap.
Sleephead_Shri
April 4, 2010 at 10:00 AMI don’t even carry a laptop in the field anymore these days, prefer to carry a Hyperspace type device (www.hyperdrive.com) that can backup images and videos on the fly without a pc. Mighty useful for long vacations and outdoor shoots, leave the post processing to once I am back home.
5 Reasons I’m not buying an iPad | Listaurus
April 5, 2010 at 4:06 AM[…] Read more… […]
googleman81
April 5, 2010 at 7:24 AMi am just getting the hp slate when it releases later this year, you know, because i like “real” computers for “grown ups” and i am pretty sure steve jobs does not need me to feed his god complex.
Tino
April 5, 2010 at 8:14 AMYup, however, I’ll wait for the 3G edition at the end of the month…
Hoi
April 5, 2010 at 12:10 PMYour 5 speaks to my heart. I have been skipping on lots of gadgets with that reason (I don’t even have a smart phone or a good laptop). While it can be frustrating at times, I find myself focusing more on photography. There are SO MUCH to learn even with just a SLR, a len, and Lightroom.
I did get an iPad for my parents. :)
Eugene
April 6, 2010 at 3:40 PMI’ll save and get the lens. I’m with you on all reasons you stated.
Matthew Gore
April 7, 2010 at 11:24 AMI couldn’t agree with you more. If it could run Photoshop, it would be a whole different story… maybe. Even then, though, I’d rather have the larger screen, multi-processors, lots of RAM, etc, of a decent laptop (which can be pretty small these days anyway).
If I were thinking about buying a Kindle, and the iPad were a reasonable (price) alternative, then I’d consider it… but I’m not, and it’s not.
And NO USB ports? C’mon.
beschneider
April 12, 2010 at 3:41 PMRight Lisa, I totally agree with you. You can spend your money on more important things than the iPad. You have an eye on the EF 16-35 f/2.8, in my place it’s a EOS 550D. :-D Tiny difference in the prince range, huh?
John
April 15, 2010 at 9:25 AMGo for the 16-35L. It is amazing. The iPad sounds cool, but this lens gives you a whole new perspective on things.
Brian Payne
April 15, 2010 at 5:18 PMJust got a windows based laptop. An IPad would not only be a friivolous waste of cash, but lock you into the proprietary Apple store which I hate. I’m sure we’ll soon see a windows or android based tablet with a whole lot more open market options than the IPad. Now “that” I’d be interested in.
Dave Ewers
April 20, 2010 at 11:13 PMI am with you on this one Lisa. Like you I am viewing a lens, a beautiful 35mm 1.4 Nikon. I have too many computers already in my life and spend enough time playing with the apps on my itouch. Hope you had fun in SF
Kuddl
April 22, 2010 at 12:57 AMAgree …
I am a programmer and “knipser” (Hobby Photographer, that is) and a regular reader of your page.
I have a IPad right here with me, because we programm Applikations for it.
It is a shiny Toy, an it’s great to get your hands on it — once.
But then the thrill is gone. (after less then 2 days, and finding around 20 Bugs)
Stick with your iPhone (or any Smartphone; Android in my case) for mobility and carry your laptop for anything more.
I think the iPad is as useless as a 15kg, 30cm, chrome Tripod.
Spend all the dollars for Photogear, groceries, flowers for your girl, postcards for your mom; it’s a better investment!
Greetings
Grace @ Sandier Pastures
April 22, 2010 at 5:21 AMI wouldn’t buy an iPad yet. At this current price and hype, no. Besides, it’s not even available in Dubai yet and who knows when.
I love taking photos so I’d rather invest in a new camera lens. BTW, very nice picture. I was more of looking at how great you look (wow, you’re my new fitness inspiration!)rather than the iPhone you’re holding! :-)
iPadMark
April 26, 2010 at 11:01 AMI heart my iPad
Jonrey
April 26, 2010 at 7:17 PMLIke you said, I have the same reasons on why I should not get one. But it’s a cool pretty little thing. I will eventually give in and get one down the road. So I might as well get it over with and get one :D.
davecorey
June 2, 2010 at 7:55 PMand sometimes mistakes can make 4
realy good pics any way
Sase Antic
June 9, 2010 at 10:21 AMGood reasons not to buy an iPad. ;)
Mostly Lisa
July 7, 2010 at 2:54 AMi’ll admit when i’m wrong. I just bought an iPad :P It is magical and i love it.
Tracy Jackel
July 12, 2010 at 9:56 PMhm, understand:)
Connie Mack
July 25, 2010 at 6:41 AMI did the next best thing.
I’m a Kindle2 owner and I love it. I love it because it’s light and I can sit on the beach and read [all three Stieg Larson books]. And I like to read. [yet another reason to choose your decisions carefully when buying an iPad]
However, comma, I love new technology. When I tested the iPad in the store it was heavy, couldn’t call anyone, and it didn’t have a camera. Still, I was intrigued.
I did happen to have a few hundred laying around so I decided to test it on my 20 year old Georgia Tech student (aka my son). I got him one to take to his 3rd year at school. One semester should do it; surrounded by geeks who will either prove or shame the device! Go Jackets!
Meanwhile, he’s still home. Which means I get to temporarily enjoy the device. Albeit, not outside. I have to admit reading US News or NY Times articles and watching Netflix from the relaxing pillow/blanket configuration has it’s pluses. And my abdomen wasn’t on fire from laptop heat. Sure, sure, I got all excited by the Epicurious app which allows you to prop the thing up and become a recipe book with a mark feature so you don’t lose track where you are in a complicated recipe and the display on the thing? One word: nice.
My son came into my room yesterday and we played air hockey on the iPad. Technology aside, as a Mom, that could be construed as Mom/Son time–so thumbs up on what was once dubbed the iPhone for old people!
So there it is; I get to sample the iPad and just keep enjoying the lack of eye strain with my Kindle. Plus, I get to share technology with my technological progeny.
Zaida Palomo
November 21, 2010 at 12:23 PMJust a small smiler to spread the good words and thank you for your great site
Half the people you know are below average. :)