IPad opinions?

[simongr]

I had a 1st gen 17” PowerBook, but don’t feel as strongly about it. It lasted right up until 2007, which is 3-4 years I think, but then an internal screw came loose and shorted the logic board. Apple wanted more than the latest at the time MBP’s to replace it for me. It was out of warranty, but I don’t feel it was fair that an internal screw that I’d never got near wasn’t their fault.

That has to be one of the more unrealistic expectations I have heard of - a warranty on a four year old computer??? I would be intrigued as well as to how an internal screw got itself loose.

As time progresses I am more and more inclined towards the iPad as a combination device. I know for now I wont be able to take notes effectively on it but I will live with that.

I am looking forward to reviewing reports and spreadsheets on the go whilst having a bigger screen to watch TV and read books.

The question now is just whether I go 3G or not...

 

[samh004]

That has to be one of the more unrealistic expectations I have heard of - a warranty on a four year old computer??? I would be intrigued as well as to how an internal screw got itself loose.

Oh I wouldn’t say I expected a warranty after that length of time. I did have AppleCare. But how a screw came loose in a less than 1” thick enclosure… I think points to a flaw that isn’t my fault.

I’m onto my next two macs now though, so no worries.

The slim brick that is the PB is under my bed in HK gathering dust.

 

[Mal]

The Ipad battery replacement program is interesting:

Apple - Support - Battery Replacement Service - iPad

If your iPad requires service due to the battery’s diminished ability to hold an electrical charge, Apple will replace your iPad for a service fee.

Note: Your iPad is not eligible for Battery Replacement Service if the product has been damaged, for example, as result of an accident, liquid contact, disassembly, unauthorized service or unauthorized modifications, or if the product is not operating correctly as a result of a component failure. Please review Apple's Repair Terms and Conditions for further details.

How much does it cost?
The service costs $99, plus $6.95 shipping. The total cost is $105.95 per unit.
All fees are in U.S. dollars and are subject to local tax.

I wonder if they'll start sending refurbished models out, or each will be brand new. Apple's love of internal batteries really affects users.

 

[simongr]

How does this "affect" users? My iPad battery dies so I get a whole new shiny unscratched iPad. I have a nice sealed unit that hasn't been designed so someone can unscrew everything and thus create opportunities for the thing to loosen or create more chance for liquid to get inside.

This way they can make a more integrated device and hopefully improve battery life or streamline the device.

 

[Mal]

How does this "affect" users?

Batteries degrade quickly. Even a year old battery often has a seriously reduced charge capacity. By not allowing users to change batteries themselves (or keep spares around), Apple are pretty much forcing users to come back to them to get batteries swapped. They sweeten things up by "swapping" the device, and while it might be new at the moment - there is nothing stopping them from sending out a refurbished device that is older than the one you sent in.

It also restricts people having choice and using 3rd party batteries (And yeah I realise you could open Apple products yourself and change the battery to a 3rd party one, but of course that invalidates any warranty etc and can be problematic with re-assembly or getting contamination like dust into the product).

 

[albatross710]

I have two iphones. Both have needed new batteries at the 15 month mark. The first replacement when the phone was working but just not making through the day anymore cost $149 for the replacement. The second phone, totally dead battery wouldn't charge, $249 replacement phone.

Next Apple iphone/iPad I buy I will take the extended warranty. Now that I say that I assume that the extended warranty will cover the battery.

I think they need to improve the battery life for a sealed device.

PS: I'll still be trying to pick up an Pad in the states early next month just for the geek value.

 

[Mal]

I have two iphones. Both have needed new batteries at the 15 month mark. The first replacement when the phone was working but just not making through the day anymore cost $149 for the replacement. The second phone, totally dead battery wouldn't charge, $249 replacement phone.

And that's one of the reasons why I don't like internal batteries. Apple seems to be trying to correct part of that issue with the iPad replacement though...

Next Apple iphone/iPad I buy I will take the extended warranty. Now that I say that I assume that the extended warranty will cover the battery.

It appears to (At least for the iphone / ipod - as long as the battery has degraded over 50% of original specs). Depending on how the phone is used, it's possible that a battery wouldn't degrade that much in 2 years.

 

[samh004]

The Ipad battery replacement program is interesting:

I wonder if they'll start sending refurbished models out, or each will be brand new. Apple's love of internal batteries really affects users.

I wondered how long it would be before refurbished models started coming too. But it’ll still be almost like new, obviously significant scratching wouldn’t be acceptable, even to Apple.

Batteries degrade quickly. Even a year old battery often has a seriously reduced charge capacity. By not allowing users to change batteries themselves (or keep spares around), Apple are pretty much forcing users to come back to them to get batteries swapped. They sweeten things up by "swapping" the device, and while it might be new at the moment - there is nothing stopping them from sending out a refurbished device that is older than the one you sent in.

It also restricts people having choice and using 3rd party batteries (And yeah I realise you could open Apple products yourself and change the battery to a 3rd party one, but of course that invalidates any warranty etc and can be problematic with re-assembly or getting contamination like dust into the product).

While batteries degrade quickly, they degrade quicker when people don’t follow the advice of the company making them and at least fully deplete the battery every month. Not many people do this, and quite often their batteries die quicker. It’s about learning about the technology that you use.

As far as other products Apple have included built-in batteries for, those products have benefited from much bigger batteries than they’d have had if they’d been user-replaceable.

And that's one of the reasons why I don't like internal batteries. Apple seems to be trying to correct part of that issue with the iPad replacement though...

They do seem to be going that way. I can’t say I dislike not having a removable battery though, it’s hardly an issue to me. However, if my battery fails in December this year, I might be a little more upset.

 

[ozscot]

I know for now I wont be able to take notes effectively on it

I'm sure you're aware you can use a bluetooth keyboard with this. The Apple BT keyboard for example is very slim and robust for slipping into your bag. Admittedly not as good as a regular laptop for a lot of data entry though.

I'm interested to see how the iPad works with one of the VNC clients like iTeleport to access your PC or Mac desktop. This works fine on the iPhone but the screen size makes it for emergencies only. The iPad should make this more comfortable.

Cheers,
Steve.

 

[simongr]

Is that iTeleport any good? The reviews are limited and mixed. This is just the sort of thing I am looking for but it is a steep price if it doesnt work...

I just wish the OZ pricing and release dates would be announced...

 

[Mal]

This is just the sort of thing I am looking for but it is a steep price if it doesnt work...

I'm curious. What do you actually want to do with the application? If wanting to control your PC @ Home, then most ISP's in Australia would block VNC from being accessible from the Internet - so it most likely wouldn't work.
If wanting to control your pc @ work, then most corporates block VNC from being accessible from the Internet, and many actually block VNC from running on desktops.

Either of these might still be achievable if you use a VPN connection back to the network first though.

So curious what your intention with the product is. I see it more as a tool for geeks to manage their computers - not an end user controlling computers.

 

[ozscot]

Is that iTeleport any good?

For me it works well. There's a small learning curve getting used to dragging to pan the screen -v- dragging to move the desktop cursor but it connects to a Mac or PC fine and covers those occasions where you've got to access a remote desktop. It's definitely for occasional use though due to the size of the screen causing much panning around in the desktop.

I'm curious. What do you actually want to do with the application? If wanting to control your PC @ Home, then most ISP's in Australia would block VNC from being accessible from the Internet - so it most likely wouldn't work.

I wouldn't use an ISP that blocks such service ports, and you'll usually find if on a plan with a static ip they provide scope for you to manage your own firewall without their pre-determining what you might want to do with the connection you're paying for. Regardless in my situation I can access home, work and our hosting locations through VPN tunnels.

What do I want to do with such an application? Well it's really just for those times when you need to access a remote machine. At work I manage a bunch of servers. This is mostly command line but occasional troubleshooting requires logging in to the desktop. Sods law says this is often when you don't have your laptop with you. Sometimes you may need to access a document or application on your remote machine. At home we use it to manage our headless Mini Mac which serves up all the music and videos around the house - nice to do without having to sit on the couch with your laptop on your knee.

How this works on the iPad with the larger screen will be interesting though. Many were initially disappointed when the thing was announced that is was an iPhone OS rather than a full Mac OSX operating system. If a VNC app runs well at this resolution then you can connect to your Mac desktop anyway and have your cake and eat it too.

Cheers,
Steve.

 

[Mal]

I wouldn't use an ISP that blocks such service ports, and you'll usually find if on a plan with a static ip they provide scope for you to manage your own firewall without their pre-determining what you might want to do with the connection you're paying for. Regardless in my situation I can access home, work and our hosting locations through VPN tunnels.

What do I want to do with such an application? Well it's really just for those times when you need to access a remote machine. At work I manage a bunch of servers.

And that proves my point. You're in IT, so have no issues with paying extra for a static IP address, managing a firewall at home, setting up a VPN for home usage, getting VNC legitimately installed on your work pc/servers etc etc etc.

But for an average user, this isn't something that they normally do. Hence why I'm curious what Simongr actually thinks can be done with the application.

 

[simongr]

Since when I was I an average user?

One thing I would like to do is activate torrrents on my desktop remotely without using an RSS feed. It would be useful to remotely access the desktop whilst at the office, in transit or interstate.

It would also be useful to remotely access the desktop to help mrssimongr with problems (such as finding the latest "In the night garden" episodes.

It is sadly unlikely that I could be able to access my work laptop/servers to access documents due to security concerns so this would primarily be a personal use thing.

 

[notzac]

And that proves my point. You're in IT, so have no issues with paying extra for a static IP address, managing a firewall at home, setting up a VPN for home usage, getting VNC legitimately installed on your work pc/servers etc etc etc.

Decent ISPs in .au (think: Internode and iiNet, not Optusnet or Bigpond) give you the option to manage whether ports are blocked for home broadband services or not. Helpful, as it's how I support family computer issues.

 

[QF WP]

It would also be useful...to help mrssimongr with problems (such as finding the latest "In the night garden" episodes).

I hear you simongr . Very important (as well as Big Cook, Little Cook). Thank God for Foxtel iQ:!:

 

[albatross710]

I'm thinking of pre-ordering an iPad for pickup when I'm in the USA in early April. They are available in USA 3 April, Australia is slated as 'late April')

If I buy the Wi-Fi + 3G direct from Apple (Apple - iPad - Get your hands on iPad. On day one.) is it going to work with the Optus network when I get it home?

I'm thinking that it might come locked to a US network.

Thoughts appreciated.

 

[Mal]

I'm thinking of pre-ordering an iPad for pickup when I'm in the USA in early April. They are available in USA 3 April, Australia is slated as 'late April')

That page shows the 3G model as available "Late April", so I presume only the wi-fi model is available on 3 April....

No idea about locked or unlocked, although if it was locked I would expect that the page showed that. Then again, it is Apple - the company who gets into bed with carriers and restricts sales as a result

 

[markis10]

I'm thinking of pre-ordering an iPad for pickup when I'm in the USA in early April. They are available in USA 3 April, Australia is slated as 'late April')

If I buy the Wi-Fi + 3G direct from Apple (Apple - iPad - Get your hands on iPad. On day one.) is it going to work with the Optus network when I get it home?

I'm thinking that it might come locked to a US network.

Thoughts appreciated.

Depends on what 3G frequencies will be supported, optus use 900MHz and 2100Mhz HSPA.

 

[albatross710]

Nice pickup Mal. I did recall at the initial product release they had staggered availability and I was surprised to see them all listed in the same price grid. Thanks for pointing out that Late April availability - that solves my problem.

I'm hoping that our field reps can use these as they go around to visit customers. They won't always have access to wi-fi so that is why I'll wait for the 3G.