Yesterday on April 3, 2010, electronic lovers around the world waited patiently outside of the Apple stores for the release of the long awaited Apple iPad. The iPad allows users to surf the internet, watch videos, and listen to music. It also allows consumers to read e-books . Many people have been waiting months for this new product. In Miami, Florida, and Atlanta, there were reportedly more than 100 people who were waiting in line outside of the Apple stores. Even in extreme cases such as in the less than pleasant weather conditions of Chicago, loyal Apple fans waited in line for the iPad.
However, is the iPad a necessity? The iPad ranges from $499 to $829 which to me is pretty expensive. I feel that if you're going to spend that amount of money on electronics then you should spend it on a laptop instead. A laptop allows you to perform many more activities such as video chat or making PowerPoint presentations. Do you think the iPad is a necessity? If so, why?
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9 comments:
I agree..it's funny how repetitive Apple makes their products..the iPad..the iPod..the iTouch.. and they basically do all the same things. The only difference is you can use one as a phone.
I personally do not think they are a necessity but I guess all people are different and therefore have different views on what is an absolute need or want. Just like we have been learning this semester, people take all alternatives into consideration and the opportunity cost of spending $500-$800 is having so many applications on one thing and making good use of it..even if the cost is high. I think most people who want to purchase an iPad already probably own an ipod..or iTouch..or mac. laptop..but to some people it is worth spending that much on this device.
-Emily Niemann
Technically speaking, nothing besides the basic needs of life is a necessity. I do not believe the iPad is anywhere near a necessity. I do believe though, that if you want an iPad, there are a lot of other and better items out there that will allow you to perform the exact same functions and more. Netbooks have been around for a while, tablet PC's are getting cheaper and cheaper. I personally would rather wait for the Microsoft Courier, assuming they do release it eventually.
I dont think the Ipad is a necesity, but it is true that u could spend the money instead on a laptop... but Ipads are just soooo cool!
I agree with all of you. Ipads are not necessary, but it often depends on who the person is. Ipads are smaller than laptops, i think. The size is maybe what appeals to the consumers. Also, the fact that it is from apple might be a reason since they have released some cool new stuff recently. If it were me, id choose a laptop any day
I think that what appeals more to the consumer is the Apple name and that the product just came out. Once everyone has one, market sales will drastically drop. ;)
The iPad, like many Apple products is hardly necessary. There are plenty of other products which will perform the same exact functions, but with a cheaper price tag.
In many cases its much more economical to purchase these other products, but it seems to me that the main reason people continue to purchase what I consider to be overpriced merchandise is because of Apple's clever advertising campaign which touts something along the lines of 'Apple products are cool and hip. If you own our stuff you can be just as cool and hip.'
@ Emily: Totally agree on the repetitive aspects of Apple's products. And the relating to your statement that most of the iPad buyers probably have an iPod or something similar already, I'm quite sure if one did a statistical study on the iPad owners now, one would find that the vast majority of them are repeat Apple customers.
@ Franklin: There's no need to pick apart the wording of the blog. Given the context, the word necessity was not meant to be taken literally, and I think you knew that. Also I believe the reason standard tablet PCs aren't taking off is the disheartening lack of quality in such products compared to Apple counterparts. Put simply, the producers of such PCs aren't making as well as they ought to be.
I know, I just like being technical. However, I have to disagree in other tablet PC's being of lesser quality. I think Apple's name and its huge marketing that got the iPad the number of sales it got. You knew of the iPad the second it was announced, but how many people know of the Microsoft Courier announced last year? Also, the specs and capabilities of the iPad are not at all impressive. I think I can find you a better tablet for much less than the iPad is going for. The only few things special about the iPad is probably the App Store specific to Apple (though I'm not saying other tablets don't have their own databases for apps) and maybe 3G capabilities for the expensive version. Other than that, other tablets surpass it.
I have yet to hear of another tablet PC which has been deemed reliable by the general public. The majority of technology publications seem to share that same opinion.
I mentioned Apple's advertising campaign. Thank you for rewording my comment.
I also don't recall myself ever stating the hardware capabilities to be impressive. I believe much in the contrary in fact. I stated that tablet PCs currently out on the market lack quality. From this I hoped to imply that I believe the new iPad will display the same reliability we have come to expect from Apple products (and if not we can always rely on the far superior tech support services of Apple). There are in fact many tablet PCs which can outperform the iPad in terms of raw hardware capabilities. Even with this as a fact, the reason why such computers haven't sold well is because despite their technological superiority, they have demonstrated to be unreliable and many times easily broken products. This assertion is backed by numerous technology review (CNET and PC magazine to name a few) sources as well as my own experience with Toshiba and Dell tablet PCs.
3G is hardly special to the iPad or Apple. The fact that the general public seems to have assumed Apple is the sole owner of all things "3G" is rather disheartening. 3G means "3rd Generation", and does not define anything exact other than the fact that it is the 3rd release in wireless data transfer for a specific company (note that 3G for one company is not the same for another). Furthermore, to assert that 3G technology makes Apple special for any reason at all is absurd when virtually every electronics producing company is capable of the same thing, and many companies are already implementing what they have labeled "4G" networking.
@ Franklin - Although the ipad might not be the best tablet in the market, Apple has been able to position itself correctly in the technology industry. A product doesn't necessarily have to be the best to have the most market share. The positioning of the product plays a crucial role as well. Apple has created sufficient amount of brand loyalty and has positioned its products correctly to attract certain market groups. Therefore, even though the ipad might not be the best tablet, it has attracted many consumers due to its position in the world of marketing.
In addition, necessity is subjective. Afterall, what are considered the basic needs of life? Would you consider 8 glasses of water daily a basic need of life? If so, a person living in Africa might disagree with you and say that 1 glass of water daily to be a basic need of life. All in all, necessity is subjective based on an individual's environment, circumstances, desires, needs, and lifestyles.
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