Are you getting the iPad?
Asked by
Bugabear (
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)
January 27th, 2010
Hey Fluther. I know some people here are big Apple fans. I was wondering what your current thoughts on it are? Buy, dont buy? Like the UI/dont like?
Give me your thoughts.
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131 Answers
Right now, I don’t get it. I suppose it would be like a Kindle on Wi-Fi/3G steroids with games and video and music and while that is cool, I have stuff that does all that already (my iPhone, iPod(s)). Maybe after I see one live I’ll feel the hype, but right now…notsomuch.
I need a new phone first.
I’m with @HankMoody . I don’t get the point of it. What’s all the fuss about?
Does it come with a squeegee to scrape off all the finger prints from everyone’s greasy paws and all the other crud that will be sticking to it?
@HankMoody What it is, is a giant iPod touch on steroids. Pretty much everything you can do on a iPod you can do on the iPad, but bigger and easier. The pricing on it was not as scary as I’d thought it would be. I might consider getting one.
Probably not. It’s like a MacBook and iPod Touch have come together and had a child.
I think the point is to have something really portable instead of a laptop. It’s like a kindle or an iPod touch that can do everything you really need a computer to do. I haven’t really seen enough of it yet, but I can see it replacing laptops for a lot of people. And even if it doesn’t now, it’s definitely going in the right direction. So you don’t have to have a laptop and a kindle and an iPod touch, you just have an iPad.
Looks pretty cool Just like everything apple every makes I am sure this will sell a shit ton.
And deal with all the new bugs and the outstanding price I’m sure it will be? I’ll wait just like with every new gadget.
@Blackberry Hear, hear. If I’ve learnt anything about technology it’s never buy something new as soon as it comes out. It will always be improved and cheaper the longer you wait.
It’s on the apple website as of a few minutes ago. apple.com
I love my iPhone and if I had need of a new laptop or notebook somewhere down the line, I would consider it. That would be after the initial bugs are out and the price goes down.
I’d love to get one for my mom, who is stuck with dad’s Dell that is totally jacked by Vista and crapware that he refuses to get rid of. All she cares about is facebook, e-mail, and photos and videos of my sister’s kids. If the price was lower and the storage higher, it would be a serious consideration. I think she’d love the interface.
if this interfaces with MobileMe the way the Macs themselves do (or even the iphone/ipod touch), it’ll expand the storage by at least 20gb. you could store all your documents and photos on the internet, and free up space on the device.
I don’t really get what it is. Is it a computer? xD
So I’m watching the video, and I’m thinking something like this could easily replace my laptop when I’m ready to do that. I do think they need to put a darn number row on the keyboard, they can afford to lose the screen real estate since it’s only when you are typing. Maybe on the next model.
@Snarp the way the keyboard does numbers, symbols, etc is nice, as it makes for larger keys. if you hold and drag your finger on the number (123) button, it “temporarily” pops up the numerical pad, and then reverts to ABC.
@eponymoushipster But why not just dump some display space? I really only need to see the line I’m typing, anything beyond that is gravy. And when your passwords for websites, which are the main thing you are typing, alternate numbers with letters, it’s a real pain to have to keep going back to the 123 button.
Nope. The next thing I get from Apple will probably be a new MBP. And that won’t be for a while.
@Snarp i use an ipod touch every day to check people out, and my pwd has both numbers, letters and punctuation. it’s not a big deal.
as for screen real estate while typing, if you’re typing an email or a document, you probably want to see more than the one line youre on.
and as regards the keyboard, the dock offers a full, mechanical keyboard if you so desire.
Yes I will get it, the price is reasonable and I am really excited about iBooks and iPad’s iWork. I will use it a lot for school.
I love the thing but Since I am very dependent on my MBP (especially for the HD space) I’ll hold off for the next couple of generations. But i gotta say it’s the perfec thybrid between my mac and mi iPhone and I really am looking forward to getting one.
edit: I am particularly fond of the availability of iWork on this. I use iWork on a daily basis and was hoping this would be a feature.
@eponymoushipster Well, I hate doing the 123 button on the iPhone. I just think there’s plenty of screen real estate on the iPad to add a line of numbers. Maybe make them smaller than the letter keys, maybe have the 123 button switch to numbers and symbols when you tap it, but if you hold it it pops up the number row and keeps it there. It’s not a huge deal, but I think they’ve missed an opportunity to improve on the iPhone interface a bit.
If you mean am I interested in getting a larger Iphone that I can’t fit into my pocket then the answer is no.
I do however look forward to the second generation Ipad and look forward to playing around with one but in addition to a laptop, home computer and Iphone already I just can’t see where this will help my lifestyle.
@judochop Unless you really need a high performance laptop, this would replace your laptop. It certainly will in a few generations, and for many people this one will.
I can’t wait for people to jailbreak it.
no need to jailbreak it. It’s unblocked so you can use it with any carrier (for the 3g verion).
Unless you mean for 3rd party apps.
From what I’ve seen, I like it. I’m not too fond of the black frame around it, and it probably has a lot of bugs, as all completely new products do. If I’ve learned anything from the iPhone, it’s to wait a while. I can always play with it at the Apple store!
No and this article points out exactly why.
Does anyone else think the name iPad is funny? I wonder if there will be an SNL skit soon featuring high-tech feminine hygiene products.
@toomuchcoffee911 :: The bezel around it is needed. You have to be able to grab it. That isn’t the case with the iPhone since you can palm it.
@ChazMaz :: It has a oleophobic screen. They stay pretty clean.
I might pick one up. The price is pretty good. A hell over a lot better than I thought it would be. Shit, a 16Gig iPhone cost $599 when it came out.
@HTDC “It’s like a MacBook and iPod Touch have come together and had a child.”
Yea, but it got most of the Touch’s genes.
youre right..the HP Lumox 35Z is a much better name. and once it boots up and your virus software runs, it might be good.~
@johnpowell the oleophobic screens don’t resist fingerprints (trust me, i can attest to this), but they do make it extremely easy to remove them.
I don’t like it. And ipad is a stupid name. It makes it sound like apple’s gone into feminine care products. I’ve had my mbp for a while and would like a new laptop but I think I’ll pass on this – I wasn’t interested in the mac air either.
Only if it’s that time of the month.
@erichw1504 I think most of the stuff on that list isn’t going to be a deal breaker for a lot of people. The lack of flash is pretty darned disappointing though. Hmm, maybe someone wants you only to watch video that you pay them for, ya think? That’s a huge problem, if this thing is to fill the niche I would want it for it needs to have the whole internet, not just the part Apple wants me to see.
It actually looks like really cool device and I love the idea behind it. For me, at least right now, it would be only useful for traveling or laying on the couch. Maybe when it has more accessories and productivity apps, it might make more sense. For now I’m fine with my Macbook Pro and iPod Touch. However, if the cost was a couple hundred less, it was the second generation already, and it wasn’t tied to AT&T, I might seriously consider buying it as a little toy.
I also think the name is pretty weak…time to let go of the “i” names Apple, it’s getting stale.
Certainly not first gen, even if I actually wanted the thing, which I don’t right now.
If future gens of the iPad can evolve so that they functionally do everything my Macbook does, then I’ll buy one with a keyboard dock.
I don’t buy this “3 categories of devices” idea. I only have room in my life for 2 computer devices: a cell phone and something bigger that I can type on. I’m not going to lug around a laptop AND an iPad in my bag; it’s one or the other. May the best man win.
It looks just like a giant IPod Touch. Most of the tech sites on my Touch tonight seem to be giving it the thumbs down as its not anything completely new. You can play games on your Touch, then put it in your pocket. It doesnt have flash and no slots for an SD card.
Most common question seems to be what niche will this fill?
@Sandydog, I think it’s basically a shot across the bow at the e-reader niche.
Why would you spend $450 for a Kindle DX when it has a smaller screen and way less functionality than a $500 iPad?
The iPhone was great because it turned a cell phone into a functional computer. The iPad basically turns an e-reader into an even more functional computer. But not as functional as an only-slightly-less-portable laptop. And unlike cell phones, not everyone has or wants e-readers already.
I still love my macbook pro! Its really cool looking! I am waiting for the next gen iphone! :)
No, it is just a really big iPod Touch. You might as well buy an iPhone.
i foresee a lot of people buying this and an iMac.
as for @erichw1504, his “in-depth analysis” can suck a big rubbery one.
@eponymoushipster The only in-depth analysis I’ve provided is from other’s in-depth analysis. Don’t shoot the middle-man.
Does anyone have any idea if it can handle photoshop and large image editing? (My guess is no- not even close, but I am just asking as a dream)
@Dog Of course not, that’s what Brushes is for.
@erichw1504 then why not post some positive reviews,too? til then, shut it.
@Dog if it runs iphone apps, it can run the photoshop app. as to whether a fuller version of photoshop will come out for it, i dont know. time will tell. but i was thinking that’d be great.
@eponymoushipster How is the CNN article a positive review? It’s just highlighting the key parts of the event. Also, it mentions the term “iTampon” on Twitter.
@eponymoushipster You need to calm the fuck down. We don’t like the product, that’s all. Please stop being so defensive, you are not representing Apple very well.
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There really isn’t any reason Adobe couldn’t port a light version of Photoshop to it. Shit, Apple ported iWork to work on the iPad. The UI would need some work but it could be done.
@eponymoushipster Here’s what a commenter said in your CNET article:
“So much hype by the media and now the scruffy one in the black shirt and HS kid sneakers tells us we have to go and buy another brick to carry around.
Who would buy this? Would I want this on my shoulder in ADDITION to my phone? If I have a smart phone from the dozens of models from EVERY brand on every carrier, WHY would I even consider buying this?
Do I have to have a bigger screen for web surfing all the time ?
Still using the handicap space at the parking lot? With your gas hog mercedes?”
I’m a bit slow on catching up with Apple products (just got an iPod last year), so I think I’ll be around 70 when I finally get my hands on one
@eponymoushipster And another good one from the same article:
“Depends. Dose it have flash? Java? If not it’s not the best web experince.
Can you plug in a memory stick? Transfer files via cable? If not it’s not going to be the ultimate devices for moving files arround.
Will you be able to uninstall updates? Or could there be a new problems with updates breaking the device for months until Apple get a fix out.
To me it seems too much down the closed system front where Apple will have full control to stop you doing things on it. Like alternative browsers, blocking apps, non customisable home screens.
Will sell as it’s good for people that want a cheap apple experience or fast booting bigish screen device. But not for me”
@Dog, that’s something I’m interested in too (image-editing software). It’s a tablet so if you get a workable stylus it seems like it would be ideal for things like Photoshop. I doubt it will actually run Photoshop but the did demo a painting program that looked pretty cool. It had layers and detailed brushes and whatnot.
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What have I done to piss you off so much? Voiced my dislike for a product? Are we really that immature? So I don’t like it, who cares.
I am not Ivan, stop bringing him into every fucking conversation I have with you. Please.
if youre not going to use it, then why keep posting shit?
I’m stating my opinion. Is that not allowed on Fluther?
you’re not. you’re just posting the same negative shit, over and over. move on. go start a Kindle question or something. start a “why i get off on jailbreaking my ipod touch” thread or something.
All my posts have had different negative shit actually. And I don’t have a Kindle nor do I have a jailbroken iPod Touch. Why don’t you move along and stop telling me what to do. Thanks.
[mod says] Please refrain from personal attacks. Play nice…
This might make it a easier purchase.
iPad Camera Connection Kit
The Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera. The Camera Connector lets you import your photos and videos to iPad using the camera’s USB cable. Or you can use the SD Card Reader to import photos and videos directly from the camera’s SD card.
Nifty.
Well I was considering but I found the I-Tampon to be more than sufficient…but there are those days
I have my laptop, mac book and phone. I just have no need for it.
I totally want one because it’s like a computer (well atleast it does everything I want a computer to do) but it’s so much cheaper while still being Mac. I love Mac, even though I don’t have any Mac stuff besides my iPod.
@ChocolateReigns :: I wouldn’t think of it as something that can replace a computer. You still need a desktop or a laptop for it to sync too. But it is getting kinda close.
This is perfect for my mom. 95% of her computer usage is Browsing, and e-mail, and spreadsheets. It is big enough that her old eyes don’t need to strain like they do on my iPod Touch. And it is simple enough that it is for the most part trouble free. I get monthly calls about her Vista machine messing up.
Why does everyone say it’s a big iPod Touch like it’s a bad thing? That’s one of the great things about it! The browsing experience is much better on a bigger screen and could be a laptop replacement for many especially since lots of people mostly just browse the web and write documents and the iPad seems to do that very well (It has iWork!). I like to think of it as a very portable little computer. I would use this a lot for reading and for school.
No. The iPad will be succesful in its first six months, maybe first year. It’s light! It’s portable! It’s touch screen!
That last detail will draw in people: It’s new; it’s cool. Apple is looking for a particular demographic: The people who will buy anything and everything new that comes out of apple, and who pride themselves on being “computer geniuses.”
But I believe that after a while, the iPad will lose its steam. People will realize that without a keyboard, it’s only cool for showing off. Apple has already released something light and portable: The MacBook Air! Plus, it’s got a keyboard! The iPad is new, it’s cool, and yet, it isn’t a computer.
I just looked at the ad and think it is like a bigger better version of my iPhone- which is always in hand. I would love it if I could afford one.
It really does look like a really big iPhone. Without a change to the size of the buttons. Jesus…
Does it have any word-processing capability? If so, I think it would work as an excellent computer for the students of today, and I would get one.
Yes, eventually. It will likely replace my laptop which is old and cumbersome.
@mcbealer It wouldn’t be a good computer-replacement product, though; remember that there is no CD drive.
I read today that it is shipping with a dock that allows it to be used as a picture frame and allows it to be hooked to a keyboard. Trouble is, I rather doubt it’s going to have word processing software on it, but who knows, maybe “there’s an app for that.”
Dunno, it still has me a little puzzled. I’m all Mac’d out—iMac, MBP, 2 iPods (Nano and Classic), iPhone. One would think that I should be lining up for this, but I’m not stoked. Once I get my hands on it, maybe I will be just blown away by the coolness factor? (And add ANOTHER $30 to my already large ATT bill.)
@HankMoody $9.99 individually for pages, numbers and keynote or $30 for the eintire iWork package for the iPad. It does have the word processing capabilities.
For the 3g version could one use Google apps?
No. Honestly, I don’t want to own anything with that name. It’s so incredibly stupid.
But even if it didn’t hate the name and I could afford it, I still wouldn’t buy it. If I’m on the computer, I’m typing, and I want a real keyboard. If I just want to look something up quickly I can do that on any smart phone.
Yup I want it, know what I’ll use it for and hope that the iLife suite brings GarageBand, iWeb and iMovie to the device like they have done with the work apps
I know I chimed in 845 posts up but after much thought and way to much hype about this today I’ve come to realize I just don’t like Mac at all. They remind me of the greatful dead. Tons of followers that’ll pay anything for anything they shit and tons of people to say it’s the best ever. The product looks really cool, really, really cool. Like a fast car sitting in the driveway next to a new SUV. I honestly hope that someday Apple will win me over so that I can finally understand the hype.
@La_chica_gomela you can use the real keyboard accessory for typing extensively:
http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
scroll down to the iPad accessories section
It’s hard to sell someone on an experience they have yet to have. I think as much as nay-sayers want to hear themselves spew, the point is, it will fill a unique spot in the computer gadget market, and the user experience will trump both a smartphone and a laptop. At least, that’s what Apple’s claim is.
For me, one real cool application would be to be able to DJ off of this thing, which it will presumably be able to do if it can run iPhone apps. For instance, this app:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/22/amidios-touch-dj-app-stuffs-a-turntable-into-your-iphone-video/
watch the video embedded on that page to get an idea
This app on a large screen, with advanced multitouch gestures would be incredible, especially at that price point. A comparable pro DJ rig would cost three times the amount of the iPad.
There is a company already doing this (Mutant Jazz), but to have a genuine Apple Product do this would be dopeness…
http://www.jazzmutant.com/lemur_overview.php
I’m sewing huge pockets on all my clothing.
After reading the whole thread
This It’s just a bunch of inane questions and ranting.
This is only â…“ of an issue in that the the other â…” are unknown (but likely not true) and pointless because of the variety of other ways to get files to it and carry them.
I don’t care for the fact that for true gps service you have to tether yourself to AT&T again.
I also don’t get why their isn’t a camera in it.
@Fred931 ~ actually, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve used the CD drive on my laptop.
I use it mainly to surf, watch stuff on Netflix/YouTube, and fiddle with my photography.
I talked to my sister for a bit about this tonight. She wants one.. She said, “Finally, a computer that is like my toaster.”
I read books on my iPhone all the time and I have often wished for a larger screen. I was just in Borders and saw the Kindle and thought my iPhone made it look antiquated. ( I know it is supposed to look like a book but I prefer backlight )
It wonder if the iPad will be known as the “Kindle killer”
I’m not understanding how people are saying this can replace a laptop. Unless the only thing you do on your laptop is surf the web. In which case… you shouldn’t have a laptop to begin with. You should have a netbook. And even then, the web experience is pretty heavily diminished without being able to use Flash.
The iPad is (from what I can tell) nothing more than an oversized iPod Touch. Among the things that you can’t do on it:
real word processing and spreadsheet work
powerpoint presentations
save email attachments of text or programs
play non-digital music like CDs, or non-digital movies like DVDs
Hook up additional or removeable storage (usb, hard drives, cds, etc)
Now, maybe, eventually, there will be an app for the first couple. Hell, maybe I’m wrong and there already is. But last time I looked, all the App Store had were some apps that presented a very dumbed-down version of a wordprocessor and spreadsheet. Nothing like what you can actually do with Word or Excel or Powerpoint. Am I behind the times? Has that been fixed? Is there now a MS Office equivalent that offers me all the same abilities that I have on my laptop?
I see this really as a transitional device. It competes directly with the kindle, where it’s only flaw is the backlit LCD display versus Kindle’s e-ink and a slightly higher price, for which you get a lot more functionality. If you’re in the e-book market, it’s a pretty reasonable choice. It also competes with netbooks, where it has more weaknesses, mainly in terms of connectivity, full web experience (lack of support for flash), and maybe in the camera department. I don’t see why anyone would want to take pictures with this thing, but I can see a back facing camera for Skyping. But Apple is really betting on the future. Some people like e-books, some people like netbooks, some people like laptops. As devices like the iPad advance, they could replace all of those things, and probably will. In this respect Apple is out in front of the curve. That’s a risky place to be, but I think they’ll sell enough of these to finance more advancement.
The reason it lacks connectivity (USB, etc.) is that Apple is counting on a wireless world of cloud computing. It’s the same bet Google is making, and while many people aren’t ready for that step yet, it’s a safe bet that it will be the world of the future.
Is there a release date on this thing? Frankly it wouldn’t surprise me to see a camera added very soon, maybe before release, if anyone at Apple is reading blogs.
@Snarp 60 days (March) for non-3G and 90 days (April) for 3G enabled models.
@erichw1504 That’s pretty quick turnaround. Maybe they won’t get a camera in before release. Bet your bottom dollar there’ll be one on the next generation.
I’m going to wait for enhancements, but I could see one in my future. As I said above, I love my iPhone and think there are great programmers at Apple.
I can see all computers moving to a similar format in the next 5 years.
The thing I really like about it is the keyboard dock thing. I can envision all future computers being like this. You got your “desktop” at home and then you grab the screen and suddenly you have a mobile computer.
@J0E Exactly. Only, you’ll be able to do more than one thing at a time on it.
@erichw1504 Indeed, and it will have a full OS too.
It would also be better if the dock worked in landscape.
Hell no.
Got no iTampon to hook it up to.
Sorry, I’m having my PMS (pad mocking syndrome)
Maybe this will convince them to change the stupid name.
I can clearly see many are upset that the iPad doesn’t run the full Mac OS but there’s a reason they didn’t do that. Because Apple is a company that make their own hardware and software they believe that different hardware should have modified software specially for it. Most companies have little or no control on the software, only the hardware and that’s really why netbooks suck. They’re slow, low quality, and can’t do anything better than a laptop or smartphone. They’re just cheaper. During Steve’s keynote he mentioned how he wanted to make a third product in the middle of the smartphone and computer that are better than both at some key thing including browsing the web and e-mail. Yes it is just like a big iPod touch but that’s a good thing! I can imagine how browsing the web on a 10 inch touch screen would be great (the people who have actually used one say the browsing experience is magical). Netbooks are really only good for browsing the web, yes they have the full OS but what good is it if you can’t do anything on that slow piece of junk? This is why the iPad doesn’t run the full Mac OS but instead the iPhone operating system.
I think this guy’s perspective is better. And whats the point of a 1 ghz processor if it doesnt have multi tasking? And whats with the lack of Flash? Any guess to when it’s going to be jailbroken?
@sndfreQ: I know, but then I have to carry around the tablet and some wonky-shaped keyboard? Call me old-fashioned, but that doesn’t sound appealing to me. I have enough things to keep track of.
I disagree with your suggestion that I’m not interested because I haven’t tried it. I’ve been interested in a majority of new products Apple has released before I tried them.
@La_chica_gomela what I meant was that the interaction with a new class of device means that you can’t truly understand what level of interest you may or may not have until you actually try it; a lot of the reviewers agree on the points of limited functions out of the gate, but you can bet that Apple has a lot more planned for that device than what was presented.
Also, Apple is targeting media consumption, versus hard-core productivity, so things like physical keyboards and cursors are really not an emphasis in the design philosophy. Perhaps, the advanced multi-touch gestures are not ready yet, but with such a large screen you have to think that large gestures with more than “pinch and scroll” have to be in the pipeline.
This is what I meant when I said that you haven’t tried it…to me the iPad as presented yesterday was “half-baked.” With any luck, there may be as-yet unannounced features (software) that may surface in the next 60 days…for instance, iPhone OS 3.2 was driving that system, yet iPhone 4.0 was expected; it may be ready by launch.
Most forget about how limited the 1st gen iPhone was, but even so, the multi-touch and convergence concepts still sold folks and fueled further development for the 2nd gen…I think that will be the case for the 2nd gen iPad, as we’ll see a lot of the hardware and software features missed in that revision, bet on it.
Also, there are several features that for whatever reason were not emphasized, that this 1st gen device is surely capable of; among these, the emphasis on cloud computing and their (Apple’s) Mobile Me service; there may be more to the iWork app in the idea of storing actual files in the cloud. Remember that there is no file structure as in a PC/Mac that is full-fledged (i.e. the idea of going to a File: menu and opening files from a directory on the hard drive). With Mobile Me sync what it is with photos and movies, this surely will expand into the other document spaces (like pages and keynote files, etc.); it may be exciting to see this make its way into iLife ‘10 “in the cloud.”
@sndfreQ: Interesting information, but I’m still unswayed.
@Bugabear How long did it take to create a jailbreak program for the iPhone? If the iPad and iPhone OSes are similar enough, it won’t take half as long to create a program for the iPad as did one for the iPhone.
@La_chica_gomela I wasn’t trying to sway you, honest! You’re entitled to your opinion, trust me, Jobsy isn’t kickin’ me down a red cent for peddling his warez =P
I’m not convinced either, but I’ll defer judgment until I see it in person. My only contention was, since many hold this as a new class of product, it would be hard to really gauge its usefulness without a hands-on look, and maybe the new iPhone OS 4.0 may add some of the much-lamented missing features I and others expected (advanced multi-touch gestures, multi-tasking (not holding my breath on that), and maybe an enhanced cloud support (Mobile Me on steroids).
Speaking for myself, I’m going to wait until the revision comes out, as I really expected to see at least a front-facing camera to do Video iChat/Skype/etc. That seems like a no-brainer, even with the additional cost tacked on. Since I’m near Apple’s retail stores, it seems like a natural for me to want to see in person first; I’m not as enthused as I thought I would be, ultimately.
@Fred931 No idea. Ask the Blackra1n guy. But i hear that the iPad is gonig to use a newer version of the iPhone OS. Not 4.0 but 3.2. Or somewhere around that.
Guys! I played with the iPad at the Apple Store today! It’s pretty awesome; the keyboard is alright, it takes some getting use to. But it’s so nice to hold it.
Hey- awesome! Does it have the camera? Would it be user friendly for my Dad (larger keys, straightforward as the iPhone?)
@Dog no it doesn’t. It also doesn’t have a USB connection, Flash support, or a host of other things that would have made sense.
@MrItty Thanks- Methinks I will hold off till it gets more goodies. I was thinking with Fathers Day coming up it might be a good gift.
I’ll wait for it ti get more RAM. And some more useless peripherals. Maybe that new apple patent for an external gamepad.
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