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Showing 2-star reviews
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37 of 43 people found this review helpfulByAll that sizzle and no steak 23 June, 2012I own an Apple Mac Air, iPod touch, and work on a Mac Pro at school, and I have to say, the iPad is my least like Apple product. iPad is essentially a bigger and more expensive version of iPod touch plus the optional cellular function, which you have to pay at least $20 each month for the service, so that you can use the navigation function (cheaper just to get a GPS with antiglare screen). First, my biggest complaint is the lack of flash function. It is true that I know about that limit before my purchase, but it is only when I started to use iPad, I realized how many things it couldn't do without flash, such as watching Amazon online stream movies. It is really stupid that an iPad, which is targeted as a tablet, could not do flash. Second, I thought it could at least play DVD if I have the right USB adapter, since I have an external DVD drive, but after searching online, I realized it could not do that either, because some format issues. It really drives me nuts, because what is good about retina display if you can't watch movies, and I am not about to pay extra money for movies on iTune. Then, it is the multi-tasking function, I really thought that was a joke. Originally, I thought multitasking means that you can open two apps and have them side-by-side on the screen, and I was dead wrong. First, there is no side-by-side, and second, once you switch to another app, the previous app (such as safari) stops. For example, if I am watching a dateline story streaming on CBS, I cannot have it play in the background and use other apps. There are also small things like I can't use the Apple magic track pad with iPad (wireless keyboard works fine). Overall, the new iPad sucks compares to other Apple device. I feel for the price I paid, I am getting a mediocre device with multiple restrictions (mostly for business reasons such as no flash so that you have to stick with iTuen for movies) and no special talent other than the retina display. Anyhow, I hope my love for iPad could increase a bit after Siri being available on new iPad in OS6.
*UPDATE*: another disappointment about new iPad - it takes ages to recharge. I use the 10W USB power adapter and I closed the smart cover (sleep mode) when I was charging the new iPad. I tested the battery at 3 different times, and it is roughly 10% increase per 35 minutes, which means it will take roughly 5 hours and 50 minutes to charge from 0% to 100% full, which is very close to PC world's report. On another note, the techs at Apple store told me that apps and bluetooth draw a lot of power, so that I should close them if I want to save battery.
*UPDATE 2*: on the postive side - I downloaded the GPS drive app and it actually works without data plan. The catch is that you have to get the direction while you have internet access, and then it will take you to your destination without continuous 3G/4G or wireless connections. However, you won't be able to get another direction to a new place unless you have internet, nor can you find the nearby restaurants, gas station, etc without internet connection.
*UPDATE 3"(8/2/12): Amazon Prime videos are now available on iPad!! The video quality is pretty good, but I don't think it is HD quality.
*UPDATE 4*(9/27/2012): I updated my iOS to version 6, and I like it so far! Siri is now incorporated to my iPad 3, and I've been talking to her ever since. Youtube app is gone from my iPad, Apple says their contract with YouTube is expired. So for now, I have to use Safari to watch youtube. Google maps is gone and replaced with Apple's new map system. It does voice turn-by-turn direction, but I haven't really tested it out yet. As for other newly released apps, for some strange reason, iPad 3 owners did not get to have passbook app. I guess Apple figures that I won't be carrying my iPad around to the airports, concerts, or watching a movie, or going to a ballgame, which I do....
*UPDATE 5*(10/28/2012): Apple just announced few days ago that they have a new iPad (for convenience, let's call it iPad 4) - by looking into the technical specs, I think the only two changes are: the chip (upgraded to A6 from A5), and the power adapter (from the 30-pin to lightening connector). In the future, someone has to comment on whether the lightening power adapter is able to charge the iPad faster than the 30-pin adapter. Otherwise, I don't see any benefit of changing power adapter, as the the lightening charger won't work with previous versions of power docks. People who are interested in buying the mini iPad should also know that the mini iPad does not have retina display (it is 163 ppi), and thus no HD. On a separate note, I've been testing the Apple's new map system recently, and the results are so far so good! I think in some ways it is better than Motion X HD (a paid third party GPS app). To summarize: First, the color system in Apple's map only has four to five colors, but that is not a issue to me, as it looks plain but clear. Second, you can only get one voice: the voice of Siri, but it sounds great, so no complain. Third, Apple's map gives much earlier warning compares to Motion X in terms of the next direction. I had many experience that Motion X was late on telling me to take an exist or make a turn. So kudos to Apple's map. Overall, I don't know why there are so much criticism against Apple's map (most complaint is that the map system is not as mature as Google's). I mean, it is possible that Apple's map won't work for you if you are going to somewhere remote, but you can always double check on Google's map using Safari. I think if you mainly use Apple's map in places other than country side, then you should be fine! After all, you don't need to pay extra (Motion X is $10/year) for voice navigation. -
28 of 32 people found this review helpfulByHorrible Device For Basic Business Needs! Too many restrictions! 16 June, 2012I've had my new iPad for a couple weeks now & I am constantly having road blocks doing basic everyday functions. Don't be fooled by the slick design & nice screen display, this device has so many limitations compared to other cheaper devices.
I think it's good for an entertainment device but it's horrible for business. Here's why....
The iPad does not allow a basic way to attach a file to an email.
The iPad does not allow a way to upload any content through a web browser. Example, if you wanted to upload your current resume to a career site, there is no way for iPad to do so. You would have to use your computer or an android device.
I'm shocked in 2012 with a hi tech device I'm unable to do the most basic everyday functions.
I tested out some cheaper android tablets & they all seem to do the basic internet functions with no problem; even the Kindle Fire!?. Email attachment, upload & download files through the web browser. All web content is not hosted through iTunes so the restrictions is a big headache. If you do any business through email & web browsers, do not travel without a laptop. -
12 of 14 people found this review helpfulByDecent but... 27 August, 2012I just don't find myself using it. It's too big for a pocket, but feels like a waste to carry a bag just for it. If I want to do something "serious" I use my ultra book. If I want to fool around or get a quick message off, I use my phone. Also, yes, thanks, I know, I look like a douche when I take pictures with it.
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8 of 9 people found this review helpfulByMost of 64GB Memory Unusable. Buy the 16 GB Model if any. 9 October, 2012From the time the iPad was first introduced, customers have been complaining about the "Other" category arbitrarily expanding to consume the available memory. To date, Apple has never explained this problem or made any effort to fix it. I have never been able to load more than half the iPad before the "Other" category suddenly appears and swallows most of the remaining memory. I have the 64 GB iPod Touch and it easily loads all my stuff in under 50GB. The iPad can't load half of it in "64GB".
MANY customers have been complaining about this problem for YEARS and many have offered solutions on community forums, none of which work. Apple remains silent. It takes 10-20 hours to load the iPad depending on how many times you have to restart iTunes, which is frequently. Since August 8th when I started counting (exactly two months now) I've tried to reload mine 33 times. That's right: 33 times! I tried many more times before I started counting. I've gotten used to glitchy and unstable software from Apple, but Apple has been ignoring people's pleas for assistance with this problem for years now. I'd hoped they'd make some effort with iOS 6, but NO help at all. The 64GB iPad is a rip-off since half the memory is unusable. I recommend not buying more than the 16GB version and just using it for basic games and simple email.
If I only wanted 16GB, I'd say the iPad works fine. It's way over-priced for what little you can do with it and I suspect most users would be happier with a small notebook computer that actually functions. -
9 of 11 people found this review helpfulByGreat in many areas, poor in others 2 November, 2012If you are a PC, windows, and Word user, and if many of your video and other files are made on a PC using word, and PC based software, you should be aware that Apple has made it very difficult for you to move your files over to the Ipad, organize them, and use them effectively. The file setup for the Ipad is rudimentary. For example, the Kindle has a much better interface, allowing you to transfer documents and organize them easily. Many of us are document intensive, wanting to read word files, pdf files, essays, briefs, and other documents. This is difficult using an Ipad. The screen, slow motion, and trendy apps on the Ipad are really great. The engineering is superb. But Apple still does not know how to appeal to the document intensive professional who mainly wants to review documents, read large word files, and share material between PCs, Word, and the Ipad. File sharing is possible using the Ipad, but it is difficult, and you are in for some real learning time, trial and error, downloading various apps, signing up for Icloud and Itunes, figuring out how to interface, transfer, etc. Instead of making this easy and intuitive, Apple has made this difficult. It is as if Apple hates any other supplier, and does not encourage you to use any other devices except Apple devices and software. Unfortunately, the vast majority of documents are created in a PC and Windows world. This makes life difficult for Ipad users who have many documents in the PC and Windows world.
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23 of 31 people found this review helpfulByLimited functions compared to even a cheap laptop running Windows. 24 May, 2012I tried two Android based tablets (Galaxy Tab and Acer A500) and sent them both back for one problem or another. The Acer was the worst. At the urging of my Apple fanboy brother I bought an iPad.
With the iPad, get ready to spend money to make the thing work like Windows 2.0. Using iTunes to move files from my PC to the iPad is like using some clunky shareware program from 1998. Apple hates Windows so much they torture Windows users with the iTunes program.
Tablets, Apple or Android, are limited computers that substitute slick and snazzy graphics on a super nice screen for actual wide functionality and reconfigurability, essentially they are smart phones with a bigger screen and no phone.
I really think people like the iPad because of it's slick design, clever graphics, and compact size, and so make excuses for all it's functional limitations. For me the vaunted iPad and Apple iOS is a huge disappointment and offers less than Android which itself isn't that great.
I'll probably send this back and try another Android tablet because I miss having an SD card slot, proper USB port, and simple access to files on my PC. -
35 of 50 people found this review helpfulByNot that great 4 April, 2012This is my first tablet purchase and I thought I could minimize using a laptop. I travel a lot so I'll be using mostly for watching movies while traveling on a plane & surfing the web on the ground.
First - the 4:3 display format is lousy for watching videos - with a 16:9 movie you lose 1/3 of your screen and a 2.35:1 movie you lose 1/2 of your screen to the black bars (doesn't make a difference how good your display is, if half is black). The 4:3 display format is a huge disadvantage compared to the Andoid tablets. My wife has an iPad 2 and for watching movies/videos I don't notice a quality difference between the two iPad's. So if you mostly watch movies save your money and don't bother with this tablet.
Second - the lack of a microSD slot is inexcusable. The only way to interface with this device is with a computer & iTunes (it's Apples way or it's the wrong way - I guess they think their customers is too stupid to use this device without iTunes). So if you're like me and travel a lot you have to carry your laptop loaded with iTunes so you can add your media - very frustrating. Yes, I know you can buy a camera connection kit (another $30) and if you set it up correctly (8 character file names in a folder named DCIM) you can transfer your movies and photos (no music or anything else). But the SD Card must be FAT32 formatted which means a 4 gb file size limit - no good if you have lots of HD videos. With an android table, just take an extra microSD card (FAT32 or NTFS) loaded with your content and you're ready to go - no need for a laptop - couldn't be any easier.
The new display is much better for surfing the web or reading (reason for giving it 2 stars), but others will follow.
I'll be buying the Asus Infinity when ever (if ever) it gets release and then sell my iPad. -
10 of 14 people found this review helpfulByKind of a dissapointment 26 September, 2012I bought the new iPad because of the retina display, it is my first Apple device. The retina display is beautiful, but I found more cons about the device then I found pros. They say once you go mac, you never go back, but I have to admit, I miss my Android tablet. First, let me say that this tablet seems to be built nicely, I have no qualms about the build quality of the device, other than the WiFi seems to be a bit slow. My complaints are about functionality and overall cosmetics. I was surprised to find out that I am unable to add widgets to my home screens without jail-breaking the device, really? This is something that Android users can do, and have been able to do since the dawn of time. Okay, fine, I can get past that. Next, my main email address is a Gmail address. I use my Gmail account to backup all my contacts, as well as send/receive emails. There is a setting on iOS 6 (which I updated to immediately upon turning the device on) that allows you to add a Gmail account. Taking into consideration that the two companies always seem to be at each others' throats, I was happy to see this was possible, however, then I found out that, while I can add my Gmail address and receive emails from my account to the iPad, I can't sync my contacts. May I ask why? In order to sync my Gmail contacts, I had to set up my Gmail account as a Microsoft Exchange account, this is stupid, why can't I just set it up as a Gmail account and automatically sync my contacts without the extra hassle? Now, I haven't really looked, but I assume Apple offers the same kind of service, where you can receive emails, and backup contacts, etc. that I can just switch to, but why should I have to? This device is supposed to be the best tablet available, why can't it do something as simple as syncing my contacts without having to use a work-around? Next, I have an Amazon account, and tons of books I've downloaded through Kindle. I found the Kindle app on the app store, and it works great for reading, then I found out you can't buy books through the app. Really? I have to go to the amazon website through Safari. Well, Apple has iBooks ... okay so to be able to do something as simple as purchasing and downloading e-books through the app itself, I have to re-purchase my entire library? This is ridiculous, in the Android Kindle app, you can do this, so it has to be Apple that for some reason decided they wouldn't allow this functionality with the app available to iOS devices. So, okay, I can get past all that as long as it reliably works right? Wrong. One of the biggest aspects this tablet is built for is gaming. There are great games on the app store, and the iPad is supposed to play them without a problem. So I go to try a game and start playing, after about 15 minutes, the device over-heated and the game crashed. There are other aspects about the iPad that I don't like, there's no HDMI out without having to buy a separate adapter, there's no SD card input (should be available on every tablet ever), I would've like to see an I/R blaster, but it seems only Samsung and Sony think that's a good idea, but these are my main complaints about the device. So, here I am, I like the iPad, but I find myself more often wishing I'd gone with a new Android tablet, and that's why I can't give the iPad 5 stars. And if you're an Android user looking to give the iPad a shot, like I was, all I can say is buyer beware.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpfulBy
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1 of 1 people found this review helpfulByIt's more fun to look at or read about than to actually use it. 23 February, 2013I never had another tablet, so can't compare - this is strictly "1st time user experience".
Also, I never used Apple's products (have a long UNIX/DOS/Windows history, though), so some of the disappointment is probably caused by general Apple policies/approaches, not by this particylar iPad...
So, the one good thing I can say: the graphics look good - good resolution, good colors, etc.
Plus, the camera works not too bad - but only for static or very slowly moving objects; also needs good lighting - in bad lighting the image gets very grainy (but that's not a professional camera, after all...)
The rest I like much less...
- It's rather heavy for its size, so holding it 'casually' is out of question: you have to hold it with one hand (using the other to operate the screen), you can't put you fingers around opposit edges like you'd do with a smaller phone; so you have to balance it horizontally on your palm with spread fingers - good if you have big hands and long fingers, otherwise just go to the nearest table... If you want to use it at an angle (e.g., while sitting in an armchair or lying on a sofa) - you still can kind of prop it on one hand (e.g., bottom edge on your palm and a few fingers behind it for a prop) - but your hand will start getting numb in just a few minutes (remember the weight!!!)
- Sound: given its size, I didn't really expect it to have Bose quality, but still, it's rather more rattling than I care to listen to music with...
- Battery: it never really gave "...Up to 10 Hours of Battery Life...", and with time it dies faster, and takes longer to recharge - now it only takes it ~2 hours to go from 100% to 8% (and it's been less than a month!!!)
- Cord: power cord is extremely short (never seen something similar in my life!!!), so, if you want to use it while plugged in (remember the battery life?) you need an extension cord - with the bulgy adapter dangling just below your knees (when standing - figure out where it'll be when you're sitting or lying down) - It might be not a bad idea for a new product: "belt clip for the iPad's extension cord"...
- I resent the idea of 'sandboxes' for applications, where each application can see only its own data and nothing else: e.g., if I have two applications capable of viewing PDF files, and I download/save a PDF with one application, I can't open it with the other; or if you have two 'file managers', each one's storage will be separate, so you have to remember which files are managed with which manager... And if you try to install a 'better file manager', moving your files from the old one is a nightmare (if you figure how at all)... Honestly, 'Jailbreak' seems almost a must... :-(
- Applications: yes, applications are provided by different vendors; but there are some that come preinstalled - and some of them suck big time... (e.g., Safari, the web browser, etc. - but that's a separate big topic...)
P.S. One thing I forgot to mention - if kept 'On' for > 1 hour, it heats quite noticeably; at 2+ hours it can be almost burning the holding hand...
