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The iPad- Your Opinion Is Worthless
Thursday, February 4, 2010 / Apple Culture
I’ve been mulling over the iPad ever since it’s introduction. I’ve found that a week or two of mulling is almost always necessary after Apple announces a new product. I’ve been in the theatre many times when Steve is giving a keynote, and nearly everyone walks out with stars in their eyes and wallets in their hands afterward. It’s only after some amount of contemplation that the real value of the product starts to sink in.
I swear Steve Jobs should be appointed Secretary of State of head of the UN or something… he could talk a leopard out of its spots… and it would walk away with earbuds stuck in its ears.
As an aside, I do have to wonder if Apple’s marketing department is trying too hard with their tagline for the iPad: “Our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price.”
Magical? Unbelievable? Revolutionary?
Did someone in the marketing department take a college class entitled: “Adjectives: Don’t Settle For Anything Less Than The Maximum?” I mean, let Steve do his thing Apple marketing people… don’t try and trump him with a series of ultimate adjectives.
Anyway, I’ve settled on a main theme for the product, which should eliminate any arguing or posturing or criticisms or praise. And that is, it’s either something that’s right for you, or it’s not.
There’s not a lot of middle ground, unless you have $500 or more just to throw around to have a cool-looking device sitting on your desk or counter.
One of the things that got me thinking
this way is one of our executives voicing an opinion that the iPad would be great for seniors, or those who are otherwise a bit computer-technology-challenged. I’m so used to Apple’s products hitting the “cool” niche for younger people who can dance around a computer with more skill than a politician hides an affair, that it never really occurred to me that he is right.
If you’re not particularly computer savvy, and hate to mess with documents and files, passwords, viruses and the like, but otherwise just want to get on the web, do some email and maybe play some games or use some specialty App Store applications, the iPad could be a pretty great device for you.
On the other hand, if you regularly use a computer with more apps open than a politician has affairs, and understand the way it works and make the most of it, the iPad is really just a much larger iPod touch.
Still, it’ll either be something you’ll think is great, or it won’t. That doesn’t make the product good or bad, it’s just a product that is worth buying or not; solely within the eye of the beholder.
Of course anyone can complain or praise anyone or anything we want.
My suggestion is to keep the praise or complaints directed at whether the iPad is worthwhile for your own self. You either can use it, or you’ll have no use for it.
That doesn’t make it any worse a product, than, say, feminine hygiene products are for men. Sorry… just had to work that reference in there. I haven’t talked to anyone who likes the name “iPad,” but just remember, if you buy one and you hate the name, the use of duct tape and a black felt marker will allow you to change it to anything you like.
The Wall Street pundits have to try and figure out how many of these things Apple is going to sell so they can make up a stock estimate that has about as much basis in reality as a politician’s promise, so the analyses and punditry will continue ad nauseam, but really, the only thing you really have to worry about is whether you have a use for it.
If you do, and have the spare bucks, buy it. If you don’t, don’t.
There’s no reason to get any more passionate about it than that, unless you just want to be magically, unbelievably and revolutionarily smitten because someone in Apple’s marketing department got an “A” in their adjective class.
February 10th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Kevin,
Thanks for being direct and up-front with your thoughts. Your attitude is reflected in your company. I’ve bought used computers from Powermax and then sold you my even-more-used machines. The pricing was fair and my salesperson, Maiya Kennedy, made the process easy by being direct and up-front. Nice to see CEO values exhibited by an employee.
I also agree with you about the iPad.
Here’s to great sales in 2010 (for everyone),
Talis
February 10th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Dear Kevin,
Well spoken. Especially the references to politicians.
You have a great company with great products and incomparable customer service. I appreciate how politically incorrect and individual your people seem to be.
Linda
February 10th, 2010 at 11:57 am
I agree with Talis, this is a great article, and my experience purchasing from Maiya Kennedy has always been pleasant. When our company was in Atlanta, I purchased the IKAN 7inch widescreen on-camera monitor from her.
She will also go out of her to way to research products that aren’t even listed on the Powermax website just to see if Powermax can offer you a better price.
As for the iPad, our company does intend to purchase 3 of the lower end models to use for portfolio tablets when displaying fashion photoshoot images to potential clients looking to hire us for photoshoots, or purchase ad space on our fashion blog. Now that we’re in Miami Beach we’ve got to up our technology and appeal when meeting with people in the industry. The iPad fits the coolness and functional aspects that we need.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
have you thought about how this devise is unrepairable to anyone but apple themselves ???
February 10th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Kevin,
I think your analysis of the iPad is about right. It will find a segment of the market and make Apple some money. For one thing, it could be a great travel accessory. We hope that making our travel/history book available for iPad viewing will make us a little money.
So, what do you have against politicians, or feminine hygiene products for that matter? Personally, I could do with fewer tasteless analogies. You have a great company and it deserves to be represented with a little more class and less crass.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I’d say Kevin here is an adept politician, with this analysis. Which leaves only a couple of questions: how many affairs are you having, and to what extent are you smitten?
Oh, and one comment on the device: it is promising as a portable controller for Macs and PCs via VNC.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Executive summary: You don’t like politicians and you don’t use feminine hygiene products.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Thanks for your thoughts Kevin. I am thoroughly enjoying the 27″ iMAC purchased from your store.
Thought the iPad would really allow easy access to online books, magazines, newspapers thus helping media distribution and possibly saving traditional publishing here and abroad. Thought Apple would have worked out a deal with the big publishers to offer bundled subscriptions for a reasonable monthly fee through ATT, iTunes, or Amazon. Doesn’t seem to do that, or am I missing something?
February 10th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Kevin,
Thanks for your thoughtful insight. I absolutely agree with your idea about the iPad and the use of it. Some people might not realize this, but it’s true. Unless it will be something you need or use often, iPad is just another gadget to fool your mind. Also your money (>$500, and that’s alot!) might be worth spending if it’ll be useful. Use your money wisely!
Keep up the great work, PowerMAX!
Chubby
February 10th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Gee, I don’t like being lumped with seniors who are computer challenged. Here I’ve been thinking it would be a great replacement for my aging laptop which I take on trips to mostly take notes at meetings and check my email, while using my new 27″ iMAC that I purchased from you as my home computer for major computer savvy work in Excel, Filemaker, InDesign etc.
The laptop is heavy, and warped since my friend dropped it a couple of years ago. To replace it for $1200 or get an Ipad if it can let me take notes on the road for $500 is a choice I want to make when I see it, but maybe I shouldn’t get it from you if it lumps me with the users of feminine hygiene products.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:26 am
And this is precisely why, as a canadian, I deal with Powermax and recommend them to those who would buy an Apple device. As “they say” ‘costs a little more, but worth it!’ Enough said.
Stan
February 11th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Good thoughts. One of the things that I think is being overlooked is the advantage of its size. In this case, its larger size. A friend of mine has one of those HP laptops that allows the monitor to swivel around and lay flat against the keyboard. When lounging on his couch it is his preferred position, but the weight and lack of functionality really limits him. He also carries a blackberry but prefers the larger screen while he is reading and writing documents that require more than just a bunch of LOL,
and the like. And then there is the whole LED technology that now gives us a larger daylight readable device that we can take outside and actually be able to see. Give the iPad some time and I think it will be a much bigger hit than some are anticipating.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:09 am
In my case I am looking forward to it to enhance a very specific Ipod Touch application for my daughter who has retardation and severe autism. That Ipod app cost $150 but a similar comm device costs in the many thousands of dollars. However, the keys and such are a little too small — I bigger Ipod touch would be a huge blessing.
Also, won’t they run Kindle out of business? There is an Ipod Kindle app and Kindles are not backlit. Why buy a kindle if you can have that and so much more for a little more $$?
So, in my case, a severely mentally handicapped family member needs this item. Don’t know if that proves your point or not.
February 25th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
great way of putting words on this. It will not be for everyone. But, it is a cheap solution for a small business guy – who never has time to sit a desk or can afford another workstation. The new UI is just the tip of the iceberg for innovation – hang on to your hats human_factors people.
March 6th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Our family will buy one at first – and probably a second. Both for IT professionals with a couple decades experience – each.
But, your little essay reads like you don’t think the iPad could possibly be worth it for someone in the field.
Or maybe we should just buy them elsewhere.