ordinary people just want something cheap that works. And that’s how the iPad will seem to them. Many will never make a conscious decision to switch. They’ll get an iPad as well, then find they use their Windows machine less and less. When it dies they won’t replace it.
via ycombinator.com
I think this is totally true. And interestingly, I think its the same reason why the MacBooks have taken off recently. I am one of the converted. Mac “gets” mobile computing. They seem to understand that when I am on the move, I dont want headaches with network connections and I just want my Laptop to work!
This being said, the iPad is a disappointment for me because I really wanted something a bit more. I wanted something that run OSX, and had a stylus with multiple sensitivities. I also wanted it to have a conductive touch interface and I wanted it to be as thick as the air. THAT would have blown my world – however, I am convinced that this may actually be coming (at least in part) in the future.
I do think that the iPad was rushed and I do think that its uninspired (the iPhoneesque interface is starting to show its age). But I also think that this wont matter at the till. I also think that it opens up some interesting development ideas, specifically in the area of table-top gaming and traditional board games – especially when coupled with ‘linked’ iPhones.
I am very hopeful that the iPad succeeds in creating a new category of applications that use it unique feature set. I truly think that limiting it to Web browsing and Book Reading would be a terrible shame. And a waste.