My iPhone died agian tonight. For the third time… this YEAR! what am I doing wrong?
Its completely bricked, wont even take a charge. Ive set another appointment with the Apple store, where they will generously give me a new phone. I hope I get lucky this time and get a phone that lasts more than a month.
As a student I am often caught between the crossfire of multiple platforms. At home I use OSX and have Lynux (eeebuntu) netbook. Most of the schools computers run windows, but there are a couple of labs that have Apple machines.
In this hostile environment most word processing or spreadsheet documents are worthless. Trying to move files from one computer lab to home, or the next lab is inconvenient at best.
In order to survive the greed of these corporations, I have turned to two opensource (sorta) resources. The first is Google Docs, I cannot stress how useful Gdocs has been, I take all my leture notes directly to google docs on my netbook. I share and collaborate with other students and my professors. Do I trust Google? to an extent, yes, but especially with recent security problems, I limit the access of my most precious intellectual material to my own Disk space.
Ive solved the problem of dealing with incompatible office suites (I could just buy them all… If I weren’t a student and had money.) by putting a copy of each platforms OpenOffice.org application on a thumbdrive. And save all my files on that drive. Don’t Forget backups!
I am seriously considering the iPad to replace my netbook. I am a college student, and use my netbook in class (on one of those really small chair/desks) to take notes.
When I am taking notes, in class, It is imperative that I can feel each keystroke as I feverishly type as much of the lecture as possible. Im not worried about formating, that comes later as I review. Using a physical keyboard is essential for me in this situation, I cannot afford the moments hesitation of looking at the screen to see if my hands are still on the home-row!
So, will the bluetooth Apple Wireless Keyboard be compatible with the iPad? I think if it is I will take the iPad from my backpack to set up my notes before class, then return it to my backpack durring a lecture. Leaving only the keyboard on the desk, limiting my distractions (like the ever-present temptation to check facebook in class) This is very exciting to me, I hope it will be possible.
I’m very torn on the iPad. I would really like to have one, but the Pros and Cons are close. Ultimately I am looking to replace my Netbook (Asus Eee-PC 900A) with something that is more compatible with my at home Mac and my iPhone.
Pros:
Its size and shape are perfect for the desks in class, and for my backpack!
I like the fact that my iPhone and Mac-Mini work so well together, and would like to see the same with my portable note taker.
The iPhone is great for getting (almost) realtime emails but that email contains an attachment that needs your input you’ve got to get yourself to a computer. The iPad is the answer, all you need is wifi.
Cons:
I dont usually look at the keyboard when Im typing in class, i type while im watching the presentation, or the prof write stuff on a board, eye contact is important in class. I wish Apple would put out a compact bluetooth keyboard.
Apple seems to be good at planned obsolescence. They are the top luxury name for electronics, and there is no technical reason for them not to have a video camera on the iPad at release, or a more powerful processor. Its easy to predict there will be a camera available next year.
Im in college, and while having this device for class notes makes a lot of sense, it also makes me very geeky. I should point out, this isn’t really a con, because of the Apple coolness effect, and because it will replace my lynux netbook.
Taking all this into consideration, I still think the iPad will be perfect for my needs… IF… I can find a compatible, and compact bluetooth keyboard…
My little sister would love to get her hands on my netbook!
Today Apple officially unveiled their Tablet PC, the iPad. I was disapointed.
First off, Im not Steve Jobs, I don’t sit around in my underwear all morning and read online articles. I need something productive, something useful.
I currently use three main info devices,
I was hoping the iPad would replace my netbook, Its portability is far better than a laptop, and it is perfect for typing class notes into Google Docs. I can type much faster than I write, so even if the iPad has some incredible writing capabilities it’s still not what I need.
So why did Apple choose a tablet over a Netbook?
Here are my thoughts:
Competition:
SJ is no fool, everyone already has a netbook.
If Apple made one it’s price range would probably be around $600.
Netbook’s have been around for a while, and most people who buy one are expecting a laptop, and are disapointed. Apple works very hard to make it’s customers happy, they don’t want to disapoint.
The Alliance:
Google’s Chrome OS is expected to surface later this year, a stripped down OS made specifically for netbooks. With the success of Android and G’s new found talent at making hardware… Who wants to compete?
There have been many rumors about Apple and Google’s joint ventures but I suspect SJ is getting a little annoyed with those kids, especially after the Nexus.
The Audience,
Ive spent alot of time at an Apple store, and despite Apple’s ‘hip image’ I can assure you their main clientele are middle age +
I am VERY impressed with how they cater to my parents ‘technically challeged’ generation. It is Very difficult to get an appointment at their ‘Genus Bar’ and for the most part I see many older people taking advantage of their free one-on-one tutorials.
The Conclusion
It’s obvious that poor college students who need a cheep portable machine to take their class notes will have to wait for google to make an awesome machine.
At least I know what to get my grandparents for Christmas; a trip to the apple store so they can buy themselves an iPad.
Added:
Apple apparently has a peripheral for the iPad, that changes things a bit, I might look into it.
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