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Poll: Why did you buy the iPad?


It's been a wild weekend with people lining up across the country to get the iPad. So many of you waited in line, forked out your cash, and went home and unboxed it. But, why did you buy it? Steve Jobs admits that the iPad is in a new device category all its own, and people are going to come to it for different reasons.

Personally, I'm getting my iPad solely for leisurely web browsing around the house and for reading magazines on (you can pry my printed books from my cold dead hands). But the iPad is so much more than just a reader, it seems there's a feature for every type of user. We at TUAW want to know what primary feature drove you to spend your cheddar on the iPad. Vote now!

What's the main feature you bought the iPad for?
Reading ebooks (Kindle, iBookstore).1204 (9.1%)
Reading magazines, newspapers, and comics (Time magazine, New York Times, Marvel Comics app, etc).1192 (9.0%)
Watching movies and TV shows (iTunes rentals, Netflix app, ABC app, etc).984 (7.4%)
Games, games, games!333 (2.5%)
Leisurely web surfing and email.4671 (35.2%)
Apps. Any kind. I'm addicted to apps!1750 (13.2%)
Productivity (iWork suite, Bento, Calendar, Contacts, Notes, etc).1919 (14.4%)
I needed a digital photo frame.1228 (9.2%)


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iPad

It's been a wild weekend with people lining up across the country to get the iPad. So many of you waited in line, forked out your cash,...
 

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cyberati

I agree with Michael. I am an Apple nut. I drank the Kool-Aid about five years ago and have not looked back. I own three notebooks (I'm writing this on a Unibody MacBook Pro 15"), three iPhones and five iPods. I love Apple's design prowess.

I even bought the 64 gb iPad and Apple's iPad case on opening day. But after the ether wore off, I couldn't help but look reality square in i and decided the iPad wasn't for me. I returned it unopened.

I thought it would be a great productivity tool. For many, it is; for me, not so much. I usually have two word docs open, the internet, and do my writing in a third window. I like the versatility the MacBook offers me.

Besides, I am lazy. If I'm veggin' out, I want the notebook on my lap, screen up. I don't want to be holding it constantly. And what's with the beveled back - not convenient for laying on the kitchen counter to follow recipes.

Don't get me wrong, for most people it is probably the Tivo of our times - a positively brilliant device that people may not fully understand and need time to warm up to. But for me it remains that beautiful piece of Apple hardware that I will view from afar. Sorry, Steve.

April 12 2010 at 11:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
iPadJunkie

I bought it for the same reason a mountain climber takes on Mt Everest -- because it was there!! This thing was so HYPED that I knew it must be clunker! The media was pushing way too hard! I actually went into a Best Buy to buy a fridge & casually asked about the hyped-up iPad, believing they'd be sold out with no TRUE intention of purchasing one. One had just been returned, so I impulsively snatched it up intending to return it in the 14 day return window. All I can say is they'd have to pry it from my cold, dead hands before they'd get it back! I love it! It's fast, sexy, brilliant colors, tons of apps, super easy to read a book & highlight on, photos are gorgeous, etc... The only problem I'm having, besides not being able to put it down because it's super addictive, is removing an unwanted photo once it's on an iPad album. It doesn't wiggle off like an unwanted app. I just want to tap it off in a trash can, but it seems that once the photos been installed, you're stuck with it for LIFE! If anyone knows an easy exit strategy for unwanted photos, please post the solution!

April 09 2010 at 12:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Aaron

ok.... so... to be fully honest, i bought it so i could look cool. i know that a lot of people feel the same but wouldn't admit that to others... maybe even to themselves. you have any idea the awesomeness you feel to be waiting for your JFK-LHR flight in the Admiral's Club browsing the NYT on your iPad? It's badass. that's all i can say.

April 09 2010 at 12:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Branded treasure hunt

I think you have mentioned all the things why I bought an iPad. Right now, I am trying to use new apps on it.

http://www.dreamwalkmobile.com

April 09 2010 at 1:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Liana

I bought it mainly to read news, watch movies, play games and read e-books :)
Can't wait for new applications to be available!
I am using FRANCE 24's free application, it an international news channel, you can watch it in English, French (good for improving linguistic skills) and Arabic, and honestly I think it's a good alternative perspective on the world!
Link to the demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17dSTYbOvCY

Viva iPads!!!

April 08 2010 at 5:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dousley

Your poll is flawed because we can only choose one reason. One of the best reasons to buy an iPad is that it does many things well. I bought my 64 GB wifi iPad to watch movies, read books and newspapers, and watch TV anywhere in the house (once slingbox comes out with an iPad app).

April 05 2010 at 2:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Info

It has saved me from spending 800+ bucks from having to purchase a daw controller. It has already proven it's worth. This such a developers wet dream device.

Soul fabulous

April 05 2010 at 12:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
shadows1123

paperweight!

no, just kidding. i'm happy with my 3gs (at least until something a tad more powerful comes along)

April 04 2010 at 7:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RM imagery

I haven't read every response - but an important choice is missing: Presenting my portfolio. As a photographer specializing in Interior Design and Architecture, placing my iPad in the hands of potential clients is much stronger than "Hey, check out my website".

April 04 2010 at 6:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bodie Quirk

What I love so much about Apple products is how they allow you to organize your content in an elegant and accessible way. My iPod has allowed me to organize, and access and rediscover my music. Apple TV has allowed me a wonderful way to access all of my video easily. The only area of my life that was not digital, organized and easily accessible was all of my documents. Sheet music, Seminary handouts, curriculum and hundreds of other kinds of documents.

Now, that has all changed. I now have a way to archive and read ALL of the thousands of documents I have scattered about. It is my digital briefcase, and I love it.

April 04 2010 at 6:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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