Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The iPad Is Unbeatable: Why Apple’s tablet competitors don’t stand a chance—and maybe never will
Slate ^ | March 8, 2012 | Farhad Manjoo

Posted on 03/12/2012 5:30:39 PM PDT by PJ-Comix

Imagine you run a large technology company not named Apple. Let’s say you’re Steve Ballmer, Michael Dell, Meg Whitman, Larry Page, or Intel’s Paul Otellini. How are you feeling today, a day after Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the new iPad? Are you discounting the device as just an incremental improvement, the same shiny tablet with a better screen and faster cellular access? Or is it possible you had trouble sleeping last night? Did you toss and turn, worrying that Apple’s new device represents a potential knockout punch, a move that will cement its place as the undisputed leader of the biggest, most disruptive new tech market since the advent of the Web browser? Maybe your last few hours have been even worse than that. Perhaps you’re now paralyzed with confusion, fearful that you might be completely boxed in by the iPad—that there seems no good way to beat it.

For your sake, my hypothetical CEO friend, I hope you’re frightened.

(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: apple; ipad
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-130 next last
If the iPad becomes the future of computing, the fortunes of Microsoft, Intel, Dell, and to some extent Hewlett-Packard will begin to plummet. Meanwhile Google, which makes all its money through ads, will find itself reaching its customers through a device made by a hostile rival. As I said: Be very afraid.

Are things really this bleak for Apple competitors?

1 posted on 03/12/2012 5:30:49 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

lol...hardly.


2 posted on 03/12/2012 5:38:33 PM PDT by Psycho_Bunny (Burning the Quran is a waste of perfectly good fire.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

I don’t think so. Apple brought out the Iphone and, it took a while, but now there are many phones like Iphones.

In all markets, there has always been a breakout product that nobody can touch, but eventually all the competitors always catches up.

So, assuming that others don’t quit the market, they will eventually catch up.

Especially now that Apple doesn’t have the advantage of Steve Jobs.


3 posted on 03/12/2012 5:41:44 PM PDT by Jonty30 (What Islam and secularism have in common is that they are both death cults.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

There’s always room for someone to make a product that’s a little worse and cheaper.

But there will be a lot of folks competing for that space.


4 posted on 03/12/2012 5:42:32 PM PDT by D-fendr (Deus non alligatur sacramentis sed nos alligamur.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

Anyone can build a tablet. Apple just has the prettiest display at the moment.

btw, the iPhone is going down hard in about 6-8 months. You’ll see. When windows 8 and windows phones are up to full speed there will be nothing to stand in Microsoft’s way.


5 posted on 03/12/2012 5:43:00 PM PDT by mamelukesabre
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Psycho_Bunny

I still want to score a FREE iPad2 via coupons. It’s not easy but it CAN be done. Plus I want bragging right for accomplishing it.


6 posted on 03/12/2012 5:44:49 PM PDT by PJ-Comix ("How To Overcome Writer's Block In Less Than An Hour" ---Available at Amazon)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

Simple answer is no. This death of the PC talk is foolish...tablets are horrible for productivity. I have the original Asus Transformer with the keyboard attachment...it is in no way a replacement for my desktop/laptop experience.

I for one prefer non-Apple products because I like to “tinker” and “modify”. Apple’s closed systems don’t give me the flexibility I like in this area. Apple makes a fine product. I’ve got nothing against them or the iPad. But some Apple fans need to put down the Kool-Aid...


7 posted on 03/12/2012 5:45:52 PM PDT by The Unknown Republican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

I’d rather have an Asus Transformer Prime.


8 posted on 03/12/2012 5:47:08 PM PDT by Bobalu (It is not obama we are fighting, it is the media.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Unknown Republican

That’s because a tablet isn’t really meant to be optimized for productivity. It’s a multimedia device. That’s its niche.

With a tablet, I can make use of media wherever I go. It definitely beats a laptop in that respect.


9 posted on 03/12/2012 5:52:19 PM PDT by Jonty30 (What Islam and secularism have in common is that they are both death cults.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

If windows 8 flops then yes they are in trouble. If it’s a hit then no.


10 posted on 03/12/2012 5:59:34 PM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

Bought a Blackberry Playbook for my wife. A professional tablet with security. New operating system came out a week later. WOW.

What a great tablet.

Flash works with the browser. HD quality video. Android apps are now coming into the app store.

Built like a tank — don’t ask how I know.

If you own a Blackberry phone, the combination is terrific.

However, if you job requires more graphic capability, such as medical imaging, then the iPad2 is a better choice. Bigger screen.

Just my 2 cents worth.


11 posted on 03/12/2012 6:00:48 PM PDT by allen08gop (Insert appropriate picture here...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jonty30
You will use up your plan in 10 minutes. It will not work in Norway or Great Britain which is not a problem for the rest of us. ATT is still mostly G3 and the pad will perform as a two. That said they have provided the competition with a standard and a window to bring their product on line.
12 posted on 03/12/2012 6:03:07 PM PDT by Domangart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix
See Google make an ad for Apple: Search Quality Meeting: Spelling for Long Queries. Google is pwned.

See any ChromeBooks?

13 posted on 03/12/2012 6:07:07 PM PDT by AZLiberty (Reading Righteous Indignation so I can be Andrew Breitbart)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PJ-Comix

It iPod scenario is much closer than that of the iPhone. There is simply no competitor to the iPad especially with the new screen and 4G. Technology is only part of the equation. Ease of use, predictability, application options, compatibility, and yes battery life are essential elements of the iPads success.

Flew today from Atlanta to Minneapolis and there were only two Kindles in ten rows, twenty-iPads and any other device being used were smartphones, a few, and PC’s or Macs.

I have been tracking use since Christmas both as an indicator of direction and interest. I talk with older passengers who have never liked technology and almost all love the iPad.

Windows 8 has great potential but it may be too late once it arrives. Too many corporate buyers have settled on the iPad and the companies have developed custom apps.

Technology centric people will like Android devices but those who want to get work done will buy iPads.


14 posted on 03/12/2012 6:14:50 PM PDT by georgiarat (Obama, providing incompetence since Day One!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AZLiberty

That is pretty funny. Wall to wall aluminum MacBooks. Actually, it is much the same in any tech meeting in our office. Everyone arrives with a MacBook or iPad. The exec types seem to gravitate toward the iPad; being the hi-tech replacement for the old paper scheduling books or, as we called them, “nerd books”.


15 posted on 03/12/2012 6:19:45 PM PDT by 6SJ7 (Meh.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: georgiarat

Those that want to get work done will be doing it on a PC or Laptop while other people flaunt their toys that they think make them look like technophiles.


16 posted on 03/12/2012 6:25:15 PM PDT by Durus (You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality. Ayn Rand)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: georgiarat

It is do or die for Microsoft. If they are willing to take it on the chin for the next 5 years, and not give up, I think they’ll be fine.

But, if they do fail, they will slowly be forced out of the consumer market.


17 posted on 03/12/2012 6:27:40 PM PDT by Jonty30 (What Islam and secularism have in common is that they are both death cults.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Jonty30
I don’t think so. Apple brought out the Iphone and, it took a while, but now there are many phones like Iphones.

The article argues otherwise. Apple's iPod still owns 78% of the music player market. Sure, the iPhone 4S was a disappointment compared screen-wise to the Galaxy Nexus, but Apple will catch up and blow by them on the next iteration.

In the long run, however, the picture may not be so bright: Paul Graham believes Apple is toast without Steve Jobs. It's highly unlikely that Apple will not succumb to the "big company" disease.

18 posted on 03/12/2012 6:46:59 PM PDT by AZLiberty (Reading Righteous Indignation so I can be Andrew Breitbart)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: mamelukesabre

“btw, the iPhone is going down hard in about 6-8 months. You’ll see. When windows 8 and windows phones are up to full speed there will be nothing to stand in Microsoft’s way.”

“I’d like whatever she’s drinking...”


19 posted on 03/12/2012 6:50:37 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (I wouldnÂ’t vote for Romney for dog catcher if he was in a three way race against Lenin and Marx!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: for-q-clinton
If windows 8 flops then yes they are in trouble. If it’s a hit then no.

If Microsoft proceeds with it as it is envisioned now (Frankenstein mashup of desktop and Metro UIs), it will indeed fail. Visit their blog sites and read the comments - 90% against. Windows 8 with Metro will suck bigger than Vista. We are talking wholesale rejection of the upgrade.
20 posted on 03/12/2012 6:51:52 PM PDT by Tzfat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-130 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson