Quick Review: The new iPad

As a techie FanBoy, my mind keeps rolling and rolling if I have been missing into the "the new Ipad" craze. Apple, it seems, has been slowly grasping on my system: slowly, but surely, playing games with my mind. However still, I manage to push back the rabid attack, that ghastly whisper keeps me awake at night, but I knew that sooner or later, I have to stand up and fight. So, I did the unthinkable, and "got" one for a test run. I tested one for a couple of days, and the verdict is that: I am not sold out on "the new iPad" (ok, that's really quick isn't it?). This is based on my usage model with my old iPad (first gen). Here on, I will call "the new Ipad" as niPad and my iPad 1 as oiPad. And if you haven't been turned off because I already posted my conclusion, then go read more.

Tech Link: It is official, iPad 3 is out!

Well, it's not it's unofficial, but just saying it's officially unveiled by Apple today. Before the unveiling, wifey has been asking if I am interested since I already have iPad 1. iPad 2 has nothing really new to offer to me so it's a "so so" for me. Besides having iPad 1 (2010), iPod Nano (2007), I only added one iOS device lately to the family, which is iPhone 4S.

Tech Link: CES 2012 Coverage

If you are like me that always wanted to go to CES but never got the chance (*hint* work, budget, and family restrictions), then you're probably prowling the web for bits of information and whatever pieces you can sink your drooling mouth on about the latest and greatest upcoming gadgets in the future. But fear not, because of the popularity of the event, lots of tech websites have decent coverage, where they post pictures and even videos of products. Of course, I'm pretty sure some site will also post umm, the hot BOOTH BABES, but I digress. Here's some of my favorite sites, listed based on my preference (the first being my favorite):

• CNet
• PCWorld
• Engadget

Then there's the old-school gawking at some tech-sites like Tom's Hardware and Ars. I normally don't trust TehInq (yes, wrong spelling I know), but if you need more CES fix, you can also check it out.

As for the gadget I am excited about, I really would like to have a:

• Glass-cased Ultrabook ala HP's Envy. If only it has a dedicated graphics like Radeon or nVidia, then I'm pretty sure I'll snag one as soon as it is released. I guess I might have to wait a little longer though.
• Then I'm also rooting for a better DVR, DISH has some cool things brewing, but I am more a PC guy so I'm looking for a better solution than what Ceton currently has to offer. (And no, SiliconDust sucks, unless they improve their product, won't buy any SD product anymore).
• And lastly, I'm contemplating whether I'll get a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 LTE. Or whether I should just skip it and get a Windows Phone since I never had one.

And so the noodle-every-night meal begins today. I'll save up and see what I can scrounge up to buy the cool gadgets.

Article: Making “Apple iPad” FanBoy Approved Part 2

If you haven't seen the first part of this article, you can head over here and my rant is of course, still up. Anyway, on Part I of this article, I mentioned two usage models that I targetted for my iPad. While iPad 2 may have changed the ball and I don't personally own one to give a better opinion, seeing the reviews and looking at those changes made me feel lucky that I am not an Apple FanBoy jumping in every iteration of what SJ (Steve Jobs) has to offer. With a crappy camera, same iOS, the only thing major I see from reviews: dual core, better graphics. Which, while I may have digress a bit, still falls way below of what SJ mentioned why iPad is better than NetBook (yes, I am still picking on this topic).

Tech Link (Industry): The Apple iPad 2 Review

iPad 2 has been out for quite some time and many other early reviews have praised it without much negative impression: i.e. iPad 2 is a perfect device for everything. Well, I never bought their story and that wasn't just because I am not an Apple FanBoy but I went out and tried it with my own hard earned money and the verdict wasn't anywhere near good (check out my own review). It looks like it's not just me who ended up having an issue finding where and what kind of usage iPad falls into, even the boyz at AMDTech encountered the same. I quoted some of their personal usage, taken from their article, read on to go to the source...

Article: Making “Apple iPad” FanBoy Approved

I ranted about iPad last time, and how I am not happy with its “advertised” advantage(s) over NetBook or Ultraportables. If you would like a refresher of why iPad is awesome, Steve Jobs himself advertises it here. Namely, iPad, according to him, is best for:

• Browsing
  
• Email
  
• Photos
  
• Video
  
• Music
  
• Games
  
• eBooks
  

Tech Link (Industry): Apple Invests $3.9 Billion into Mysterious Technology.

I wonder what could it be. Apple has always been doing interesting stuff for their cult followers. Well, I am not a cult follower, I never had an iPhone nor an iPod nor its incarnation nor any kind of Mac and its flavors. I did get an iPad and along with it, tons of hatred to Steve Jobs for saying how it's best for web, movies, and email. The iPad is good, if you're an Apple Fanboy who will just gobble anything and everything Apples spews out. And really, if iPad has been the best gadget they have released after all those years, I'd say I'd be even more pissed if I have ever owner their earlier iterations. Apple's product, as always, are just overpriced gadgets...

Article: Intel Fanboy's Journey to the beyond, err, Apple® iPad

Well, it should be apparent that I'm no Apple® lover; if not, well I'm saying I am not an Apple® lover. What with Mac being based off a different architecture back then. However, not that I hate Apple, specially when Apple® made one of their greatest decision: go x86 on their "computer" platform (there, I never called Apple's devices "PC"). It's just that, like many others in the computer era, I belong to the "masses" of Windows user. And being this as my first ever "Apple device", I am now a newbie, novice, or back in the the days of CB radio, I am what they call a "green apple" (pun intended of course). Before moving forward with the article, whenever I mention "Apple", it refers to the "x86" platform (i.e. hardware and/or software) or the "company" unless otherwise stated. Also note that the images here aren't mine, I just took em off the interwebz, so if you own the image and offended by me using it without permission, lemme know and I will remove it

Tech Link (Mobile): Apple's iPad - The AnandTech Review

Anandtech finally posted their very own detailed review of the iPad. In the earlier posting, you'll see a lot of fanboys complaining why iPad shouldn't be compared to a NetBook but even the top head honcho of Apple "disses" NetBook (see 1:30) and as such, I'm also convinced that iPad should be compared to NetBook since it's at the same market positioning.

Personally, NetBook can do more and perform more and be "modified" more (i.e. upgrade RAM or add more peripherals or increase HDD/SSD, etc). Of course, just like I am a FanBoy, the Apple FanBoy would flock to whatever new product is thrown at them and not because it's better but because it has "Apple" name tag in it. Now, my FanBoyism wanes in comparison to these fanatical flock of sheep.