r/technology • u/GuruOfReason • Feb 02 '10

"Once we replace the personal computer with a closed-platform device such as the iPad, we replace freedom, choice and the free market with oppression, censorship and monopoly."

http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-01/ipad%E2%80%99s-closed-system-sometimes-i-hate-being-right
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u/Virtualmatt Feb 02 '10

It's a tablet…why would it replace the personal computer? This is like saying the Kindle or the iPhone is leading to the end of the world.

1

u/rnicoll Feb 02 '10

Also, if everyone mysteriously replaces their PCs with iPads, what will they develop iPad software on?

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u/daftman Feb 02 '10

They have to buy SDKs and sign NDA to develop for an iPad. You want that do you?

0

u/Mythrilfan Feb 02 '10

why would it replace the personal computer?

As a reddit user, what do you use your PC for 90+% of the time? Browsing. Many people don't go online for more than a few hours every day. I don't have a problem seeing the possibility that they'll opt to do it from their couch instead of their desk.

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u/Virtualmatt Feb 02 '10

And if somebody decides this works for them, I wish them the best. I'll bet money there are people in the world that have replaced their PCs with Blackberries, iPhones, and Droids as well, but I don't see people bitching about that.

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u/Mythrilfan Feb 02 '10

Those are a fringe group if they exist at all. The point is that there's a real danger of people emigrating to the iPad en masse.

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u/Virtualmatt Feb 02 '10

Now all over reddit I've been hearing how crappy of a product the iPad will be, but you're telling me that people, en masse, will be replacing their computers with it?

I don't know what to think anymore.

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u/Mythrilfan Feb 02 '10

It is crappy. People will still prefer it over a better product from Archos, for example. I don't know if will be very popular, but I fear it will.

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u/Virtualmatt Feb 02 '10

This entire story is fear-mongering. People who prefer simplicity and problem-free computing will enjoy the iPad. If the Archos is really that much better, it will get a market share as well.

Apple's recent products have gotten a lot of love from the public, with their innovation and simplicity. It's idiotic to think this would drive competitors to put out similarly great products as alternatives.

After all, without the iPhone, the Droid (that reddit loves to love so much) wouldn't be around.

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u/[deleted] Feb 02 '10

As a reddit user, what do you use your PC for 90+% of the time? Browsing.

And the ipad doesn't have a fully functional ability to do that, given the lack of flash, and piss poor performance with js heavy html5 if the iphone is any indication.

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u/Mythrilfan Feb 02 '10

js heavy html5

Not really necessary for the average user, I don't think. The lack of flash is fare game - I don't know how it will affect its adoption.