Why I am not buying an Ipad ...yet.
I am very excited about the tablets that are coming to the market. the early reviews for the Ipad are pretty good (I am still waiting for reviews provided by specialized Tech sites with benchmarks and a look at what is under the hood, sites that Apple conveniently bypassed when sending review units).
However, despite all the excitement out there, there are two issues that prevent the Ipad from being the ideal tool for Logos on the go.
Only 3600 resources are available out of the 10,000 + total in the various collections. Potentially only having 1/3 of my resources available is not good enough for me, I want to be able to access all my resources (that is why I bought them in the first place). I know Logos is working on adding more resources but as far as I know, there is no guarantee that all resources will be licensed and more importantly, the time line is not known.
The second issue, that is equally important, is that with the Ipad, you do not have the full functionality that you have in Logos 4 for Windows or the Mac. I do not want to have to bring two devices on the go, I want a single device that would cover all the angles.
This is where a tablet like HP slate running Windows 7 (coming this summer) gets interesting. it will allow access to my entire library and will have all the usual functionality.
I understand that Windows 7 based tablets might be less user friendly than the Ipad or even Android based tablet. but I believe that for now, they offer the best solution (pending their release of course) for Logos on the go.
I also believe that only the second or third generation of those devices will bring an "almost" perfect experience. As screen using e-ink will push the experience to the next level.
if Logos could find a way to leverage the e-readers features that are popping up out there and include some basis tablet functionality in Logos, then the program could genuinely make a case for the total replacement of paper books
the equation being light device, e-ink, access to the full library and full functionality, and long battery life
Alain
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- Logos 4 is hardly ... snappy ... on a regular desktop. I worry that an Atom processor running Windows 7 is hardly going to cut it for doing serious work in Logos. Maybe someone who has tried to run Logos on a Netbook can chime in. It runs barely well enough (IMHO) on my C2D 2.16Ghz laptop.
- Logos 4 for the desktop is not really designed for a touch interface. Look at the little text fields, the little hyperlinks, etc. How does that work with your fingers?
- While my library is hardly close to complete on my iPhone -- I like the reading experience better than Logos on the PC. I can only imagine how much better that will be on the iPad. I like to be able to sit and read commentaries or Bibles like I would a real book. This is not a limitation BTW of the Slate -- but a limitation of using the Logos 4 app "as-is". This is not to say that Logos could have an update to their UI to address these concerns specifically wrt the Slate or Slate-like-devices.
- What is the battery life of the Slate? I'm asking -- I don't know. It appears that early reviewers of the iPad have actually gotten >10 hours even while playing video!
My library is currently about 2200 resources and only 804 are available through their mobile methods. Once I see this number improve to 1200-1500 It will get harder and heard to turn down the Ipad. Right now I am certainly in a "wait and see" mode. Right now I'm thinking Ipad 2.0 is more what I'm looking at.
Most of the other arguments you present don't really apply to me. the thing that I like about Apple products is the quality of the experience, not really the quantity. When I touch the device with my finger I want it to respond immediately, not think. I want a device that I can have right beside me at home and quickly do my simple tasks...email, web, etc.. If I want to do a spreadsheet or word doc I'll pull out my laptop.
same with Logos. If I want all the power I'll pull out my laptop. If I want to just do some reading I'm reaching for the Ipad. Alas for now I am stuck with my laptop hoping for the day the Ipad tempts me beyond what I am able :-)
Hey Alain,
I'm sorry for my short response! I see how it could have been read, and I apologize.
I should have written a longer more thoughtful response. I see the two reasons you give for not purchasing the iPad. I think they are well thought out. I also see the thread where people are sharing their enthusiasm for purchasing one. Whether people purchase or not, if they do it in faith that is what they should do.
Incidentally, I think your post has great potential as either (1) a suggestion thread, or (2) a discussion by posing a question and soliciting a response more directly.
I'm curious to see when the Logos app will come out for the iPad - hopefully it is soon!
Hey Alain,
I'm sorry for my short response! I see how it could have been read, and I apologize.
I should have written a longer more thoughtful response. I see the two reasons you give for not purchasing the iPad. I think they are well thought out. I also see the thread where people are sharing their enthusiasm for purchasing one. Whether people purchase or not, if they do it in faith that is what they should do.
Incidentally, I think your post has great potential as either (1) a suggestion thread, or (2) a discussion by posing a question and soliciting a response more directly.
I'm curious to see when the Logos app will come out for the iPad - hopefully it is soon!
Thanks for taking the time to respond in such a loving way. One of the most challenging and sad aspects of the Logos forums is how out of hand the conversations can get. One thread was so awful until it almost made me stop using the forums. Your response to Alain was thoughtful, kind, compassionate and Christian. Now, if Publisher's Clearinghouse would just knock at my door so I can get the iPad, that my husband still insists I pay cash for, all would be well with the forums and the world! [;)]
Logos is one of the top 3 reasons for my eventual purchase of an iPad. Although it won't be the same experience as using the software on a PC, I really am only looking for the ability to access, read and do minor study actions while on the go. The Logos app certainly meets my needs and the configuration of the iPad is more than sufficient for me. However, knowing that the 2nd and 3rd versions of the iPad will be far more superior than the first generation did cause me to hesitate on purchasing one initially. The was made worse with the whole fiasco surrounding the pricing for the initial release of the iPhone, but the benefits of being able to use all of the features offered on the iPad right now certainly justifies the cost for me at this time.
I've decided to purchase the 64GB 3G model which costs $829.00. I started collecting my coins last year so I'm only about $729.00 or $759.00 short. Man, maybe I can sell kool-aid or bottled water at the park this weekend to make up the difference!
So, Logos on the iPad does indeed work for me, but I can easily see why others would either wait or choose to use a different product. Regardless as to what vehicle we opt to use to study, interact with, and consume God's most precious and Holy word, as long as the vehicle of choice helps and equips us, then it is well worth the cost.
Blessings on this Holy Good Friday!
Love,
Christina
iMac 27 inch, 3.1 GHz Core i5, 1T HD, 4 GB RAM
Hi Alain,
There are certainly a few things to consider aren't there! I too was originally torn between a tablet like the Slate and something like the iPad. In the end, I chose iPad (full disclaimer: I have a reservation to pick one up tomorrow).
Here are my concerns, specifically as they pertain to Logos running on a Slate like device.
I really worried that there really won't be a focused effort to bring touch friendly apps to the Slate -- because it's just one of many Windows 7 devices. Unfortunately the philosophy of "it runs all 7 apps!" doesn't work for me. I hardly want to use the full version of Logos 4 or Excel 2007 just because I can. On a touch screen, it will be a painful experience.
All IMHO -- I have neither handled the Slate or the iPad! This is all pure conjecture.
May you have a blessed day, and I thank the Lord that we can even have a conversation about the best way to Bible Study in our society, when many saints are being persecuted around the globe for even having access to a fragment of the Bible!
This is where a tablet like HP slate running Windows 7 (coming this summer) gets interesting. it will allow access to my entire library and will have all the usual functionality.
I understand that Windows 7 based tablets might be less user friendly than the Ipad or even Android based tablet. but I believe that for now, they offer the best solution (pending their release of course) for Logos on the go.
I have a Gateway Tablet Laptop. It came with Vista but I have since upgraded to Windows 7. I choose Gateway because at the time they were the only company taht had a tablet with a 14.1 inch screen. I use my laptop more as a laptop and pc for application development so I wanted the extra real estate that the 14 inch screen provided rather than the 12" screens that every other manufacture offers.
Just a note though. Logos 4 doesn't like being switched to tablet for use. As soon a you use the stylist in a window it starts scrolling and won't stop until your touch another window and then that active window starts scrolling. I probably won't purchase a talbet laptop next time becasue no one has really gotten serious designing applications that have full features whether using keyboard of stylist. Windows 7 has the best tablet interface yet but manufactures treat tablet applications as step-childs because the demand is not there. But the demand is not there because the applicaions are not there.
The finger touch screen have some possibilities but in the laptop envirnoment, I don't want to be cleaning my fingerprints off the sceen all the time.
Like Alain, I would love a device like I-Pad that I could carry around for Bible Studies, teaching, and writing notes with handwriting that could be converted to typed documents. Also the ability to speak to the device and create tyled documents. My tablet laptop dows that but with the 6.5 hour battery in it, it isn't suitable for lugging around at Church for half a day.
So technology isn't quite there yet.
Faithfully yours, Mick
However, despite all the excitement out there, there are two issues that prevent the Ipad from being the ideal tool for Logos on the go.
Only 3600 resources are available out of the 10,000 + total in the various collections. Potentially only having 1/3 of my resources available is not good enough for me, I want to be able to access all my resources (that is why I bought them in the first place). I know Logos is working on adding more resources but as far as I know, there is no guarantee that all resources will be licensed and more importantly, the time line is not known.
The second issue, that is equally important, is that with the Ipad, you do not have the full functionality that you have in Logos 4 for Windows or the Mac. I do not want to have to bring two devices on the go, I want a single device that would cover all the angles.
This is where a tablet like HP slate running Windows 7 (coming this summer) gets interesting. it will allow access to my entire library and will have all the usual functionality.
Good points Alain, the iPad isn't going to be the end all of technology and isn't going to be for everyone. Frankly, I was/am tempted by the HP offering, but I am not looking for a laptop/desktop replacement, I am looking for something in between that will let me occasionally separate from the MBP that I carry everywhere with me and while I was disappointed that it wouldn't be running a full OSX, I got over that when I saw the price. For me Logos, isn't the main reason for the purchase, it is only one of the reasons and I can live with the limited resources (for now).
I look forward to hearing from you when you make your decision as to how your user experience is.
I have no concerns about the iPad, just the Logos app.
If it can work with Notes and highlighting, I'm there. I want to do my studying on my desktop, but have the convenience of just being able to synch it and read what I've studied in class. Hence, the need for notes and highlighting.
If this, plus the 3G working with Verizon, I'm there when it comes out. I hope all the delay that occurred about the wifi/3g version was getting it to work with Verizon.
AT&T is just lousy in my neighborhood.
iMac 21.5 inch • iPhone 3GS
Software Engineer καὶ μαθητῆς τοῦ λόγου τοῦ θεοῦ
I expect that both the first generation iPad and the first generation HP slate will be significantly under-powered for what it will take to appreciate Logos fully in the Tablet format (just look at the specs required to run the PC version of Logos 4 for example). No point in Logos spending too much time on the iPad app if the features we would want and expect in comparison to Logos 4 are way beyond what the first generation iPad hardware can support.
This said, the tablet concept is a good one and we need to follow it as it develops over the next year or two into something we could indeed use to advantage. Until then I will stick with my HP Touchscreen laptop which has all the capability needed to run Logos 4, even if it is a relative heavyweight compared to an iPad and even though it requires a heavy touch and a stylus to get the most out of it (at least I still have the option to use the touchpad or mouse whenever that is better).
I would want to download all my books to a Tablet so they can normally be with the machine; connectivity to download a specific resource from the cloud whenever you want is only going to be available to those at home or in the bigger cities of North America, Europe and parts of Asia. Just not going to happen for the rest of the world in the near future. If we want the capability to have 10 000 resources at hand for a tablet, we will need 40GB of on board storage for Logos alone. Then we will need another couple of GB of working memory to load the fully developed application, and way more than just text capable graphics given the amount of illustration and video material, not to mention the audio capability for Hebrew and Greek pronounciation and even more on board storage for all the related audiobook material etc from the Lucado CDs etc etc etc. To me it seems the first generation iPad hardware is a good proof of concept, just not ready yet for serious Logos users as other than a quick reference device away from home/office (which itself may be good enough for some).
This is where a tablet like HP slate running Windows 7 (coming this summer) gets interesting. it will allow access to my entire library and will have all the usual functionality.
They are not going to come anymore. So iPad is the only way we go, even there is very limited functionality.
I saw a funny flowchart today that a friend posted a link to on Facebook. It's called "Should I Buy an iPad?"
http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2010/04/should-i-buy-ipad.html
I'm intrigued by the tablet idea, but would prefer a more open system (Android?) or Windows based. If I were ever going to get one, it would only be as a replacement for a laptop, since I wouldn't want to have to carry around two similar devices, which would mean it would have to run all the apps I use my laptop for already, or it's not going to entice me.
... ok suit yourself
Thanks for advancing the conversation [:D]