Anyone else sick of iPads and apple

[Knightsman]

I've never had much experience of Apple stuff and tbh always avoided supporting them.

A few months ago I thought I'd check out OSX on a VirtualBox and found it all a bit Fisher-Price and not for me.

Then I had to transfer an old (as in a in long time, not age) customer's setup from Windows laptop to Apple laptop and wasn't really looking forward to it, but it was surprisingly easy.

And a coupla weeks ago had to setup a printer for an old couple who just had an iPad and no PC/Mac. That was dead easy, set up the Kodak printer and then download the Kodak printing app on the iPad, job done!

I have the feeling that I ought to do some research into iPads as a customer yesterday asked me about how to transfer their photos onto their iPad. I wasn't sure, I guess you just do everything in the cloud.

I don't hate Apple stuff, in fact it's all pretty impressive for the average non-techie user. I wouldn't use it myself, I love my Windows and Android stuff and what I can do with it.

to sync the photos to the ipad, you have to set them in itunes to sync. But I think the user has to have all of their pictures in one specific folder. Then it will Sync

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

to sync the photos to the ipad, you have to set them in itunes to sync. But I think the user has to have all of their pictures in one specific folder. Then it will Sync

OK cool, thanks for that

 

[Knightsman]

OK cool, thanks for that

no problem, just figured it out two weeks ago never had a customer ask, so never had a reason to learn.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

I have the feeling that I ought to do some research into iPads as a customer yesterday asked me about how to transfer their photos onto their iPad. I wasn't sure, I guess you just do everything in the cloud.

Just use the dropbox app for the ipad (free) or itunes. Either way would be easy.

 

[banchorypc]

Not a huge fan of Apple products but the worst thing with Apple products is Itunes, it really is awful.

 

[pcbox]

The iPad fills a niche. Take it or leave it. That being said, the latest iteration of the iPad/iPod/iPhone can barely be called an upgrade in comparison the the one before it typically. But for people who do not already own a tablet and go the Wi-Fi only 16gb iPad, utilize cloud storage and tether from their phone, it's an awesome deal. Otherwise, I don't see why people upgrade any more frequently than every other generation.

 

[16k_zx81]

We as technicians need to understand one very important thing, tablets, slates ipads, androids...they are here and we need to be able to support them if our clients ask for support. I love the PC for one main reason, they FAIL. The same with Apple products, they FAIL. If they didn't THEN we would need to worry.

As the global economy speeds up, the need for our technical expertise is only going to increase. Instead of seeing this as a road block, maybe we need to see this as a golden opportunity.

... which assumes that the 'break and fix' model for domestic computer hardware survives. My estimation is that the average tablet price will drop by about 50% in the next 12-18 months. This will make it a disposable entity.


... think about it.

 

[16k_zx81]

Not a huge fan of Apple products but the worst thing with Apple products is Itunes, it really is awful.

... if u r a geek, and know better.

For end users, the market history/placement of apple products indicates differing opinion.

at the end of the day it doesnt matter how we 'feel' about a technology; its the end-users' uptake rate that matters.

.

 

[ell]

... which assumes that the 'break and fix' model for domestic computer hardware survives. My estimation is that the average tablet price will drop by about 50% in the next 12-18 months. This will make it a disposable entity.


... think about it.

I totally agree, I've been looking into repairing ipads, ect. and found that they are a royal pain to work on and profit margins would be very low unless you could get large volumes to work on, which probably won't happen. My thoughts are the new ultra books will be hot, just my opinion, I also read the ssds have a very high failure rate also. (yeah!)

 

[16k_zx81]

I totally agree, I've been looking into repairing ipads, ect. and found that they are a royal pain to work on and profit margins would be very low unless you could get large volumes to work on, which probably won't happen. My thoughts are the new ultra books will be hot, just my opinion, I also read the ssds have a very high failure rate also. (yeah!)

The other thing that worries me is the desktop capability that will be available in the next generation of mobile phones. We are only a few of generations away from a mobile phone running a full-blown desktop that can be plugged into a desktop monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Again, in the not too distant future, we are looking at a mobile phone, 1080p capable, quad core, with similar processing power to what we are running now, as laptops and desktops, for probably around $300.

Theres no "break and fix" in that, and, as you rightly point out, repair margins are minimal. This gap will continue to close in the next 24 months, in my estimation.

"idiot proof" and "disposable" are the defining features of whats on the average household's technological radar. Not a good combination of characteristics for us techs.

 

[ell]

The other thing that worries me is the desktop capability that will be available in the next generation of mobile phones. We are only a few of generations away from a mobile phone running a full-blown desktop that can be plugged into a desktop monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Again, in the not too distant future, we are looking at a mobile phone, 1080p capable, quad core, with similar processing power to what we are running now, as laptops and desktops, for probably around $300.

Theres no "break and fix" in that, and, as you rightly point out, repair margins are minimal. This gap will continue to close in the next 24 months, in my estimation.

"idiot proof" and "disposable" are the defining features of whats on the average household's technological radar. Not a good combination of characteristics for us techs.

I've seen the "docking" prototypes of what you mention, one of my main business clients has in the last 2 years gone from multiple work stations to one and switched to a cloud version of their dance studio software, so now the owner works from her home pc and iphone. She has purchased one other laptop for a teacher. My calls to the studio are down significantly, only occasional calls for internet drop offs an support for outlook (bleh). I can't really blame anyone but myself, I urged the change for them but at my own cost. Guess maybe we'll morph into just app support, I guess I'd be ok with that but its nice to get out and get my hands dirty a little!

 

[KompuKare]

"idiot proof" and "disposable" are the defining features of whats on the average household's technological radar. Not a good combination of characteristics for us techs.

Apple have a long history of making stuff which cannot be upgraded going back to the 68K days. Thing is, like every major corporation Apple do of course make a lot of noises about recycling, corporate responsibility and so on. Apple are in a unique position of course since they control nearly everything in their eco-system.

The waste triangle is mean to be reduce>reuse>recycle but the world's gizmo makers are at most only interested in recycle. Despite their PR, the see it like this, every item recycled in to raw materials is:

1) no longer usable by anyone (hence buy new)

2) more raw materials mean our costs stay low.

Reduce is of course anathema to all makers of gizmos and reuse is not far behind. By accident, desktop PCs are probably one of the most reusable consumer items ever. Meanwhile world energy and raw material are in the decline but let's all buy disposable junk until the party ends...

 

[bitbytes]

I Just wanted to give my 2 cents.

I have a Samsung Vibrant bought back in 2010. Running Android Froyo 2.0 when I bought it.
Currently I am running 4.0 (ICS) thanks to to the good people at XDA.

Can your Apple product do that? Nope. Your stuck with what you get, If your lucky your apple device can upgrade to newer IOS.

I have to admit Apple makes good stuff, but the limitations and social freaks make this a huge turn off, at least for me.

Iphone = Sheep
Android = Eagle

Which would you rather be?

 

[Martyn]

Iphone = Sheep
Android = Eagle

Which would you rather be?

Pass the mint sauce please I love my Ipad but may go for an Android phone when my Blackberry is up for renewal just to see what the excitement is about.

 

[bitbytes]

Pass the mint sauce please I love my Ipad but may go for an Android phone when my Blackberry is up for renewal just to see what the excitement is about.

If the iphone was as customizable as an Android device, I would be all over Apple.
I just dislike the idea that I cannot make my ipad unique in anyway.
That and the fact that I know without a doubt that my $499.99 investment will have an upgrade in about 6-12 months. That's not cool...

With Android I can go as far into customizing as I want. If I don't like the look of my lock ring, I'll just design a new one, or use one that someone else made.

With Android the possibilities are endless. Unfortunately the majority of Apple products are 100% dependent on Apple.
Just look at the Android Market. When Android first came out everyone thought it was a joke and would never compete with Apples APP Store. Now look... just about everything you can find in the apple app store can be found in Androids Market.
We create Android & Ipad Apps and let me tell you.. We can pump out Android Apps just about as fast as we can make them. Not with Apple, It takes an act of congress to get your App in their store.
This is why the android market continues to grow in size every minute. More and more developers are coming to the open source realization that Android has a better business model.
Even though Google has a huge part in Android, The Android OS was built by the people and for the people, and will more than likely stay true to itself in the years to come.
I myself would feel Google is looking out for me more than Apple is or ever has.

 

[bitbytes]

Ohh yea... I just wanted to add one more thing...


Genius Bar... Need I say more?
What an insult to anyone who buys their products.
What does this say about you? Think about it...

 

[gunslinger]

The Apple haters are out in force today. Hating on another product and don't even know why.

 

[16k_zx81]

Iphone = Sheep
Android = Eagle

Which would you rather be?

... I would rather be not engaging in stupid animal analogies.

You just managed to disrespect something like half the adult population, and a significant number of techs who use Apple products by choice.

Congrats.

 

[eric76]

I waited in line the day iPad 3 came out (30 minutes)

I think Apple makes amazing products and I really like the iPad 3. The display is stunning and the battery lasts all day.

Let's face it - if Apple wasn't around making their operating system so cool -we would still be on XP service pack 5.

That's not to say that I don't like Windows - because I really do - but you can't deny that Apple comes up with some cool stuff.

 

[Nod]

Bought my first apple product the iPhone 4s when it was released and the new iPad when it came out. I'm not looking back I love both devices. I used to hate apple but when I think about it I didn't have a reason and was just being awkward.