iPad owners less likely to buy consoles

By Tom Bramwell Published 9 July, 2010

27% won't get console too, 38% handhelds.

27 per cent of iPad owners in a recent study said they no longer planned to buy a home games console having bought the Apple tablet.

According to Resolve Market Research, in a study described on Mashable, 38 per cent said they had no need for a portable gaming device once they had an iPad.

Interestingly, 60 per cent had said that they thought portable gaming devices were "most enjoyable for playing games", followed by 23 per cent for iPad and 8 per cent for smartphones.

Apple recently announced that it had sold three million iPads within 80 days of launch.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (111) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • xenoss #1 2 years ago

    We'll see about that when 3DS launches.

  • Doctor_What #2 2 years ago

    Is that because they're now skint? If I'd just forked out $699 then I wouldn't have any immediate plans for buying anything other than economy beans to go on my Tesco value toast.

  • LHH #3 2 years ago

    99% use macbooks in Starbucks playing Hipster Hero

  • AphoticCosmos #4 2 years ago

    Good. Keep the idiots who were stupid enough to buy an underpowered, oversized iPhone made by a company that restricts apps to what it deems morally acceptable (unless they get paid a lot of money), built in China by an OEM manufacturer with a disgraceful track record of suicides, in Starbucks please. I don't want them on my servers. Hell, I don't want them anywhere else on this planet.

    Starbucks - saving the world from douchebags one iced froghurt mochafrappulattechino at a time.

  • madgerald Verified Studio Head of PR & Marketing, Colossal Games LTD #5 2 years ago

    Oh come come you lovely people; one does not drink frappuccino - I only drink finest ground civet coffee beans in a tiny little espresso cup and eat only the best hand-made loaves from our local organic bakery.

    And I will buy a 3DS

  • geeza2020 #6 2 years ago

    mmmmmmmmmmmmmm mochafrappulattechinooooo

    /drools

  • Wyrm #7 2 years ago

    What a predictable comments section. Nothing about the viability of the iPad as a gaming device, lots of Apple stereotyping and hate.

  • wizbob #8 2 years ago

    27% of them were really planning to buy a home console before they bought an iPad? This survey sounds worthless.

  • GamesConnoisseur #9 2 years ago

    Proving what?

    Stats can tell you all sort of things! How many of us are there who already owns multi handheld platform and got iPad? I also certainly still plans for 3DS and PSP2!

    Trying to assign us iPad owners to a type will just fails, just as trying to stereotypes PC owners or PS3 as being so or so.

    What is difficult to argue is that iPads are selling quite well, so over time there will be potentially more of us than you!

    /The Invasion of The Body Snatchers theme tunes

  • Nazo #10 2 years ago

    presumably this means that 73% still plan to? I'm not sure what this article is trying to say.

  • Eraysor #11 2 years ago

    Because they have no money left

  • erp #12 2 years ago

    I genuinely don't understand this, I can't fathom it.

    I've got an iPod Touch and I've not played games on it for months. Ok, except Chess and Checkers.

    But everything else is a joke. There's absolutely nothing of substance on there, nothing of interest. Solely touch-based controls are a creative dead-end.

    Those who proclaim these devices as the future of gaming are deluded at best. If nothing else it's clear they have no understanding of real, worthwhile, stimulating gaming.

  • JahB #13 2 years ago

    Of course they won't, since you can't blog on a console while drinking overpriced coffee.

  • FireMonkey #14 2 years ago

    I wonder what percent of console owners won't get an iPad? Probably a higher percentage!

    It all means nothing though as without stats from these people before buying the iPad we have nothing to compare it to. What if before buying an iPad 50% said they had no need for a portable gaming device? That means the percentage has dropped and that now more people want to buy a console than before!

    Stats like this are pointless and with a bit of clever wording can be twisted to show whatever you want.

    Edit: Also that site says 49% won't buy an e-reader. So that is 51% that might? That's a hell of a lot for owners of a device that should be able to work as an e-reader. I'd imagine if you ask the standard population if they may buy an e-reader it'd be less than 51%. Does this mean the iPad has shown people how good an e-reader may be, but is really bad at it?
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 09:57

  • KeatsSeven #15 2 years ago

    makes me laugh. I remember when iphone launched here in uk everyone on this site absolutely slated it, and thought that everyone that bought one was a starbucks sucking loser. Now the iphone is accepted here its the turn of the ipad to be the 'you'd have to be an idiot to buy one' device.
    Well, ive had nearly every gaming machine from the c64 onwards, all the way through the amiga, dreamcast, etc etc.
    I've got an iPad. I love it. Its getting more of my gaming time than my 360 ps3 and wii combined.
    I don't go to starbucks, or have a mac or any other stereotypes.
    i know 3 other people with an ipad. One is a car mechanic, ones a postman and the other is well, my nan lol
    Its like people who might say that anyone who goes to gaming websites is a sad nerd.
    A stereotype that people who can't come up with anything better because they don't have the wit or imagination.

  • Darren #16 2 years ago

    I'd say the 27% who were considering a console before buying an iPad must be idiots if they bought one just for playing games on. I mean have you seen the size of the thing? You can hardly put it in your backpocket and it's not the kind of thing you can play while standing in a bus queue!

  • Mkwone #17 2 years ago

    Good. Keep the idiots who were stupid enough to buy an underpowered, oversized iPhone made by a company that restricts apps to what it deems morally acceptable (unless they get paid a lot of money), built in China by an OEM manufacturer with a disgraceful track record of suicides, in Starbucks please. I don't want them on my servers. Hell, I don't want them anywhere else on this planet.

    You do realise that the factory you're refering to also make the ps3, xbox 360, wii along with a lot of the components it PC's?

  • davisorle #18 2 years ago

    Its like asking Mac owners about gaming.. Why would I care as a self aware gamer about the opinion of someone that owns a god damn iPad? Why on earth would a gamer rely on an iPad in the first place? Why is this news? Why oh why..

  • kangarootoo #19 2 years ago

    A few curiously angry people in here. What do you care what someone spends their money on? Its not a personal insult, but you seem to act like it is.

    Maturity >= Insecurity. Discuss.

  • cw- #20 2 years ago

    Is that because they're now skint? If I'd just forked out $699 then I wouldn't have any immediate plans for buying anything other than economy beans to go on my Tesco value toast.

    I think you'll find that most people who bought an iPad could afford it, and their grocery shopping habbits won't have changed... I know mine hasn't, but then I got the cheapest one for £430 ;)

    Not gonna buy a hand held console though, but I would never have done anyway.. nothing to do with the awesome, sexy, fantastic iPad (By having one I'm instantly cool by association! OH YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!)

    I do want a PS3 and a new PC though.

  • LHH #21 2 years ago

    mac owners hate on pc owners
    pc owners hate back.

    Mufasa said so, circle of life and all that

  • Zomoniac #22 2 years ago

    makes me laugh. I remember when iphone launched here in uk everyone on this site absolutely slated it, and thought that everyone that bought one was a starbucks sucking loser. Now the iphone is accepted here its the turn of the ipad to be the 'you'd have to be an idiot to buy one' device.

    Whilst the iPhone 4 is great phone, as were the two before it, the iPhone mk1 was just bought by posing ponces, it was a shit phone that didn't work and barely did anything. The comments at the time were perfectly justified. The same might happen with the iPad. At the moment it seems utterly pointless to me, just as the original iPhone did before the app store came along, when it was little more than a sexy screen that couldn't hold a call for without a dropout for more than 5 seconds (without the app store and a decent mobile internet connection, which didn't appear until the second version came out, the iPhone is a complete waste of time).

    /has an iPhone 4 and loves it to bits (but is without a doubt the worst 'games console' of all time), has an iPad and has used it for less than 5 hours since release day and thinks it's a complete waste of time

    /goes to Starbucks every day, but only because it's the closest coffee to the office, and only gets Americanos anyway, which are hard to get wrong

  • Dylbot #23 2 years ago

    What an utterly meaningless statistic.

  • Deckard1 #24 2 years ago

    100% of sensible people won't buy an ipad

  • rageman #25 2 years ago

    The iPad is very useful. I use it to play the Vuvuzela while watching World Cup matches. It's as annoying as the real thing...

  • peterfll #26 2 years ago

    Also, they're less likely to get cancer.

    http://kill-or-cure.h eroku.com/

  • peterfll #27 2 years ago

    Also, they're more likely to get cancer.

    http://kill-or-cure.h eroku.com/

  • ignatiusjreilly #28 2 years ago

    mac owners hate on pc owners
    pc owners hate back

    The iPad is not a Mac, and I'd imagine the vast majority of iPhone and iPad owners actually use Windows on their PCs.

  • glottis0 #29 2 years ago

    Playing Monkey Island 2 Special Edition on iPad has been more enjoyable than playing it on my laptop, or on the 360.

    I wouldn't recommend an iPad to everyone, but it certainly doesn't feel like a pointless purchase. I use it much more than my laptop. The only disadvantage of it is that you're assumed to be a wanker for owning one. The hate is a bit astonishing.

    I don't understand why someone would pay £200 for a football ticket - to me that seems like a waste of money. I don't understand why someone would pay £100 for a ticket to see U2 at the O2 arena - again, waste of money. But I don't spend my days posting about what a cunt they are either.

  • Sniper_007 #30 2 years ago

    Really... I've just had an office argument about Blackberry's vs iPhones vs Android, and now I come on here and see the same fanboy attitudes!!

    I really, really dislike fanboyism - well blind fanboyism, those who can only see what they want to see!!

    I love my iPhone, but I also appreciate the Android for what it is, and the power of the Blackberry for a business device... in the same way that I appreciate the iPad for what it is - a portable media consuming device with an absolutely incredible battery life that is the perfect travel companion, whether just going out for a coffee or even better travelling down South on a train or waiting at the airport.

    Yes it has its faults, like all our devices do, but what it does it does really well.... and yes Apple like to drip feed features to keep sales going... well that's 1) good business sense, and 2) Apple owners don't care - they just like being safe in the knowledge that it works, it's safe, it's easy and it's virtually risk free for crashing, dying, needing constant reboots. Gadgets that make life simple, that's all some people want!!

    However, back to the OP - the title is a little misleading since the research specifically said handheld consoles... and it makes sense that someone who already has a portable handheld device is unlikely to want to buy another one (especially so soon after buying the last one), in the same way that a new PSP owner is unlikely to say that they plan to buy a DS?

    I want an iPad, but as with a few posters on here, I don't want one until at least the 2nd generation when all these very kind beta testers (including a good friend of mine) has helped iron out the kinks. To be honest until I can watch the F1 qualifying, and other "red button" feeds from the bbc website then I'm happy with my phone and laptop.... for now :)

  • RageBoy #31 2 years ago

    I have one and it compliments rather than replaces my existing gaming setup.

    I don't see touch screen gaming as dead in the water though-obviously it suits some genres more than others but there are some great games available.

  • killest #32 2 years ago

    http://www.lmgtfy .com/?q=apple+cult

  • UncleLou #33 2 years ago

    I wonder if the Apple-haters realise just how incredibly nerdy, narrow-minded and downright stupid they look to other people? Frightening.

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #34 2 years ago

    'What a predictable comments section. Nothing about the viability of the iPad as a gaming device, lots of Apple stereotyping and hate."

    And don't forget the predictable neg frenzy for pointing it out...

    Look, here comes another one!

  • RageBoy #35 2 years ago

    Can't you watch the Grand Prix qualifying with the iPlayer? But being able to watch the free practice sessions and F1 Forum would be nice.

    Not that it matters to me since iPlayer doesn't work in Dublin :(

  • kangarootoo #36 2 years ago

    wanker mac owners hate on pc owners
    wanker pc owners hate back

    Sane people don't hate anyone for something so trivial and subjective.

  • UncleLou #37 2 years ago

    Good. Keep the idiots who were stupid enough to buy an underpowered, oversized iPhone made by a company that restricts apps to what it deems morally acceptable (unless they get paid a lot of money), built in China by an OEM manufacturer with a disgraceful track record of suicides, in Starbucks please. I don't want them on my servers. Hell, I don't want them anywhere else on this planet.

    This coming from someone who owns a 360 has to be the most hilarious, idiotic bigotry I've seen all year. Thanks for the hearty laugh. :D

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #38 2 years ago

    "I've got an iPod Touch and I've not played games on it for months. Ok, except Chess and Checkers.
    But everything else is a joke. There's absolutely nothing of substance on there, nothing of interest. "

    You're an idiot.

    God only knows what sort of tedious bloatware you consider "interesting", but in the last couple of weeks alone, normal people who aren't tiresome wankers have been enjoying a flood of brilliant games in almost every imaginable genre:

    Pix'n Love Rush (score-attack platform minigames)
    ElectroMaster (Robotron-style shooting)
    Ultraviolet Dawn (Elite meets Geometry Wars)
    Qwak (classic platformer)
    Techno Trancer (hyper-intense vertical manic shmup)
    Hector: Badge Of Carnage (funny, edgy point-and-click adventure)
    Soul (indie/arthouse marble-roller)
    Farmville (social MMO farming)
    Angry Honey (rhythm action)
    King Of Tennis (hypnotic microgame)
    Archetype (great-looking deathmatch FPS)
    Doodle God (indescribable original puzzle)
    Flick Kick Football (pick-up-and-play arcade fun)

    ...on top of the mindboggling variety of more traditional-style games that already existed, from Street Fighter 4 to Modern Combat: Sandstorm to Real Racing to Command & Conquer to Pro Evo Soccer to The Settlers.

    Once again: you're an idiot.

  • Les #39 2 years ago

    "The ipad wil be important one day - but not now. Anyone who bought the 1st generation is a chump."

    lol

    Sure iPad 2 will be better than iPad 1. And iPad 3 will be better still. That's technological progress and manufacturing efficiencies for you.

    If iPad currently offers more value to a person (very subjective) than it cost to acquire it, it's a good purchase. As simple as that.

  • ignatiusjreilly #40 2 years ago

    You have a laptop. You absolutely do not need an ipad.

    You have spaghetti bolognese. You absolutely do not need a Mars bar.

  • jonbwfc #41 2 years ago

    @EarlBasset
    By the sound of it, it's much more like 'He has an iPad so he doesn't use (and therefore doesn't need) a laptop' but hey, you see what you want to see I guess.

    I have an iPad but I'm caffeine intolerant, can somebody give an any advice as to what sort of beverage the UKG massive will allow me to drink?

  • glottis0 #42 2 years ago

    @EarlBasset

    "And in one sentence you have just shown what a pointless purchase it is.
    You have a laptop. You absolutely do not need an ipad."

    I certainly don't need one - that much I will agree with. But I buy a lot of things I don't need. Like video games, mayonnaise, socks and beer. The iPad has a longer battery life, weighs less, and is less awkward to use on the train for browsing and email. For those reasons, I prefer it to my laptop. It's a lot of money for a bit of extra convenience and fun, but it's my money to spend - it doesn't make me a twat - I simply have different priorities to you.

  • Sniper_007 #43 2 years ago

    @kangarootoo Sane people don't hate anyone for something so trivial and subjective.

    well said!!

    @RageBoy

    You can watch the qualifying or any other live tv via [link url=http://www.tvcatchup.com,]http://www.tvcatchup.com,[/link] but the practice sessions on red button aren't available... unfortunately. (Sorry i did say qualifying in my first post when i should have said practice)

  • geeza2020 #44 2 years ago

    Rev. Stuart Campbell:

    Hey now, thats not called for. The guy doesn't like the apps/games available on the iphone/touch whatever. Does that really equate to him being an idiot and a wanker or just a guy with a different opinion to yours? Let the red mist fade and re-read his post and i'm sure you'll find he was just voicing his opinion, not raping your mother.

  • kangarootoo #45 2 years ago

    @Rev. Stuart Campbell

    You really need to stop being so angry. It is not becoming of someone your age.

    You made a perfectly good post that I wanted to +, but in the end it read as fanboy rant that I ended up -'ing, all because you can't contain your hormones long enough to write a post without hurling names at people.

    It makes you look bad above all else, you see.

  • Batfink #46 2 years ago

    I bought an ipad on launch day. Since then, I can count the number of times I've used my desktop computer on one hand. It's a fantastic little machine. Monkey Island 2 SE looks great on it btw :)

    @Earlbassett - I doubt I would have bought an ipad if I already had a laptop, but for lounging around the house or chucking in a bag for the train, it's superior.
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 12:02

  • kangarootoo #47 2 years ago

    @EarlBassett

    You forgot one.

    3. Roll their eyes and mutter "christ, another freakish hater who is acting like someone pissed in their kettle".

    Seriously, how many times in a day do you "press an ipad owner on why they have bought it"?

    Did it never for one moment occur to you that the reason they might fall back to reason 2 is not because they have no other answer, but because they are BORED TO THE CORE OF THEIR VERY SOUL by having to defend their purchase against your childish sniping.

    I am prepareed to bet money that if you press someone to defend something in the same childish manner, you will get the same "oh puleeeeze just f*ck off" response in the majority of cases.

  • Mkwone #48 2 years ago

    Surly the point of a luxury item like the ipad is that it's unneccissary, it's what makes it appealing.

    People like to spend money treating themsleves to the unneccisary, whether is designer clothing, high end gadgets or posh grub.
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 12:04

  • geeza2020 #49 2 years ago

    the thing that holds me back from an ipad (other than the price tag) seems to be that it doesnt do anything "better" than any other platform. Want games? consoles are better. Want internet, streaming, music etc? Laptop is better. Want a phone? iphone is better. It just doesnt DO anything better than anything else as far as i can see. But i dont own one, so maybe an owner on here can tell me what the ipad does that no other platform is capable of doing but better?

  • mowgli #50 2 years ago

    Earl, we get it, you can't afford one. Let it go man, let it go.

  • TeaFiend #51 2 years ago

    27% don't plan to buy a console? Context please. The majority of people I know who have a an iPad already own the consoles they want and are unlikely to buy a new console. What terrible monsters they are!

    The whole concept of i(phone/pad/pod touch) and games is rather great. It is like the DS or Wii. People who were not playing games are now, they are giving money to developers for their games. Is it really a terrible atrocity that people are having jobs that make money? So gaming is being opened up to a wider market, oh noes.

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #52 2 years ago

    "Let the red mist fade and re-read his post and i'm sure you'll find he was just voicing his opinion"

    I'm pretty sure what I said was no worse in tone than:

    "Those who proclaim these devices as the future of gaming are deluded at best. If nothing else it's clear they have no understanding of real, worthwhile, stimulating gaming. "

  • Lee_Morris #53 2 years ago

    They won't buy one cause they can't afford one now!

    Totally different experiences though. If someone is happy and gets everything they need from iPad games then why were they even considering a console in the first place?

  • chiz #54 2 years ago

    I bought an ipad on launch day. Since then, I can count the number of times I've used my desktop computer on one hand. It's a fantastic little machine. Monkey Island 2 SE looks great on it btw :)

    Couldn't agree more. Geometry wars is great on it.

  • Goodfella #55 2 years ago

    The Apple hate is mind boggling, what sort of people feel the need to vent this bile towards others simply for buying something they like?!

    I'm no Apple fan but I do have an iPhone, I wouldn't buy an iPad but that's not to say I think it's crap and the people who do buy one are tossers. I'd happily use one if it was given as a present. Anyone feeling generous?

  • ignatiusjreilly #56 2 years ago

    The Apple hate

    It's not hate, it's just a bit of piss-taking. The two are very different.

    There are only a couple of people on either side (same ones in every Apple thread) actively insulting the other side. That's actually a better ratio than most Eurogamer threads.

  • kangarootoo #57 2 years ago

    "I'm pretty sure what I said was no worse in tone than:

    "Those who proclaim these devices as the future of gaming are deluded at best. If nothing else it's clear they have no understanding of real, worthwhile, stimulating gaming. ""

    Well its good to see you set the bar so high ;)

  • mowgli #58 2 years ago

    The Apple hate is pretty self explanatory tbh. When the biggest and nastiest stereotype consists of a sociable trendy person I think the rest speaks for itself.

  • ignatiusjreilly #59 2 years ago

    I think the rest speaks for itself.

    Just for those who didn't get it, could you follow up the explanation?

    Because it kind of sounds like the reason people dislike Apple is because they are wish they could be as sociable and trendy as the people that use Apple products, but they just can't afford to join them. Is that seriously your theory?
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 13:13

  • kangarootoo #60 2 years ago

    @mowgli

    Its true. Apple kit is pricey, and Apple's pitch tends to be aspirational. Wherever there is an Apple thread, grapes are never far from sight :)

  • UncleLou #61 2 years ago

    It's a lifestyle item bought by vapid cunts.

    Nope, it's not. It's an extremely convenient browser/email device (with lots of other uses). That you see it as a "lifestyle" item just shows how much of a marketing victim you are. And let's not even talk about judging other people as "cunts" because they bought something you don't agree with. All in all, the behaviour of a petulant, nasty little child.

  • mowgli #62 2 years ago

    But it really isn't. I paid £420 for mine, stop assuming they all cost 600. And my work involves a ridiculous ton of reading, we are talking hundreds of pages a day. I've saved a bloody fortune by reading on this. Reading i wouldn't be able to do on my laptop screen for long stretches of time. Not to mention the fact that the iPad is quite simply unmatched as a mind mapping device which is a massive part of my working life. So quit with your bullshit trolling please. Every single iPad news has you and your blatant bitterness clogging up the place,

  • kangarootoo #63 2 years ago

    @EarlBassett

    You don't seem to understand the broader meaning of the term "afford". It is a relative term that applies across the whole of your disposable income.

    What you seem to be telling us is that you cannot afford an item that is purely a luxury and not essential to your working life. Whereas other poeple can afford essential items, AND still have money left over for pointless but fun products that make them happy.

    Clearly this make you very angry.

  • TeaFiend #64 2 years ago

    An iPad is no more a required item for the vast majority of people than an Xbox 360, DS, yacht, brand clothing or space ships.

  • jefranklin18 #65 2 years ago

    I have no desire for an iPad - although they look stylish and everyone raves about the UI (haven't tried an iPhone either, so can't comment) - for me it is a hard to justify purchase at the price they are. A netbook however is a different proposition. Maybe (like my dress sense) I prefer a complete lack of style :)

  • retrogamesdude #66 2 years ago

    I hate Apple, all of its products and everything it stands for!

  • kangarootoo #67 2 years ago

    "To buy a 1st gen ipad only shows you have too much money and not enough sense."

    Or just a fair bit of money? Why do people assume that purchases of the heart (as opposed to the head) mean somebody has no sense? What is wrong with just buying something for fun? If you can afford it, why not?

  • kangarootoo #68 2 years ago

    @retrogamesdude

    What does it stand for?

  • jonbwfc #69 2 years ago

    @Kanga
    The problem is if you have a different opinion to Earl you are obviously wrong and in proving you are wrong he therefore shows that he is right. In this case 'prove' is interchangeable with 'abusively browbeat until they put him on ignore'.
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 14:01

  • Dylbot #70 2 years ago

    @ Rev. Stuart Campbell

    "Command & Conquer"

    Wait, what? Oh fuck you, every time someone posts about games on iOS another one that says "why haven't you got an iDevice yet?" comes up. I massively resent the thought of giving money to the Apple machine but god, portable C&C on a touchscreen sounds like such a good idea. Might have to invest in a 3rd gen Touch when the inevitable 4th version comes out and makes it "obsolete".

  • UncleLou #71 2 years ago

    My point is that if anyone buys one NOW they are a chump. As Apple has intentionally left of tons of features, and there is little specific content out for it yet.
    To buy a 1st gen ipad only shows you have too much money and not enough sense.

    Unless they don't care about missing features because they want it for the core functionality. It's vocal, narrow-minded spec-nerds like you that often stand in the way of clean, easy user interfaces and dedicated, specialized devices. Thank God there's at least one company that doesn't constantly bow to the whining and is a little bit resistant to feature-creep.

  • UncleLou #72 2 years ago

    Besides, if everyone was like you, we'd still be living in caves, if at all. "That Bronze spear isn't hard enough, I'll wait for the iron age. I'll chew mushrooms in the meantime, and let the idiots hunt for meat with their soft spears. Of course, I'll incessantly whine about them."
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 14:27

  • Dylbot #73 2 years ago

    "That Bronze spear isn't hard enough, I'll wait for the iron age. I'll chew mushrooms in the meantime, and let the idiots hunt for meat with their soft spears. Of course, I'll incessantly whine about them."

    Only if the manufacturers of the bronze spears had the the technology to make better ones, and also other companies were already making the iron ones, but they didn't look as nice.

    Cool analogy bro

  • ignatiusjreilly #74 2 years ago

    That Bronze spear isn't hard enough, I'll wait for the iron age. I'll chew mushrooms in the meantime, and let the idiots hunt for meat with their soft spears in the meantime.

    This analogy fails. The iPad is a spear with an ornately carved handle, but it isn't actually any harder than the ones we've hunting animals with for years. If anything it's softer.

    edit: Damn Dylbot got there first ;)
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 14:33

  • mowgli #75 2 years ago

    What fucking features is it missing? Because it does everything I want from it, everything I wanted for my £400, and more. It doesn't lick my arsehole clean but I don't count that as a purposely left out feature.

  • ignatiusjreilly #76 2 years ago

    What fucking features is it missing?

    http://ma shable.com/2010/01/27/ipad-what...
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 14:42

  • UncleLou #77 2 years ago

    Only if the manufacturers of the bronze spears had the the technology to make better ones

    Moot point, obviously. You can always make something "better", but have to find a compromise of price/launch date/features at one point.

    d also other companies were already making the iron ones, but they didn't look as nice.

    Except that they weren't sharp enough and splintered too easily. Unless you talk about Laptops, which is nonsense anyhow, as tablet PCs are in their own category.
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 14:44

  • kangarootoo #78 2 years ago

    I tell you what, I'm pretty damn sure that ornate spears have existed for a very long time. And maybe they weren't as sharp, but they were better balanced in the hand. And some people used them because they could afford to forgo the spear equivalent if a hard drive in favour of a better balanced spear that just looked nice and was fun to use.

    And I bet some other people slagged them off, and went on abouthow the spear just looked nice, but couldn't crack a coconut open (even though none of them ever ate coconuts anyway) because secretly they wanted an ornate spear too, but they couldn't afford to focus on anything othe than bringing down wildebeest in the shortest possible time.


    Seriously, people need to get into their heads that if all they care about (or can aford) is practicality, then NO the iPad probably isn't the best tool for them. But for some people, its also about Fun and Cool and Nice and all those things that do bloody well matter. I have to wonder that if some of the grumpier people on here opened their minds to things that are just Fun for fun's sake, they might not feel so angry about everything.

  • UncleLou #79 2 years ago

    What fucking features is it missing?

    http://ma shable.com/2010/01/27/ipad-what...

    Is that the article again that suggests it should have had a widescreen ratio? Lol. :D

  • mowgli #80 2 years ago

    Re. your link
    1. Multitasking is coming very soon
    2. There are drag and drop programmes for it, and that is hardly a missing feature so much as a different approach.
    3. It also doesn't have the awkward connector my very old printer requires but I don't consider it a missing feature ffs.
    4. No SD, nor does it have slots for the twenty other memory cards.
    etc. It is a fucking stupid thing to complain about. The 360 doesn't have an SD card slot, nor does it have a drag and drop file system, etc. etc. You have to be a dense cunt to complain about stuff you would like in something as a missing feature. It is not a missing feature, it is just something you would have liked to see in it. See: Everything else in the fucking world.

  • tonynibbles #81 2 years ago

    I've got a PSP, DS and an iPad...
    iPads are surprisingly awesome gaming machines, and great companions when playing on a console and seeking forum advice / walkthroughs without the hastle of a big fat laptop on your sofa.
    Don't knock it til you tried it ;)

    Geometry Wars, Command & Conquer, ANGRY BIRDS HD on a big proper screen on the way to work = perfect commute toy.
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 14:57

  • ignatiusjreilly #82 2 years ago

    Seriously, people need to get into their heads that if all they care about (or can aford) is practicality, then NO the iPad probably isn't the best tool for them. But for some people, its also about Fun and Cool and Nice

    That's fine, and I completely agree, which is why my analogy worked :) I was just pointing out that saying we are stuck eating mushrooms because we can't afford a spear with mammoths carved into the handle isn't true.

    That and analogies on EG are always fun, mainly because every analogy breaks down when you look at it too closely, and we do love to do that here :D

    @Mowgli: chill :)
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 15:06

  • kangarootoo #83 2 years ago

    @EarlBassett

    Something is going on here. I am starting to think your wife left you for a guy that owns an iPad or something like that. You are just clutching at the thinnest of straws, and I can't work out why you have so much anger inside for people who have chosen to buy one bit of Not-Actually-Important bit of electronic gadgetry over another Not-Actually-Important bit of electronic gadgetry.

    I honestly can't see anything other than deep seated jealously at the root of all this.

  • ignatiusjreilly #84 2 years ago

    Something is going on here.

    Trolling? You're not supposed to feed him.

  • Batfink #85 2 years ago

    [link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ipad-ow ners-less-likely-to-buy-consoles/comments?comment_start=50&i gnoreuser=299221&action=ignore
    ]http://ww w.eurogamer.net/articles/ipad-o...[/link]

    ignore poster

    aaaah that's better :)

  • kangarootoo #86 2 years ago

    @ignatiusjreilly

    Actually, I'm pretty sure he has me on ignore :)

  • Weezer #87 2 years ago

    Much as I recognise the futility of posting a forum which is about 50% Apple haters... here goes:

    I bought an iPad. I have all three consoles and a DS which I love dearly and an iPod Touch which is now surplus to requirements. (If you want to buy it PM me.) I bought the cheapest iPad so it was £429 - not £600 like some people are quoting. My first PlayStation was a Japanese import which probably cost £400+ so that's not an unusual early adopter purchase.

    I have no problem telling people what it's for: email and surfing the web first and foremost; it's great not having to use a ruddy great laptop burning my legs while watching TV or in bed. I also prop it up and use it as a TV, now that all our analogue portables have been consigned to the tip.

    I had it propped up so I could read a PDF instruction manual the other day while reviewing an app on my MacPro. That was handy.

    I have photos on it. It's a great viewer for showing holiday snaps to the folks. And a guy recently played his CG showreel to me on it, which looked amazing.

    I'm off to the SIGGRAPH show in Los Angeles soon, and it'll be useful for taking notes and doing interviews etc - check out Soundpaper.

    And, of course I play games on it. Currently playing Broken Sword 'cos I missed it first time around, but there's a stack of games that are tremendous fun, especially when the missus has some celebrity dross or fat people on the TV. But when she's not I have Xbox 360 for my main gaming. (PS3 not so much)

    So I really like it. I don't find it underpowered or under-featured, and I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford it. And yes, what I do with my own hard-earned earn is totally my fucking business.

    To everyone out there with their iPads: I hope you're enjoying them as much as I am!

  • madgerald Verified Studio Head of PR & Marketing, Colossal Games LTD #88 2 years ago

    @Earl - My ipad does have a USB connector and it has an SD card slot too; I purchased the camera kit for mine :)

    I personally don't care that those aren't built-in.

    Also, I can sit on the loo with my iPad - I've never really been able to do that with my macbook or desktop.

    And everything Weezer said too..
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 16:09

  • fkh #89 2 years ago

    My boss was nice enough to give me an iPod Touch for working overtime without pay (would never get anything that expensive otherwise). Owned it for over half a year now. Great devise for listening to music.

    Not that interested in gaming on the devise. Only a touch screen and nothing else is not to my liking when it comes to interacting with games, I`m afraid.

    So still using my DS Lite for gaming until 3DS comes along. Nintendo games plus buttons and pen for touch screen on the DS; listening to music on iPod Touch. A perfect combination.

  • erp #90 2 years ago

    @geeza2020: thanks, buddy. I know I should just put him on ignore, but there's just something too fascinating about observing an example of how wrong human evolution can go. I guess it's kindof like rubber-necking a Darwinian car crash.

  • UncleLou #91 2 years ago

    Because it kind of sounds like the reason people dislike Apple is because they are wish they could be as sociable and trendy as the people that use Apple products, but they just can't afford to join them. Is that seriously your theory?

    Not that I put that theory up, but judging from the bitter whining of some of the people in every Apple thread, it does not sound far-fetched at all. They're obviously people who care so much about "trendyness" that they constantly seem to feel the need to distance themselves from it (or what they perceive to be trendy), and be absurdly vocal about it at any given opportunity. Which is pretty psychotic behaviour, really.
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 18:32

  • layleeloo #92 2 years ago

    I can see where the article is coming from. Simple because since I got my iPad, and iPhone 4 I havn't been on any of my consoles even half as much as I used to. I own all 5 major current consoles yet where I used to be on my 360 and PS3 most days im lucy if im on them twice a week now.

    Not because its a better experience on iPad because it isn't. I will never buy FPS games etc for it, I will always use consoles for those as they are better. I don't buy any iphone or iPad games which are console ports because, well whats the point - they wont be as good. But for the games like Angry Birds, Oggy Smot and other games specific for the device its nice and easy to just flip it on while watching TV. So it alters the whole game playing experience in a way. So, I can see where the article is coming from but these devices wouldn't stop me buying one of each of the next gen consoles, just as I did this gen

  • Les #93 2 years ago

    I'm right now reading (some) of the comments on my MacBook Pro on the couch and wishing I had an iPad. A laptop is great for work and for temporarily storing my photos when on holiday but I don't expect to use it for much more once I've got my hands on an iPad TBH.

    Do I absolutely need one? No. But I can afford one and it will make my random internet browsing much more enjoyable than either my laptop or iPhone can make it.

    And imagine how cool I must look when I'll be sipping my Skimmed Vanilla Latte at Starbucks with a MacBook Pro and an iPad! ;)
    Edited by 1 at 09/07/10 @ 22:36

  • freakzilla #94 2 years ago

    Considering most of the ipad buyer are obsessed apple zombies is it so surprising?

  • gnrlstuart #95 2 years ago

    ipad is overpriced, ipad is not primarily a gaming machine, ipad is unpractical, ipad is a needless luxury.

  • UncleLou #96 2 years ago

    ut when you start thinking that those who dislike Apple are just jealous of the rich guys then you have become the worst type of person.

    Who's talking about people who "dislike Apple"? That's perfectly fine. As opposed to calling others cunts, idiots and whatnot at every given opportunity, and sheepishly repeating the same clichés over and over again. Unless you consider that to be normal behaviour, in which case you've become the worst type of person.

  • layleeloo #97 2 years ago

    @ gnrlstuart "ipad is overpriced, ipad is not primarily a gaming machine, ipad is unpractical, ipad is a needless luxury."

    Overpriced? hahaha. Erm, yeh right. Most mobile phones and smart phones cost more without a contract. Just as the 3GS cost £530 on launch and the iphone 4 cost £600 on launch - £430 for a device twice the size is not overpriced

    Not primarily a gaming machine? No it is not, you are right. BUT Is the PS3? No - its sold as a media device. Are PC's - no they are general devices with some brilliant games on. Are most consoles primarily a gaming machine? NO - not this gen. They are all hybrids of many media devices incorporating video, music and games - no none are really primarily gaming devices.

    Unpractical? Hmmmm. How do you figure that one then? They fit in any bag most people carry round - they are light, the battery lasts for ten hours, they save you carting around CD's, DVD's, books and a seperate games system. So - how is it unpractical please?

    Needless luxury? Needless only to those who have no need for it. Luxury - sure, but then so is every single electronig gadget made bar watches and a few other things. Do you NEED a games console? No you dont? Do you NEED a pc? No, but most people have one as you can do lots with them. Do you need an MP3 player, a camera, a....... I could go on. None of us NEED any electronic devices used for entertainment, but that is besides the point. We still buy them as we always find uses for them.

    I have met several sceptics since the iPad launch - however its funny how each of the 7 or so I have met, 6 out of those 7 soon changed their minds when I let them loose with mine for a few hours. Desire and usability is what sells gadgets - not need, not practicality and rarely price. If people want something enough - they will buy it. What saddens me though is the people who constantly slag off products when they don't have the first clue what they are talking about. At least I reserved my Judgement on all the major consoles on the market, until I owned one and had a valid argument. Alas I feel yours, are all personal assumption

    (before anyone jumps on me for being an "Apple fanboy" - sure I have a 27" iMac 15, iPad and iPhone 4, but I also have a laptop PC, PS3, 360, Wii, DS & PSP. I just love tech of all kinds and can see the advantages and disadvantages of each).
    Edited by 1 at 10/07/10 @ 00:49

  • clockworkzombie #98 2 years ago

    I purchase training & technical manuals in ebook / pdf format my 6" ebook reader is 4 levels of greyscale so images, charts and tables are not great. Perfect for reading novels though. PDF manuals tend to have large white borders on the ipad the borders are gone and the text is large and easier to read than on my other device. This is the reason I purchased an ipad.

    The 10" kindle is about the same price and will not open some of the files I own and the irex 10" reader I was contemplating is $1600AU compared to the $750AU I spent on the ipad and irex has gone into receivership too.

    The other uses like the eurogamer app, email, browsing et al are just icing on the cake. I have not had the device a week yet and have already read two books on it. Superb.

  • Spungles #99 2 years ago

    Classic posts on here.

    Computers, consoles, phones are just tools. It either does the job you want or it doesn't. And yes looking nice and impressing your friends can be the job you want it to do if you like. And nobody else can decide if its working for you but you. Why is that so hard for some to grasp?

    I'm reminded of Alan Partridge phoning his ex-wife to slag off her new fella's car. 'Not my words, Dave, the words of C&VG magazine'

  • Bangaioh #100 2 years ago

    fook apple and the ipad.

  • Quixz #101 2 years ago

    "iPad owners less likely to buy consoles" because they do not have any money left after a very silly purchase!

  • layleeloo #102 2 years ago

    @ Quixz If people have no money left after spending 4 or £500 then I think the person is doing something seriously wrong to be so skint! After all, the PS3 cost £400 at launch but people still had money to buy extra controller, 2 or 3 games, PSN network games etc. I rest my case.

  • mowgli #103 2 years ago

    Earl, yeah just like people who buy a laptop who have access to a PC. Or people who buy a console who have access to a laptop. Etc. etc.

    You really are a bitter mong.

  • Phishfood #104 2 years ago

    Just how many people did buy the iPad?

  • hiddenranbir #105 2 years ago

    Who "plans" to buy things? Sounds a rather long winded process.

  • layleeloo #106 2 years ago

    @ Phishfood

    One has been sold every 3 seconds since it launched. So - shit loads. 3 million is the last official count (and that was 2-3 weeks ago). Not bad in a couple of months
    Edited by 1 at 11/07/10 @ 16:13

  • Codger81 #107 2 years ago

    I don't hate Apple or its products, I just hate their fans ... they're worse than any console fanboy.

    Edit; oh, and Steve Jobs - what a monster c**t
    Edited by 1 at 11/07/10 @ 18:19

  • Charlie_Miso #108 2 years ago

    What sort of dickhead thinks Starbucks is part of a hipster lifestyle?

    Are you blokes that hard up for a cup of coffee you would even consider going to that shit hole?

  • geeza2020 #109 2 years ago

    ^^^ Costa shareholder?

  • Les #110 2 years ago

    "It's vocal, narrow-minded spec-nerds like you that often stand in the way of clean, easy user interfaces and dedicated, specialized devices. Thank God there's at least one company that doesn't constantly bow to the whining and is a little bit resistant to feature-creep."

    To be fair, the spec nerds were more or less created by the industry at large. Usability has always been a hard concept to sell. People have generally been more willing to pay for tangible (thus hardware) features, especially if it appeared they got more for less.

    With the introduction of the iPod and the iPhone, Apple has been able to let consumers experience their lead in user experience at a relatively lower price compared to their PC business of old. And now, slowly but steadily, people are beginning to realize that their most important resource is their time.

  • layleeloo #111 2 years ago

    @ codger81 "I don't hate Apple or its products, I just hate their fans ... they're worse than any console fanboy."

    Hmmmm. Elaborate please? Can you give some examples of this? The only Apple fans I personally know are more open minded and the least "fanboys" I've ever met. As opposed to one single console owning fans who call everyone else with a differing system "Fags" and the like - I am yet to personally meet an Apple fan who shits on other products, as everyone I know who loves Apple tech also owns and loves at least 2 other branded consoles and a PC? So how are Apple fans worse than console fanboys when most of them own and appreciate many other tech platforms?