---
source: https://jimeh.me/blog/2010/about-that-pad-thing/
date: 2010-02-06
archive: jimeh.me
tags:
  - technology
  - apple
  - opinion
---

# About That "Pad" Thing

Why the iPad backlash missed the point: it was never really meant for geeks.

![About That "Pad" Thing](https://jimeh.me/_astro/firmbee-com-OP2EQ5g-Zkw-unsplash.Cc6UbiDA.jpg)

So I was gonna write a post with my opinions about the iPad, but a cup of tea
and staring at wall of wet paint is almost more tempting. If you don't get why
the iPad is important, and why it will succeed, I'm not even gonna try
convincing you otherwise, time will just prove you wrong and make you feel
stupid.

By this point you're then thinking "What the fuck is this post about then?".
[Sugarenia](http://sugarenia.com/) just wrote up a quick rant regarding her
[opinions](http://blog.sugarenia.com/archives/rantings/saturday-ranting-about-ipad-flash)
(dead link) on the iPad, which pretty much sums up my own opinions to the
letter. Only she's written and explained herself much better than I most likely
would have:

> The iPad is not made for you and me, fellow geek. It's primarily targeted to
> people that are still afraid of interacting with PCs, those that don't have a
> clue about drivers and web apps and Wi-Fi setup. And this is exactly the kind
> of people that **won't** buy a Linux netbook, dear Open Source zealots —
> because as much as Ubuntu has made Linux user-friendly, there's still much
> filling that shows between the seams.

**Update:** I just noticed a
[post](http://octidextro.us/2010/01/28/apples-ipad-and-why-its-upsetting-geeks/)
(dead link) by another friend of mine which is also good:

> I think the main reason why self-described geeks are throwing a fit over the
> iPad is that it's a shiny new toy that's not meant for them.