For those who haven't seen this one yet (if any still exist): Announcing the Apple iProduct.

will this calm you down?
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apple

Damn, there's a phrase I never thought I'd see!

Reminds me of a joke:

Whats the hardest thing about owning an iPhone?

– Coming out to your friends and family.

Surprising isn't it. My iPhone 4 cost around 42000 yen (sorry can't find the paperwork for the exact price) paid in monthly installments of about 2000 yen. But the plan I use also grants a monthly discount equivalent to the monthly installment. So ultimately, I'll only pay 2000 yen (first month isn't discounted) for the phone.

The only stipulation for that discount is that you don't change the phone model until it's paid off. Otherwise you forfeit the discount and pay the rest in a lump sum. In comparison, the non-smart Japanese brand phone my wife wants costs 118,000 yen. Japanese brand smart phones are around the same price as that.

I suppose it's possible that the Android is either cheaper or of a comparable price as the iPhone but there's no local provider that offers that one here.

Thats awesome and totally true, maybe slight exaguration (sp) but still great

I read an economics paper recently and they hit me in the face with a brickbat: There is no lack of goods to buy, there is a lack of consumers to buy them as wealth is so concentrated.

There's an iPad2 because Apple already tapped the market and now it's time to ask some of the same consumers to upgrade (and get a few hold outs to jump on board).

I've been waiting all my life for a machine more expensive than a basic laptop and half as useful.

While I share your sentiment, I still have to admit that laptop/netbook form factor leaves something to be desired in certain situations (such as standing on the metro). Now, I wouldn't pay 600 bucks (or whatever) to get an iPad, but I might pay 100 bucks for a tablet at some point that would see some use.

I was serious about the T101MT Netvertible. If you are interested in this sort of thing, I'd give it a look - ASUS's customer service sucks (whose doesn't, these days, except Netflix) but I've very much enjoyed having this computer.

Why does it matter if they're releasing a new iPad? I don't know if you knew this, but Apple is in the business of making and selling technology. What does a company do after they have their product out for a while? They make a bigger, better product! There's also the common rule that many people have, where they wait for the second generation of Apple products before jumping in. If there's enough improvement with the iPad 2 (Front-facing camera, better resolution, etc.) then I will probably get one.

Have you even used an iPad? They're quite useful. I borrowed one from the campus library, and I'm rather impressed. It would be a lot more convenient for me to throw that in my backpack than to lug around my heavy laptop. Also, it is the cheapest tablet on the market, so the whole Apple Tax argument doesn't apply here.

I haven't used an iPad, but don't they still require you to use 2 hands? How do you hold on?

You do know that Android is an OS, right? There are tons of different phone models that use Android.

2001 called. It wanted its astonishment at Apple selling shiny crap to human magpies back.