Given the failure of tablet computers to achieve success over many years why has the iPad sold so well?

My thoughts are:-

The Apple brand
The iPod/iPhone heritage
Compactness, even though there are complaints about weight
Instant start, from hibernation at least

On the negative side:-

No SD card slot
No printer access
No access to file system
Many web pages aren't suited to touch navigation
Being forced to use the App Store to buy and instal apps

Because its Apple. And just like with the Iphone, they are successful. Mostly because of their great marketing and amazing Ios, that is pretty much flawless.(with the functions it has)

That's what I meant by iPod heritage. I think that it is a major factor in the success of the iPad.

Of course this heritage is undoubtedly behind some of the shortcomings. The iPad's larger screen removes some of the constraints the affect the iPhone and IPod.

Negative is in the eye of the beholder! Believe it or not, there are people who actually did research the product BEFORE they bought it and knew fully well what the iPad could and could not do and bought it because it suited their needs/wants just as it is.

Personally, I don't see any of those things you mentioned as being a negative attribute of the iPad. For the same reason, I do not feel the need to jailbreak my iPad either.

Maybe I am in the minority, but I bought my iPad because of what it could do right out of the box, not for what I wanted it to do, thought it would be able to do or what I could make it do by doing an end run around the iOS.

Its OK to like the iPad just the way Apple designed it!

But there is a USB port

it comes with your camera SD card reader attachment.

But if all those things are so important to you, then why didn't you buy a laptop or netbook instead of an iPad?

No SD card slot, meh, who cares?
No printing? That's coming in November.
No file system? It's not a computer, doesn't need a file system (but I agree it might be useful to some people)
Websites not good with touch? I haven't found one yet, what sites are you talking about?
I like the app store. Tons of great apps!

Most of the negatives you listed can easily be remedied with jailbreaking. Using the camera connection kit you can easily transfer files using ifile. I wouldn't have my iPad any other way!

He forgot to mention battery life. No laptop comes close.

The reason that prevous tablets failed is because they were running Windows. Apple built the iPad with ios in mind.

It boggles the mind when people who don't like the device take the time to join this forum and critize the device. You would think they had better things to do?

They do have better things to do... like jailbreak their iPad in order to get these "must have" features then post all of their subsequent problems in the Hacking section when they can't figure out where their Cydia apps went when they install the latest iOS then complain about how long it is taking Spirit to come out with another FREE jailbreak for the new iOS so they can get their "must have" features back... and so the cycle continues!

Why is it popular?

It's so thin compared to all those slabs before it...
And the graphics are so quick it makes the touch interface shine.
Any demonstration is a jaw dropper. I must have sold a dozen people on it...


(Guess what! I'm writing this on my PC toaster)

You absolutely correct on battery life. It is one of THE reasons I decided to get an iPad.
As for why did I bother even though I percieved some shortcomings?
The iPad has enough appeal to get me to part my my money. I can leave in on the coffee table access the web at a moment's notice AND it goes for days without recharging.
I do get a little frustrated that I still have to fire up my notebook to print something out or save an email attachment though.
I think that you are over-reacting to my negative comments by the way. Overall I am quite positive about the iPad, these are just some things that Ithink could be improved.

Price and portability - and marketing. I think people would tolerate less battery life. The old Tablet PCs had many advantages over the iPad, but they were $3000. Some were more portable, but most were still bulky and heavy compared to the iPad.

I have been a huge fan of the Tablet PC platform since the first generations, but its marketing was almost completely non-existent and the price was WAAAAYY to high for mass adoption. The technology just wasnt ready yet.

Have you seen the commercials running during football this weekend? Apple sure knows how to market.

The reason the iPad found a home in my 2 netbook, 2 17" laptop life is that it's that sweet spot device. Bigger than a PocketPC yet still mobile enough to be easy to whip out on a whim.

In future I'll still travel with a netbook but that'll stay in my backpack or back at the hotel while the iPad can live in my purse.

Updated List

Based on the replies, I realise that there are some positives of the iPad that definitely influenced my decision but that I failed to list.

Positives:-

The Apple brand
The iPod/iPhone heritage
Compactness, even though there are complaints about weight
Instant start, from hibernation at least
Battery life
Price
It's pretty cool

Could do better:-

No SD card slot
No printer access
No access to file system
Many web pages aren't suited to touch navigation
Being forced to use the App Store to buy and instal apps

Some respodents seem to think that I am negative about the iPad. Not true, I like it for the resaons listed but there is definitely room for improvement.

I've convinced a fair share of people to actually buy one, and even more people from strictly bashing it to 'wanting one' just by letting them play with mine.

Talking about it is fine I suppose, but it's a whole 'nother ball game when you actually let them pick it up with their hands and play with it, which is what I think is a big deciding factor for a lot of people.

Of course, there is always the Apple brand name to back it up but you guys already discussed it : )

You forgot:

Unbeatable battery life (mine gets upwards of 16 hours)

Best LCD panel on the market (its actually the same panel as the $2500 HP

Dream Color display)

Everything is fast fast fast! Sure safari has its crashy issues....hopefully it is being worked on...but I have never gotten an app that didn't work or was not compatible.

Video streaming blows away any other device, including laptops (thanks to the screen!)

The UI. Since everything is built for the device it all feels right....windows with a touch screen just doesn't work.

Apple support is ALWAYS a plus...if anything goes wrong they will replace it within a year (two if you get apple care!)

Then when you jailbreak you find a whole other world of great!

oh BTW, as for your negatives:

No SD card slot - The camera connection kit comes with an SD reader and a USB reader...both of which work great with iFile (you can even watch videos off of it!)

No printer access - There are about 30 apps for that....and it will be native next month.

No access to file system - iFile

Many web pages aren't suited to touch navigation - Now you can't blame that on the device...

Being forced to use the App Store to buy and instal apps - Cydia anyone?

I read the other day that Apple expect to sell over 40 million iPads in the next 2-3 years. That is some growth!

Not having to consider battery life, portability, instant on and silent operation are all great pluses in my book

" Personally, I don't see any of those things you mentioned as being a negative attribute of the iPad. For the same reason, I do not feel the need to jailbreak my iPad either." Agree a 100%.