Take a look at this...
Posted on 03/31/2011 7:36:01 PM PDT by harpu
When someone asks me if I've changed my mind yet and now want one of Apple's new iPads, I tell them: "Well, even if I did, I probably wouldn't want to spend $2,000 on one."
They generally looked at me, baffled. "What do you mean, $2,000? I thought they started at $500." But I figure $2,000 is the minimum that Steve Jobs's new toy is going to cost me.
How come?
Simple. If I don't spend that $500, I'll invest it.
Historically, the stock market has produced average long-term returns of maybe 5% a year above inflation. (More on this below.)
At that rate, in 10 years' time my $500 will have grown to about $800. That's in today's dollars—after inflation. In 15 years it'll be about $1,000, and in 30 years, $2,000.
I figure I'll be retiring in about 30 years, which is when I'm going to need lots of capital. I can have the iPad now, or about $2,000 then.
Thanks, but I'll take the $2,000.
(If I were younger the iPad would cost me even more. If you're 30 or younger and you just bought one, congratulations: It probably cost you about $3,000.)
Yes, I typically do these mental calculations, at least in the back of my mind, for most things. I typically come back from the mall with no bags, gleefully clutching my future millions. (Warren Buffett, as Jason Zweig reminded us over the weekend, takes a similar view.)
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
This is plain BS, utter FUD from an anti-Apple writer.
He’s talking about opportunity cost and not even considering the return on the investment of the iPod, which is certainly greater than zero.
The iPad has utility. Does it make you more productive? Is it portable, can it make you portable? Could you write an email on an iPod and secure a business deal.
This is worse than lazy writing, it’s corrupted pandering.
iPod = iPad. I’ve been writing about iPods all day, some of it, incidentally on my iPad.
If this were just an entertainment toy, and you’re seriously worried about making it in retirement, putting off pleasure purchases makes a lot of sense. But it’s supposed to be a business tool like a laptop computer would be. Best as I can tell, it is a laptop computer sans keyboard. Can it help earn at least as much as its price more than if one went without? If the answer is yes, then the argument given is sophistry.
So when your ‘78 Datsun B210 finally dies with 642,000 miles on the clock and you buy a new bare bones Corolla to replace it, the car actually cost you $60,000? That is just plain stupid. If you want an IPad, buy one. Screw this toads mind game to keep him from hitting strip clubs and blowing his paycheck.
Not BS at all. These electronic gadgets are toys. Less than 1% of folks really need an Ipad, Ipod, cellphone, laptop, or any of the other wizbang gadget that have a 3 year life cycle.
In case you weren’t around then, we went to the moon, designed nuclear bombs, built the Hoover Dam, and thousands of other feats we can’t seem to figure out how to do today. And all these accomplishments were done without all these “look at me, I am important” toys.
So throw away your three year life cycle computer and log on to FR with a typewriter already. Preferably a manual one.
He who dies with the most toys..... Wins
I believe you'll find quite a few people who buy laptops as entertainment toys could replace it with an iPad, but very few people who use a laptop as their primary business tool could do that.
FWIW, the military/industrial places I’ve worked didn’t allow private memory devices on site, nor did they allow cell phones with cameras.
I’ll admit that this makes little sense, since after six months of work on a circuit I could easily recreate both the hardware and the software from memory, but those were the rules.
Being a road warrior type, I’ve a simple cell phone, and it is always carried. I’m married, and the wife needs to be able to find me.
When the tornado went through NH a couple of years back, she killed off a perfectly run meeting with her call. She wouldn’t call during working hours with anything minor, so up and out went I.
I have the laptop for other communications, but YMMV.
It would be nice to have one with a keyboard that could be slipped in and out of the body of the unit as the need called for. Pure pad, or serious typing, your choice.
If I wanted to cut back on stuff I didn't need I would stop getting coffee on the way to work and make my own when I get there.
My toys help make my life interesting, productive and enjoyable.
I just wish mine were as cheap as an iPad.
:)
It depends if you will REALLY become more productive because of the iPad or if it just another toy.
What do you use on your end of the conversation?
I bought an iPad for $830.
Two months later I had turned that into $2400.
And it’s still averaging me an extra $600/month income.
The “online anytime anywhere” let me leverage otherwise wasted 5-30 minute periods into productive work.
Going to the moon was little more than adults playing with very expensive toys.
“Strange how much human progress and accomplishment comes from contemplation of the irrelevant.” - Scott Kim
I am competing in a contest right now to try and win an iPad from a local Nissan dealer. The contest ends in a month. So far, I’m way ahead. Not many others competing. I want this iPad.
Take a look at this...
I would have gotten another iPad 2 if I didn't need to access and work on my work computer.
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