iPad2 Ergonomics - it is NOT "rounded"
So what does everyone think of the ergonomics of the ipad2?
I keep seeing people claim that it is more "rounded". How the hell did this incorrect meme get started anyway? The exact opposite is true. The new iPad is actually more pointy. Indeed, it is downright sharp. Perhaps the word these people are looking for is "tapered". But keep in mind that it now tapers to a point.
That's right, I'm on a one man crusade to fix the internet's description of the iPad2. It simply isn't rounded. It tapers to a point, a sharp point. My theory is that people are easily influenced and that they're just parroting an adjective they heard elsewhere without giving any thought to if it is the appropriate word. Mark my words, the word rounded will slowly disappear from our vocabulary when referring to the ipad2.
The significance is that it will be considered too sharp for many people to use without a case. I am one of those people. After just 10 minutes of use, my suspicion was confirmed, my hands were sore with red marks and indentations where the weight of the pointy ipad2 rests on my palms in normal use.
That's ok for me though. I've got a case on order that will solve the problem.
The case will solve another problem, grippability. Without a case, I've always found iPhones and iPads to be too slippery. This results in uncomfortable gripping with too much pressure yet still not having a secure grasp.
With that said, I absolutely love the iPad and ipad2. I just felt the need to correct these thousands of reviews and posts saying that the new iPad is more "rounded". It is the exact opposite of rounded!
I keep seeing people claim that it is more "rounded". How the hell did this incorrect meme get started anyway? The exact opposite is true. The new iPad is actually more pointy. Indeed, it is downright sharp. Perhaps the word these people are looking for is "tapered". But keep in mind that it now tapers to a point.
That's right, I'm on a one man crusade to fix the internet's description of the iPad2. It simply isn't rounded. It tapers to a point, a sharp point. My theory is that people are easily influenced and that they're just parroting an adjective they heard elsewhere without giving any thought to if it is the appropriate word. Mark my words, the word rounded will slowly disappear from our vocabulary when referring to the ipad2.
The significance is that it will be considered too sharp for many people to use without a case. I am one of those people. After just 10 minutes of use, my suspicion was confirmed, my hands were sore with red marks and indentations where the weight of the pointy ipad2 rests on my palms in normal use.
That's ok for me though. I've got a case on order that will solve the problem.
The case will solve another problem, grippability. Without a case, I've always found iPhones and iPads to be too slippery. This results in uncomfortable gripping with too much pressure yet still not having a secure grasp.
With that said, I absolutely love the iPad and ipad2. I just felt the need to correct these thousands of reviews and posts saying that the new iPad is more "rounded". It is the exact opposite of rounded!
Comments
That's right, I'm on a one man crusade to fix the internet's description of the iPad2.
How far have you taken it? If this is the only post you've made on the whole internet, it's probably a little short of a crusade but I guess it has to start somewhere.
After just 10 minutes of use, my suspicion was confirmed, my hands were sore
Clearly one of the anti-porn features.
That's ok for me though. I've got a case on order that will solve the problem.
Apple often make their metal designs too sharp - it really forces the use of a case of some kind. If you run your finger along the edge of their keyboards, it feels like a blunt knife edge. It makes them look nice of course but definitely too sharp.
That's odd. I disagree with that although I admit I only used an iPad 2 for several minutes. Even so, I totally disagree with the smaller bezel thing. How large are your thumbs anyway?
It isn't odd at all, but perhaps it doesn't affect everyone.
It is a well understood ergonomic principle that sharp edges in contact with the human body are bad. The new iPad tapers to a sharper point than the old one. While the old iPad had a ridge between perpendicular surfaces. The front and back of the new iPad meet at an acute angle. While the exact point of that intersection isn't as sharp as the old design, it does result in smaller contact surface where the weight comes to rest in the user's hands. Indeed, the edges of the new iPad resemble the profile of a knife blade.
The effective weight bearing surface has roughly decreased from a 1/4 inch wide edge to a 1/16 inch wide edge.
As for how large are my thumbs, they're 9/8 inch wide, which is wider than the bezel.
Neither of these are an issue when the iPad is used in a case. The case distributes the weight over a larger area and eliminates sharp edges. It also provides a more grippable texture and shape.
Depending on the percentage of users that prefer cases, this may still have been the best design tradeoff despite ergonomic concerns. Perhaps it provides a more suitable surface to be enclosed in a case.
My prediction is that this realization will eventually work its way through the userbase and find its way into online reviews.