iPadkneesup.com

I realize this site is more of a commentary than a complaint, but I'd like to point out that the original pad, the one made of a hundred sheets of paper, is also somewhat awkward to hold and write on, and works best while you're hunched over one on a table in front of you. Millions of people still use them.

In fact, writing at all while standing or sitting without a stable surface in front of you is pretty awkward, and with a normal notebook/laptop, it's damn near impossible because of the bulk of the thing.

I just brought this up on the iPad. I realized that I'm in bed with my knees up. It's unconscious! Whatever you find yourself doing with a book or a magazine, you unconsciously do the same with an iPad. To me, this is a sign they got the form factor right.

Update: lie in bed and browse one handed, but roll to sit on the edge with crossed leg to post. Again unconscious and noticed after the fact.

First annoyance: Have to go back to my laptop to copy-paste and quote another HN post for a reply. Can't double-tap to copy!

Solved by one second of tinkering: doubletap-drag to use copy-paste!

My iPad comes today. I'm excited about it.

Yet I'm pretty sure this isn't a quirk of their advertisement, though they do want to convey relaxation as much as possible. Apple is trying very far to avoid demonstrating/emphasizing the natural usability limitations of tablet computers.

On-screen typing for a tablet while at a desk is rather awkward since the natural tendency is to hunch over it to see beyond your hands and look down at the rest of the screen. That's not really comfortable and doesn't look very natural.

Even during casual use, any two-hand operation of the screen would need some sort of support behind it. Since setting it on a desk is awkward (per above), you'll need your lap to brace a tablet for those operations.

I assumed Apple is just trying to keep the attention focused on how awesome their product is rather than on the usability disadvantages that are inherent in such a product.

The fact that people noticed the "knees up" nature in their advertisement means Apple failed somewhat at making this posture and behavior appear natural. I bet the creation of a site like this is making at least one of their marketing guys sadder than he was before.

Edit: I just got my iPad. First comment: it's heavier than I expected after using a Kindle so much-- you'll want to brace it behind something for long-time use.

Funny. Also completely intentional. Nothing says "no worries, relaxed" as much as having your legs up.

Someone should make an ipad holder that looks like a pair of knees.

I suspect that this is the primary reason the iPad doesn't have the long-anticipated front facing camera. Video conferencing on it would turn us all into a bunch of nostril gazers.

I remember thinking about this after watching the iPad Guided Tour Videos. "Oh, it is also necessary to kick up your legs before using an iPad. I mean who computes with their feet on the ground." - http://twitter.com/nirmalpatel/status/11266710288

Heh, I'm lying in bed reading Hacker News this morning, and where is my MacBook? Perilously balanced on my knee ;)