Ipad users help me decide if I need one...

[bellebud]

ok, we all (me, dh and 2 kids) each have our own laptops. I have a sony e-reader which I love. Both kids have Itouches. DH and I have blackberry phones.

My thought was for vacations. We homeschool and travel a bit (4 - 6 times a year), and when we drive, we all take our laptops (have to keep up w/ emails, etc, of course). But when we fly somewhere (or cruise), we don't take any laptops because it's a pain. I was keeping up w/ emails with my blackberry, but I don't like it (too small of a screen).

Is there anything we'd get out of an Ipad that we don't already have with all our other gadgets?

 

[simba20]

The only downside I can see is that it doesn't come with Word Processing software like Office, so when you want to open up your word processor and type up some notes or work, it doesn't have that. Plus the "keyboard" is all touch, and while I have used my FIL's and typed replies to things, it is very akward. In addition to not having a word processing program, it really doesn;t have the ability to "save" files, nor is there a place to hook up a flash drive to transfer files to your computer and work back and forth like you would on a laptop.

However, Apple awlays changes things, adds updates, etc...so hopefully these abilites will come.

Now with that said, I have seen enough that made me finally decide that I wanted one. I love to hold books and read, but my bookshelf space limit my ability to buy books (and I have done some weeding). It started out for me, as wanting an e-reader, but then deciding to go whole hog and have the ability to surf the Internet when I wanted to. DD is three, and she just lacks the coordination to play educational games on the Wii or on the computer (mouse control is a toughie). I asked FIl to download a few apps for DD on his iPad and with the touch screen, she can figure them out and play them. Once I saw that she could do that, I was sold.

So now my issue is:
-- what size to buy?
-- do I want the 3G or not? I look at the 3G as having Internet on demand meaning I don;t always have to be in a wifi location to surf. Granted most of the time I will be at home using it, but then I could also take it to Disney and sit by the pool and surf and read. Decisions, decisions. To go for the 3G or not is totally affected by the size I buy.

 

[dawson5]

My husband is asking for one for Christmas. My neighbor has one. He loves it, but his major gripe is that he cannot multi-task. He just had knee replacement surgery and it helped him pass the time. He streamed netflix I think. He was also able to do some work from it. He found it easier to use than one of their laptops. He spent quite a bit of time the first week or two, on his back with his leg(s) raised.

My biggest issue is do I get hubby this now or give him a gift card to wait for the new one. From what I understand they should resolve some of the multi-tasking issue, add a camera and supposedly work out the issue with flash (I think that is what it is). Hubby would like to sit in front of the tv on Sunday, surfing the web and playing mafia wars. From what I understand, he would be able to play MW, but would have to restart on a different server.

 

[RitaE]

well, there is a word processor app you can get - I can't remember it but my husband has it. It can create Word Documents. There's also going to be an ePrint function soon where you can print out what you type up.

For document saving, sycning etc we use Dropbox so everything stays updated across all machines. In other words he can create a document on his iPAD, save it to the Dropbox account and then it will be on his work computer when he gets to the office. He can make changes at the office and when he gets home the updated version is on his iPAD.

My high schooler has asked for one of the keyboards and docking stations for Christmas. He thinks he'll type most of his homework up on those rather than his computer but we'll see.

The thing my son most loves about the iPAD is web surfing and reading Manga. Regular text orientated books he prefers the Kindle with the eInk screen.

 

[momrek06]

We really did not think it through at all. One Sunday in June, DH said let's go look at those new Ipads. We did. And we loved everything the Apple tech said. And came home with our new Ipad. DH & I love it so much, that we do need another one.

There are 3 styles, we bought the middle one.

 

[136368]

It's awesome. So damn awesome. I've found that I actually use it more than my laptop, now that iWork (Apple's version of Office) is available for it as well as the famous movie and sound player VLC.

The internet rules, it's beautifully rendered and easy to use. Male is a treat and the IM apps you can get for it help you keep in touch. Of course there's the iPod function and iBooks (as well as Kindle access) so you're never bored. It plays video continuously for 10 blinding hours, making flights easy and will stand by for an amazing month! I have thousands of songs on my iPad as well as loads of South Park, Family Guy, movies and so on, loads of the stuff.

Finally, you can always get mobile access meaning that you don't need a WiFi hot spot to access the internet.

As I said, it rules and I have no regrets getting one.