What do you use your iPad for?

[amy-momofthree]

And do you like yours?

I almost have dh convinced that we need an iPad. We only have one computer, a laptop, and with two elementary school kids, it's a battle over who uses it.

I think we would use an ipad for movies, travel, Internet and email. I have an iPhone and enjoy a lot of
apps so I would use that as well
on the iPad.


If you have the 3G version, can
you stream movies(netflix) well? I
heard it can sometimes be a bit
grainy?

Thanks for any tips!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you have the 3G version, can
you stream movies(netflix) well?

Yes, and the quality is fine, not grainy. You can also stream from Netflix using wifi if you have a wifi connection.

I have the wifi only version and my husband has a 3G iPad 2. They are great. If you have an HBO subscription or a Hulu+ subscription, you can also stream content from them. Same if you have Comcast/Infinity for your cable.

There are great apps for kids and adults as well. So much easier to see on the iPad versus the iPhone. We travel a lot and having an iPad really helps the long hours on a plane pass more quickly.

 

[elgerber]

I am using mine to type this reply

 

[Cotton's Parrot]

I have the 3G model but use it the majority of the time connected to wifi. I read ebooks (Kindle/Nook apps), check email, surf the web, play games, listen to music, etc. I've watched a few things on Netflix over wifi but experienced a lot of graininess and stream interruptions over 3G. That was a while ago. Maybe it's better now than it was. I've found that it hasn't replaced my laptop or desktop for "heavier" computing, but it's great for web and email at home and on the go. Browsing Dis on the iPad right now! It's one of the few gizmos I've bought that I literally use every day.

 

[MNTwinsMom]

I use the ipad for lots of things I used to start up my laptop for . . .
checking email
web browsing
checking the weather
watching youtube videos
looking at pictures
watching videos from itunes

I haven't gotten used to the keyboard yet and the autocorrect drives me CRAZY, so if I know I'm going to be typing alot I still prefer the laptop.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

We use ours like an extra TV. Stream Netflix and Hulu plus over our home wifi. Play a few games. Download color publications on Overdrive.

 

[stacie_d]

Most of the above, and it has nearly completely taken the place of my work laptop computer. I can use my ipad to tap into my work computer and work remotely using the pc connect app. I do have the docking keyboard to use with it as well. (And now regret not getting the bluetooth keyboard.)

 

[ancestry]

I use mine for everything. I even teach online at a university and use my iPad for most of that. Books, movies, email, Disboards, etc-- all on the iPad.

 

[dislal]

I love my iPad I use it for just about everything I used my desktop computer for, plus I use the kindle app, the iPod on it is nice too. Honestly, it hardly ever gets put down during the day. The whole family fights over it in the evenings.

After I had it for about a month, I told DH that I think I love the iPad more than I love him that has now become the family joke!

 

[Swimalie]

My husband has one. He uses it to read the news every day, surf the internet, play games, watch movies (he loaded them on a back up hard drive we have and gets them through the network in our house). He has the 32 GB WiFi model. He loves that he can stay connected while he travels for work.

 

[Kies99]

And do you like yours?

I almost have dh convinced that we need an iPad. We only have one computer, a laptop, and with two elementary school kids, it's a battle over who uses it.

I think we would use an ipad for movies, travel, Internet and email. I have an iPhone and enjoy a lot of
apps so I would use that as well
on the iPad.

This describes my situation EXACTLY (well, minus the iPhone part ).

Anyway, I have the 32gb WiFi iPad 2 and LOVE IT! When I'm home, even if I'm not using it I find myself carrying it around and always having it close by. I've only had for a little over a month now so I'm by no means an expert but I can't seem to live without it!

I'll say this, for all you described above (movies, travel, etc...), this device is tailor-made to do that! For productivity, I don't know if this is the way you'd want to go (meaning to take place of PC).

As for Netflix, I do it all the time with WiFi. While I do notice a difference between the iPad and TV quality, it is not enough to bother me and I do it all the time.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS DEVICE TO ANYONE!!

 

[mlaw]

Dislal, that is so funny about your family joke. My husband bought the ipad for me a year ago for my birthday. At least once a week now he says that I love the ipad more than him. I have never been a techy or gadget person but I LOVE my ipad. I use it everyday and have not been on the household laptop for the past year.

 

[QueenRocks]

I haven't gotten used to the keyboard yet and the autocorrect drives me CRAZY, so if I know I'm going to be typing alot I still prefer the laptop.

You can turn autocorrect off. Go to settings, click on general, then click on keyboard - click on autocorrect and turn it off.

 

[MrsPete]

It's good for . . .

- surfing the net -- that's really its main function; it's convenient to be able to use the iPad while sitting on the sofa watching TV.
- internet access away from home; you can't beat the combination of screen size /weight.
- checking email FAST 'cause it's already THERE.
- movies away from home.

It's not good for . . .

- typing responses; it's slow and it's easy to make mistakes.
- reading books; the glare on the screen is awful, and the weight of the iPad gets old in a hurry if you're a lie-on-your-back-reader.
- using recipes in the kitchen; it turns off before you get to the next step.
- battery life.

In conclusion, I like but do not love my iPad. It is a nice little tool, but it is not the do-everything wonder that it's made out to be.

 

[elgerber]

It's good for . . .

- surfing the net -- that's really its main function; it's convenient to be able to use the iPad while sitting on the sofa watching TV.
- internet access away from home; you can't beat the combination of screen size /weight.
- checking email FAST 'cause it's already THERE.
- movies away from home.

It's not good for . . .

- typing responses; it's slow and it's easy to make mistakes.
- reading books; the glare on the screen is awful, and the weight of the iPad gets old in a hurry if you're a lie-on-your-back-reader.
- using recipes in the kitchen; it turns off before you get to the next step.
- battery life.

In conclusion, I like but do not love my iPad. It is a nice little tool, but it is not the do-everything wonder that it's made out to be.

I don't agree on the battery life. My battery will last 3-4 time longer than my netbook battery does.

 

[rock_doctor]

I would like to remind that there are tons of Android pads out there now that are less the $200 and do exactly what is stated above. Unless you are an Apple lover you could consider an android pad. I have a nice 10" that does all of the above but in my case it uses Micro SD memory cards as memory and will happily use a usb keyboard or usb key or what ever. I have 2-32gig cards so mine has 64gb of storage. Something to consider. I use mine for email, web surfing, working on documents, watching HD video, listening to music and ytube surfing. You should sign up for newegg sales emails. They about once a month have laptops on sale for less then $400. You could get a new laptop for the cost of an iPad. Tuesday they had a 15" dell laptop for ~$349 as a one day sale.

 

[RobDIS]

Love mine, don't regret the purchase at all.

I use it mainly for browsing the web and games. Also pop it on a stand every now and then and use it to play music while eating dinner, etc. The built in speaker is fine in a quiet room and it is super easy/convenient and Pandora is outstanding. Also have one of the bluetooth keyboards I use if I'm going to be typing more than a sentence or two. And, I've read a few books on it. Oh yeah, and it's great for checking e-mail or facebook.

I figured I'd get a good bit of use out of it, but I truly use it way more than even I expected.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I would like to remind that there are tons of Android pads out there now that are less the $200 and do exactly what is stated above. Unless you are an Apple lover you could consider an android pad. I have a nice 10" that does all of the above but in my case it uses Micro SD memory cards as memory and will happily use a usb keyboard or usb key or what ever. I have 2-32gig cards so mine has 64gb of storage. Something to consider. I use mine for email, web surfing, working on documents, watching HD video, listening to music and ytube surfing. You should sign up for newegg sales emails. They about once a month have laptops on sale for less then $400. You could get a new laptop for the cost of an iPad. Tuesday they had a 15" dell laptop for ~$349 as a one day sale.

One thing that I experienced after a particularly work intensive vacation last December is that my iPad made me really want to completely ditch my laptop. In addition to being heavier, the slow start up on the laptop drove me crazy when I wanted to deal with a work issue and be done in 10 mintues or less.

Since then, I have gotten the GoodReader and Go To My PC App that have made my iPad even more functional for work use. But I still travel with a laptop, just in case.

As to other tablets, I would be interested in reading reviews of the Android based tablets that you are finding for less than $200 that are just as good as the iPad. I think the one that comes closest is probably the rooted Color Nook. All of the reviews I have read for true Android tablets have stated that those which are even somewhat similar to the iPad cost as much or more. -- Suzanne

 

[Cotton's Parrot]

As to other tablets, I would be interested in reading reviews of the Android based tablets that you are finding for less than $200 that are just as good as the iPad. I think the one that comes closest is probably the rooted Color Nook. All of the reviews I have read for true Android tablets have stated that those which are even somewhat similar to the iPad cost as much or more. -- Suzanne

The $200 Android tab's that come close to iPad (not so close now that the iPad 2 is out) are the ones that are subsidized by the cellular companies, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab. It's $200 - if you sign up for a 2-year data plan. Retail cost without a plan is $500. The cheapest plan is 1GB/month for $20/month. Over 2 years, that adds $480 to the "cheap" $200 tablet. A closer comparison is the Moto Xoom -- $599 with contract, $799 without. If you don't need 3G, you can get the 64GB iPad 2 for $100 less than the Xoom without a contract. The only thing I think the Xoom gives you is a slightly better browsing experience. You know -- that whole Apple/Flash feud. If you absolutely have to have Flash, then an Android tab might be better. But to your point, as expensive or more so than iPad.

The other "cheap" Android tablets I've tried, like the various Pandigital models, are junk. Slow processors, poor touch screens, subpar battery life.

I'm by no means an Apple fanboy but the iPads just plain work. I've had enough disappointing experiences with Android smartphones that I'm not sold on the Android tablets.

 

[amy-momofthree]

Thanks everyone! Now, I REALLY want one!!

I almost have him convinced! We went into Best Buy last weekend to look at them again and while we were talking to the sales guy, my toddler threw a temper tantrum and dh wanted outta there

Maybe I can talk him into going back for another look