Why should I buy an iPad?

[DisneyKevin]

It really depends on how much Apple formatted media you have. For people like Kevin, who has a large library of Apple movies and music, it's really a no brainer. The screen size is so much nicer to watch a movie on than an iPhone. Also, the Netflix app does a great job (at least it does in Canada, I assume it works just as well in the US).

If you're just starting out and don't have a large Apple library, I'd hold off. Unless you're doing extremely basic things on it (email etc.), I'd say you're good with you're laptop. If it's a huge laptop, I'd suggest a notebook, as the majority of popular sites, or at least the ones I look at regularly, utilize some form of Flash, which Jobs refuses to allow to run on the iOS. You can get a netbook that does an awful lot more than an iPad for a lot less money. Also, I like typing on a real keyboard, but that's just my personal taste.

Thanks for your input! I only have an Ipod and I really only use it for music...not an Itouch, Iphone, etc.

Very little of what I use my ipad for is "Apple content" related.

I watch movies via the Netflix app.

I also rent movies from iTunes and if you have an iPod, then you probably have an iTunes account. Renting a new movie from Blockbuster is $3.99 and I have to return it. Renting it from iTunes is $2.99 and there is nothing to return.

I use the Kindle app and all of the books available on my Kindle are available on my iPad.

I have found that there are certain magazines that I like better on the iPad. I love Vanity Fair on the iPad and I just realized that because I subscribe to New York Magazine, I can read it on my iPad at no additional charge.

I have an app on my iPad that allows me to see and access everything on my home computer. This is not an "Apple-centric" thing, as John has the same app and doesnt have a Mac (I'm working on that).

I bought the $29 Apple camera kit and all I need to do is plug in the attachment, insert my SD card and all of my photos are downloaded to my iPad.

I find the 3G feature to be great. I love not having to find a wifi hotspot

Again....all of this fits in a device the size of a magazine with a 6 x 8in (approx.) display.

It's also great to pull this out a bag and it's ready to go. You can hold it like a book instead of trying to balance it on your lap or looking for a flat surface.

I love my ipad.

 

[Michele]

I have an app on my iPad that allows me to see and access everything on my home computer. This is not an "Apple-centric" thing, as John has the same app and doesnt have a Mac (I'm working on that).

Which app is this Kevin? I'd like to try it. Do you have to have Mobile Me?

 

[PixieTl]

I was with you all the way OP until, my dh brought up that one of his co-workers had an extra one and well he brought it home!! We have computers, lap tops, iphones, I have a kindle there are DS's for the kids floating around and my oldest boy has a touch, the ipad is great!! I love streaming movies from netflix!! the kids love the different apps, so far we have stuck to just the free ones but they are great so far! for my dh the larger screen size is great for web surfing! I've just given in to the fact that if my dh says it's a great piece of technology, it is and I will enjoy it!!

 

[OKW Lover]

This is not an "Apple-centric" thing, as John has the same app and doesnt have a Mac (I'm working on that).

More proof that mixed marriages can work.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Which app is this Kevin? I'd like to try it. Do you have to have Mobile Me?

The app is iTeleport: Jaadu VNC for iPhone / iPad.

Having Mobile Me is not necessary.

Hope that helps.

 

[sayhello]

Very little of what I use my ipad for is "Apple content" related.

I watch movies via the Netflix app.

I also rent movies from iTunes and if you have an iPod, then you probably have an iTunes account. Renting a new movie from Blockbuster is $3.99 and I have to return it. Renting it from iTunes is $2.99 and there is nothing to return.

I use the Kindle app and all of the books available on my Kindle are available on my iPad.

I have found that there are certain magazines that I like better on the iPad. I love Vanity Fair on the iPad and I just realized that because I subscribe to New York Magazine, I can read it on my iPad at no additional charge.

I have an app on my iPad that allows me to see and access everything on my home computer. This is not an "Apple-centric" thing, as John has the same app and doesnt have a Mac (I'm working on that).

I bought the $29 Apple camera kit and all I need to do is plug in the attachment, insert my SD card and all of my photos are downloaded to my iPad.

I find the 3G feature to be great. I love not having to find a wifi hotspot

Again....all of this fits in a device the size of a magazine with a 6 x 8in (approx.) display.

It's also great to pull this out a bag and it's ready to go. You can hold it like a book instead of trying to balance it on your lap or looking for a flat surface.

I love my ipad.

I'm so with you on the camera kit! It saved my Med cruise! The last day, my camera memory card died on me, but I'd backed up all but a day & a half of my pictures to my iPad. And it's SO easy to do! Love it! I'm planning on subscribing to Netflix, too.

I *LOVE* my iPad, too!

Sayhello

 

[Dancind]

I was in the same dilemma last November when DD started working at the Apple store. I had a small laptop (Dell), a Mac Mini, ipod Touch, Android phone. Really did not NEED an ipad, but kind of wanted one. With a nice discount available, I took the plunge.

Now I only wish I had an Ipad 2.

I only used the laptop on trips, now don't use it at all. Don't even use the ipod touch anymore, but I use my new Nano for music in my car. Just using the ipad for everything else, the portability is the best. (And the new one is even smaller and lighter, and DD says it's faster!) We used it at WDW, plugged the Airport Express gadget into the cable in our DVC room and had WiFi. Used it on the airplane to watch a rented movie from itunes. I've got games and books on it. You can get Pages and Numbers in the App store for $9.99 each I think.

I especially like that I can sign up for 3G service for a month while we are on a trip, and then cancel the next month. We will get an unlimited month in May when we go on a road trip to Napa. Then we will have maps etc on it.

DD gets Mobile Me so if it gets lost/stolen, we can track it! Kind of cool.
Can you tell that I love my iPad?

 

[SilverMickey]

What kind of data plan do you have to have with the Ipad?

We have 3 laptops and a PC at home. My son with Autism wants an Ipad for the app: stack the states He doesn't care for it on an Ipod touch or iphone.

We have played around with family members ipad and we love it. I wish we could get stack the states for a less expensive gadget... the apps APPLE has are so much fun!

I guess I'm choosing vacation over a new toy! I'm going to keep saving!

 

[slapwhitey]

I have a laptop

I have a Kindle

I have an iPhone

So.......... go ahead

Convince me

You can always do what I did. Let your spouse get an iPad and share custody. I just make sure I keep saying "YOUR iPad" when referring to it and it works great. Pretty sure I use it more than she does...

 

[mainegal]

You can always do what I did. Let your spouse get an iPad and share custody. I just make sure I keep saying "YOUR iPad" when referring to it and it works great. Pretty sure I use it more than she does...

This is exactly what I did.
I think it was so cool that he let me take his iPad to WDW in December. I had to pay the $15 for the month of 3G. (he thinks WDW worse than a third world country because they don't offer free wireless internet)

The new iPod2 arrives tomorrow. He already has a buyer for the old iPad.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I have an macbook, a kindle, and iPhone, and iPod touch haha the list could go on!

I love my iPad for web surfing. Plus i use to to back my pictures up too on vacation which is nice since its smaller then a laptop

 

[cc1013]

The app is iTeleport: Jaadu VNC for iPhone / iPad.

Having Mobile Me is not necessary.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the information Kevin. I downloaded that app last night. Very cool!

 

[disneychic2]

I had to laugh about the "I got one for my wife" post. DH got me one for Christmas. He knew I really wanted one, and I do love it. But he uses it whenever he gets a chance and I consider it "ours" pretty much. That's cool. I don't mind sharing. It's just such a fun gadget! I even take it to church instead of my heavy Bible! And one of my favorite things is to be able to read in bed without disturbing DH. Now I'm thinking I need the new one...maybe a gift for DH?

 

[darrengs]

Well I got mine yesterday. (iPad 2 Black 64GB WiFi)

Do I like it? Yes
Will I use it daily? Yes
Will I bring it on trips? Yes
Do my kids love it? Yes

Do I need it? No, not really.

If I had borrowed one for a day I most likely would have ended up not buying one.