nigel cross
MB Enthusiast
SWMBO wants an Ipad.
Are they work buying or should I splash out on a Macbook Air?
Any thoughts?
Are they work buying or should I splash out on a Macbook Air?
Any thoughts?
Ipad Thoughts
- Thread starter nigel cross
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JOB-BLACK-RAT
MB Enthusiast
For a quiet life, buy her the ipad!
crockers
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Just bought mine on for her birthday. So if she doesn't like it I'll have it. MacBook air is over twice the price so buy her the iPad 
depends on what you want to use it for, for web browsing, email etc then it's great.
the apps are good (and free if you do it right) and it's easy to use.
i was dubious until i bought one from the states...
the apps are good (and free if you do it right) and it's easy to use.
i was dubious until i bought one from the states...
Sp!ke
Administrator
I've had a play with most of the tablets now and although initially the geek in me has liked the format, once the novelty has worn off I found that they do have their shortcomings.
The major one is that tablets are good for content consumption only. For content creation you need a laptop.
Therefore, think very carefully about what you intend to use the device for.
The second point is that I think the larger tablet size formats are too large and dont really offer much better transportability than a lightweight laptop.
Drop down to 7" tablets and you'll find they fit in an inside jacket pocket or a smallish handbag and only then are you truly set free from carrying a dedicated laptop/ipad bag.
Will you be expecting to be able to use a memory stick or drag photo's off a camera onto the device? If so, make sure whatever you buy can do this because on most tablets you cant.
The major one is that tablets are good for content consumption only. For content creation you need a laptop.
Therefore, think very carefully about what you intend to use the device for.
The second point is that I think the larger tablet size formats are too large and dont really offer much better transportability than a lightweight laptop.
Drop down to 7" tablets and you'll find they fit in an inside jacket pocket or a smallish handbag and only then are you truly set free from carrying a dedicated laptop/ipad bag.
Will you be expecting to be able to use a memory stick or drag photo's off a camera onto the device? If so, make sure whatever you buy can do this because on most tablets you cant.
Hello
We have tested almost all the tablets currently out there and keep going back to the ipad, the screen the touch / feel and the way it works is far better than most of the 'other'
It does really boil down to what she wants it for, for surfing, the odd e-mail, facebook etc it will be more than good enough.
Personally I use a Netbook (10"), Laptop 17" and an iPhone and currently with a baby the iphone is what I'm using more than anything as its easy to use one handed and switched on quickly to what you want.
If I was buying a gadget now I would for my use by the ipad, They start at £399 and even when the ipad 4 or iPad 2s comes out your likley to get most of this back. That doesn't happen with other devices.
Also if you want to use it as a laptop there are things such as this... this is just an example. It really is down to what it will be used for and if she is happy using Mac OS.
We have tested almost all the tablets currently out there and keep going back to the ipad, the screen the touch / feel and the way it works is far better than most of the 'other'
It does really boil down to what she wants it for, for surfing, the odd e-mail, facebook etc it will be more than good enough.
Personally I use a Netbook (10"), Laptop 17" and an iPhone and currently with a baby the iphone is what I'm using more than anything as its easy to use one handed and switched on quickly to what you want.
If I was buying a gadget now I would for my use by the ipad, They start at £399 and even when the ipad 4 or iPad 2s comes out your likley to get most of this back. That doesn't happen with other devices.
Also if you want to use it as a laptop there are things such as this... this is just an example. It really is down to what it will be used for and if she is happy using Mac OS.
Aoraki
Active Member
Apparently the are better and cheaper alternatives available. Just paying for the "I" in iPad me thinks.
Lots of clever touches about the iPad, and in the future I think many laptops will go down a similar route. But for now, the iPad should be regarded as a supplement to a computer rather than a substitute. A small notepad type laptop might be a better all round bet. I will say that the portability of the iPad tablet format is brilliant and photographic displays are fantastic.
I am submitting this on my iPad sitting in an armchair, but for serious computer work I go to the laptop.
(PS: lots of bargains on flea bay since the upgraded versions came out. Ipad2 is not that much better, so they say.)
I am submitting this on my iPad sitting in an armchair, but for serious computer work I go to the laptop.
(PS: lots of bargains on flea bay since the upgraded versions came out. Ipad2 is not that much better, so they say.)
I had a go on an Ipad the other day, I found it slow and annoying as the keyboard was daft with lots of symbols and numbers hidden behind menus, took ages to log into the other merc forum and access an embedded video when a netbook (£200 cheaper) next to it did it in 1/4 of the time.
I personally think they are branded cak and you pay more because its an "Apple" rather than how it actually performs.
I personally think they are branded cak and you pay more because its an "Apple" rather than how it actually performs.
I bought an iPad 2 for use when I'm working away staying in hotels etc.
It fits in my bag no problem, the 3G cards I buy from eBay which allow upto 3gig of downloads and last 3 months. Of course if the hotel offers free wireless I'll use that instead.
I find it preferable to the laptop in this case.
It fits in my bag no problem, the 3G cards I buy from eBay which allow upto 3gig of downloads and last 3 months. Of course if the hotel offers free wireless I'll use that instead.
I find it preferable to the laptop in this case.
Bought one for my wife last year - it's great for her - email, web, apps - I only play the stupid games on it though - lack of a keyboard and inability to network with other computers kills it for me - nice bit of kit though - she will thank you for buying it!
Andy
Andy
whizzkid11
Active Member
Go for the iPAD - you'll be using it on the sofa , in the garage, in the kitchen ...
Alternatively in a week or so time HP is having a major launch of the Touchpad!
The best one will come from Microsoft/Nokia... (oops it slipped out)
Alternatively in a week or so time HP is having a major launch of the Touchpad!
The best one will come from Microsoft/Nokia... (oops it slipped out)
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davidjpowell
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Typing on a train on an iPad. Reluctance convert but I love it. Laptop no longer gets lugged around the county on business.
I can browse my network via an app and VPN. I can read, but not edit at the moment my access database. In fact I find that if I want to do something (with the exception of flash) there is an app.
Downloaded some cad software earlier in the week, which if it works as advertised means that I can draw plans of property as I inspect. No need to sketch and then draw on the desktop.- could save loads of time.
I can browse my network via an app and VPN. I can read, but not edit at the moment my access database. In fact I find that if I want to do something (with the exception of flash) there is an app.
Downloaded some cad software earlier in the week, which if it works as advertised means that I can draw plans of property as I inspect. No need to sketch and then draw on the desktop.- could save loads of time.
spinaltap
Active Member
If you do buy an iPad2 I strongly suggest partnering it with an AppleTV2.
When iOS 5 for the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch/AppleTV is released 'Airplay' will be a delight, as can be seen in the following video...
iPad 2 AirPlay Mirroring Video Walkthrough | AppleNApps: iPhone App/Game Reviews, iPad App/Game Reviews, Apple and App News
When iOS 5 for the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch/AppleTV is released 'Airplay' will be a delight, as can be seen in the following video...
iPad 2 AirPlay Mirroring Video Walkthrough | AppleNApps: iPhone App/Game Reviews, iPad App/Game Reviews, Apple and App News
spinaltap
Active Member
Just curious, are you not able to edit your Access database with FilemakerGo on your iPad?
FileMaker Go Database App for iPhone and iPad – Overview | FileMaker (United Kingdom)
davidjpowell
MB Enthusiast
Had not seen that. Like it quite a lot. Something else to investigate as it seems like quite a grown up soloution.
crockers
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Please do tell me what they are?
Will this be sorted with IOS5? If you have the new Lion on your Mac then all data in email and calendar will automatically sync via that puffy thing in the sky..........or have I read that wrong?
I know it's not a true network - but for files why not look at dropbox.
iPad is very good - if rather overpriced - at certain things.
I find myself carrying a Linux based netbook about more and more. I can't see the iPad covering all that it does - and the iPad costs about 75% more with less storage and flexibility.
pquote]
Will this be sorted with IOS5? If you have the new Lion on your Mac then all data in email and calendar will automatically sync via that puffy thing in the sky..........or have I read that wrong?
I know it's not a true network - but for files why not look at dropbox.[/QUOTE]
If you're restricted to making it work with other Apple products that boosts the cost overheads further. Cheapest Macbook or iMac is now a huge price gap above other hardware.
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