iPad Info

[Paul in Colorado]

Is there a web site that can tell me about the different iPads and the options available? I used one on a trip through Grand Teton National Park with a bunch of birders. I used an app called iBird. It made a great camera, too, after the battery died in my little point and shoot. I came up with a bunch of uses for one of these things and it's going on the "next major purchase" list. For those of you who use one for net access, do you just use Wi-Fi or do you have a cell phone plan?

[greggorypeccary]

How about www.apple.com ?

[Jupiter]

Just wifi here, but I use it mostly at work and home. If you're out and about with it much, you'll feel the limitations, because you lose tons of functionality without net access. When I take it with me on trips, I'm always searching for wifi hotspots....

[Paul in Colorado]

That's too easy and makes sense!

[Bones]

I have had a Sony Android tablet for about 5 months now, I still can't figure out why I "need" a tablet.

[greytop]

Originally Posted by Bones

I have had a Sony Android tablet for about 5 months now, I still can't figure out why I "need" a tablet.

If you had an iPad instead of an android tablet, you'd understand. ;)

[TeleKato]

Originally Posted by greytop

If you had an iPad instead of an android tablet, you'd understand. ;)

Uh ... I'm not sure I'll agree with that one. We waited and got the iPad-2 and were hyped, but in reality based upon our use of a mobile device, it left us sort of 'meh' about it.

Great for web-browsing (i.e., makes a great alternative to the morning paper), great for many things you'd do on your iPhone. Better for watching movies, etc. But if you're looking to do a lot of typing-in (i.e., like responding to a post on TDPRI) the on-screen keyboard thing is (for us at least) notsogood. Then you get one of those keyboard-cases, and suddenly you've got a mini notebook. And then, why not just get a MacBook Air (or other ultra book)?

So like with everything, it depends. If you've got a good smartphone, then maybe the ticket is not the tablet but a little personal computer device Just my view ... I could be wrong ... I often am.

[mindlobster]

Mine is wifi & 3G, but I just pay per day when I wanna use 3G, which is about once every 2 months. So much wifi around here.

[Gibson]

I Googled "tablet comparison" and these were the first two of many results:

One

Two

If it's only iPads you want to compare, then as Mr Peccary observed, Apple provides specs for their products.

[claudel]

http://www.ipadforums.net/forumindex.php

There's even a new music production section...

[Freejack]

I'm just doing the wifi access. Generally I can find a wifi point without too much trouble and really don't worry much about it as I do have the phone for access if necessary.

Carl

[Pepe]

ipad vs smart phone: much better screen & typing experience (esp w/half centruy+ old eyes!). Watch a movie or facetime on a phone - not so much; on the ipad - you bet.

ipad vs laptop battery life kills a laptop, more like a phone, i.e. all day; typing alot is definitely more hassle on ipad. The nice thing about the small bluetooth keyboards, though is you don't have to always take it w/you.

They are great for travelling with; most of the functions of a laptop, but a lot more portable, longer battery life, very handy, cheap (or free) apps. The traffic function on Maps is killer. I recommend getting a 3g (or 4g) enabled model. You can buy data plans as needed, no contract. Do it by the day as mentioned or $30 will get you more than you will use in a month - not a lot to add to a trip considering how much you're likely to use it, even w/taking advantage of free wifi when available.

Also, only the data-enabled models(3g,4g) have a GPS chip, which folks are using for navigating w/mapping apps, without paying for a data plan. Oh, did I mention Garageband - I think it's like $5 and very user friendly (more so than the Mac version).

I'm not too wild about most ipad cases/covers out there. This type is great; ipad snaps in easily but stays put, works portrait or landscape, and gives you basically laptop functionality:

http://www.amazon.com/Targus-THZ045U.../dp/B004N62HZI

[imwjl]

An application or two as has been mentioned is reason alone to choose a hardware platform.

I have to support multiple platforms via my work so can't be as fan boy as many are but confess powerful and mature applications moved me to Apple's platform pretty much when I didn't have to be tied to AT&T. That's for my personal use.

Look at the mobile GarageBand and Apogee JAM if you play guitar and a tablet interests you.

It's not released but I like the idea of the keyboard in cover with Microsoft's new product.

I haven't found bad hardware or design with any of the leading products so I suggest your homework be over the software before the hardware.

Your homework may want to include looking at the radios your tablet might have or not have. I've owned them with and without cellular radios and prefer them without and to use my phone as a hot spot. Phone as hotspot or dedicated hotspot device will let the network connection serve more devices and people.

[KevinB]

I have an iPad 2 with 64GB and WiFi, no 3G.

It's a nice toy. Of course there are a gazillion apps available for it It's a little clumsy for "real" work, but it can be done. It's great as an iPod, for viewing photos, for web surfing, etc. If I'm on vacation, I do a daily dump of photos from my DSLR to it.

[Bones]

Originally Posted by greytop

If you had an iPad instead of an android tablet, you'd understand. ;)

its pretty much the same thing. i just have not found any practical use that isn't already covered by some other device that i already own.

[J-man]

Originally Posted by Bones

its pretty much the same thing. i just have not found any practical use that isn't already covered by some other device that i already own.

Then why did you buy it?

[vjf1968]

Originally Posted by TeleKato

Uh ... I'm not sure I'll agree with that one. We waited and got the iPad-2 and were hyped, but in reality based upon our use of a mobile device, it left us sort of 'meh' about it.

Great for web-browsing (i.e., makes a great alternative to the morning paper), great for many things you'd do on your iPhone. Better for watching movies, etc. But if you're looking to do a lot of typing-in (i.e., like responding to a post on TDPRI) the on-screen keyboard thing is (for us at least) notsogood. Then you get one of those keyboard-cases, and suddenly you've got a mini notebook. And then, why not just get a MacBook Air (or other ultra book)?

So like with everything, it depends. If you've got a good smartphone, then maybe the ticket is not the tablet but a little personal computer device Just my view ... I could be wrong ... I often am.

After perseverating over whether getting an I Pad or a Mac Book for my wife, I am still coming to the conclusion that the Mac Book is the better use of money. The I Pad seems to me to be a toy for people who don't really want a computer.
Don’t get me wrong the I Pad is a cool device but for practical use for someone who writes, I really think a laptop is a much better value.
Of course for those folks who do use the I Pad as a useful tool for work, cheers.

[vjf1968]

Originally Posted by J-man

Then why did you buy it?

Would you have asked him that if it was an effects pedal?

[Bones]

Originally Posted by J-man

Then why did you buy it?

because i had a wad of cash in my pocket and nothing to do with it. i wanted to see if i could find a use but so far i have not.

[bscenefilms]

My wife (a keyboardist) uses an iPad2 for her music. She uses it as a sheet music device - I can't remember the name of the app she uses for it but she really likes it. You can put in the BPM of the tune and it will scroll the music at tempo. She also uses GB on it to do composing on the go. She also has another sheet music app that has a foot pedal to turn pages. She is very happy with the product. For me, it would just be a toy.