iPad Thread

[ryan4blu]

hey was just wondering if anyone here has an ipad that can throw some reviews, what you thinks, pros & cons? i am thinking of geting one and wanted to hear some opinions. thanks

[ryan4blu]

anyone?

[My_Two_Cents]

I'd like some honest opinions, also. My wife wants one for Christmas, even though she is technology-retarded. I bought her a netbook for Mother's Day that she loves surfing on, but the iPad is "so much cooler"! I imagine she"ll keep some music on it, and maybe a couple audio and e-books.

[JimSD]

I've had a 16G WiFi iPad since day one and it has been one of the best purchases I've ever made. My main use for it is email and web use at home. I almost never use the laptop for those purposes as I had done before the iPad. One of things I use it for the most is reading books with the Kindle or Nook apps. That's something I didn't expect to use it for, but I probably spend half my time on it now reading books. Apple makes the email and network setup very easy. Another thing I've used it for is streaming movies from Netflix which has worked out pretty good. The instant on feature of the iPad is fantastic and is something you get used to very quickly - going back to a laptop that takes a minute to fully come out of hibernate seems excruciating now.

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by JimSD

I've had a 16G WiFi iPad since day one and it has been one of the best purchases I've ever made. My main use for it is email and web use at home. I almost never use the laptop for those purposes as I had done before the iPad. One of things I use it for the most is reading books with the Kindle or Nook apps. That's something I didn't expect to use it for, but I probably spend half my time on it now reading books. Apple makes the email and network setup very easy. Another thing I've used it for is streaming movies from Netflix which has worked out pretty good. The instant on feature of the iPad is fantastic and is something you get used to very quickly - going back to a laptop that takes a minute to fully come out of hibernate seems excruciating now.

great thanks for the info and your opinions. i am on the fence about getting one. i have a nice dell laptop i bought a few months ago and i love my dell, but for eveyday internet surfing it seems great.

tell me about the ntflix streaming moives. is it an app or do you have to subscribe to netflix? i heard you can DL movies form the itunes? or can you just get them for free from sites such as hulu?

[JimSD]

Originally Posted by ryan4blu

great thanks for the info and your opinions. i am on the fence about getting one. i have a nice dell laptop i bought a few months ago and i love my dell, but for eveyday internet surfing it seems great.

tell me about the ntflix streaming moives. is it an app or do you have to subscribe to netflix? i heard you can DL movies form the itunes? or can you just get them for free from sites such as hulu?

You have to be a Netflix subscriber to use their app. Don't know anything about Hulu and haven't downloaded any movies from iTunes.

It's not a replacement for a primary PC because I'm sure there is stuff we all need to do on those that just isn't optimal or not available on the iPad, but for at least 90% of my computer use the iPad is what I use. The mobility around the house and ability to check something online if you only have 15-30 seconds is great for me.

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by JimSD

You have to be a Netflix subscriber to use their app. Don't know anything about Hulu and haven't downloaded any movies from iTunes.

It's not a replacement for a primary PC because I'm sure there is stuff we all need to do on those that just isn't optimal or not available on the iPad, but for at least 90% of my computer use the iPad is what I use. The mobility around the house and ability to check something online if you only have 15-30 seconds is great for me.

sounds good, thanks for your input.

[beefytwinkie]

How about the next iPad? Is it coming out soon? I know the iPad now doesn't have the Retina Screen thing that the iPhone 4 has. Imagine they implement that into the iPad? It's gotta look awesome.

[JimSD]

Originally Posted by beefytwinkie

How about the next iPad? Is it coming out soon? I know the iPad now doesn't have the Retina Screen thing that the iPhone 4 has. Imagine they implement that into the iPad? It's gotta look awesome.

Most people expect a new iPad around April because Apple typically has a 1 year product cycle. If it's significantly different, like having a camera, i'll consider getting another one and giving this one to my wife.

[sfmarine]

Ya...hold out until next year...the new iPad will look better, thinner and have that front facing camera.

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Ya...hold out until next year...the new iPad will look better, thinner and have that front facing camera.

do you know this for a fact? cause i am ready to get one and if this is true i will hold out

[sfmarine]

Face time is a definite. It was first brought out with the iPhone 4 which debuted AFTER the iPad so that's why it never got it. Now even the iPod touch has it so it is definitely coming. You can even use facetime on your Mac's as well now which is nice.

I am in your same boat. I've been wanting one for a while. I almost caved and bought one on numerous occasions. I really want one for x-mas, but this is my take on it...we wait it out. See how the iPad 2 is and if it's not all that great then you get the iPad 1 for probably $200ish.

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Face time is a definite. It was first brought out with the iPhone 4 which debuted AFTER the iPad so that's why it never got it. Now even the iPod touch has it so it is definitely coming. You can even use facetime on your Mac's as well now which is nice.

I am in your same boat. I've been wanting one for a while. I almost caved and bought one on numerous occasions. I really want one for x-mas, but this is my take on it...we wait it out. See how the iPad 2 is and if it's not all that great then you get the iPad 1 for probably $200ish.

cool, thanks for the info. do you really think ipad1 will drop that much? also dont they usually discontinue the previous gen?

[Edh63]

You can always Google for information and keep current. I would rather get the facts than have people tell me what they think when you're trying to drill down before you drop some coins. It's always good to find data. This info was grabbed from a website talking about the iPad 2. It wouldn't let me link to it.

"The fact that Apple will launch a new iPad, the iPad 2 at some point in early 2011 is crystal clear to anyone following this impressive tablet business. Apple took the lead in this computer niche with a new product and it can’t afford to lose that lead so a product refresh will probably be due in Q1 2011.

apple ipad front gold apple 400


The next-gen iPad might kill various competitors since everyone is launching a their first-gen tablets now and that’s one more reason for Apple to come out with the iPad 2 when rivals will only have launched their first Tab, PlayBook, or any other device.

Goldman Sachs has gone ahead today and mentioned several features of the next-gen iPad. According to their information, the iPad 2 will be thinner and lighter and will come with an “embedded camera and mini USB.” The 7-inch tablet is not yet finished, unlike previous rumors claimed, and it will only be available after the next 9.7-inch iPad. And while we’re at analysts taking guesses, the iPad 2 is apparently coming at some point in early Q2 2011. As always we’ll take a grain of salt, or two, with such analysts’ predictions, but that doesn’t mean they’re that far off.

In fact, after seeing the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet yesterday, dare I say the first iPad killer, I can also analyze the future iPad 2. In case Apple will not include at least a front-facing camera and some extra ports, like a mini USB connection, the PlayBook will likely kill the iPad 2 too. The Samsung Galaxy Tab, although a very impressive adversary, didn’t strike me as a true iPad killer. Maybe I’m too used seeing Android in action left and right to be really surprised by a tablet that had nothing to surprise me with in the first place.

The PlayBook, although inferior in at least three ways to the iPad – screen size, 3G connection and tablet-dedicated content (apps and eBooks in particular) – has plenty of other features that are far better than the iPad’s. The BlackBerry PlayBook came out of nowhere and made us fall for it, at least for its proposed specs and features. We’ve been fooled by the BlackBerry Storm, the first iPhone killer wannabe, but hopefully this time around the PlayBook will not disappoint.

And that’s why Apple has to make some significant changes to the iPad 2, and we’re not talking about the superficial kind of upgrades found on the iPhone 3GS when compared to the iPhone 3G. And it doesn’t take a Goldman Sachs analyst to say that the next-gen Apple tablet will get cameras, additional connectivity options, and maybe a lighter form; not to mention that we expect a lot of extra hardware upgrades for the iPad 2 that would kick the competition in the nuts. Although a Goldman Sachs analyst could always have some sort of inside information on the matter. Not that we’re judging or anything."


I'm extremely happy with my iPad. I bought the 32G WiFi only version. Here's something to keep in mind when purchasing...

Be sure you actually need 3G capability before you buy one with it. I believe it adds another $100.00 to $150.00 to the retail price to include 3G. I'm in sales and marketing and I'm on the road constantly out of state. I'm always in hotels, airports or my customer's offices, so I just ride their backbone using WiFi. I have no need for 3G using my iPad.

Also keep in mind, if you purchase an iPad without 3G, there is no way to add 3G to that unit. You will have an iPad that will never have 3G. So you need to be sure what your needs are before you buy it. Also, if you get 3G on your iPad, you will pay another $30.00 per month data plan on top of your iPhone data plan. That's $60.00 per month for data plans.

Now, if you have an iPad without 3G and you find yourself needing it, then all you have to do is spend $10.00 per month to "Tether" off your iPhone to ride the 3G backbone. I personally would rather do this than spend another $30.00 per month for something that I'll very rarely need (3G).

Just things to consider before your purchase.

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by Edh63

You can always Google for information and keep current. I would rather get the facts than have people tell me what they think when you're trying to drill down before you drop some coins. It's always good to find data. This info was grabbed from a website talking about the iPad 2. It wouldn't let me link to it.

"The fact that Apple will launch a new iPad, the iPad 2 at some point in early 2011 is crystal clear to anyone following this impressive tablet business. Apple took the lead in this computer niche with a new product and it can’t afford to lose that lead so a product refresh will probably be due in Q1 2011.

apple ipad front gold apple 400


The next-gen iPad might kill various competitors since everyone is launching a their first-gen tablets now and that’s one more reason for Apple to come out with the iPad 2 when rivals will only have launched their first Tab, PlayBook, or any other device.

Goldman Sachs has gone ahead today and mentioned several features of the next-gen iPad. According to their information, the iPad 2 will be thinner and lighter and will come with an “embedded camera and mini USB.” The 7-inch tablet is not yet finished, unlike previous rumors claimed, and it will only be available after the next 9.7-inch iPad. And while we’re at analysts taking guesses, the iPad 2 is apparently coming at some point in early Q2 2011. As always we’ll take a grain of salt, or two, with such analysts’ predictions, but that doesn’t mean they’re that far off.

In fact, after seeing the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet yesterday, dare I say the first iPad killer, I can also analyze the future iPad 2. In case Apple will not include at least a front-facing camera and some extra ports, like a mini USB connection, the PlayBook will likely kill the iPad 2 too. The Samsung Galaxy Tab, although a very impressive adversary, didn’t strike me as a true iPad killer. Maybe I’m too used seeing Android in action left and right to be really surprised by a tablet that had nothing to surprise me with in the first place.

The PlayBook, although inferior in at least three ways to the iPad – screen size, 3G connection and tablet-dedicated content (apps and eBooks in particular) – has plenty of other features that are far better than the iPad’s. The BlackBerry PlayBook came out of nowhere and made us fall for it, at least for its proposed specs and features. We’ve been fooled by the BlackBerry Storm, the first iPhone killer wannabe, but hopefully this time around the PlayBook will not disappoint.

And that’s why Apple has to make some significant changes to the iPad 2, and we’re not talking about the superficial kind of upgrades found on the iPhone 3GS when compared to the iPhone 3G. And it doesn’t take a Goldman Sachs analyst to say that the next-gen Apple tablet will get cameras, additional connectivity options, and maybe a lighter form; not to mention that we expect a lot of extra hardware upgrades for the iPad 2 that would kick the competition in the nuts. Although a Goldman Sachs analyst could always have some sort of inside information on the matter. Not that we’re judging or anything."


I'm extremely happy with my iPad. I bought the 32G WiFi only version. Here's something to keep in mind when purchasing...

Be sure you actually need 3G capability before you buy one with it. I believe it adds another $100.00 to $150.00 to the retail price to include 3G. I'm in sales and marketing and I'm on the road constantly out of state. I'm always in hotels, airports or my customer's offices, so I just ride their backbone using WiFi. I have no need for 3G using my iPad.

Also keep in mind, if you purchase an iPad without 3G, there is no way to add 3G to that unit. You will have an iPad that will never have 3G. So you need to be sure what your needs are before you buy it. Also, if you get 3G on your iPad, you will pay another $30.00 per month data plan on top of your iPhone data plan. That's $60.00 per month for data plans.

Now, if you have an iPad without 3G and you find yourself needing it, then all you have to do is spend $10.00 per month to "Tether" off your iPhone to ride the 3G backbone. I personally would rather do this than spend another $30.00 per month for something that I'll very rarely need (3G).

Just things to consider before your purchase.

i did do research and google the ipad, read about it, went to apple store and played around with it several times now. ALL i was looking for was some helpful user opinions and comments on their Ipads, thats all.

but i do thank you for the info. looks like they are going to reduce the size of it from 9.7" to 7"???? i think i would rather have the bigger one

[Edh63]

Originally Posted by ryan4blu

i did do research and google the ipad, read about it, went to apple store and played around with it several times now. ALL i was looking for was some helpful user opinions and comments on their Ipads, thats all.

but i do thank you for the info. looks like they are going to reduce the size of it from 9.7" to 7"???? i think i would rather have the bigger one

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to infer that your inquiry was invalid. I would want some opinions too if I were you. I was just putting out there that you want to be careful to "only" use this feedback as your measure for purchasing.

I don't think I'd like it smaller than what it is right now. I actually think it's just the right size. We're all going to have our different ways of using them, but I do find the size right now is perfect for making a presentation sitting across the desk from a GM. I can sit it on the corner of the desk in front of me and pull up pricing and other docs that may apply to that moment while still being able to have a conversation without the cumbersome nature of a full size laptop. It boots up quicker than a laptop which is really nice and, you can, which I did, purchase a VGA cable and run it to a projector to do Power Point presentations (really nice). This was a must before retiring the laptop. You can also purchase a 10' cable for those long to reach power outlets when needed.

It's easy to pull down from the luggage compartment of a plane when you want to get it out and use it, and I can carry it in to an office without having a bulky laptop bag hanging from my shoulder.

The jury's still out on the 2nd generation for me until I see one. I do like that they're incorporating USB. I'm not so sure I'll have a great use for the camera feature. And, as it relates to the Retina feature that the iPhone 4 uses, the iPad looks very nice already. One of the problems you'll need to look out for would be redundancy. I mean, why would I need a camera on my iPad when I have a perfectly good camera on my iPhone? I will have my iPhone more readily available for pictures than my iPad. For the sake of just having certain features on the iPad is not a reason for me to purchase an iPad. I'm more of a practical application guy. I need to actually have a use for the function before I go spend more money for redundant features.

Again, it will come down to YMMV.

[sfmarine]

They better not reduce the size. They should offer two sizes. Like they are doing with the Macbook Air. 11" and 13".

[Edh63]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

They better not reduce the size. They should offer two sizes. Like they are doing with the Macbook Air. 11" and 13".

I think that would be a smart move on Job's part. It would cater to broader markets, IMO.

[Moefiz]

Op...the next gen I-Pad will be out early next yr, size should remain the same but should be getting a front camera to take advantage of apple facetime.

[ryan4blu]

starting to think that why wait??? atleast for me...

i am only going to use this ipad for internet surfing, video watching, ipod for songs maybe. but other than that i dont see why i need a camera or this facetime thing everyone is talking about.

i would be sitting on my loveseat surfin the net for it or sometimes taking it somewhere and while on the road amybe watch a video (if i am not the driver). maybe play some online texas holdem, oh and the games. i just cant see the camera thing being a big deal for me.

the only reason why i would wait for the next gen to come out is if it had something better such as software or added free apps or something like that.