Apple fanboys everywhere are biting their fingers and counting their pennies as Apple gears up for the impending launch of it's third tablet incarnation, the iPad 3 (expected in March). But among the non-Kool-Aid-drinking masses, the iPad (and its tablet competetors) is still stuck in "Do I need it?" purgatory. If you have an iPad, how often do you use it?
On three major tech benchmarks—size, price and functionality—the iPad is left vying for a position between smartphones and laptop computers in the mobile computing world. It's a big-screened iPhone. A more portable computer. For many, the iPad is left at home, collecting dust on a desk because it already does what their other devices can do. There's no doubt that there's a big overlap in function with other devices.
And yet, that's not a bad thing. In true Goldilocks form, many consumers have found that the iPad is "just right." It's small enough to drop in a bag, but large enough to view a full webpage. They love it because it fills the gap between their laptop and smartphone.
As the launch of iPad 3 gets nearer, we're sure there's plenty of potential buyers wondering where they fall between the two consumer viewpoints. If you're a person who already owns a laptop and a smartphone, is the iPad going to be the perfect middle-of-the-road device for you? Or just another expensive gadget to worry about?
So we want to know: Where do you, Apartment-Therapy-reading iPad owner, fall on the spectrum? Tell us how your iPad fits in to your daily life—with kids, commuting, traveling, reading and surfing the web at home. Help out us poor folks who don't have a tablet and want to make up our minds before the "OMG-it's-so-close" March launch of iPad 3.
(Images: Amimciptimdim via Wikimedia Commons, Yutaka Tsutano via Wikimedia Commons)
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All the time except in a few cases (like facebook) where the iPad app or mobile web page do not have all of the functionalities of the real application.
I use my iPad ALL THE TIME. I listen to Pandora or something on Netflix while I'm puttering from room to room washing dishes, doing laundry, or getting ready in the morning. When I'm watching tv I sometimes grab it if I want to look up something or check my email. I think it's really handy, and I rarely crack open my laptop these days.
Surfing the web at home, watching a movie, or tv, listening to music, playing games, browsing through photo's with my daughter, reading (childrens) books. Everything except my e-mail.
Nowadays, never. When my commute to work was a 2-mile walk, I used it everyday. On vacation when I didn't have a computer or smartphone, I used it all the time (even with spotty wifi, I was able to keep a big map of Paris in the cache and use the maps app effectively). But it doesn't have a place in my current iPhone/Macbook/Kindle configuration. I typically have at least 12 tabs open at a given time and the iPad simply cannot handle it. I feel lucky that I didn't have to pay for my iPad (it was a gift) but I regret not selling it immediately (at the time, it wasn't available in the country where I was living and it was selling for $1k on Craigslist).
It's so popular in our house, I rarely get custody. Between my husband and my kids, I never get a chance to use it. They do everything on it -- watch kid shows, play games, make animated movies of their own stories (a very cool app!), use to tune the violin and act as a metronome, read kid books...! It always seems to be in use.
I love my iPad and I 'd have a hard time giving it up, but it's really just a guilty pleasure for me. I tend to use it for play, i.e., games (plants vs. zombies), art apps (like Brushes), and I purposefully put on uninteresting movies on Netflix when I can't fall asleep. (it works).
But I still cannot view some video with the iPad and typing out a comment like this is laborious with their keypad.
I have the first iPad and would not need to upgrade since the main advantage is a camera and I don't really need it. That said, my husband has one with the camera and he uses Facetime a great deal. The ability to talk with (and see) friends and loved ones for free is pretty awesome.
I use my iPad 2 everyday. I find it is a great size for watching netflix. The Kindle app is perfect! I can take it with me to a doctors appointment or leave it on my coffee table and never run out of content to read. I even have my textbooks loaded so that studying is super convenient.
My iPad was a gift and I'm not sure that I would buy one. I have a laptop, so I mostly use that. But I do love the iPad for travelling - small, cheaper than my laptop and doesn't have to come out of the bag going through security.
I use it quite a bit and my use of it varies over time. My latest use is to have it next to my bed to listen to internet music as I fall asleep. I use it to surf while I'm watching something on the laptop when it's connected to the tv monitor. I sometimes use it heavily for work when I'm teleworking in cafes--depends on the phase of the job (I don't like to carry a heavy laptop since I'm always on foot/bike/transit) and sometimes I use it more lightly teleworking. It cuts way down on work papers I have to carry around, since I access everything through the iPad. Telework was one of the main reasons I originally got it. I take it on trips. I also have an iPhone and a MacBook Pro. I find different uses for all three. I will say that I probably have used the iPad somewhat less since I got the iPhone, since I can do so much on the phone. But when you need a bigger screen, the iPad's definitely your gadget.
Constantly.
I use our iPad a lot. I listen to NPR pod casts at night. During the day I use the web for info, use apps for recipes and often read my Kindle books on it. We use it a lot on trips because its larger format is more suitable for us seniors. My Kindle is getting old and I guess our iPad 1 is too. The iPhone is part of my life, too and of course our grandchildren like to play games on both.
I use it everyday. Surfing the internet, in the kitchen to read online recipes, watching netflix or hulu. I only find myself getting on the real computer when I have photos to edit and upload to facebook, picasa, etc.
Not at all for work. About an even split between my iPad and my computer when I'm home.
I use my tablet occasionally. It is good as a backup if my wife is on the laptop, or for the kids to mess around on. Also good for eBooks and following recipes.
For typing emails and surfing, I prefer a laptop, but if I didn't already have the MacBook Pro, I'd probably consider a tablet before a laptop.
everyday. use it to read/surf/games it's just so easy and convenient for leisure use. for actual work, i still use my desktop and laptop. i have the ipad2..may have to pass on the 3 unless it's features are so awesome i can't resist. but i think i did okay from iphon3G to 4S. resisted the urge for the 4 when it came out.
I wasn't sure how the iPad would work into my life, but I really wanted one, so when iPad 2 came out I bought a reconditioned iPad 1. I use it all the time. I work from home and my desktop computer is upstairs, so I use it to check email when I am downstairs or outside. I use it to watch movies when I am working on the computer. I use it to cook from. I read my local newspaper on it.. and other news sites. I use it to answer questions. I use it as a reader. I use it to program my DVR. I have use it to change the channel on my tv (lazy I know) when I can't find the remote. I am addicted to Zillow, love to peruse real estate.
I take it with me when I visit my parents. I shop on it... I do some bookkeeping on it..
I find myself more productive on my computer. I consider my iPad "fun" time and the computer "work" time.
The list goes on and on.....I don't regret the money I spent on it..
I use it every day. I use it in the evenings for email, facebook, pinterest, Sketchbook, games, music, etc. I take it to work on days when I have meetings and use it for taking notes. I use Evernote, which I have on my desktop at work, so I can access the notes on that computer even if I've left the ipad at home. I think an ipad is a luxury, rather than a necessity, but I love it, and I'm so glad I bought it.
Almost every day- email (work and personal), reading pdf documents, reading textbooks, online shopping, facebook, netflix, videos, other misc. Planning to bring it on vaca as a laptop alternative too. It does indeed fill the gap between my laptop and iphone.
I got an iPad 2 to replace a stolen Macbook, and I use it once or twice a month to watch movies while putting away laundry. Everything else (Facebook, games, etc.) I just do on my phone, because it's easier to hold and carry around. I have a Moog app that's good for entertaining my dad when he visits, but otherwise, it just sits, idly mocking me.
Rarely. Technically it's my husband's work iPad, but his office has basically all but said it's his to keep. Anyway, it lives at our house and I can use it whenever I want, but I usually reach for my laptop instead.
For anything that requires an actual processor, saving for later, or typing it's laptop time. For playing Plants Vs. Zombies or Angry Birds, iPad time. It's just a really expensive toy, not a tool.
All the time. I don't leave home without it. I consider it my auxillairy laptop. It's also great for taking notes at meetings using a stylus.
The only thing that kinda ticks me off is that there are still too many sites written almost exclusively for a PC. If you're going to do a design site with lots of pics and videos, you're losing a lot of your audience if it's still in Flash. When I come to a site like that, I just cross it off my must-see list. If they can't be bothered to create an iPad version, I can't be bothered to read it.
As Tishc said, constantly.
The bigger question is how little I use my laptop -- occasionally, only when my iPad needs a charge and I don't want to be tethered to an outlet.
All the time, except if I need to look at something flash-only. I bought it after resisting it for a long time and usually just inheriting apple fan-boy husband's cast offs.
I find it a great tool in the kitchen and brilliant for reading magazines. I am actually considering cancelling my paper subscriptions in favour of Newsstand and Zinio.
Every day. At home for Netflix watching, cooking (I store recipes in Evernote since it syncs beautifully between my computer, phone, and tablet), listening to music via the iPhone/iPad docking speakers, watching TV via the DVR and HBO's app, and tracking my exercise time on SparkPeople's app. I also use it for lunch/break-time internet browsing at work to avoid them logging my traffic.
Mine fits in my purse and I keep it with me constantly, but sadly I don't use it as much as I'd like. When I had doctor appointments all the time I'd read while waiting. Sometimes I'll use it on the train too, but it makes me a little nervous and I don't take the train often (I drive to work). I find I use it mostly for reading - RSS feeds and ebooks.
As a graphic designer/web developer and ipad is for the most part useless. If there were better apps that would work accurately (ftp, wp, photoshop, better design functions, etc) then maybe I would feel differently.
I won an ipad in a design contest and it set in its box for nearly a year while I tried to sell it. However, even brand new, most people do not want to pay full price for an item they don't buy in a store.
When I did start using it, I found it was most useful as a more modern (clock radio alarm) bedside device. The only other good use I have found it to be for is when forced to be in a waiting room somewhere, or cleaning up email, posting to facebook, etc when watching television or when the main computer is going through spyware or virus scans.
I am sure some day a pad type device will be much more useful, but until better development of really useful apps beyond entertainment or email are created, it will stay mostly a novelty.
We bought the Playbook at work when it went on super discount, but it lives with me. I find it convenient to reach for it in the morning for a quick email check and reading the headlines. And it's very convenient when I am staying at my parents' or elsewhere to just grab that rather than my laptop.
But at home, I use my Macbook Pro the vast majority of the time. I just don't like the touchscreen key pad as much, and really there's nothing the tablet can do that my laptop can't. It's a nice toy for me, but so far, really nothing more than that.
I had an iPad and I never used the thing. I'm not saying it isn't awesome, I just never got attached to mine. I ended up selling it on Craigslist. I have an iPhone, an iMac, and a MacBook Air and maybe I just had too many iProducts. Ha :)
I love my IPAD2. I use it all the time for anything I can think of -- Facebook, apps, radio, whatever else is offered. It's the best thing since the internet was invented. Now whether I'll invest in the new one, not at this time... I think I can manage a few more years with 2 before going on to 6 or 7 or even 8. Will depend on a. budget and b. the lure of new things that one might be able to do... very hard to resist.
ALL of the time!!!! At home I use it to read, listen to music, watch Netflix.... At work it's usually open, displaying my calendar, my dropbox and it's playing music. Most times if I am going out of town I take it in place of my Mac book, especially since I purchased a keyboard with it.
My iPad follows me all day. I curl up in an armchair to read a book on it, watch a movie, or play a game. I put my feet up and set the iPad on my lap in stand mode to do real work on it--my bookkeeping, writing a chapter of my next ebook (I love typing on my iPad!), studying Japanese. I reach for it (and my stylus) whenever I want to jot something down; no more scrap bits of paper lying all over the place. My iPad is helping me go paperless, gets me away from the office when I'm not working, and has a battery that lasts all day. For more about a few of the things I do on my iPad and the apps I love: http://www.squidoo.com/i-love-my-ipad-2
In short, I use my iPad from the minute I get up to the moment before I fall asleep. And it's right there in the middle of the night if I wake up and need to brainstorm or write down a dream.
every day:
Reading ebooks
Reading magazines (might be the ipads true purpose)
watching videos (LOVE the PBS & Netflix apps)
note-taking (Notability is my preferred app)
light web-browsing and email.
online meetings (webex, gotomeeting) when I don't want to lose computer screen real estate
Don't have one even though my partner and I have been Apple products fans since the launch of the very first Macintosh computer. Since the word got out about the deplorable conditions in the Chinese factories where these are made, I (very disappointedly) am holding off on further Apple purchases until it's clear they are taking steps to alleviate those conditions.
I bought an ipad2 before I went on a 2-month bike trip across the U.S. It came in handy for storing all our photos, blogging, planning each day's route, finding campgrounds/food/etc, checking the weather, staying in touch with friends, and watching the bbc pride & prejudice over and over in our tent at night. But when I got home where I have a laptop, I never picked it up. I sold it to my friend who didn't have a computer and she uses it all the time.
Ours (1st generation) lives on the kitchen counter, where my husband uses it to check the weather obsessively (hay making time, sap season, sailing—always a reason) and to check his e-mail (he has no computer at home). When I'm cooking, I toggle between Pandora for music and Evernote for recipes. One of us is always looking something up or seeing where we can order something. I have a big Mac Pro upstairs, but I only use it now when I have serious work to do. And when kids come over, they sniff out all the games on it.
I've wondered about getting the iPad as well, since I have a laptop, an iMac and an iPhone. I've questioned other people about it if they think it's worth the money. The over consensus is that it's fun, and people love it, but it's far from a necessity and is mostly entertainment. I'm with the previous poster who said that they would be more inclined to buy one if it had more serious production apps.
Thanks for posting that link TravelingRae - I'm checking that out later.
I use my ipad very infrequently, for looking up recipes or when I travel. I much prefer my Macbook Air over my ipad. It's thin and light, and has the functionality of a full computer.
8-14 hours per day. I use if for general surfer, reading, watching TV shows.
I use my iPad constantly! It's not something that I would have bought myself, but ever since I won it in a raffle, it's been in constant use. I spend more time online now because the iPad makes it so easy to surf. Also use it a lot in the kitchen for recipes. Other things I use it for: email, Facebook, google maps, Kindle, check weather, stream tv and Netflix. I am probably on it way too much! My husband gets jealous.
I LOVE MY IPAD!!!
I bought mine right before a trip, because I was tired of lugging my laptop with me and was sure that it would wear out faster, as a result! That was almost 2 years ago, and I've taken it on every trip since. Watching movies on it is soooo much better than on the plane's minuscule screens! I limit my work load while I'm away, but still do a bit everyday. I am thinking about getting a keyboard/case to make it even more useful, too.
I use my ipad just about everyday for reading books. I use the Nook app and love it! I haven't bought a paperback or hardbound recreational reading book since I bought my ipad!
Now that there's way more magazine's available, I'm switching out my go to magazines to the digital versions .... less and less paper ... I love it!
I also have several cookbooks on it and have an acrylic stand to protect it. Use it for that function more and more, too.
I wish I had the newer version with the camera, though. I Skype with my son once a week (he lives in Shanghai), and it would be nice to do it from the ipad. I have relatives in Iceland (yes, Iceland!) and across the country, too ... it would be nice to Skype them on it, as well (the picture resolution is just so much better than on my computer)!
I barely use it at all. Mostly just for traveling or presentations. My job got me a Macbook Air...after I had already purchased the iPad. Now the iPad just sits and waits for adventures...
Every single day: it has replaced all paper magazines and paperback books, my language lessons are on it. I stream music from the iPad while driving. I take notes at meetings silently with it. I refuse to use my corporate Blackb*rry to read and review documents (the screen is the size of a post stamp), so I forward them to my iPad for more comfort. My post-it notes and shopping lists are on the iPad. It is also my address book. On my train commute back home, I'll check Facebook and Twitter, place my order to the supermarket, read the newspapers or check email. Arrived at home, it goes right into the kitchen where I use it as a recipe book. I often read from the iPad in the evenings. The weather forecast or maps I immediately check online.
Maybe I specifically fit the profile of the "ideal iPad user" as I own an iMac and a "normal" phone, not a smartphone. Those are still exaggeratedly expensive here in Belgium.
I bought an iPad right before the holidays. I had it shipped to work and made myself promise to not open it until I got home that night had eaten dinner and done the dishes, because I knew that once the box was opened the night would be over. I had that thing up and running in 15 minutes, synced and was off and running. And then I went...well what's all the hype. I was a bit disappointed in mine. At first.
After a couple of weeks of being unimpressed I started to realize it's full potential. I did buy it in lieu of a lap top for general surfing, games, reading, etc... Purely for me and for fun. In the last month though I've started to integrate it more in my day to day practices as a college professor, using it with clients of freelance projects.
At home I use if for all the fun stuff but in the kitchen I've downloaded recipe apps and recipes and other docs that are useful when I dock it in the kitchen. And I can also lay in bed and watch tv shows and movies that I stream from Netflix.
I use it every day...every where!
I do not own an IPad, and I live very well.
For most people, the IPad is another gadget. It was invented to make people spend on of-the-moment technology. Big companies keep us busy at buying new products so that we do not think about more important issues.
And: Read a book, not on you IPAd.
And: Read a book, not on youR IPAd.
Everyday:
-at breakfast to read the news
-track my Weight Watchers points plus in their iPad app
-post Twitter tweets
-look at Facebook
-look up info on the internet
-play Bejeweled
-use the DIRECTV app to run my receiver and view live TV in other rooms
-Make Open Table reservations
I have a Galaxy Tab, rather than an iPad, but I use it every day. I check emails, create documents, listen to music while I'm tidying, research family history, watch TV/film, blog while I'm travelling, keep up to speed with my fave RSS feeds (like this one!), browse through my fashion/interiors images I keep for inspiration...
I love mine, but I wouldn't say everyone needs one - if I drove to work, for example, I wouldn't use it half as much. I just generally find it neater and lighter than my laptop, with a much better battery life (though a MacBook is hard to beat on that score). It could never be a substitute, though - some websites are an absolute pain to use with the touchscreen.
Mine was a gift too. (I know, lucky, lucky. I have a wonderful family.) I use mine all the time if I do not need to do any extensive writing -- it's great for consumption of stuff, not so great for creation, with a few exceptions. But the size and weight can't be beat, it holds a charge much longer than my laptop so I don't need to cart a bulky electrical cord around. If I were spending my own money, I would not have bought it. But I love it dearly.
I use mine all the time at home. Almost the the exclusion of my personal laptop. I mostly use my laptop for downloading things that I can't download straight to my device (like books on audible, or library books), and to play games on Steam. I don't think everyone needs one in addition to a tricked-out laptop or desktop, but for most people's personal use a full-blown computer is kind of unnecessary: you don't need that much stuff to check your email, surf the web, and maybe play some solitaire or other basic games. Tablets (or netbooks for that matter) are a cheaper alternative in many cases.
I know lots of people who do business outside of a traditional office format, and they use their iPad all the time.
I don't own one and have no need for one because I'm on the computer for 8 hours at work, but I think it does have its market.
I have a droid tablet (ohh the horror!) but I'm still going to chime in since its the same idea. I use my tablet ALL THE TIME. I originally bought it to use for school (ebooks and didn't feel like toting around my laptop) but I found it to be incredible useful. Between the apps and just the sheer portability of it, its never really out of my hands unless I am at work. I use my iphone when I am on the go during the day, but for traveling etc, you cannot beat the size and battery life (about 8-9 hours)
but typing on it seriously? it is a no go. reads like I had a seizure mid thought. That's where a keyboard is still handy and for long emails/chats etc.... I find myself reaching for the laptop.
So portability and usability is really high compared to a laptop and with an add on keyboard I'm sure it would solve my typing issue. For me its been a wonderful addition into my home. couldn't live without it now.
I use my iPad ALL THE TIME... on the train in the morning, listening to Sirius radio, reading, movies in bed, music, looking at the interwebs while laying on the couch. My husband uses it all the time too, generally one of us has it in nearby at any given moment.
This piece came up at just the right time for me. I got an Ipad on Friday evening after I had come home to find that my Imac would not turn on and that it could take up to a month for Apple to fix it. So far, I like the Ipad and think it seems perfect for traveling but prefer my full-size computer. However, the posts above have given this not very tech savvy lady some ideas of what the Ipad can do so I may come to love it.
To MaxB: I am a lifelong reader and book lover. I worry about the future of the book with devices like the Kindle. I was given a Kindle as a Christmas gift and my daughter said I discernably frowned when I opened it. (Fortunately, the person who gave it to me wasn't present.) I have found that I love my Kindle for reading mystery novels, to which I am addicted, and it solves the problem of what to do with all the cheap paperbacks.
I will continue to buy poetry and serious fiction in book form.
I use my iPad allll day every day, and I have a iphone and a macbook as well.. Ipad is much easier to carry around then my laptop and much easier to view and save material than my iphone. I use it for school, for photography and for browsing my favorite blogs. I rarely use my laptop except for photoshop and writing papers!
Every. Single. Day! For business work and pleasure.
Like many I use my IPad every single day. I got it on my birthday just the day before my son was born and like many I just did not see the need, but then it help me conect to the world while breastfeeding, not something I could have done with my lap top. now is something I use everysingle day, from checking my email, the weather, cooking, watching netflix, even for teaching my son words and numbers both in spanish and english.
Now my laptop is only for work and my iphone for when I am out and about strolling with my dear son.
Not only am I completely addicted to mine but I bought it so I could demolish a beautiful home office in my small loft and open up the space. It has worked brilliantly. I tuned a closet into my home office and use my desktop mostly when I need to scan, print or do real work - maybe an hour a week. When the silicone keyboard I backed on Kickstarter is produced, I think I will be able to blog on my iPad. I got rid of my travel netbook and avoided buying an Air because of the iPad.
My iPhone is good when I am on the go - but reading on my phone just doesn't compare.
Friends who need Flash find it frustrating - but there is a new technology in the works that should make Flash obsolete.
I have used my original iPad every single day since the first day it was sold.
At first, I played with it a lot because it was pretty cool and different. Not so much now that I had my Nook rooted (whatever that means) and can now play with all the free cool Android apps on that. When I need computing power, it really isn't all that great either. So I go to my little 15" Thinkpad laptop.
I use mine all the time.
It's the first thing I use to surf the web when I wake up, and many times the last thing I'm looking at when I fall asleep. In between - I'm either using it at school, or playing games, or doing some personal shopping or browsing.
To all of those who say they don't need an iPad - technically we don't need a TV, a smart phone, or broadband internet. These are all things we want.
We caved and bought one when my mother-in-law gave us an Acer tablet for Christmas, so we decided to trade up in favor of the gold standard in tablets. In all honesty I don't use it for much, but it's amazing for blog surfing, so I think if I only ever use it for that it will still be worth it.
That being said, the biggest shortcoming is that it's not easy to share with people - my husband barely uses it because every time he tries to use any apps I'm already logged in.
I use my iPad everyday and my laptop about twice a week, sometimes once a week. They're very few things from a home / casual use that I can't do on the iPad. But when I can't use it, it's a big failure.
I'd like to be able to 'dump' my laptop and just use the iPad at home but it isn't there, yet. And, maybe it never will.
What's an iPad??? :) :) :)
Honestly, I've purchased two iPads and ended up selling both on eBay because I used it so infrequently. The second time around (glutton for punishment) I actually used it a lot at work to take notes, but then for Christmas I got a new MacBook Air and my iPad was pushed to the side (and sold on eBay). I'd much rather use a laptop anyday because it's faster to do anything, and the Air makes that possible to do that because it's just as portable as the iPad. If you're on the fence and have some extra cash to splash, invest in a new Air (small one).
I use my iPad all the time, in fact, I'm using it right now.
Books, comics, magazines, games, music, music videos, sketching, notes, keeping my schedules and calendars up to date (love iCloud), etc.
While I was very tempted to upgrade to the shiny and new iPad2, I resisted. My iPad was less than a year old and still did everything I needed it to do (though I did finally upgrade from a dumb phone to an iPhone 4S). I am planning to upgrade to iPad 3 if it's 4G when it comes out, my iPad will find a new home with my Mom.
I use my iPad to read (ebooks/blogs/websites) watch movies/tvshows on the go and check/answer emails. I use it on the couch or in bed, or when I'm riding the train. My Macbook Pro, which is I used to carry around the house or on longer trips, stays now on my desk connected to my screen etc most of the time. So the iPad I mostly use for media consumption or for small work tasks (email, writing) and my computer stays on the desk for work. Before I've used the laptop for both: work and consumption.
I use mine all the time - for school work (textbooks, PDFs), I do drafts of presentations and letters on it, online banking, email, magazines, the Kindle and Netflix apps.
Always have it in my back. The battery lasts much longer than my laptop's. I even take it to class and write my notes on it - I really use a lot less paper that way!!
^^ "Always have it in my bag." - not back. WTF.
Over 25 million iPad users is a lot of "Kool Aid Drinkers." Do you even think before you write nonsense like that?
Apple is currently under a trademark infringement lawsuit from a Chinese company for the use of the name iPad. This could block future exports of the product. people waiting on the newest version might have to deal with what they have for a while. So far, the other company has won the case and apple is appealing...
I use the iPad very often for work, where I can meet with coworkers and look over designs very quickly. It's easier than unhooking my laptop from it's configuration, and is super handy to have at meetings or on the go.
I highly suggest the iPad for the older, less tech-savvy generation, and particularly those who can't get a hang of a smartphone. I bought my dad an iPad 2 last year, and he has completely replaced his laptop as his primary computer. My dad's not too tech-savvy, so he's uncomfortable doing much on the computer because he's afraid to mess something up. He's always used the computer mainly just for email, skype and internet, and the iPad interface allows for fairly intuitive use for both. His favorite feature is how simple it is to zoom into the screen to a size he's comfortable with. With the front facing camera, Skype is also very convenient; he prefers it to his laptop.
From experience, I would suggest paying the extra money and springing for a 3g capable iPad. Even if you're not immediately thinking you need the 3g, it's nice to have. You can subscribe on a month-to-month basis, and it's a fairly convenient tool to pack on a short trip if all you're looking for is easy access to internet, email, maps, etc in lieu of a bulkier laptop.
The lawsuit only applies to the importation of iPads TO China... Apple bought the rights to the iPad name from the company, and the company only argues that it still retains rights within China.
When it first came out, it didn't look that interesting to me. But my husband got one in trade and I have since taken it over. I use it daily, for mindless browsing and tv and games.
Daily. In the morning it's all about checking the weather and look for any disruptions in my commute to work. In the evening, I use it for Facebook, reading blogs and checking email.
The two most interestingly useful functions I've discovered in the last month (of three months owning an iPad) is how good it is for gaming as well as streaming movies and Slingbox. It has completely replaced my need for a PS3 or Xbox as well as allowing me to watch TV remotely.
I got rid of my Macbook and now only have the Ipad. Seriously.
For some reason this really seems to upset people and I often find myself defending the decision. This calms them down (sometimes):
1) I work in a cubicle in front of a computer all day, I have internet access, and don't want to be on a computer when I come home.
2) After getting an Iphone, about 6 months ago, I realized I rarely used my laptop.
3) I live with my boyfriend who has a MacBook Pro, which I can use if I need to. (Almost never, so far just for Etsy posts.)
3) I always used to use my laptop while laying on the couch, watching tv, and unwinding after the gym. The Ipad is much more comfortable for this application and doesn't overheat from sitting on a pillow.
4) Portability is not really an issue, but friends often assume that's why I downsized and demand to know why I didn't just get the MacBook Air. I'm a girly girl with a professional job. IF portability were the issue, I would want something that fits in my purse. The MacBook Air is completely useless to me, I am not going to use a backpack or a briefcase. I don't care how flat it is, it's huge.
I use my MacBook Pro and even my iphone 4 more than I do my iPad 2. I need to try to start using it more often.
Every single day. shake my thang to Sonos, Netflix, Hulu, email, keynote, quick surfing, homework help, best camara ever, road trip companion. I'm in front of a computer all day long - last thing I'll ever do is turn on a desktop or laptop unless I really have to for software use.
Happy Valentine's Day, my iLove!
everyday. its like the morning paper and email check while getting ready. i have a macpro i use for work/school at home. sold my macbook and havent looked back. i have a first gen ipad , no cam, dont miss it. i will probally upgrade to the ipad3 if it has some additional features, not sold on better vid cams/cameras, retina display.
this ipad1 is fast enought for web surfing/vacation/temp storing pictures/kids games/school notes/dropbox stuff.
i love the interaction between the appletv/macs as a remote and streaming music.
also the logmein app works great for remoting into my macs.
overall i think its a great filler even with an iphone. the screen is just to small to do any real websurfing.
also no hot lap syndrome in bed or on the couch. battery life is awesome also
I got one for when I travel, but honestly, in retrospect, I wish I'd got a cheaper kindle. I don't use it instead of a laptop at all- my laptop goes everywhere with me when I travel (I write, and don't like doing that on the ipad, plus for skyping my husband and stuff, need the laptop), and I basically just use the ipad for reading and taking notes, etc.
However, I LOVE the different book formats on it- youve got kindle, nook, google books and ibooks, and between all of these you can basically get anything in electronic format. Not only that but old PDFs (I'm a herbalist- read lots of old herby books) and things like that; I basically have every classic herbal text on my ipad. THAT is really useful. But for just that, it's very expensive :).