iPad

[Dan Karachio]

Work bought us one for "research purposes," and when I can get it away from my wife I find it useful for email and browsing and it sure beats running to the computer or having the laptop around for that, but I'm really not sold on it as any kind of productivity tool for a home user. However, if you were managing logistics or materials for a large facility or plant, a nurse or doctor (in a rural area for example) and other jobs, it could be very helpful (when apps exist to support more work). At home, it's fun, it's neat, it's cool, but I can't think that anyone actually *needs* one. It does nothing to improve the communication between a married couple! I watched some Tommy Mac videos on it this evening sitting one foot from my wife who was trying to read.

Oh, and it's good for checking SMC when you are in the TV room like, right now!

[Shawn Pixley]

I have one and it is great. Yesterday I read a book on it, looked at Sawmill creek, used it for reference making a turkey roulade, and watched a video. It is great to travel with as well. I have ~10 videos, 30-40 books, and 3000+ songs. You can watch 3-4 movies on it on a single charge.

[Brian Ashton]

I like the concept of the Ipad but will wait till it has a few reincarnations. My primary use right now would be for school to view elcture slides and work on assignments. What I would be waiting for is a docking station that allows the user to use an external keyboard and monitor. I'm also hoping they will make the over all size smaller and have a mobile phone. But if apple doesn't do it someone else will. Which in someways would be better as Mac Office is junk compared to PC Office.

[Keith Outten]

Brian,

I have a bluetooth keyboard and a video connector cable for my Ipad. I also have a camera connection kit that allows me to either plug my camera to the device or to insert SD cards and upload pictures directly.

Google is working on an Ipad type device that will run their own operating system.
.

[Jeff Heil]

Love mine, not a mac user either. I got it to be an e-book reader over a Kindle, since the Kindle is not backlit and the iPad is. Reading in bed with a sleeping wife is easier as a result. I use it more than I thought I would for email and web surfing.

Some .asp webpages won't render properly, also had the same flash frustrations as others. Love Netflix movies when traveling, also easier than hauling along the laptop.

[Peter Stahl]

Wanted to say thanks to everyone for their replies again. I did get my wife a iPad for Christmas and so far she really likes it. It does a lot more than I thought they did. Maybe I'll get another in February when they come out with the next version. She bought her first book for it last night and really likes it much better over a paperback. Well lit and she doesn't get cramps in her hands holding the book open. My son was playing a game called "angry Birds" on it last night was really hooked on it. Does graphics really well.

[Dan Hintz]

I held off on my Chanukah purchase due to the iPad 2 coming out in April (it will be released from the manufacturers in January, but won't make it into retail streams until April). The price should be roughly the same, but the new one will have 2 cameras (forward- and reverse-facing), USB ports, and their new high-res Retina display (like on the latest iPhone), among other things.

[Mike Hollingsworth]

most incredible app --- Star Walk

[Peter Stahl]

I held off on my Chanukah purchase due to the iPad 2 coming out in April (it will be released from the manufacturers in January, but won't make it into retail streams until April). The price should be roughly the same, but the new one will have 2 cameras (forward- and reverse-facing), USB ports, and their new high-res Retina display (like on the latest iPhone), among other things.

Thanks for the info Dan.

[Dan Hintz]

Peter,

Expect some decent deals on the original when #2 comes out... people will be wanting to dump their remaining stock.

[glenn bradley]

(Personally, I just want a phone that simply makes voice calls.)

We all do. We're just too dazzled by the sparkly objects to remember what a phone is for. I do like the idea of a good, versatile PDA. Just don't jam it into my phone; it makes the phone too big and the PDA too small ;-)

[Rod Upfold]

Got my wife one for Christmas - she loves it.

I didn't know what to get her and she been talking about them...shuttered at the price though.

[Jim Barrett]

I think before you purchase an iPad you need to realize it is for "consuming" information and not "creating" information...if you want to create buy a laptop...you'll be happier.

Jim

[Scott Shepherd]

I think before you purchase an iPad you need to realize it is for "consuming" information and not "creating" information...if you want to create buy a laptop...you'll be happier.

Jim

Just curious why you'd say that. They have the entire package available for creating documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and websites. What else would you like to create that you can't? AutoCAD even has an application for it that allows editing of AutoCAD drawings. Not sure what you want it to do that it can't do, considering it's not a full blown laptop.

[Jim Barrett]

Just curious why you'd say that. They have the entire package available for creating documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and websites. What else would you like to create that you can't? AutoCAD even has an application for it that allows editing of AutoCAD drawings. Not sure what you want it to do that it can't do, considering it's not a full blown laptop.

The reason why I said that is I personally think the iPad is great for browsing the Internet, email, photos, etc...ok so now you have more applications that you can use on the iPad but how well can it really do all of those things. You probably need to get a keyboard then maybe a disc drive so you might as well just get a MacBook...which I have by the way and think it is great!
If I was to purchase an iPad that is how I would use it...consuming not creating...if I want to create I'll use my MacBook.
As always JMHO!

Jim