So I am Thinking of Purchasing an Ipad...

[Deofuta]

Hey Guys,

Alright, before anyone jumps the barrel, starts screaming, or whatever, hear me out! My birthday is in eight days, and I have been thinking about what I would enjoy as a Birthday Present.(EDIT: Before someone goes off on the whole "You can get anything you want cause your a pretentious rich etc. etc. balogna, The normal deal is that I pay for half, Parents pay for half,depending on price.) At first I wanted an Ereader. All of my summer courses text books were purchasable in ebook format, and I thought "Hey! This could be a great way to save some money/space/time!"

AND THEN, my laptop broke. Now, I own a PC and a Laptop, the laptop being the main instrument I used to take notes with in my classes. So I began thinking "What could double as an Ereader, and a simple word processing tool?" And then it hit me, IPAD!

Of course I will be doing my own research, but I just have some questions for my fellow escapists.

Do you own an Ipad?
How is the virtual keyboard?
Should I think about purchasing an actual keyboard?

I took a look at Ereader formats, and the IPad is compatible with Kindle and most other formats, so I think I am set there.

So, thoughts?

Oh and please no Apple Hate, I understand people have strong opinions on the matter, but blatant criticism gets nothing done. Perhaps suggest an alternative device that would aim for what I am looking for?

Thanks,

-Deo

 

[Weaver]

IMO the virtual keyboard on it is really crappy (I tried one out in the store).
Why not just get a netbook? They're cheaper, have good keyboards, amazing battery life and (in general) more processing power. They can run windows and even top of the line netbooks will be cheaper than in iPad.

That's my 2 cents anyways.

 

[DividedUnity]

Get a netbook or a small laptop instead. Much less expensive for a better product. If you must have a tablet then get a small tablet PC instead of the Ipad.

 

[mikecoulter]

I suppose an iPad would be alright. But get the wifi only model and tether it to either a Jailbroken iPhone or HTC phone... ;D

 

[megapenguinx]

Do you own an Ipad?
How is the virtual keyboard?
Should I think about purchasing an actual keyboard?

I took a look at Ereader formats, and the IPad is compatible with Kindle and most other formats, so I think I am set there.

So, thoughts?

Oh and please no Apple Hate, I understand people have strong opinions on the matter, but blatant criticism gets nothing done. Perhaps suggest an alternative device that would aim for what I am looking for?

I do not own an iPad but know several people that do (I live in SF, Apple fanboys galore here) and have used it extensively.

The virtual keyboard feels extremely awkward. It works and is rather responsive, but the lack of tactile feedback is a pretty big issue. Your fingers will miss their intended mark quite a bit. I don't recommend typing out anything longer than maybe a facebook comment.

If you buy a keyboard it's going to have to be their proprietary one and that costs a lot more than it should....(plus I'm not sure if it's out yet). You could try to find a usb converter, but again I'm not sure if there are any on the market.

I would suggest a netbook and maybe the Kindle program. That way you can have your textbooks on the go with your netbook and when you got home you could just continue reading on you bigger PC screen.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Sure, buy an iPad. Please also hand in your masculinity and at least 1/2 of your brain

IMO the virtual keyboard on it is really crappy (I tried one out in the store).
Why not just get a netbook? They're cheaper, have good keyboards, amazing battery life and (in general) more processing power. They can run windows and even top of the line netbooks will be cheaper than in iPad.

That's my 2 cents anyways.

Exactly this. I couldn't be happier with my $400 netbook. It runs win7, can play some older games (Warcraft3 for example), has an amazing battery life, and I can truly take it anywhere. A 160gb HDD is pretty much standard, so you can copy a ton of movies and even more music onto it for long trips.

 

[Deofuta]

I do not own an iPad but know several people that do (I live in SF, Apple fanboys galore here) and have used it extensively.

The virtual keyboard feels extremely awkward. It works and is rather responsive, but the lack of tactile feedback is a pretty big issue. Your fingers will miss their intended mark quite a bit. I don't recommend typing out anything longer than maybe a facebook comment.

If you buy a keyboard it's going to have to be their proprietary one and that costs a lot more than it should....(plus I'm not sure if it's out yet). You could try to find a usb converter, but again I'm not sure if there are any on the market.

I would suggest a netbook and maybe the Kindle program. That way you can have your textbooks on the go with your netbook and when you got home you could just continue reading on you bigger PC screen.

First of all, thanks for the responses so far guys!

I checked the price of the keyboard and its a whopping 70 bucks, however, the ipad works on bluetooth compatability, so it is possible to *maybe* find a wireless keyboard that is cheaper.

EDIT: My bad, appears to be a usb port, was actually just the serial bus port.

They do however sell the camera connection kit, which is essentially just a usb adapter.

 

[Miumaru]

Pay for half? Pfft, might as well just make them give you cash.

 

[Deofuta]

The only problem I see with purchasing a netbook is the readability of it. The screens seem rather small and looks as if it could get awkward to hold after a while. It looks like using an Ipad in public places would be easier and more comfortable, as well as making me a prime target for a mugging .

 

[PurpleSky]

I am thinking of buying a Kindle personally.Just want the reading thing,but 259$....kind of much

 

[megapenguinx]

I do not own an iPad but know several people that do (I live in SF, Apple fanboys galore here) and have used it extensively.

The virtual keyboard feels extremely awkward. It works and is rather responsive, but the lack of tactile feedback is a pretty big issue. Your fingers will miss their intended mark quite a bit. I don't recommend typing out anything longer than maybe a facebook comment.

If you buy a keyboard it's going to have to be their proprietary one and that costs a lot more than it should....(plus I'm not sure if it's out yet). You could try to find a usb converter, but again I'm not sure if there are any on the market.

I would suggest a netbook and maybe the Kindle program. That way you can have your textbooks on the go with your netbook and when you got home you could just continue reading on you bigger PC screen.

First of all, thanks for the responses so far guys!

I checked the price of the keyboard and its a whopping 70 bucks, however, the ipad works on bluetooth compatability, so it is possible to *maybe* find a wireless keyboard that is cheaper.

EDIT: My bad, appears to be a usb port, was actually just the serial bus port.

They do however sell the camera connection kit, which is essentially just a usb adapter.

From what I remember from my days hanging around the MacWorld offices, the bluetooth might only work on the same keyboards they used on their iMac line. I think everything else is kind of finicky. I will say this though: Playing plants vs zombies on the thing is way better than on a pc.

EDIT:

The only problem I see with purchasing a netbook is the readability of it. The screens seem rather small and looks as if it could get awkward to hold after a while. It looks like using an Ipad in public places would be easier and more comfortable, as well as making me a prime target for a mugging .

Er, holding the iPad is rather awkward as well. It gets heavy fast so you have to sort of either lay it on a table or your lap to really use it. Especially if you are thinking of reading from it for a long time. Plus the screen is really really nice, but still not as good as e-ink.

 

[Plurralbles]

For me, it's the best ereader on the market today, just make sure you can actually use the damn thing(the recharger stuff and all) as I've always been of the impression that without other apple products it made owning it a chore.

 

[Deofuta]

From what I remember from my days hanging around the MacWorld offices, the bluetooth might only work on the same keyboards they used on their iMac line. I think everything else is kind of finicky. I will say this though: Playing plants vs zombies on the thing is way better than on a pc.

HOLY SHIT FORGOT ABOUT PVZ! Consider it bought

hehe just kidding, I will check around and see what kind of bluetooth keyboards may be available. I also found a helpful site on making your own Ipad stand out of the cardboard packaging it comes in. Most useful

For me, it's the best ereader on the market today, just make sure you can actually use the damn thing(the recharger stuff and all) as I've always been of the impression that without other apple products it made owning it a chore.

I have been a long time owner of the I- series. At least, the Ipods. No Iphone. I am pretty competent in my I-fu, if you know what I mean

 

[darfjono]

consider this:

a netbook that can run any program windows can run, or linux if you prefer

vs

content-restricted app-driven guaranteed-to-be-broken-once-someone-finds-something-useful-to-do-with-it apple product #14624637235

 

[Horticulture]

What about a netbook+kindle? Not as cool as an iPad, but better for notetaking and easier on the eyes for around the same price.

 

[cheese_wizington]

I'd just go for the netbook.

 

[SomethingUnrelated]

Man, I don't even know what an Ipad is [Yes, I know it's a touchy feely screen of wonders, just not what it's classed as], forget being able to recommend it.

 

[Deofuta]

consider this:

a netbook that can run any program windows can run, or linux if you prefer

vs

content-restricted app-driven guaranteed-to-be-broken-once-someone-finds-something-useful-to-do-with-it apple product #14624637235

I see what you are saying, but there are some critical things the Ipad gives over the Netbook.

Large screen, allows for easy reading.
Comfortable, reading an ebook on the netbook appears to be strenuous, the smaller screen and method to hold it making it uncomfortable after a long period of time.

And frankly, I don't need another laptop. The first laptop I bought became little more than a notepad once I bought my PC. I just want a comfortable Ereader with a large library, that can also substitute as a word processor at times, and in the most basic of sense.

Also, if I really, really felt the need to get third party apps, why not just jailbreak the sucker? (Doubt I would do it, unless they realized something so incredible it would be worth the portential bricking)

What about a netbook+kindle? Not as cool as an iPad, but better for notetaking and easier on the eyes for around the same price.

Not going to lie it is something I considered. However I think that if I am going to pay the same price I would enjoy the larger screen than the kindle has to offer. I also believe that the kindle/iBook apps both use the same sort of light strategy, where it is slightly better on your eyes than a PC.

 

[Doc Incognito]

I am thinking of buying a Kindle personally.Just want the reading thing,but 259$....kind of much

I use the Barnes and Noble Nook, which, while being the exact same price, is quite nice. I've had it for a couple of months, and the books are cheap, the reading is easy, and it can even play music files, although it can't hold a great deal of them. I'm not sure how it compares to a Kindle, but I like it.