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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy an ipad?

84 replies

nellyjelly · 19/05/2012 21:42

We are fairly skint (2 kids, both in nursery so paying a kings ransom in fees every month). This situation won't be forever thank god - when they start school we will be much better off.

Anyway - we need tons of stuff. Big things= new kitchen and bathroom. Small things=a new bed for me and DH and possibly a washer, if the current one packs in soon.

BUT we also could do with a new computer/laptop/pc. The current one is on it's last legs and we definately need net access - just to be vaguely living in the 21st century. Use it alot for shopping, banking, mumsnet of course. Kids play games on computer etc. So it's not like some form of computer is not needed. I want an ipad though - small, portable and easy for kids to use. I know it's limitations but it would really suit our small house too!

So........in view of our restricted finances and all the other stuff we need, is it madness to buy an ipad? Should I save the cash for something more useful? Even when we have a huge list of stuff we need?

OP posts:
jubilee10 · 20/05/2012 07:43

I love it, I love it, I love it! I was unsure when we got it as I was skint and really had little idea about them. I wondered if a lap top would have been better. But ---- in 19 Christmases together I had only ever had a hair dryer and a Pyrex jug (yes, honestly) and I felt my turn had come. It's no use for the teenagers as they want to play games on the big screen but ds3, almost 6 loves it. But it is mine - all mine.

I didn't know about pages but will probably get that now and I do all my online shopping on it.

thirdfromleft · 20/05/2012 07:46

If you have an iPad and want to type a fair amount, try a stand+keyboard like this . Makes typing so much easier, it's almost like a normal laptop.

SoupDragon · 20/05/2012 07:48

Sorry, but you would be mad to buy an iPad if you are skint and need other practical things.

Also, you won't be able to do everything you can do on a computer on an iPad - for example it doesn't run Flash which is used on many games sites and a fair few others.

Original poster
nellyjelly · 20/05/2012 07:52

Was using 'skint' relatively.

It's not about keeping up with Jones - don't give a toss about that tbh. Just that ipad is a very nice product that seems to have all of the attributes we need at the moment. Small, portable, child friendly etc. They are not that expensive relatively IMO.

I am not buying refurbished - previous bad experiences I'm afraid.

I do have a work laptop if necessary but it is very restricted in what I can do on it for security reasons. I can't use the internet for anything other than work related stuff but I can use it for typing letters etc. It's not really for personal use.

I guess my issue is that it appears an ipad is not really going to be as useful as a netbook maybe? THough with a keyboard docking station, it can be used like a net book surely?

I thought I could store photos on it btw? There is a file transfer app isn't there so big files can be e mailed on to it.

OP posts:
Sassyfrassy · 20/05/2012 08:03

I have an ipad through work and can touch type without any problem on it. You can use drop box for storing and transfering files which is very handy.

CakeMeIAmYours · 20/05/2012 08:10

16g is really not very big at all - mine is the same and I have to selectively sync content from my laptop where it lives more permanently.

Its not really suitable for storing things on for this reason - Great for games, kindle, web browsing etc though

I was an 'early adopter' and have had mine for years now. If I were to buy a tablet now though, a lot of the Android Tabs that are around are intrinsically better than the iPad, and much much better value for money. I'd probably go for one of those to be honest.

cantrillium · 20/05/2012 08:17

Thought Dh was mad whEn he want to get a iPad due to the cost but went with it bought the entry model. Never looked back! I love it so much in our house it is called the ibaby and is our third child! It's fab for when dc are watching yet another fireman Sam for just looking on Internet and checking messages as it is on the Internet straight away no more waiting for computers to load. Flash not being on is a prob as you can't use cbeebies and other site which is major downside. Sometimes it definitely does you good not to be pratical and buy something you want.

Sassyfrasy - what is a drop box?

Sassyfrassy · 20/05/2012 08:36

www.dropbox.com/
Although, works best with access to a computer as well. You install it on your devices/computers and it creates a shared folder. Whatever goes in the folder you can access from the other devices/computers.

You can then use webdav to connect your dropbox with pages, numbers, keynote etc.
techinch.com/2011/02/02/integrate-dropbox-with-pages-keynote-and-numbers-on-ipad/

cantrillium · 20/05/2012 09:38

Ooh thanks for that will be so useful

cheeseandbiscuitsplease · 21/05/2012 19:13

iPads all the way. We have three in our house. We love them ;) I pay all my bills on it, shop on it, watch telly in bed on it......have a laptop for work stuff though but iPads are pretty awesome. Treat yourself if u want one. Life is too short. X

HandMadeTail · 21/05/2012 19:19

If you have only one, you should have a computer. I love my iPad, but that is because it is mine. I had it for Christmas two years ago. If any other member of my family has it, and I want it, they have to give it to me.

Gooshka · 21/05/2012 19:23

Go for it - life's too short to buy boring things that you need, get what you want instead and worry about it later Grin

only4tonight · 21/05/2012 19:32

Note to Apple. I WANT an iPad I WANT one really badly. BUT every time I get close to buying one the little voice in my head that says "it hasn't got a usb port so you can't upload photos, download the music from your phone or back stuff up" wins and the money stays in my pocket. Fix the usb thing and I am sold!

SoupDragon · 21/05/2012 20:00

"it hasn't got a usb port so you can't upload photos, download the music from your phone or back stuff up"

  1. You buy a camera connection kit which downloads direct from camera or SD card
  2. That's what iTunes is for
  3. That's what the cloud is for. Or Dropbox.
GingerWrath · 21/05/2012 20:33

I have an ipad 2. It is awesome. I never switch on my laptop anymore which is cool cause the damn thing kept switching itself off. My iPad doesn't need switching on, booting up, switching off, booting off...it's just there when I need it.

I got mine free on contract with my mobile supplier.

flatpackhamster · 21/05/2012 21:37

I think an iPad would be a huge mistake as the sole 'computer' in the house. You do know that you can't run the majority of education type websites (such as EducationCity) on an iPad? iPads can't run Adobe Flash software, and that's what most of these kids' games' websites work on.

Far too limiting for use as a single machine.

chipsandpeas · 21/05/2012 21:52

as much as i love my ipad its not a replacement for a laptop/netbook for day to day use due to the limitations on it
some websites wont work due to the no flash, typing on it can be a nightmare especially if your used to being a fast typer
multitasking between apps is good but not the same as on a laptop

also its a lot of money to lose if one of the kids drop it and it breaks

overall i think you need to look at your priorities, a ipad is great if you can afford it and seeing as how you say your skint and needing a new bed and potentially a washing machine i think you would be mad

trixymalixy · 21/05/2012 22:10

It really drives me nuts that the iPad can't use flash. It really limits it. They would sell far more if it was compatible with flash.

BrightnessFalls · 21/05/2012 22:19

Cant you get one on contract? Mine is about £30 a month.

Original poster
nellyjelly · 23/05/2012 06:08

Thanks for all advice. Bought one in the end. Probably highly irresponsible but I haven't bought anything 'nice' for ages. the knackered old lap top still just about works so we have some back up. i can see that we will need a laptop at some future date for DD and school work.

OP posts:
ilikeyoursleeves · 25/05/2012 22:05

Are you enjoying it? I'm on mine every day and I love it!!! What have you downloaded so far?

Have fun!

VashtiBunyan · 25/05/2012 22:07

We got one for DD for Christmas. It was a huge mistake. She wants to watch loads of films and so on, but can't because it is not compatible with flash.

I would not buy one again.

VerityVictrix · 25/05/2012 22:10

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partystress · 25/05/2012 22:13

I was v skeptical when DH got his 17 months ago. Rapidly fell in love. BUT blardy thing has now died, and would cost minimum £169 to repair. Have had same experience with two iPods. Hmm Think Apple is basically a high tech version of "I saw you coming".

VivaLeBeaver · 25/05/2012 22:14

Flash is on its way out. Give it 2 or 3 years and it won't be around anymore. I've an ipad and rarely find it a problem. Just some smaller websites that I can't access or the odd clip on the BBC website. Oh and Facebook games which I admit is a pita.