Can someone talk to me about iPads

[saintlydamemrsturnip]

I am trying to decide what to do. I am lifelong Apple user. Currently I have an Mac Book I use for work, and an ancient eMac which the kids use. The eMac is well and truly on its way out. It struggles with video and the screen keeps going black.

I've phoned to get a price on a new iMac - if I buy one this week I can get a couple of hundred off and a free iPod touch (old style I assume) - through the higher education store. The price is still bringing tears to my eyes.

But I also would like to get iPad soon - mainly for ds1 to use as a communication device - he's severely autistic.

As we have a fully functional Mac Book in the house is there any way I could replace the desktop with an iPad? The kids favourite websites are cBeebies and Club Penguin, both of which use Flash I think.

Any ideas? DH is hopeless to discuss this stuff with as his eyes just glaze over until he sees the price at which stage he passes out.

oh the iPod could be used a communication aid as well - but I have a feeling ds1 will just fly with the iPad - the iPod is a bit tricky and small for him.

If the iPad played Flash I don't think I would hesitate and would go for that.

The lack of flash is a pain, and it certainly isn't easy to print from the ipad (well it might be once you know how, but we haven't managed it yet!).

The lack of flash is a pain tbh. It really does prevent the ipad from replacing all small notebooks. Could the ipad replace a desktop? I guess if cameras and printers all go via the macbook then possibly. Presumably you can sync to iTunes on the macbook and thus transfer files. What else do you use the desktop for? If it is just kids surfing, then why not get a cheap pc?

I'm also a Mac Anorak

...and am the lucky owner of an iPad, iPhone, iMac and MacBook Pro (the kids also own a selection of elderly iBooks)

The iPad is a splendid thing. It is gear fun, very portable, a usable size and a handy addition..

Apple have created a 'need' where really one doesn't exist..it is essentially a big iPod touch with 3G capability.

And I really, really don't think it will suffice as a replacement for an iMac.

I think iMacs are priced from about £699, is that right? Ours was more expensive than that at the time, but four years (and only one minor repair) on it shows no sign of wearing out, and nor is its appearance or performance outdated. Frankly, if you are getting an iPod touch thrown in that may be the best deal, as the touch may well perform the tasks you wanted the iPad for..

PS we have two autistic boys, one at either end of the spectrum, and only the Asperger's boy seems to benefit at all from touch screens. He covets his own iPod touch....always worth a try with this?

I meant great fun by the way. Not gear fun.

(iPad autocorrect did that to me...)

I may be old, but was too young in the sixties to have used the word 'gear'. Honest.

I really don't think the iPad replaces laptop functionality. More limited keypad, problems with scrolling etc. And then the lack of flash is a huge PITA. I find it reasonable for basic web browsing but tbh email and forums are a bit harder because you need to do more typing and the keypad really isn't brilliant for more than short messages etc. I find it impossible to scroll within message box if I'm writing long message so can't reread whole message once written.

No iMacs are starting at £999 now although I can get my high ed discount on that.

Ds1 uses our iPod touch a lot, but it's ancient - first generation - and it struggles with Proloquo2go which is the best AAC app. If we get the free iPod Touch thrown in then I will give it to him so he can have it as a communication aid but I really think he will be better with the iPad in the long run. He's very dyspraxic - can't sign for example because of this- has to make up his own versions - so the iPod - although he does use ours a lot is a little frustrating to him

Everything goes via the macbook at the moment because the emac is so old.

I did think about iPad then cheapo PC but I will be screaming at the PC within about 10 minutes. DH is absolutely useless so it would be up to me to set the thing up/keep up to date with viral stuff/correct it when it goes wrong and it makes my teeth itch just thinking about it.

Oh decisions decisions!

I wouldn't want the iPad to replace the laptop as such- just to replace the kids computer - so internet browsing in the main. But I do think lack of Flash may be a killer there.

I can't see why a decent laptop would be so hard to set up etc? As long as you have decent firewall/av. I do know what you mean in a way, the first pc we bought with norton whatever on was a total pita, mad alerts every 10 secs, crashes and trojans galore, then the dreaded bsod and untimely death. This laptop (touch wood) seems to soldiering on though (toshiba satellite).

Are macs really worth it? I need to get a new laptop next month, academic really as I don't have a grand to spend. Could you get a reconditioned/second hand imac or macbook for the kids? I have no idea if they are much cheaper though. If they are as hardy and longlasting as people say, then could be an option.

Mac, mac , mac! Macs all the way here. I have never owned anything else in 20 years. I have a 17" Macbook Pro and an Air, so does H, the DC's have 13"macbook pros. DS original macbook took some bashing in a backpack all over the world for 4 years, on ski slopes as an instructor, and is still going strong, though he has a new macbook pro. I thought it was failing, but all it just had a dent on the case that made the fan noisy, a new case and it is fine and now surplus, must sell it on ebay!

We have had cubes, clam shells, swan necks,the very first iPod bricks,and still have Newtons, - the very first iPad? We would never buy anything else

I always buy mine from the refurb site, they come with the usual 12 months warranty, and you can extend if you wish. refurb site

I want an iPad, just because I do! I discovered DH has loads of unused points on his Natwest card, so will use them for Currys vouchers ( against my better judgment to go there) to get £500 towards one for my birthday!

I was in the Apple store yesterday, lusting after browsing iPhone accessories and the iMac, so I was playing with the iPad.

Yeah, the big screen is great for watching YouTube, or reading MN, but it really bugged me that I couldn't a.) make a phone call, even with my contact list right there and b.) use Flash. Now I do think it is too big to use as a regular mobile, but if you're doing something on your iPad and realize you need to make a call, having to then pull out your iPhone as well seems just sort of silly to me.

I think that would be great for the next generation of iPad. An integrated mobile. Then I might consider getting one.

Tee-thats where King Jobs makes his money by bringing out a "new improved" Ipad once the sales for this one drop and people will fall for all the hype.

I wouldn't touch one (or Any Apple products) with a bargepole, Apple are just too controlling and its just a case of style over substance. Much better alternatives out there.

saintlydamemrsturnip -- I don't know if you know but there are quite a few autistic children in the US who've really benefited from iPads. See:
www.everythingicafe.com/ipad-a-near-miracle-for-autism/2010/08/13/

Now I am a total Mac whore and the proud owner of all things i.

For your children I would be more inclined to buy cheap laptops and an iPod touch.

I like my iPad for surfing etc but it couldn't replace a proper desktop computer for me.