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Original poster

Is it worth the money to get an Ipad?

51 replies

mdavza · 04/01/2011 12:49

I have loved Apple products since I got my Mac Mini about 5 years ago. Still have it, then got an iphone, then a Macbook - all of which I adore. Dh or Appleforums do support, not much needed in any case. But now the burning question is: do I need an Ipad? It is just so expensive but I desire one, trying to justify the expense. I got my DH a Kindle for his birthday and have been using that almost more than him.

OP posts:
BadgersPaws · 04/01/2011 12:59

"Need" is a very relative term....

You've already got an iPhone so you know pretty well what an iPad would do. How much you'd use it depends on how much you use the iPhone to quickly check emails or do a bit of surfing on the net rather than power up a "proper" computer.

When comparing the iPad to the Kindle do remember that the Kindle has been specially built to be very easy to read and to last for a very long time between battery charges measurable in weeks. The iPad's battery life is measurable in hours and the screen might not be quite as easy and comfortable on the eye.

Niceguy2 · 04/01/2011 16:13

"Need" no. "Desire"....absolutely!

I've learned to just give in and join the Apple collective. Just hand over your credit card and don't look back!

The only word of caution is that the Ipad 2 is scheduled to be released in April. If you are a true Apple fanatic, try to wait!

SoupDragon · 04/01/2011 16:16

My ipad is my most hard working gadget. I sit at my kitchen table MNing and other internet browsing on it, I play games on it, the children play games on it, they watch DVDs on it (I ripped our collection onto my iPad early on) It has been worth every prnny.

And it is very pretty.

However, as NiceGuy said, the 2nd gen one is due out in however many months so it may be worth waiting.

bramblebooks · 04/01/2011 16:21

I use my iPad more than my iphone. It is great for mn ing on in bed, I use it in the kitchen to download recipes onto and to watch tv on. I plan to sit it safely in my bathroom so that I can watch tv in the bath.

Lots of good games on it too and I have worked out how to touch type on it so great for emails.

DaftApeth · 04/01/2011 18:37

YES!

I couldn't decide between an iPhone or iPad. Ds has an iPod touch, which is our only foray into Apple.

Finally, decided on an iPad before Christmas. It is fab!

The dcs constantly fight over it and even dh has been spotted using it n he sly.

It is now password protected and only I know what it is Wink

YunoYurbubson · 04/01/2011 18:41

I don't really see the point of an iPad.

I was given one for Christmas.

My laptop does everything it does, faster, more comfortably, with more flexibility, and does 100s of other things too.

I think the iPad is a bit Emperor's New Clothes.

llareggub · 04/01/2011 18:42

I am waiting for the new one, and can't wait! My MacBook is on its last legs, having been pushed off the arm of the sofa one too many times. The screen is knackered and works intermittently. I am just hoping that it lasts until April and the new release or I shall be lost.

hugglymugly · 04/01/2011 19:32

I've been thinking about getting an iPad, but more for the larger screen than my Sony eReader for reading documents. I can't seem to find the right combination of large enough font size -v- words on the screen. I read very fast, so the poor word wrapping at a higher magnification, plus having to press "next page" every few moments, gets annoying.

BadgersPaws comment about the screen maybe not being as easy on the eye as an eReader is probably the most significant for me, so I'd love opinions from iPad owners about that.

(Anyway, I want a new toy. Grin)

thebonkers · 04/01/2011 19:33

I'll have yours then Yuno Grin

LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse · 04/01/2011 19:38

Use my iPad so often now I keep losing my phone, or I do if the ringer is off or too low - wouldn't have bought it for myself, as my iPod habit over the years has taught me to wait for 2nd and subsequent generation products (although I still have the original fat white Triassic iPod).

It's perfect really, next size up (64gb I suppose) would have been better but I wonder if space was sacrificed to finance 3G, anyway must not look gift iPad in the mouth etc

LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse · 04/01/2011 19:42

I don't actually know how much they are so have not even begun to answer the question?

SoupDragon · 05/01/2011 13:58

Mr ipad beats a laptop hands down because it fits into my bag. However, it is not a laptop replacement, IMO, and shouldn't be viewed as such. I use it mostly for internet, some games and reading ebooks and the children use it for games and watching DVDs.

If I want full computer functionality I use my desktop PC. For me it is perfect - there is nothing "emperor's new clothes" about it.

I've had no problem with reading on it. You can adjust the brightness of the screen to reduce any strain etc. I don't know what makes the Kindle etc different in thie respect.

SoupDragon · 05/01/2011 13:58

LOL @ Mr iPad. my ipad.

BadgersPaws · 05/01/2011 14:28

"I've had no problem with reading on it. You can adjust the brightness of the screen to reduce any strain etc. I don't know what makes the Kindle etc different in thie respect."

The Kindle has a very different type of screen, it uses a lot less power (hence the long battery life), is much clearer in sunlit conditions and it doesn't flicker (which, along with the iPad's brightness, can cause eye strain after long periods).

Basically the Kindle has been built to be easy on the eye and comfortable to read in all sorts of conditions for long periods of time.

Yes you can read things on an iPad, but if the battery doesn't run out you'll probably feel slightly uncomfortable after a decent period of reading.

Compare reading lots of text on a computer screen to reading a book, there is a difference.

On the other hand that screen difference means that being a reader is pretty much all the Kindle is good at. The display is rubbish at displaying moving images.

So the Kindle is built to do one thing very very well, where as the iPad can do many different things even if it doesn't do the reading part as well as a Kindle would.

Niceguy2 · 05/01/2011 14:41

I agree with Soupdragon

Comparing the ipad to a full laptop is not comparing apples with apples.

I still use my PC for work and playing real games. But if I am surfing socially or need something light to travel with, I use the iPad.

SoupDragon · 05/01/2011 16:39

I thnk comparing battery life with a Kindle is a red herring TBH. The iPad lasts for a whole day if doing something battery heavy like surfing. Just charge it up each night. unless you are on somewhere with no electricity, battery life is unlikely to be an issue.

Asl for flicker, I don't know. I'm fairly susceptible to eye strain induced headaches (got them a lot at work from computer screens) but, now I think about it, I don't seem to have that from my iPad. I've read for decent amounts of time on it with no issues but I am still very much a proper book fan so perhaps haven't tested it thoroughly. It has less flicker than a TV screen though :)

But you're right, you can't compare the two as they are designed for different things.

RumourOfAHurricane · 05/01/2011 16:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BadgersPaws · 05/01/2011 17:09

"I thnk comparing battery life with a Kindle is a red herring TBH."

To me it would just be the awkwardness of having to make sure that I plugged an iPad in each night where as a Kindle will just keep on trucking for weeks.

"Asl for flicker, I don't know. I'm fairly susceptible to eye strain induced headaches (got them a lot at work from computer screens) but, now I think about it, I don't seem to have that from my iPad. I've read for decent amounts of time on it with no issues but I am still very much a proper book fan so perhaps haven't tested it thoroughly."

Flicker is a part of it, the brightness is another, personally I don't find any computer screen as easy and comfortable to read as a proper book.

The iPad is pretty much a normal computer screen, so it will have those issues.

A Kindle is designed to be much closer to a book, so it's avoids a lot of those issues.

"But you're right, you can't compare the two as they are designed for different things."

To a certain extent you can, if all you're after is a good eBook reader, in which case the Kindle trumps the iPad. However the moment you begin to think of all the other things that an iPad can do and a Kindle can't even come close to you begin to see it's strengths.

If money were no object I'd want both as each can do something better than the other :)

RustyBear · 06/01/2011 11:36

I have never noticed any flicker on my ipad - just got it out & looked again to see if I could spot any - none at all....

I have the brightness turned fairly low anyway, and it's easy to change it anyway now that the brightness controls are on the multitasking bar - I have read books for hours on the ipad with no problems, and my eyes are far from perfect.

I read both paper and electronic books,the only thing I Actually prefer paper books for is reading in the bath - not going to risk my precious ipad near water!

SoupDragon · 06/01/2011 11:41

The flicker on my ipad is less than both the TV and the desktop PC. I'm on it far too much and have no ill effects.

I also won't take it to read in the bath - I've dropped one too many books in to make that worth the risk!!

For me, needing to charge it every night is a plus because I actually remember to do it - as it is every night, plugging it in is part of my nightly routine. It never goes dead on me for this reason.

Hwever, if all you want to do is read books, a Kindle etc will win hands down as that is what is designed for. The iPad is a jack of all trades and it does most of them pretty damn well.

And it is pretty. Very pretty.

Now, I need to play with my new iPad gadget.... the camera connnection kit.

herbgarden · 06/01/2011 11:54

I'm loving mine. So handy for carting round the house for music, surfing the net to get info and recipes etc. Also downloaded the kindle app and have just finished my first book. No eye strain...and I can read it under the duvet whilst DH sleeps !! Also easy to read if sitting on sofa with clingy kids !!! Get one you won't regret it....

PrivetDancer · 06/01/2011 12:02

No, not really, it doesn't do anything an iPhone doesn't, just has a nice big screen, but you can't hold and type one handed as you can on phone as it's too big
I got one for Christmas and was pleased as it's a new gadget but also a bit underwhelmed as it doesn't really add anything and I'm convinced I'll be annoyed once the 2nd gen version is announced (will probably have a camera on it) - definitely wait for that, don't buy one now.

Niceguy2 · 06/01/2011 12:11

I'm a bit "Meh!" about the cameras on an ipad.

When would I use the rear facing camera? I'm not going to take it out on a family day out and use it to take photos! I'd use my camera or camera on the phone for that! The ipad would simply be too big.

The front camera? Hmmm, it will be interesting for about 2 mins. I have an iphone 4 and used the camera once. I thought "URGH!" and certainly dont want anyone seeing my ugly mush via Facetime.

I don't see the point.

BadgersPaws · 06/01/2011 12:14

"I have never noticed any flicker on my ipad - just got it out & looked again to see if I could spot any - none at all...."

I think that the iPad refreshes at about 60hz, so faster than an old style TV (50hz) but still there, and it will affect your eyes, even if only slightly.

A Kindle's screen works differently, there's no refresh, no flicker, no brightness, no problems in bright sunlight, pretty much just like paper.

There's loads of reviews out there on the net that flag up the differences, for example:
www.zdnet.com/blog/perlow/ipad-vs-kindle-which-is-the-better-e-reader/12719

www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/kindle-vs-ipad/

"Hwever, if all you want to do is read books, a Kindle etc will win hands down as that is what is designed for. The iPad is a jack of all trades and it does most of them pretty damn well."

That's the point to remember. The Kindle is a one tricky pony, albeit a brilliant one trick pony. The iPad has so many more possibilities...

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