My iPad is here!

[SoupDragon]

NetworkGuy - no, Dad doesn't go online that much, he does use email to keep in touch with us all, but I really don't want to introduce a new system to him.

He has been on the cutting edge of technology all his life, working with early radio in the 20's, TV in the 30's and radar just before and during the war, but he had his hundredth birthday in April and isn't too good at getting his head round new stuff any more. If he outlives his current computer, which is looking likely at the moment, I'm going to have to find him another XP, as I think a new OS would be just too much....

Ah, all understood, RB - was just thinking of situation if he was on dial-up, had a medical problem, and no-one can ring to know whether he is OK or 'just online'. As for a new one with XP, feel sure a Novatech machine at under 175 would provide the basics (1 GB RAM, 160 GB HD) and then all it would need is a copy of XP, though I guess you may not use peer-to-peer.

Was just thinking an 'always on' 'net link would be easier, and similarly, maybe an XP laptop he could put to 'sleep' instead of 'off' would mean he would be able to continue from wherever he left off, if looking at some news item or working on a letter, etc.

Peacwflower - I did the same thing, but discovered last Saturday that I could cancel my order with Apple and but one from the nearest PcWorld, which is what I did. I found out online that they still had stock, dh went and came back an hour later with one.

I was so annoyed that I'd pre-ordered and then they left us hanging and put them in loads of shops.

Hope it arrives soon.

Thanks, schike. Have just received an email from Apple, my ipad has been despatched and should arrive on 8th! whoopeee

Excellent news! I'm sure you'll love it.

DD is saving up to make a contribution to an ipad, so we went to check them out in the flesh

Two things I noticed - the first is that you can't really type on them - a proper qwerty keyboard can pop up but you lose half the screen and it isn't really suitable for typing - you'd have to be a 2-fingered typist - so it's fine for quick emails - not really any good for editing or drafting text

The second thing is that it doesn't support Flash and there are loads of things and sites that need flash in order to run

DD is still in love of course, so doubtless it will join the stable of things Apple

I've seen mention of using a bluetooth-connected keyboard, but maybe that was some other tablet computer not the iPad. Unless it has some docking unit which provides a connection for USB devices etc...

I want one am just waiting see if any hiccups get smothed out first

You can use it with a bluetooth keyboard or with a keyboard dock, but I doubt I'll bother with either, as I don't find the on screen keyboard a problem - but then for someone who works with computers for a living I am a surprisingly crap typist! But I've been typing on the iPad since Tuesday & now I've discovered the apostrophe trick I'm touch typing much quicker than I do on a normal keyboard. But I do have small fingers, DH doesn't find it as easy (not that I've allowed him to wrest it from my grasp for more than a few minutes...)

I've had no typing problems either. I often leave the apostrophes out and let autocorrect add them in (which it does fine apart from things like it's/its and shell/she'll)

my parents only had dial up until recently but unfortunately they got broadband with a dongle so have no wifi. If reduced to mning on my iPhone. However, I am happy to use my phone where wifi isn't available so I didn't get a 3g ipad.