Anyone else not have a use for ipad?

[nancy324]

It looks so cool, but how would I use it?

As a mobile device: It would fit into my purse, and they make a nice cover to protect it, but I'm constantly running around and I can't imagine carrying another 1.5 lbs. in my bag. My Kindle weighs 10 oz. and even that feels a tad heavy sometimes. If I want the apps, I can get an itouch, which is light as a feather.

At home: The screen on my Lenovo laptop is movie quality, and with my wireless connection I can move it to any room. Yes, it's a bit heavier than the ipad, but who cares when I'm just going from the living room to the dining room? The NY Times already looks great on my screen.

At the office: It would be great to bring an ipad into a meeting with clients to show them charts and diagrams, but the ipad won't run any of the programs I use in my industry.

It looks really neat, but it's expensive and I can't think of a thing I would do with it. What about you? I'm curious as to how people plan to use it.

 

[kathryn]

It's definitely something I don't need.

 

[Fit_mommy]

I truly don't even know what the heck it is!?!? Is it a laptop or a phone or what????

 

[Fidget Queen]

I truly don't even know what the heck it is!?!? Is it a laptop or a phone or what????

That's exactly the problem! I don't think even Apple knows the answer to that one.

 

[dr.mel_PT]

I truly don't even know what the heck it is!?!? Is it a laptop or a phone or what????

I was wondering the same thing!!

I also didn't see the need for an IPhone. Sure, it's cool and would be fun to have, the apps look entertaining, and it puts everything at your fingertips. But I don't need it and I def don't need to be spending $50 more/month on a phone plan just to have something because it's cool.

 

[nancy324]

Fidget and Wendy, I guess that's my point. Not that it has to fit into a pre-existing category, but what use does it serve? What explains so many people camping outside stores before dawn? Maybe it's just a visceral thing. I hear once you see it, you just WANT IT even if you don't know why. I admit I have not seen one in person yet.

 

[Fit_mommy]

I just checked it out online. Looks neat but not something I need and would probably cause me to lose my job or something!

 

[Liann]

Nancy - I pretty much could have written your post. I think it's a cute little gadget but I can't think of a single reason why I would need or want one. I love my e-reader and the size of it is just fine. My laptop works just fine for surfing the net. I would never use the Ipad for reading because I can't stand reading anything long (like a book) on a computer screen with a backlight. All the ipad is to me is a nice flat screen monitor that I would have to carry around and hold to look at. Does it come with a stand or something? I'm not saying that one day when it's cheaper and has a few more options, I might not cave and get one, but I can come up with plenty of reasons why I just don't need it right now. I think I would just get a little netbook if I really wanted something for just surfing the net and looking at pictures.

 

[dorothyrd]

I love my touch, and recently bought a netbook, which is much cheaper than the Ipad. It also has microsoft office on it, and so much more functional for me. So I don't really see the use of the Ipad. It will be interesting to see what it evolves to.

 

[janie1234]

How much you wanna bet that it will cost half the price by December and 3 other companies will come out with their version. If someone gave one to me I'd take it but not only is it expensive you have to pay some monthly online access fee thing.

 

[JanetP1507]

I'm sure it's very cool but there's other things I'd rather spend my money on. My laptop does my computer stuff....my go phone does my phone stuff....my tv still plays movies and tv shows last time I checked...my netbook costs half the price and is my vacation puter...and my Kindle carries all the books I want on it, again for half the price. So....I'm cheap and I'll pass.

 

[Tamster]

If you don't think you need it, you don't. It seems there is a lot of misinformation out there about the iPad. I have the wifi version and there are no monthly fees, only the 3G version has monthly fees.

I love my iPad and it has:

internet
movies
tv
books
email
music
etc..etc...etc...all wrapped up into one small, tiny package. It is amazing.

 

[UnstrungHarp]

If you don't think you need it, you don't. It seems there is a lot of misinformation out there about the iPad. I have the wifi version and there are no monthly fees, only the 3G version has monthly fees.

I love my iPad and it has:

internet
movies
tv
books
email
music
etc..etc...etc...all wrapped up into one small, tiny package. It is amazing.

I second all that. I even use it to create my workout rotations. I browse forums, get news and weather, do general web surfing, play awesome games, read ebooks including the Bible...which is blazing fast looking up passages during services. I am such a geek, I even type my grocery list in Notes and use it while I'm shopping. I have used the iPad daily since I got it, at home and everywhere else. Still need my MacBook Pro for my work, but I don't use it for entertainment anymore.

Also, i'm 95% sure that as soon as my husband and I have time for a Verizon store trip, I will be getting a new Palm smartphone. I just heard not long ago that Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi offer a free mobile hotspot for the life of the phone. Yes, I have to pay $30 more a month on our family plan just to get the data plan on the Palm, but then it becomes a mobile wifi spot for up to 5 other devices (like the iPad!). So you're essentially getting a smartphone with lots of features that works on Verizon, and getting another free feature thart would cost at least $40 additionally per month on a different smartphone.

So I got the cheapest wifi iPad that will soon blow the 3G iPad model away (for me) because it will work on Verizon, which is the only provider in my whole county.

 

[nancy324]

Liann, I could have written YOUR post. I also can't imagine reading anything of substance on a backlit computer screen. My eyes get tired so quickly. I don't think the ipad makes it in the e-reader category, except for magazines and picture-oriented reading materials.

Tammy, why would you listen to music on it? I'm trying to imagine working out in the gym with my headphones plugged into an ipad. Just wouldn't make any sense to carry around something that large. Can you use it in place of a stereo at home? Does it have awesome speakers?

 

[Vee]

That's exactly the problem! I don't think even Apple knows the answer to that one.

Apple has had to postpone the release outside United States twice because the demand in the States has been far more than expected. The iPad is still not available (it sells at over 200% premium in the grey market!) outside USA.

It is an entertainment device that has limited business use. You can use it to:
- watch movies
- read books
- listen to music
- browse the web
- send and receive email
- prepare documents / slides - but using apple's software not microsoft office

It is not intended to replace a computer. Rather, like netbooks it is intended as a second device to complement the laptop.

If you travel a lot or regularly commute long distances (not as the driver), then you may like an ipad.

 

[mabdoo]

Then what is the difference between a netbook and a laptop other than size?

 

[112toGuru]

I think putting workouts together, making special premixes, rotations, tracking progress & just viewing videos & books would be really neat, especially when you want to cross reference. I think this will end up on the wish list with the flat screen TV, Polar HRM, squat rack, digital download library, just sticking with the pen & paper for now, it does look cool, nice size, portable.

There was a wireless adapter previewed at CES that would connect any lap top, device to TV.

Linda

 

[Tamster]

Tammy, why would you listen to music on it? I'm trying to imagine working out in the gym with my headphones plugged into an ipad. Just wouldn't make any sense to carry around something that large. Can you use it in place of a stereo at home? Does it have awesome speakers?

Nancy ~ I wouldn't use my iPad for gym workouts, got my shuffle and/or nano for that! Having everything I need on one small device is a win for me. We regularly travel 4+ hours by car to visit the boys and I usually pack a bag with ipods, books, magazines, etc. Now I just pre-load the iPad with what I want to watch, read and listen to and I'm good to go.

 

[syzygy314]

My iPhone does everything the iPad does, so I have no need! Besides, I also have my laptop. It's a toy that isn't really necessary - cool, but not necessary.

 

[nancy324]

I've been looking at videos on youtube and I think I totally get why it's so popular. It's not so much what the ipad can do, but HOW it does it that makes it so irresistible. The idea of no mouse and no touchpad. The ipad has a more natural feel because of its very advanced touchscreen. It also fits on your lap more naturally than a laptop. And as Tammy mentioned, it's so small and light you wouldn't think twice about tossing it into the car for a roadtrip. And, of course, it's SO cool! I love new gadgets. Can't wait to see one.