Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Do you have to own a computer to use this?
- Thread starter Yr Blues
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It is but if you want to backup the device you need a computer. You also need a computer if you want to put your own music.
If you just want to do email, web, and buy music, videos, books from Apple then you can go without the computer.
So I could buy it—bring it home and turn it on and it won't ask me to plug it into a computer first....that would be great
Well, we don't know, because it hasn't been released, but you don't need to connect an iPod Touch to a computer to use it, so I'd assume the iPad is the same. However, to update it you'd presumably need to connect to a computer, or to put any of your own media on it.
We simply do not know enough. With iPod and some other devices, users had to connect to iTunes before they could fully use their device.
Not having a computer means that you won't be able to update the software operating system and manage music [using iTunes].
well the iphone doesnt need to connect to the computer before hand.
any way just ask apple to do when you buy it.
any way just ask apple to do when you buy it.
um well i bought my 3g from apple and i didnt need to connect it to the computer. i dint even have itunes till 2 month later.
and i bought my 3gs from att and still the same case.
A bit different here in the UK, (I activated mine at home) but your device was still connected to a computer.
I'd rather put my digitally purchased music onto my iPhone than download everything again.
If it turns out you do need a computer, then presumably this forum should move into the iPhone and iPod Touch Forums area with its other close relatives 
Common sense would say that when it's shipped, it should not need to be activated in iTunes, so no computer needed. However, that's a bit of an unknown, since you wonder why activation was ever needed with the iPod Touch.
Common sense would say that when it's shipped, it should not need to be activated in iTunes, so no computer needed. However, that's a bit of an unknown, since you wonder why activation was ever needed with the iPod Touch.
If it turns out you do need a computer, then presumably this forum should move into the iPod and iPod Touch Forums area with its other close relatives
Common sense would say that when it's shipped, it should not need to be activated in iTunes, so no computer needed. However, that's a bit of an unknown, since you wonder why activation was ever needed with the iPod Touch.
Stock Record Keeping?
It's not a computer. Apple is not marketing it as a computer, either. The device needs to be connected to iTunes for initial set up. All software updates will be done through iTunes on your Mac/PC. Installing music, photos, and videos will be done through your computer, as well as downloading directly from the iTunes store.
However, it WILL replace the typical computer for many users. Just realize a primary computer is occasionally necessary for this device.
I'd assume that if you buy it from an Apple store, they'd let you set it up on one of their store computers before you leave.
Of course, updates will be an issue. And we KNOW there will be a 4.0 before too long. (3.2 seems a 'get it out the door' release to me, 4.0 will probably really be tweaked for the iPad).
To use an iPod Touch it does not have to be connected to a computer first. It can be turned on and used straight out of the box (much like a factory unlocked iPhone). Apple just want you to connect to register but you don't *have* to.
Depends on what you want to use it for. If you are wanting to use it as a media device, you probably will want to hook it up. But if you are just using it as an e-reader, then I see no need to hook it up.
Of course, this is just my WAG. No one will know until they start shipping.
Of course, this is just my WAG. No one will know until they start shipping.
It could be. I mean it would be better if you had a computer to sync it up with, but no, not really. You can download music/movies straight from iTunes on the device itself. So if it's a senior citizen and they don't really care for stuff like that, then they should have no problem
You'll probably need to connect it to the computer for first use, to name it etc. So if I were you, buy it for the relative, get it shipped to your house, connect it, activate it, and then ship it onto them (or give it to them).
Interesting, my brother recieved an iPod Touch for Christmas, it wouldn't let him do anything before he "registered" it first.
So I keep hearing in podcasts and radioshows where the host suggests an iPad as a computer. C'mon....even Leo Laporte said it. Gets on me nerves
it's not a computer!
yes it is.