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Doing my homework (well research) on the iPad

T

torchflameon

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 9, 2008
32
1
I just recently sold my 1st gen ipod touch 16gb for 110 dollars and a few other things at a garage sale to save up for a 32 gig ipad.

However, I've been looking around on the web, and I have seen that there have been many complaints about the wifi issue. I don't know how widespread it is. I know that apple admitted to the problem, but there hasn't been any statements about what they want to do.

I have only owned 2 apple products in my life time. The first my ipod touch, which is now sold, and my macbook pro 13" that i bought last year.

Considering this is a big investment (and because I'm ipod-less), should I wait? I know that in the future that there is talk about adding a camera, but I don't really care because not many people I know video chat anyways.

This is my first macrumors post. I've followed this site for a long time... I looked on this site 2 years before I bought my first macbook. So, I'm not trying to start controversy. I just am really looking forward to owning an ipad, even if my best buys sell out before I can grab one.

My experience looking at this forum is that people's concerns are usually right, but at the same time, the people who have perfectly working products never say, "Mine's great, and it's working."

So yeah, I'm a little confused, so let me know what you think.
 
When millions of anything are sold, there are bound to be few complaints, and the Internet allows this minority voice to be amplified. People are much more likely to complain than praise.

No complaints here. :cool:
 
This is not intended to dispute anyone else's experience because I assume if apple acknowledged the problem, it's real. But I haven't had a single random wifi dropout or loss of password.
 
Soldout said:
When millions of anything are sold, there are bound to be few complaints, and the Internet allows this minority voice to be amplified. People are much more likely to complain than praise.
Click to expand...

True...however, the iPad wifi issue is not one of those issues. It's fairly widespread. Wifi on the iPad doesn't go well with Verizon routers. If you have Verizon, read up on the issue first. I have an Asus router and it seems to be great with it. I am not digging the occasional in my signal strength though. But it's working.
 
torchflameon said:
I just recently sold my 1st gen ipod touch 16gb for 110 dollars and a few other things at a garage sale to save up for a 32 gig ipad.

However, I've been looking around on the web, and I have seen that there have been many complaints about the wifi issue. I don't know how widespread it is. I know that apple admitted to the problem, but there hasn't been any statements about what they want to do.

I have only owned 2 apple products in my life time. The first my ipod touch, which is now sold, and my macbook pro 13" that i bought last year.

Considering this is a big investment (and because I'm ipod-less), should I wait? I know that in the future that there is talk about adding a camera, but I don't really care because not many people I know video chat anyways.

This is my first macrumors post. I've followed this site for a long time... I looked on this site 2 years before I bought my first macbook. So, I'm not trying to start controversy. I just am really looking forward to owning an ipad, even if my best buys sell out before I can grab one.

My experience looking at this forum is that people's concerns are usually right, but at the same time, the people who have perfectly working products never say, "Mine's great, and it's working."

So yeah, I'm a little confused, so let me know what you think.
Click to expand...

I am not sure what you are asking from us considering the fact that you haven't stated what exactly you want to do on the iPad. Exactly what do you mean by doing homework? Do you mean you want to do homework by writing stuff up on the iPad or do you mean doing research by reading books, PDFs, and so on?

iPad makes an excellent content consumption device but it sucks for content creation, even with a bluetooth keyboard, you still have the severe lack of multitasking issue that most students are well known for when doing research.

If schoolwork is all you want to do on the iPad, I honestly don't recommend it and use your MBP for that.

The WiFi issues at this moment are mainly software issues that'll get resolved with a firmware update that'll sure to come very soon. Majority of people still use it without letting it bother them.
 
I love my iPad and have no wifi issues. I picked up a 3G on Friday for the wife and it has a yellow tint to the screen compared to the wifi so it will be going in for replacement. Overall it's a great device and I really don't touch my MacBook any more.
 
Wifi is perefectly fine on my 16 GB wifi iPad. The singal strength is generally weaker than my macbook, but nothing that I would call an issue. Don't worry, you iPad is covered under warranty, and Apple will look after you if there's any issue.
 
I was also worried about the wifi connection after everything I had heard, but since getting my iPad 3G on Friday it has worked flawlessly.
I would agree though that homework is. Probably beet done on your MacBook Pro, but the iPad sure is a great companion device and a lot of fun.
 
My iPad is freaking incredible. No Wifi issues here. This should set the tone for any other posts that you may make. Many complaints on here should be taken with a grain of salt, and not a major contributor to 'research'. ;)
 
Soldout said:
When millions of anything are sold, there are bound to be few complaints, and the Internet allows this minority voice to be amplified. People are much more likely to complain than praise.

No complaints here. :cool:
Click to expand...

You have a point . . . The squeaky wheel gets the oil ;)
 
torchflameon said:
...

However, I've been looking around on the web, and I have seen that there have been many complaints about the wifi issue. I don't know how widespread it is. I know that apple admitted to the problem, but there hasn't been any statements about what they want to do.
...
Click to expand...

I've gotten the wifi problem occasionally with my 64GB 3G iPad, not often though, usually happens when I'm far away from the router (like 3 floors away). My uncle's iPod Touch 8GB never has never had an issue with our router (ATT U-verse / 2Wire), so I suspected it was a software issue which is good as that is fixable. I later read that Princeton did some testing with the iPad WiFI issues and declared that it was a software/OS issue so most likely this issue will get fixed in a future update from Apple.

There are some router setting floating around that may fix things for you.

Also if you can't, plenty of easy workarounds to use temporary fixes. For me I just turn wifi off and on in the iPad settings. That usually does it for me to get my wifi connection back.

If you got your heart set on the iPad, I don't think you should let this dissuade you. I love mine.
 
MikhailT said:
I am not sure what you are asking from us considering the fact that you haven't stated what exactly you want to do on the iPad. Exactly what do you mean by doing homework? Do you mean you want to do homework by writing stuff up on the iPad or do you mean doing research by reading books, PDFs, and so on?

iPad makes an excellent content consumption device but it sucks for content creation, even with a bluetooth keyboard, you still have the severe lack of multitasking issue that most students are well known for when doing research.

If schoolwork is all you want to do on the iPad, I honestly don't recommend it and use your MBP for that.

The WiFi issues at this moment are mainly software issues that'll get resolved with a firmware update that'll sure to come very soon. Majority of people still use it without letting it bother them.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I guess I meant that I was researching the product before I bought it. I try to do as much reading as I can before buying something that costs a lot of money. It took me several years to finally buy a macbook (I had to wait for my hp dinosaur to die.)

Yeah, I hear about the quick fixes. I also read that low brightness setting can drop the wifi out.

I guess what I want to do with the product is read comic books, listen to music, watch a few video (probably not much since I have a tv). Ebooks is probably a huge function.

The e-mail app looks beautiful as does the calendar. Since I sold my ipod touch, it'd be nice to have a music player. Of course, I realize it won't be as portable as the ipod touch. However, I'm not the kind of person that sticks something in my pocket and listens to music, except when I work out. For that, I have an ipod shuffle.

Thanks for everyone's opnion
 
No wifi issues here on a 16GB WiFi. If you haven't yet, go play with one. I'm telling you that the ipad is amazing. I am very impressed and pleased with my purchase. Thus far I have had zero issues with it in a little over a weeks time.
 
I've bought four iPads total, two 32gb wifi and two 64 gb wifi. The 64gb for myself and the 32gb for my wife and then I gave my friend and his wife cash to get theres. (we fought in Iraq together and are extremely close which is why I purchased for them)

We have had 0 issues especially the dreaded "wifi" issue. The reason for this is because there are very few that have these issues. I guarantee you that Apple is working on an update to fix this issue along with many other bug fixes but to be honest thats what I love about Apple products. How many companies continue to support, update and evolve a product you have already purchased. No other company is more on top of there products than Apple so this issue as small as it is will be resolved. If it was so major it would be all over the news and people would not be buying. The reason you so many posts here about it is the same you see when buying a vehicle or a pair of headphones, most people post when there pissed off with a product. The happy people aren't posting as much because there busying having fun with there toys. If your on the fence I say jump in and give it a chance. You'll love it Im sure. I know there are those that don't love it but I can guarantee that a vast majority do. I know a lot of people personally that own iPads and not one has had an issue and are just enjoying what an amazing experience it is.
 
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