Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPod Touch vs. iPad

A

ardesigns

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 20, 2008
59
0
Hi guys. I'm looking to buy a new device soon (may have seen my post in the iPod Touch forum), but now I'm thinking maybe it should be an iPad instead of an iPod Touch...

I would primarily use it in my house (where I have WiFi), but would also travel occasionally with it (I usually bring my iPod with me wherever I travel). Travelling would be its main use. The problem I'm having is, every time I look at the iPad and then look back at the iPod, the iPod just seems so cramped!! My main reservations are cost and portability. I'd really like something that I can slip in my pocket, as I usually don't bring a bag with me if I'm travelling on a bus or subway, if I'm not going out of the city. It seems to me like the iPad would be infinitely more useful and enjoyable while at home (where I will be using it most), and great for long trips too, but the iPod Touch is much cheaper and more portable, thus better for shorter trips.

What do you guys think? Whenever I think about how useful the iPad would be at home (checking the news, email, weather, sports scores, playing games, crosswords, etc.) I have to hold in the impulse to go and buy one right away, but it's hard for me to get over the cost and size. Then again, it's the size that makes me wary of the iPod Touch (it's so small and cramped in comparison!).

Man, I'm indecisive!
 
I generally let "where I would use it the most" decide. Go for the iPad. You'll hate yourself when at home if you got the iPod touch.
 
Your post nicely summarize the pros and cons between the iPod touch and iPad. I have nothing to add. They are each good for something and not so good for others, and so the is NO right or wrong answer. You just have to pick one, and then go though the stage of wanting another, and eventually buy both. If money is an issue, buy an iPad now, and look for a cheap used iPod touch on craiglist later for less than $100.
 
Depends on your kind of portability and intended use. For the gym and mowing the lawn. iPod. Everything else. iPad.
 
I've got an iPod touch and have also ordered an iPad. They are two totally different devices - I use the iPod in the car and when out walking. The iPad is too big for that.
 
ipod touch is a horrible music player in my opinion. zune hd does a WAY better job with touchscreen controls. get the ipad, its bigger so it doesnt suck playing games because your hand is covering the screen, and its much better for watching videos. if you need a music player, get a nano.
 
Get an iPod touch if you will mainly use it for music and want a really portable device. Get an iPad for a better experience in anything else, but remember that you'll lose some portability.
 
I sold my iPhone 3GS, to get the iPad. And I must say, that a portable device, such as the iPhone or iPod Touch is a necessity. You can fit it in your pocket, carry it for walks, use it to get quick references on the go, etc.
Having said that, the iPad is revolutionary. You must use it to believe how, awesome regular tech becomes. My advice is, you buy an iPad, As its just launched, so you are getting brand new technology. And start saving up for either the next version of the iPhone or iPod Touch. Cause you will need both, The iPad and iPod Touch.
 
I would agree with the other posters and get the iPad. I've had an ipod Touch for a year and a half, it's a great device. Love being able to surf the net which is my primary use along with News and Games apps. However I always thought that it would be great to have a larger screen as I'm 54 and my eyesight isn't very good. The only other option was a netbook but the iPad will be so much better for my needs. I pre-ordered an iPad and finally decided to get the 3G option, for the rare occasions that I might be travelling and wifi isn't available.
 
I would get the ipad. I have been using ipods (including the Touch) in my cars for years. Now that I have an ipad mounted in there I could never go back. It is far easier/safer using the pad so select music that with any of the ipods.
 
Spankey said:
Depends on your kind of portability and intended use. For the gym and mowing the lawn. iPod. Everything else. iPad.
Click to expand...

Correct. The only thing that I would add is that I play my iPod Touch through the car speakers so I don't have to use earphones in the car.

One more thing, unlike a Touch, it's hard to flush an iPad. :D
 
I have an iPad Wifi and an iPhone 16GB (EDGE version/not 3G) without a dataplan. I use Wifi exclusively and on rare occasions wish I'd have cell networkability but do not think the premium for access is worth the price.

But after getting and using the iPad, I've already listed my phone for sale. I've thought about keeping it and have gone back and forth since the form factor is great for mobile in-your-pocket access. Its simply inconvenient to sync both devices and have either the 'same' stuff loaded on both OR have different stuff.

I've toyed with the idea of loading music on the phone, and keeping the iPad for video/photos but inevitably I'd be out with my phone and want what's on the iPad.

For simplicity, I'll be keeping just the iPad and in the future gen probably get the 3G or cellular version. If I find I really need the mobile/pocket access I'll repurchase a used iPhone at a later date.

Anyone else's use scenarios working well for them with both devices? I've toyed with the idea of having an iPod Touch to replace the phone but I'm back at syncing double or splitting the functions on two devices while having to carry a second device for mobile portability (a separate cell phone).

I'm really holding out for better data plans or another carrier before I'll commit to getting a new iPhone with contract.
 
Heard a lot about the new iPhoneHD, but nothing of new Touches. won't the Touch be updated soon with the iPhone this summer?
Poster may want to see what the new Touch is bringing.
For now I'd only the buy the more upgradeable larger 3rd gen models, but not the current 8gb one, it is not fully upgradeable to the new 4.0 firmware coming with the new iPhone.
 
gigaguy said:
Heard a lot about the new iPhoneHD, but nothing of new Touches. won't the Touch be updated soon with the iPhone this summer?
Click to expand...

Touch is usually updated in the fall, so we still have another 4-5 months before the new models arrive.

P.S. I also haven't used my touch at all since I got my iPad.
 
ardesigns said:
It seems to me like the iPad would be infinitely more useful and enjoyable while at home (where I will be using it most), and great for long trips too, but the iPod Touch is much cheaper and more portable, thus better for shorter trips.
Click to expand...
Yep, that's your choice alright!

For the record I have a Touch (or there is one in the household, anyway) and an iPad. It's just no contest--anywhere you can reasonably take the iPad, it is a thousand times better than the Touch.

Since one device won't do everything you want perfectly, you have to decide

1. Get the iPad and just deal with the fact that while it certainly is portable, it won't fit in your pocket, or
2. Get the Touch and cuss it every time you don't need it to fit in your pocket, or
3. Find a way to get both. Low end or even refurbished Touch should do the trick since you'll have an iPad for primary use.

I'd probably get the iPad, and if portability became a big issue I'd look at a cheap way of getting a Touch.

Is an iPhone an option? You could potentially justify the cost by getting the cheaper non-3G iPad and tethering to your (jailbroken) iPhone.
 
The iPod is really an MP3 player -as that is what the original was designed for. While it has grown way beyond that I have found that using a 9.7" screen for internet related activities far surpasses that of a 3.5" one.

If all that you care about is MP3s get the iPod if you have other interests the iPad is the only option.
 
I would get the ipad since you will be mainly using it at home and deal with having to put it in a bag when you travel as it really is AWESOME to be able to just whip it out when you are bored, waiting, etc.
 
ardesigns said:
Hi guys. I'm looking to buy a new device soon (may have seen my post in the iPod Touch forum), but now I'm thinking maybe it should be an iPad instead of an iPod Touch...
Click to expand...

The answer is: You need both.

Think of your iPad as a notebook replacement.

Think of your iPod Touch as your pocketable media player for on-the-go situations.

When I'm on a plane watching movies, it'll be on my iPad. When I'm running or bike riding or walking and listening to music, it'll be on my iPod.

My iPhone is just a phone. My iPod is just my media player. My iPad is just my notebook replacement. Think of it that way.

BJ
 
ardesigns said:
I would primarily use it in my house (where I have WiFi), but would also travel occasionally with it (I usually bring my iPod with me wherever I travel). Travelling would be its main use.
Click to expand...

I'm not following you...are you going to use this device mostly at home or on the road?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back