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New buyer with lots of questions

S

Saberon

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
982
1
Hello All,

I have been interested in getting an iPad recently. I have no use for 3G and the 16GB model will suffice for my library at this time.

I have read a lot about how the iPad hardware is less than ideal. How does this affect the user experience though? Do you find your iPad slow/wishing it had more RAM?

Do you need a screen protector on it? I have had a lot of experience with different ones on my 3GS and to make a long story short, I will only buy a PowerSupport one, don't try to convince me otherwise. The problem is I'm in Canada and it costs $48 (including $21 shipping) to get a PS screen protector up here which is just ludicrous. Can a microfiber cloth clean the fingerprints prints off easily? How often do you clean your "naked" iPad? Does the iPad scratch easily? I've never used an iPod/iPhone before without a screen protector but I am always *extremely* careful with my stuff. I don't just let anyone grab it and play with it.

Do you find it costs too much money for what you get? I know I'm only getting 16GB of storage but honestly I can't fill my 16GB 3GS either, its barely half full.

Is it a good time to buy an iPad? I know they have been out for a few months now (less time in Canada than in USA). There's not some major revision just a month away is there?

Finally, do you regret buying an iPad? What is the #1 complaint you have about it? (Don't count multitasking or anything coming 4.2, assume you have 4.2 when you answer this)

Thank you all so much for the advice/opinion in advance. I truly appreciate any input!
 
> Do you find your iPad slow/wishing it had more RAM?

No. Works just fine.

> Do you need a screen protector on it?

No. If you get a case like the Apple case that covers the screen, then it will be fine. This isn't something you are shoving in your pocket with keys and other sharp objects.

> Can a microfiber cloth clean the fingerprints prints off easily?

Yes.

> How often do you clean your "naked" iPad? Does the iPad scratch easily?

Buy the apple case. It is very thin and covers the whole ipad.


> Do you find it costs too much money for what you get?

Should phones cost $500? Family cars $50k? If you want it, buy it.

> Is it a good time to buy an iPad? I know they have been out for a few months now (less time in Canada than in USA). There's not some major revision just a month away is there?

They are shipping pretty quickly now, so looks like the supply is leveling out.

> Finally, do you regret buying an iPad? What is the #1 complaint you have about it? (Don't count multitasking or anything coming 4.2, assume you have 4.2 when you answer this)

No. It does what it says it does, mostly. Wish it supported Flash, or everyone supported HTML5. Would be great if it had a camera.
 
About the OS speed, the iPad is "blazing fast". The processor is very powerful for iOS. It never slows down and it's a pleasure to use.

About RAM, the only occasion I feel the need for more is surfing the web with multiple tabs opened, because the Safari refreshes the pages when they are too heavy — BUT I have to tell you that this is caused by a "bad" management of the pages by Safari, because in an another browser called Atomic Browser, the refresh happens only with 10 webpages opened.

Today Steve Jobs said that in November we'll get iOS 4 for iPad, and it will bring multitasking. And I really think it will be just fine with this hardware.
 
People just cry too much, the iPad is one of the greatest things i've bought in years, it works extremely fast and should work well with multitasking. The battery life is outstanding it lasts more than one day of using it very much, I use a case to protect it in case it falls.

A must buy
 
why would you be "ripped off"?? you aren't buying a house and paying for it on Friday = expect the whole process to take several months, depending on how picky you are trying to find the right house - plenty of time to ask questions - no one is an expert their first time talking to an agent - get a book on buying your first house - plenty of them out there.
 
I don't know where you've read that it's specs are less than ideal but it's not true.it's a very fast and responsive device, i love mine and I haven't had any slow downs, its because of having a true 1ghz a4 chip(iPhone has a down clocked one) and also 256mb ram is fine and enough IMO.
About the screen protector, well I don't use any and I have been using it for about 4 months without any scratches on the display.
However I use it with griffin flex grip to protect the back the back and rears.
As for being worth or not, well for me,I needed something that I can easily read books,PDFs on it,watch movies,web surfing etc. And it was worth it for me, I have no regrets what so ever, and camera isn't important for me.and I am using circuitous with backgrounder on it,so I can easily switch between between apps(it can be done on a jail broken device though) but I'm definitely looking for OS 4.2 and I think it will work perfect with the iPad.
If you want to wait,then you can't ever buy anything because there is always something new around the corner.
 
It is fast and responsive depending on what you are doing. I don't think browsing the internet is any faster than browsing on a computer or laptop.

Also I don't have a problem with the slowness due to lack of ram...I have an issue with random program crashes due to memory issues. I can't really compare here though because this could just be the fault of developers of apps that I enjoy using...and since they aren't available on my computer I can't compare.

When I get the new iPod I'll check out these same apps that crash on me and see if it is the same thing on the iPod. If they still crash I can blame the developer...if not then I can blame the ram.
 
ssdeg7 said:
People just cry too much, the iPad is one of the greatest things i've bought in years, it works extremely fast and should work well with multitasking. The battery life is outstanding it lasts more than one day of using it very much, I use a case to protect it in case it falls.

A must buy
Click to expand...


+1
 
Works great. Instantly on. No waiting for a computer to boot or a browser program to start up. It just works. I can look up things FAR faster on the iPad then on the computer. It's especially nice while watching TV. Seems like something always comes up that needs research. Either a news story will trigger something, or maybe a commercial. Sometimes it is a song that I want to ID off of a program or ad by using SoundHound (a must get app). This has worked great for the America's Got Talent show where there are often songs I want to know more about or buy.

Also, the iPad is especially nice for multi-player games where 2-4 people's hands are on the screen at one time. Can't do that with an iPhone. And for someone that attends regular game nights with friends, this ability is important to me. So no...no regrets at all. There's really only one thing I would change and that would be to somehow make it a bit lighter. Yes it is lighter then a laptop, but it's still pretty heavy after using it for awhile, especially if you have some sort of case on it which adds even more weight.
 
Good time to buy? Yes, now, most definitely. It's already cutting edge technology and there won't be earth-shaking improvements.

Best size/configuration for the money? You're on target in sticking with 16gb wifi. Best value for money spent. $500 bucks is already more than enough. And 16gb is more than enough storage capacity for me and most people.

Need screen protector? I never got one and everything's fine. Not worth any concern.

iPad worth it? Yes, but see previous answer. Return on investment not worth more than half a $K.

Glad I bought it? Most definitely.

Enough RAM? I never noticed any performance issues or constraints. It's more than adequate.

#1 complaint? It's too touchy. Tap the wrong place and you're opening new
windows and web sites. This touch screen interface takes practice and getting used to.
 
My #1 complaint about iPad is that it wasn't released 5 years ago. :)

I love mine. No regrets about purchasing it whatsoever.
 
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