Not Sure if iPad Is the Right Options for Me

[i-Want-Apples]

Hey everyone,

It has been a while since I was last on the boards. I'm still enjoying my iPod Touch and still planning to get my first Mac soon. However, I have a new situation now.

Basically, I'm wanting to get something to use on the weekends when I don't turn my computers on. I'm not home enough to make it worth turning my computer on to do some basic surfing, so, I usually go all weekend without using my computer. At the most, I will check some news and things on my cell phone or iPod Touch. However, I've found on Monday when I turn my computer that I have a ton of YouTube videos to watch, e-mails to catch up on, etc. So I really just want something that I can sit in front of the TV and check the news, read my e-mails, watch YouTube videos (I hate that I can't login to my account using my iPod Touch) etc.

My fear with the iPad is that I'm going to have a lot of issues not having flash. I don't run into any problems that often with the Touch, however, I don't use it that often. I just know when I do have the problem, it is really annoying and if I use my iPad even more, I will have the issue more often. I'm also concerned about the speed of the iPad because I find the iPod Touch to be pretty slow when it comes to surfing. I've heard that the internet is quicker on the iPad, but I'm not sure how true that is.

I am thinking of getting the 3G version if I do get the iPad, so I have some questions about that as well:

1. The way I understand it, I can add and take off the plan as I need it. I just go in on the iPad and select which plan and it will add it to the iPad and then I can remove it for the next month. Is this correct? If so, are you really just charged the monthly fee plus some taxes, or are there a lot of extra fees? I know I don't need the internet all the time, but I like the option.

2. Is it true that you can change from the limited to unlimited plan if you see you are getting too close to the limit?

3. Does the plan cover 1 month from the date I first sign up, or from the day you add it for that month? For example, say I get the iPad next week and put the plan on it for a month, say July 12. So the next time I go to add it, let's say September 25, will the month be from Sptember 12 or the 25?


I think that is all of my questions, for now , sorry for all the questions. I just want to make sure I make the right decision. I know I like the iPad and want to get one eventually, but for this purchase, I just want to make sure I'm getting the right device. Most people I talk to seem to think the iPad won't do what I need, but it what I would kind of prefer to get, just hoping to get some advice from the experts!

Thanks again!

 

[Crosbie]

For the use cases you describe, the iPad sounds just about perfect. It was an upgrade from an ipod touch for me too - to replace those times I'd sit at home and use the touch for quickie browsing, games etc. (Still use the touch sometimes when out and about, but less so now.)

As for Flash - depends what sites you visit. I rarely notice, except with some sites for, eg, videogaming, which uses a proprietary Flash-based player. But to be honest, those players sucked donkey balls anyway, and as often as not failed on my main computer, and my irritation is felt against the site rather than the pad.

Can't advise on 3G plans - I have a separate MiFi unit with my wifi iPad, which gives me more flexibility.

 

[melman101]

Why cant you login to YouTube via your iPod touch? If you have the latest software, you should be able to, no problem.

 

[reckless2k2]

I was in a similar situation that I power down desktops in the home between uses to conserve on energy bills. By the time I'd power up a computer for any reason, i found myself forgetting why I powered it up in the first place. Hahaha. My house was growing for the need of another device anyway that was more portable. The iPad was a perfect solution. A device that's already on and could get me to the internet or email quickly. I got the 3G model as well so I could travel about with it if I so choose. Since the OS is so friendly, family and friends can all get moving quick without issue. It was a perfect fit in my house. The digital photo frame is nice too during downtime too.

1. You can switch on and off without penalty as you see fit but I'm not sure if it's prorated though. You pay for your data/days whichever comes first.

2. There is no more unlimited plan. You can switch between 250MB? and 2GB plans.

3. Data starts the day you add it. If you get the 250MB plan and you reach the end, a pop-up will warn you and you can buy another 250MB. rolling you another 30 days from that point.

If you like the Touch (same in my house), you'll love the iPad. I find myself snubbing the Touch or iPhone now because of the iPad screen size. I haven't come across any flash issues so far. Youtube is on the iPad and I'm not sure what you mean about your account. I have Netflix and other stuff I need along with casual surfing and email. It's very nice.

 

[reckless2k2]

Oh and 3G in my area is good so I have no problems. I can watch Netflix movies over 3G with little issue. I can do most things over 3G with little issue actually. The only thing that seems to take a little time is the app or iTunes store to start up. Once they startup though, then they are fine.

 

[nixiemaiden]

I am pretty sure you can't sign up for unlimited internet anymore through at&t.

Are a lot of the websites that you use flash? Most of the ones that I use are not flash so it wasn't a big deal for me. I also usually have my netbook right next to me so if I try to view something that is flash and I can't, I use the netbook if it is that important. But just to compare my netbook to my ipad..I prefer the ipad. Browsing the internet is very fast and a lot more comfortable...I guess because I don't have all kinds of crap running in the background. Video on it looks amazing and so smooth where on my netbook it is pretty jumpy...which I don't really get because my netbook has a faster processor and more memory and uses the same internet connection but whatever... Reading on the ipad is a lot more comfortable than reading on a netbook as well.

Have you gone to the apple store to play with one or do you have any
friends that have them? If you have any doubts I would try to use a floor model first and check out how some of your favorite sites work on it before making a decision.

 

[i-Want-Apples]

Thanks so much for the quick and informative replies, I really appreciate it!

@Crosbie, that answers all my concerns perfectly! I use Verizon and have considered getting something like the MiFi, but I keep getting different answers when I ask questions. So, I'm thinking it may be easier to just stick with the 3G.

@melman101, I do not have the latest software. I didn't know they changed it as I haven't tried in a while. The last time I tried it I could only search for videos and there was no option to login, either using the website and going that way or the actual app.

@reckless2k2, one reason I want to get the iPad is so that my mom can use it on the go. She has a Blackberry to take care of most things for her business, but sometimes she has to do too much that it is more of a hassle than worth it. I think the iPad, plus 3G would work perfectly for her.

Thanks for the info on 3G. I was thinking it was unlimited for some reason, but that is basically unlimited for me as I don't plan to do that much, I just like being able to look things up when I need it. I will have to check coverage in my area, I'm not sure if it is good or not. I don't have any issue with Blackberry on Verizon, but I'm not sure about AT&T.

@nixiemaiden, I used to have a Netbook. I broke it by accident when trying to fix it and it is now bricked. I never really liked it that much, between the cramped keyboard and the slow speed it drove me crazy... though I wish I hadn't broke it I did have one of the first models, so that could have been a lot of the reason it wasn't the best, but it still seems like the iPad would be a lot better.

I've used the iPad at Best Buy and have had a mix of situations. My first concern was checking speeds. There were a few sites that I was able to pull up and they worked great, others took forever to load. I also tried to load some sites I go to often and didn't have much issue with flash (it would mostly be news, I like aol new, checking e-mails, YouTube and some forums) but, for example, I was shopping for cars over the weekend. It would be great to be able to look up some info on the iPad, I tried one car site and some info was blocked because of flash, but most of it worked okay. I don't think it will be much of an issue, but I just know it was annoying when using the Touch, so I'm just a little nervous if I use it a lot more it will be more of an issue. But, I don't know how many sites I use are actually flash. I will have to look into that some more before buying one, but I don't think it will be a problem.

The iPad sounds like it will work perfectly for me then, I appreciate all the answers. Everyone I have been talking to has said the iPad just isn't worth it and to stick with the iPod Touch or get a tablet, but I also don't want to spend that much. So I'm glad it will work out.

Now, I just need to decide where to buy it from. I've been checking at Best Buy and they said they haven't had a 16gb since release, but they did have the 32gb. I figure for $100 I could get some accessories that I actually need, where I don't need the extra space. I may just order it online, I'm just a little concerned since when I bought my iPod Touch I had to get a few before I found one without dead pixels and the Apple store is pretty far away.

Very excited now... maybe I should get an iMac now as well so the iPad has a nice friend

Thanks again!

 

[reckless2k2]

Your Best Buy web browsing experience is not a reflection on the iPad. It's because Best Buy pushes way too many devices through one hole so to speak. I have problems checking most sites at Best Buy on many of the devices depending on the time and day.

And a Blackberry only does email well. It's not very productive for anything else. I had one for work and it was pretty much useless except for mail. The web surfing experience is horrible if you have to access and working with files such as Excel or Word aren't very productive either. Even the calendar on Blackberry stinks. I ended up using my iPhone and could do so much more. The recent iPad edition has made many work experiences in a crunch on the train or plane so smooth.

As far as size, I got the 32GB 3G because I knew 16GB would not be enough from my iPhone experiences. It's tough to evaluate what is the right size though.

 

[i-Want-Apples]

Your Best Buy web browsing experience is not a reflection on the iPad. It's because Best Buy pushes way too many devices through one hole so to speak. I have problems checking most sites at Best Buy on many of the devices depending on the time and day.

And a Blackberry only does email well. It's not very productive for anything else. I had one for work and it was pretty much useless except for mail. The web surfing experience is horrible if you have to access and working with files such as Excel or Word aren't very productive either. Even the calendar on Blackberry stinks. I ended up using my iPhone and could do so much more. The recent iPad edition has made many work experiences in a crunch on the train or plane so smooth.

As far as size, I got the 32GB 3G because I knew 16GB would not be enough from my iPhone experiences. It's tough to evaluate what is the right size though.

I kind of figured that would be the case with Best Buy. As long as it has more speed than what my netbook, Blackberry and iPod Touch has, then I'm okay with it. I just don't like sitting around forever waiting on pages to load.

I agree, other than e-mail, Blackberries aren't good for much. I basically only use my Blackberry for e-mails and getting online once and a while, but only when I have to, for whatever reason.

I have a 16gb iPod Touch and that has plenty of space for me (I have an 80gb Zune and have every song on it I could find, even CDs I didn't really want on it and I've only used like 8gb ) I'm thinking 16gb will be plenty for this as well. I'm not even sure if I will use it that much for music, but I will probably put songs I really want on it, maybe some photos and as far as videos, I don't really have any, so that isn't an issue. I will have a few documents, but they are small, so that isn't a big deal. I always feel like I should get the larger size, just to be safe, but I know I will never use it all.

Thanks for all the info!

 

[reckless2k2]

There are many ways to get around size limits if you grab the 16GB. Apps like Dropbox for a storage solution as an example. You can even use VNC type apps to log into other computers including Windows and have it run on your iPad which is another way to get around things. Streaming services for shows like Netflix, ABC Player, or even Hulu coupled with iTunes are great.

It's funny because I really don't do music on my iPad. It's more video content on there. I actually store a lot of my music on my iPhone so that's how I get around that.

Once you start using the iPad though, that Touch is going to feel very small and cramped. Hahaha.

Enjoy!

 

[i-Want-Apples]

There are many ways to get around size limits if you grab the 16GB. Apps like Dropbox for a storage solution as an example. You can even use VNC type apps to log into other computers including Windows and have it run on your iPad which is another way to get around things. Streaming services for shows like Netflix, ABC Player, or even Hulu coupled with iTunes are great.

It's funny because I really don't do music on my iPad. It's more video content on there. I actually store a lot of my music on my iPhone so that's how I get around that.

Once you start using the iPad though, that Touch is going to feel very small and cramped. Hahaha.

Enjoy!

I didn't even think of doing things like that. In that case, 16gb is plenty. I really don't see myself filling it up anyway, but now if I have options, it isn't a concern.

I will probably start putting more videos on the iPad because of the screen, I just don't have any at the moment... but now that Blu-Rays usually come with a digital file, I might as well use them. I never could get comfortable watching movies on the iPod touch, so I never really bought any. If I can get a nice case for the iPad, it should work great so I will use it a lot more.

I don't use my iPod Touch for music that much either, that is what I use my Zune for, but I have some songs on there in case I do want it. So, I think it will be the same situation with the iPad.

Thanks again, I'm really looking forward to (hopefully) getting it

 

[MikeTemple]

The iPad sounds perfect for you. Mine is as fast as my iMac for browsing the web and you tubing.

Ditto with the music. I use my iPhone for that. Mine is filling up with videos of Roary the racing car and Thomas the tank engine for my son though!

 

[adammull]

Turning a computer on? What is this, 1995? I don't think any of my computers, iMacs or Macbook Pros have been turned "off" in years.

 

[i-Want-Apples]

The iPad sounds perfect for you. Mine is as fast as my iMac for browsing the web and you tubing.

Ditto with the music. I use my iPhone for that. Mine is filling up with videos of Roary the racing car and Thomas the tank engine for my son though!

Wow, that is good to know. If it is that quick, then I think it will work perfect. I'm not expecting lightning fast speeds, but coming from fast internet on my computer I really had using mobile internet because it is so slow.

Wow, you just made me feel really old I've never even heard of Roary the Racing Car... but, I'm definitely thinking some movies will find their way onto the iPad to utilize that nice screen

Thanks for the info!

Turning a computer on? What is this, 1995? I don't think any of my computers, iMacs or Macbook Pros have been turned "off" in years.

I mostly just turn mine off when I'm not going to be using them for long periods of time. At the most, 8 hours is the longest I would leave my computer on when I'm not using. I especially like to turn them off when I'm gone a lot on the weekends and things because I live in an area with really bad lightning. So, any extra step I can take to keep things protected I do.

 

[fruitytotheloom]

The real answer.

Most websites don't use flash. I have had my iPad for a week. I almost exclusively go on the web with it. Only one site had flash. Which was traxxas, a rc car company. I know geeky.

 

[i-Want-Apples]

Most websites don't use flash. I have had my iPad for a week. I almost exclusively go on the web with it. Only one site had flash. Which was traxxas, a rc car company. I know geeky.

That's good to know. I don't have the much experience on my iPod Touch just because it runs pretty slow, so I don't use it enough to get a good idea of how it works. When I'm in Best Buy, I try to think of sites that I would go to on a regular basis, and some not so often and I usually draw a blank.

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[i-Want-Apples]

Hey everyone,

I thought of one other question. I would say the thing using most of the space on my iPod Touch is the apps. I had it filled the first day, so I expect that to be the same issue with my iPad. Do the apps for iPad take up a lot more space than the ones for iPod Touch/iPhone?

I'm still trying to decide if I should go with the 32gb. It seems for a $100 more it might be a smart idea, but I really don't think I will ever need that much space and I would rather use the money toward something I actually need than space I will probably never use... again, sorry for all the questions, I just get a little paranoid when coming down to the wire