Traveling when I pick up my iPad -- should I bring my MBPro on my trip?

[carrerascott]

I'm heading west on April 2, so I have reserved my iPad pickup on April 3 in Cali. Should I bother lugging along my Macbook Pro on the trip, or will the iPad be ready to go out of the box? Will I need to Sync it to a Mac like my iPhone? Or is the iPad more slated to be a standalone computer? I really just need Mail, web browser and Logmein Ignition to access my work computer.

If I've already paid for Logmein Ignition for my iphone, will I be able to download it again to my iPad for free (using the same Apple ID)?

Just trying to decide if I should bother lugging my laptop along if I'm picking the iPad up the morning after I arrive in Cali.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Night Spring]

iPad will most likely need to be activated before use. I'd call the Apple store where you are picking up your iPad and ask if they can activate it for you in-store. Once it's activated, you should be fine to use it during your trip. And any apps you've bought before can be redownloaded on the same Apple ID without paying again.

 

[carrerascott]

Thanks, I just called the store and they said they haven't received any information about activation etc and may not until the morning of the launch (or maybe the day before). I guess to be safe I'll take my MBPro along with me...

 

[Nexus4144]

I dont think it will require activation. Its gonna be just like an iPod touch, ready to go out of the box. If you dont need your sync your music/videos/mail/calander for the trip, you shouldnt have any problems. To check your mail you can just use the internet client instead the mail app.

As for the LogMeIn, as long as you havnt passed the three time download limit (to mobile devices), you should be able to get for free off the AppStore again

 

[Night Spring]

I dont think it will require activation. Its gonna be just like an iPod touch, ready to go out of the box.

iPod touch isn't ready to go out of the box -- out of the box it displays the "connect to itunes" screen, and you need to hook it up to a computer with itunes and click a few buttons before you can use it.

 

[anthonymoody]

I'd be surprised if they wouldn't let you activate it at the store (assuming activation is required ootb). Since they were honest about not having the info on activating, hopefully you can get an honest answer about letting you activate if it's required. Even better, get the name of the person so you can ask for them when you get there.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Why would the wifi version need activation?

 

[anthonymoody]

Why would the wifi version need activation?

For the same reason the iPod Touch does - because Apple makes it a requirement.

BTW for the OP, I am interested to learn, after your trip (assuming you don't bring your MBP), whether you rethink the role of the iPad in your life. I intend to retire my MBP permanently and use the iPad as my primary computer. I'd be interested to hear if a trip on which you had only the iPad swayed you at all in this regard.

 

[maroontigre]

I'd be surprised if activation (vs registration) were required, but I'm wondering whether the thing will be fully charged?!

 

[bossxii]

I'd be surprised if activation (vs registration) were required, but I'm wondering whether the thing will be fully charged?!

@ OP as well...

The same type of activation on the iPT will be needed because it will register the iPad to your iTunes account. It's not a matter of "needing" to sync your media, but simply to activate it and link your specific iPad to your iTunes account.

Just as when you have to choose to "activate" and allow each computer you have iTunes installed on to link to your iTunes account. Unless Apple has rewritten iTunes as they did iWork for the iPad, and installed the full version, the initial activation will be no different than the iPod Touch.

 

[EssentialParado]

I think Apple would be stupid to make it require activation. I think a lot of people will be buying it as a standalone computer, and I think Apple realize this. …But I guess there's no way to know for sure.

Couldn't you just open the box in the Apple store and plug it into one of the display Macs to activate it? They wipe the machines every night so there shouldn't be any worries about it leaving any traces on there -maybe they'd let you do that? Otherwise, couldn't you find a friend (or maybe just a friendly starbucks laptop'er) in California to let you quickly activate it on their itunes?

I'm sure you'd find some way to do it if your Macbook will be a big hassle to take. But if it isn't a huge hassle, you may as well take it.

 

[ttate90303]

Firmware update - another reason you may need your computer is if there is a .01 firmware update that is needed prior to using it. Longshot but it could happen.

 

[carrerascott]

BTW for the OP, I am interested to learn, after your trip (assuming you don't bring your MBP), whether you rethink the role of the iPad in your life. I intend to retire my MBP permanently and use the iPad as my primary computer. I'd be interested to hear if a trip on which you had only the iPad swayed you at all in this regard.

I'll bring my laptop along just in case, but I expect (and hope) that after April 3 the laptop will stay put in my bag. I'll certainly post updates here about it, hopefully from my iPad.

 

[carrerascott]

Thanks all. I'll bring my MBPro along just in case. No big deal, and I'll have it to use on the flight out west (my ATL to LAX flight should have wifi onboard). I'll post an update here once I get the iPad if I needed it or not.

 

[aaquib]

I really don't think Apple would do that. I think it is being positioned as more of a stand-alone device in comparison to the iPod touch.

If I can, with an iPad, create a document, export it to Word, and email it all without the use of anything external, I think I'll be able to use it without plugging it into my computer.

 

[raw911]

well im in PA and will be picking up my ipad in austin TX ... I plan on bringing my MBP and external HD with my Itunes stuff on it ... cause i got caught out there with the 1st iphone .. it was my anniversary and was in MD so i got in line to get iphone and didnt bring my MBP then found out that i needed it to activate .. plus i figure id need it anyways to load some movies on to watch on plane ride home ..

 

[125037]

I would not bring anything at all. That way you are forced to use your iPad for everything and you can get a true, good sense of everything the iPad will and cannot do based on your needs.

 

[bpd115]

From my in store pickup confirmation email:

"When you come in to pick up your iPad, you'll be part of an exciting launch at the Apple Store. We'll have Specialists ready to help you set up your iPad, free workshops, and more. We can't wait to see you at the store"