What can the iPad do?

covingtoncat73 · 03-22-2011, 05:40 PM

Dunno if Best Buy still has the original for $399 but that sale had me curious. I do email, a few messageboards and news websites, Twitter, Netflix (very important, it is how I get my TV), and iTunes on my home computer. Oh, I also use Adobe Digital Editions for my Kobo. I haven't written anything in about 2 years but, if I take up my writing hobby again, I would also like a word processing application at home. Will the iPad work for this?

My Dell laptop is 4 years old and runs Vista, unfortunately, and the battery has been dead for 2 years, so I have to keep it on AC power and am thinking of a replacement. I am leaning towards a Netbook which would be at least $100 less.

Sorry, I know this is more about other functions than eReading but I did get a Kobo on supersale at Borders (I had a Borders gift cert to boot), so I just got into eReading. I'm liking it so far, and, if I continue to like eReading, I may go for a Kindle, if I don't get an iPad, to have access to Amazon and still get the library's eBooks through my Kobo. So my options are these:

1. Get a new battery ($120) for my funky old, 10lb laptop and keep using it with Vista, maybe get a Kindle.

2. Get a new battery ($120) and upgrade to Windows 7 ($200) on the old laptop, maybe get a Kindle but later. (least likely)

3. Get a new, inexpensive Netbook (Toshiba mini-netbook) ($279), maybe get a Kindle but later.

4. Get the new iPad 2 WiFi 16GB ($499) - don't need Kindle

5. Get the iPad w/ WiFi 16 GB ($399) - don't need Kindle

kjk · 03-22-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

Dunno if Best Buy still has the original for $399 but that sale had me curious. I do email, a few messageboards and news websites, Twitter, Netflix (very important, it is how I get my TV), and iTunes on my home computer. Oh, I also use Adobe Digital Editions for my Kobo.

Will the iPad work for this?

Yes, and quite well, imho

The new Home Sharing feature really gives you access to your entire iTunes music/movies/TV shows over wi-fi; very convenient.

Quote:

I haven't written anything in about 2 years but, if I take up my writing hobby again, I would also like a word processing application at home.

Will the iPad work for this?

That is a bigger question

I know some people have gotten quite facile at typing on the on-screen keyboard, and others who just can't use it for anything longer than a messageboard/email length missive. You could get an external bluetooth keyboard, but that just adds to the cost, and really, for many writers, a netbook is the perfect little tool for that task.

You might want to try to get down to an Apple Store and do some typing on the keyboard-see if its something that feels right, possibly right with practice, or a frickin disaster

I have to say it is a lot easier to type on with the Smart Cover to prop it up at an angle, but I don't use mine for a lot of writing.

MsAstoria · 03-23-2011, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjk

Yes, and quite well, imho

The new Home Sharing feature really gives you access to your entire iTunes music/movies/TV shows over wi-fi; very convenient.

That is a bigger question

I know some people have gotten quite facile at typing on the on-screen keyboard, and others who just can't use it for anything longer than a messageboard/email length missive. You could get an external bluetooth keyboard, but that just adds to the cost, and really, for many writers, a netbook is the perfect little tool for that task.

You might want to try to get down to an Apple Store and do some typing on the keyboard-see if its something that feels right, possibly right with practice, or a frickin disaster

I have to say it is a lot easier to type on with the Smart Cover to prop it up at an angle, but I don't use mine for a lot of writing.

I agree. Typing anything more than a few lines in an email is about as far I would go with the "virtual" keyboard. I suggest a bluetooth keyboard if you go with the iPad. It does everything else well that was in your list. Frankly if you are wanting an Apple product, then the Mac Air for $999 would do all of the above. Netbooks are of course less expensive and would run all the Windows programs you are probably used to. I vote for the Netbook.

Caltsar · 03-23-2011, 10:56 AM

An iPad is a computer you use in addition to your desktop. It's great for sitting on the couch and typing out a few paragraphs or doing light work, but any heavy lifting and major writing is best done on a desktop or laptop.

You can get used to the on screen keyboard and use it well enough, but connecting a bluetooth keyboard will serve you best.

If you have a chance to play with one for a while you definitely should. It's not for everyone, but it's also hard to say if it's for you.

GlennD · 03-23-2011, 12:40 PM

There's also the thought (although it adds some cost) of supplementing the ipad with a keyboard; ilounge reviews one here, but there are several others.

The Apple store has refurbished original ipads for $150 off the original price - $349 for the 16GB version. I got mine from Best Buy for around that, it was an open box. That was last Friday; presumably someone had returned it in favor of an ipad2.

I wouldn't recommend upgrading your laptop to windows 7, unless it was a very high end model when you purchased it. Even then you probably won't get your money's worth out of the upgrade.

HarryT · 03-23-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennD

I wouldn't recommend upgrading your laptop to windows 7, unless it was a very high end model when you purchased it. Even then you probably won't get your money's worth out of the upgrade.

If it's running Vista now, it will undoubtedly run a lot better with Windows 7.

guess32 · 03-23-2011, 12:54 PM

I think that for writing there's nothing more inspiring that an old typewriter, the older the better.

mlstein · 03-23-2011, 01:32 PM

I've written 1000-word articles with no problem on the iPad's keyboard in landscape mode on my lap. I like iAWriter, which has a very readable font and some extra keys that are very useful. I have a keyboard, too, for more serious work.

That said, there isn't a single word processing app for the iPad that comes close to desktop functionality. Pages has a fair number of the necessities but its styles are lousy and can't be changed unless you have a Mac and run Pages on that. I don't. (I use Linux and OpenOffice for serious work.) Anything you write on the tablet will almost certainly have to be downloaded and formatted on a bigger machine. And on top of that it's a bit of a pain to get stuff on and off. Thank the gods for Dropbox and DropDAV.

Still, the iPad is a great and addictive device. I love Zite and Flipboard, which bring me all kinds of pieces I doubt I would have found any other way. I can do legal research on it free thanks to Fastcase and use Goodreader for pdfs and Stanza for epbs. I'm considering selling my Dell mini, because although it has much better word processing capabilities its screen is too small (and can't be run in portrait mode!) and the keyboard is no great shakes either.

covingtoncat73 · 03-23-2011, 02:20 PM

Thanks, guys. I think I would need a bluetooth keyboard with it, too, and I am used to my Windows applications. It will be cheaper and easier to get the little Toshiba netbook and a Kindle.

jocampo · 03-23-2011, 08:09 PM

I think you need a laptop, because the heavy keyboard use.

So, get a new battery (120) and Install Ubuntu Linux on it (it is free) Ubuntu does everything and better, even faster. No more viruses, no more disk fragmentation and your laptop will run faster than before because Ubuntu uses less resources.

With the $200.00 you are going to save, buy a Kindle 3!

;-)

covingtoncat73 · 03-23-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocampo

I think you need a laptop, because the heavy keyboard use.

So, get a new battery (120) and Install Ubuntu Linux on it (it is free) Ubuntu does everything and better, even faster. No more viruses, no more disk fragmentation and your laptop will run faster than before because Ubuntu uses less resources.

With the $200.00 you are going to save, buy a Kindle 3!

;-)

I am intrigued. Will that be easy to do?

mlstein · 03-23-2011, 09:51 PM

Ubuntu is great but it still helps to have a touch of the geek fore when you run into problems. I've been using it since it first appeared.

jocampo · 03-23-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

I am intrigued. Will that be easy to do?

Yes. You can even run it without uninstalling Windows, directly from CD. I think I have a free PDF somewhere. PM with your email, I will give it to you or point you to free online resources.

Word Doc, Excel, Power Point, you can open those as well on Ubuntu.

Why Ubuntu:http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/why-use-ubuntu

03-22-2011, 05:40 PM	#1
covingtoncat73 Wizard Posts: 2,745 Karma: 83407757 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Lenovo Duet Chromebook, Moto e	What can the iPad do? Dunno if Best Buy still has the original for $399 but that sale had me curious. I do email, a few messageboards and news websites, Twitter, Netflix (very important, it is how I get my TV), and iTunes on my home computer. Oh, I also use Adobe Digital Editions for my Kobo. I haven't written anything in about 2 years but, if I take up my writing hobby again, I would also like a word processing application at home. Will the iPad work for this? My Dell laptop is 4 years old and runs Vista, unfortunately, and the battery has been dead for 2 years, so I have to keep it on AC power and am thinking of a replacement. I am leaning towards a Netbook which would be at least $100 less. Sorry, I know this is more about other functions than eReading but I did get a Kobo on supersale at Borders (I had a Borders gift cert to boot), so I just got into eReading. I'm liking it so far, and, if I continue to like eReading, I may go for a Kindle, if I don't get an iPad, to have access to Amazon and still get the library's eBooks through my Kobo. So my options are these: 1. Get a new battery ($120) for my funky old, 10lb laptop and keep using it with Vista, maybe get a Kindle. 2. Get a new battery ($120) and upgrade to Windows 7 ($200) on the old laptop, maybe get a Kindle but later. (least likely) 3. Get a new, inexpensive Netbook (Toshiba mini-netbook) ($279), maybe get a Kindle but later. 4. Get the new iPad 2 WiFi 16GB ($499) - don't need Kindle 5. Get the iPad w/ WiFi 16 GB ($399) - don't need Kindle Last edited by covingtoncat73; 03-22-2011 at 09:36 PM.

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03-23-2011, 10:56 AM	#4
Caltsar Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 86951 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minnesota Device: nook Touch, iPad, iPhone	An iPad is a computer you use in addition to your desktop. It's great for sitting on the couch and typing out a few paragraphs or doing light work, but any heavy lifting and major writing is best done on a desktop or laptop. You can get used to the on screen keyboard and use it well enough, but connecting a bluetooth keyboard will serve you best. If you have a chance to play with one for a while you definitely should. It's not for everyone, but it's also hard to say if it's for you.

03-23-2011, 12:40 PM	#5
GlennD Wizard Posts: 2,119 Karma: 17500000 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Pacific NW Device: sony PRS350, iPhone, iPad	There's also the thought (although it adds some cost) of supplementing the ipad with a keyboard; ilounge reviews one here, but there are several others. The Apple store has refurbished original ipads for $150 off the original price - $349 for the 16GB version. I got mine from Best Buy for around that, it was an open box. That was last Friday; presumably someone had returned it in favor of an ipad2. I wouldn't recommend upgrading your laptop to windows 7, unless it was a very high end model when you purchased it. Even then you probably won't get your money's worth out of the upgrade.

03-23-2011, 12:54 PM	#7
guess32 Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Sony PRS-500	I think that for writing there's nothing more inspiring that an old typewriter, the older the better.

03-23-2011, 01:32 PM	#8
mlstein Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 2062 Join Date: May 2010 Device: iPad (one)	I've written 1000-word articles with no problem on the iPad's keyboard in landscape mode on my lap. I like iAWriter, which has a very readable font and some extra keys that are very useful. I have a keyboard, too, for more serious work. That said, there isn't a single word processing app for the iPad that comes close to desktop functionality. Pages has a fair number of the necessities but its styles are lousy and can't be changed unless you have a Mac and run Pages on that. I don't. (I use Linux and OpenOffice for serious work.) Anything you write on the tablet will almost certainly have to be downloaded and formatted on a bigger machine. And on top of that it's a bit of a pain to get stuff on and off. Thank the gods for Dropbox and DropDAV. Still, the iPad is a great and addictive device. I love Zite and Flipboard, which bring me all kinds of pieces I doubt I would have found any other way. I can do legal research on it free thanks to Fastcase and use Goodreader for pdfs and Stanza for epbs. I'm considering selling my Dell mini, because although it has much better word processing capabilities its screen is too small (and can't be run in portrait mode!) and the keyboard is no great shakes either.

03-23-2011, 02:20 PM	#9
covingtoncat73 Wizard Posts: 2,745 Karma: 83407757 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Lenovo Duet Chromebook, Moto e	Thanks, guys. I think I would need a bluetooth keyboard with it, too, and I am used to my Windows applications. It will be cheaper and easier to get the little Toshiba netbook and a Kindle.

03-23-2011, 08:09 PM	#10
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	I think you need a laptop, because the heavy keyboard use. So, get a new battery (120) and Install Ubuntu Linux on it (it is free) Ubuntu does everything and better, even faster. No more viruses, no more disk fragmentation and your laptop will run faster than before because Ubuntu uses less resources. With the $200.00 you are going to save, buy a Kindle 3! ;-)

03-23-2011, 09:51 PM	#12
mlstein Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 2062 Join Date: May 2010 Device: iPad (one)	Ubuntu is great but it still helps to have a touch of the geek fore when you run into problems. I've been using it since it first appeared.