I have someone who came to me for advice about computers, but it was to late, they touched the shiny apple things. I had to admit I knew little about the ipad.

So a few basic queries - if anybody would mind.

1) Is the virtual keyboard sufficient for e-mail, basic typing?

2) Does it come with any useful document editing 'apps' onboard out of the box, and can these be easily used with 1) above?

3) Does it work OK with iplayer of youtube?

In short could it replace a laptop for everyday consumer use?

Thanks for any advice.


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Edited by Chaconne (20/03/12 05:23 PM)

Quote Chaconne:

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1) Is the virtual keyboard sufficient for e-mail, basic typing?

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just about.. its ok but I much prefer a real keyboard with real keys that you can feel.

Quote Chaconne:

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2) Does it come with any useful document editing 'apps' onboard out of the box, and can these be easily used with 1) above?

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not out of the box, but there are apps you can download that don't cost too much. They are a bit limited though. Not really a replacement for Office on the Mac/PC.

Quote Chaconne:

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3) Does it work OK with iplayer of youtube?

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There is a Youtube App bundled with it, and you can download a free iPlayer app

Quote Chaconne:

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In short could it replace a laptop for everyday consumer use?

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not for me.. Its best for a games device IMHO.

I sometimes browse the net and check mail on it but, if I'm honest, my 6 year old son uses it more than I do.

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www.Lozjackson.com

The keyboard is fine for basic use, but you wouldn't want to write book on it.

Text Apps are ten a penny and you can even get iWork for the ipad for a few quid, so no worries there.
Alternatively, if you have a ( free! ) MS Skydrive account, you can use MS Office for free (via the net.)

BBC support for Macs is disgracefully slow, given they nicked the "i" name.
I presume it means they expect their views to be 99% Windows users - so what that says about their demograph, I don't know !
But iPlayer and Youtube work fine, given sufficient broadband speed.
( bit crap over 3G, but then that's not the ipad's fault......)

It can easily replace a laptop for basic everyday use.
For serious use its crap, as there is no Logic Pro or Final Cut - yet !
You can't download stuff and save it to transfer later, like you can on a laptop.
It only really works as a device if you already own a Mac, as it compliments it perfectly.
If it is your only device, its a bit limiting.

The battery life alone is in a different league to even the latest MacBook Pros.
My MBP gives about 4 -5 hours basic use.
My iPad is measured in DAYS.

The ipad is expensive, but when you have used other similar "me-too" devices, you soon see why
- & where was spent.

Buy one because you love it,
Buy one because is über cool,
But most of all, buy one because it does what you want.

It's been said really. I use mine a lot for basic tasks, but for more detailed work I still use a Mac.

So it's to do with expectations. In a consumer sense, it's fine for email, browsing, basic word processing, iTunes iPod etc.

Lots of cool cheap apps, many of which are useful.

But it's not a fully fledged PC and shouldn't be thought of as such (I would never expect it to match Logic Pro on a MacPro)

There's a detailed thread running on iPads in the Production forum.

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

I overheard two old boys on the train talking about it. One had ditched his day to day laptop in favour of it and just sync'd regularly. I suppose that i(insert name of whatever sync app is these days) will do that automatically now.

If I were a serious writer, I'd look into an external keyboard, but for ordinary typing, the on screen one is ok.

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Veni, Vidi, Aesculi
(I came, I saw, I conkered)

OK - useful info - thanks. I think this person is just into the coolness of it - so I will let them do what they want!

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I think you're all missing the point...

So... how d'you like your iPad?

Very good - the iChop!

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

I'd say there are thousands of people who'd love it to be seen as a toy and millions of people who realise that it's way more than that. If someone knows little enough about computers not to know whether an ipad would satisfy their needs then I'd more or less guarantee that it will satisfy their needs and then go on to develop their abilities into all sorts of new areas. We're only seeing the start of what is turning out to be an incredible new area in the computer industry. Check out garageband for a glimpse of the perfect spontaneous recording app.

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iMac 27", DP 7.2, Melodyne CRE8, Motu 828mk2

Quote Chaconne:

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I have someone who came to me for advice about computers, but it was to late, they touched the shiny apple things. I had to admit I knew little about the ipad.

So a few basic queries - if anybody would mind.

1) Is the virtual keyboard sufficient for e-mail, basic typing?

Quote:

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Better than a mobile phone. Considerably worse than a proper keyboard

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2) Does it come with any useful document editing 'apps' onboard out of the box, and can these be easily used with 1) above?

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Plenty are freely or cheaply available

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3) Does it work OK with iplayer of youtube?

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It's generally good at media display

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In short could it replace a laptop for everyday consumer use?

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It depends how you use your laptop! I know MacBook owners who use it for nothing but media storage/playback and email. They would probably be happy. One reason I bought a powerful laptop computer was so that I could edit and burn to DVD video camera recordings, on location. And so I could create, edit and print scores using Sibelius. Else I'd have chosen a cheap netbook

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