Ipad - which one should i get
 

Hi

Im a bit late joining the party with this, but having re-arranged our IT facilities at home (PC is now in separate room well away from lounge etc) and wanting to let my kids join the digital age, i'm considering buying an ipad - i just dont really know what i should be getting.

will be used for:
internet browsing (at home)
watching video clips
photo storage and organization
kids games and learning

will not be used for:
work

Any buying tips - price and store to model and performance spec would be appreciated

Thanks

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

At the risk of sounding more like an Apple fanboi, I suggest you go with the new iPad with 16gb, no 3g. For photo storage, there should be plenty of space. Music and movies can be streamed.

The reason I recommend the new iPad is because the screen is far better for your photographs and much easier to use as an e-reader.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Cheapy chinese Android tablet.

Lots of different sizes and specs to suit and very low prices ($100-$150).

That way, when the little darlings break it you will only talk sternly, rather than shouting. You could pick up 4-5 such tablets for the price of one ipad3.

If they want to play arcade 3D games, then a Nexus 7 keeps the price down whilst still having the horsepower and support.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Google Nexus 7 Android tablet. Under $300 on a pricematch at Officeworks and it will do all of that - and you won't be tied into all the Apple bullshit like itunes

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

How old are the kids?

If it's mostly for them to play around, then get a Nexus or possibly a Kindle Fire.

Also easier to stream tele/movies you've acquired if you don't have a Apple TV, which is a bit of a meh media box anyway.

Music, store it on google music and photo's, store them in photobucket or whatever photo site of choice.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Games Hmmmm... You may need a Tegra chip minimum. Asus Transformer 10 inch screen as well IMO.... you can probably get buy without the Keyboard dock.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

iPad 3 (or New iPad in Apple speak).
64gb 3g ..

3g so you have the GPS chip, and 64GB as you'll need it for the resolution bump in all the apps.

If you want a smaller screen that 10" wait a month, there are hints of a 7" one next month.

Go to the apple store, and look under refurbed kit. It's all new parts, but without a new box, for 10% (ish) off.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Get the one that says Samsung Galaxy Tab, does everything an iPad does and more and you arent tied into Apple for everything. We have both and the Samsung is a much better tab.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

I think you just convinced me to get an Android

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

I've never liked the cult like control apple exerts over it's products but was at first reluctant to buy an android device because i bought into the idea apple stuff was easier to use and more reliable. In the past that was for the most part true...

But I was at a point where I was feeling like I had out grown apple and I took the plunge and bought an android and was very pleasantly surprised at how easy they were to use, the ingenuity of the products and the quality. Now even my wife thinks when her iphone has reached it's use by date she'll buy an android based galaxy note because she sees me finding all sorts of "neat" things on the samsung that her phone can't do and they're remarkably easy to use right out of the box. I think many people are a bit reluctant because of the old windows days and in a lot of ways associate android with that past.

So if it were me I'd buy an android based product. My personal preference at the moment is for the samsung but I saw an asus the other day that has a detachable keyboard that looked like the ducks guts as a multifunctional ultra book/tablet but I haven't taken the time to really look at it it as I'm not in the market for a tablet right now. I'm waiting for the manufacturers to cut the umbilical and make a tablet that is truly stand alone.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

I'm waiting for a Windows 8 tablet.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Me too. It will run everything

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Yep, and for phones WP8 looks like it'll be good too... not convinced about Win 8 on desktop yet though!

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

I think that will be a great feature also. I looked at tablets when i was doing field work for an engineer but ruled them out because they won't run anything worthwhile but a windows 8 tab will be a serious contender to being actually useful.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Err, only the Surface Pro will run most of the Windows software, and that will be up towards $1000. The RT won't run most Windows software, both because its an ARM chip, and because it force the metro UI - which is incompatible with most software. They are still talking about high prices, even for that one.

Frankly, you are going to be better off with a cheap, small laptop and a 7" tablet (such as the Nexus 7). It will still cost you less in total, you can run Windows 7 (like most people will be doing), the tablet is truly 'pocketable', and when you do actually have to type you'll have a real keyboard, not a cloth one.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Yep, my kids bought themselves this one a couple of months ago - it's great. Husband who is a mac cult member didn't want one because he thought iPad's were just a gimmicky thing, he now nicks it for all his skype calls because the quality's better than all the other macs in the house.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

You do have to do things "Apples way". But for 99% of people, that the way they'd do it anyhow.

For the 1% of us who like to do different. There are methods.

I got the wife one, and now the laptop doesn't get used. We then bought the inlaws one, and their desktop is hardly used.

Waiting to see the iPad mini, but might wait till next year few the new new iPad for myself.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

I agree that the iPad is a bit more restrictive than other models. The Windows Surface tablets running full Windows 8 will be the most feature packed to date. I think they'll suffer on battery life though and the aspect ratio is good for movies, not much good for photo's. I enjoy photography and find the iPad aspect ratio and size to be the best available. The Nexus has the power and a good size for an ereader but won't be as heavily used as a bigger tablet with a 4:3 aspect ratio. IOS is more seemless as well than other OS's on tablets.

One thing that Samsung does better than the iPad is the really thin stylus which is much better for doodling/drawing fantastic works of art. But, I find that I rest my hand on paper when sketching anyway which you can't do on a tablet if you want to draw something. It's only the stylus/finger that is allowed on the screen. Kids probably wouldnt care about these things though.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Then I think I should get commission for the sale. I wasn't even trying to sell which means the commission should be high.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

maybe you can't on the ipad, but I can on my galaxy note.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

That's the plan

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Well in true tradition, every second Windows operating system for desktops is a dud.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Definitely a pain on the iPad as I enjoy a bit of a sketch.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

galaxy note is a bit too small for decent sketching anyway.

Plenty of people do use it though... some really good sketches in this thread:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...413919&page=17

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

I love my Galaxy Note. One of the best gadgets I have ever owned.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Best gadget I have is the airport express for the airplay. It's a must for any music lover I think.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

You could look at the Aussiepad..

http://aussiepads.com.au/

$299 for a 10" Android tab, running the latest version of Android (ICS 4).
the hardware specs put it close to a Galaxy 10.1 for half the price.

BTW, I got an Aldi Tablet and the kids prefer it over the Ipad 3 the wife has.
the Aussiepad is slightly better in specs than the Aldi one is.
The main downside of Androids is that most of the cases are specifically designed for the Ipad, so suitable cases with the holes in the right places for the cameras and USB ports and on/off switches are a little harder to come by.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

I'm anxiously awaiting the release of the Note 2 - My trusty Dell finally gave up the fight for love and glory before I went to the US, and I am in cramped small screen accommodation until I get my shiny new Note...


S

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

If you want a nice case, get one of the major tabs, like the Nexus 7, Plenty of cases around for those. eg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

I played with the Nexus 7 while in the US - it really is a slick piece of kit, though I still don't think that I have any real need for one, particularly if I purchase the Note 2 as planned...


S

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

I have phone insurance on my Note - in a few months it might have to have an 'accident'............

Note 2 looks good.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

I have this theory that you pick mobile devices both on your use cases, and on how they can be carried.

I've got:

• A smartphone, that easily fits in a back pocket to carry about when I'm out
• A tablet, that will fit in a big pocket, and can be held in one hand - big enough to see a full website width, etc. and not so big that its heavy and needs a bag to carry it.
• A laptop, such that you can do 'serious' work, but that needs a bag to carry it around and although it will fit in cabin baggage, you wouldn't want to get out on a plane.
• A multi-screen desktop, which doesn't move, but is focused on 'doing stuff'.

Each has its uses, although I tend to concentrate uses on the 2nd and 4th.
I can see how, if your eyes are young and fingers small, a phablet could do 1 & 2, and I know of people who only have 3, foregoing 4. From a mobile standpoint, I don't really see the ipads (too big to carry easily, too heavy to hold for long periods, but still no proper keyboard). In future I could see 'roll up' laptops/tablets - but we need the flexible screens first.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

Mind if I make some additions


[*]A tablet, that will fit in a big pocket, and can be held in one hand - big enough to see a full website width, etc. and not so big that its heavy and needs a bag to carry it, and can sit neatly on your coffee table so you can do some quick net surfing whilst watching footballI don't really see the ipads (too big to carry easily, too heavy to hold for long periods, but still no proper keyboard) and they don't pack enough punch to do anything serious.

Re: Ipad - which one should i get
 

That's where one of mine is, with the TV guide on it so I can see if there is anything worth watching, and the xbmc remote.