ipad- a little confused.

thescouselander

I have actually used an Ipad while on a recent business trip to the states. I have to say that although I was skeptical it is actually quite a neat device. Its definitely very good for emails/surfing the web/youtube etc etc and it seemed very responsive when using it. Having said all that there's no way its worth the asking price in my opinion so I wont be buying one.

jeanniebeanie_2

I think what I have learned here is that if you already have an 'ipad nano' (ipod touch) or a netbook or any other piece of kit that fulfils your needs already as most 'teckies', especially will have, then the ipad is pretty pointless.

I don't 'fart around on facebook' or ANY social networking sites. Could be I am one of the old ladies queuing up to buy (funnily enough though DH may have to use HIS duty allowance on one for our 23 year old son too). Either way maybe over a million have been sold to a new market - people like ME for instance- who haven't already bought every new gadget released, won't have tongue lolling for next generation- this one should do fine, never felt the need for a pocket sized computer and will hopefully be happy with what it CAN do whilst having laptop/desktop to cover what it can't.

Thanks for the link BillScarab- some useful info about setup in the UK

BillScarab

That setup info is only relevant whilst it isn't on sale here of course. If you get one once it is on sale here it won't be an issue.

buglawton

Marty_J wrote: »

....For the sort of things I would do sitting on the sofa, an iPad is ideal.

I read somewhere that holding an iPad and using the touch screen for long periods is fatiguing. Just checked and yes this is likely:

Ipad feels heavy - Mac Forums

Considering Apple invented the Air super thin/light laptop, this would be a let down for me. I have a Touch and like it for bedside applications like internet radio/iPlayer Listen Again and quick peek at email, but would never buy another Apple product that is so closed. Can't even load my music library onto it as it's all encoded as WMA, to name but one lock in (or out).

jeanniebeanie_2

buglawton wrote: »

I read somewhere that holding an iPad and using the touch screen for long periods is fatiguing. Just checked and yes this is likely:

Ipad feels heavy - Mac Forums

Considering Apple invented the Air super thin/light laptop, this would be a let down for me. I have a Touch and like it for bedside applications like internet radio/iPlayer Listen Again and quick peek at email, but would never buy another Apple product that is so closed. Can't even load my music library onto it as it's all encoded as WMA, to name but one lock in (or out).

MacBook air weighs 3lbs- double the ipad and a netbook averages 2.8 lbs, an average hardback novel 1.5lbs, but irrelevant to me as I have MUCH more interesting things to do in bed than use an ipad!

Thanks for the link to the forum though-some great info on there.

Just in case anyone is interested, I found
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/iPad-Review-Apple-Adopter,review-1533.html to be a comprehensive review

dr.doom

just an oversized iphone in my opinion!

Danstar_2

BillScarab wrote: »

If you want one and have a use for it, buy one. Read reviews and if you think it will be of use to you get one.

All opinion on a forum is going to be biased, opinion is subjective so you'll get Apple fans who overlook it's shortcomings and praise it and Apple haters who will highlight all it's shortcomings and pan it. The truth lies somewhere in between.

Techradar usually have decent reviews. Have a look here

Bear on mind you may have to pay import duties on your return unless you try and convince customs you took it to the US with you. That may be difficult with an iPad given that it's not on sale in the UK until later this month.

Lets be honest, if you have it in your hand luggage and say folded the box flat and posted it you'd get away with it. You would probably get away with having the box in your hand luggage ANYWAY. And even so, you could have bought it on a previous trip to the US or someone else did so with no receipt to hand or the actual box they'd be hard pressed to do you for import duties.

neilwoods

Yes you may get away with in your hand luggage, but unless you have been to states within the last last or 5 weeks then you will have a hard time proving you bought it on a previous trip, plus how many people actually take the packaging and reference manuals with them on holiday. And if they were to search, they would find a sales receipt. Which you will need to keep hold in the case that something goes wrong with the iPad.

A good place for buying Tech or anything from the states is a place called Bundlebox http://www.bundlebox.com/

You buy your item online from US website, gets delivered to Bundlebox, they calculate you of the VAT & import, then you arrange shipment and pay the duties and shipping. Bit like having a PO box in the states.

jeanniebeanie_2

ALREADY POSTED ONCE:

Duty free allowance from outside the EU was raised in January to £390. The ipad (wi-fi) is on sale at $499 - £326 at today's visa rate!

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingnoneu.htm#1

Catherine_Johnson_2

jeanniebeanie wrote: »

.....but irrelevant to me as I have MUCH more interesting things to do in bed than use an ipad! ....

Yes, me too. I've read loads of good books recently.