I pad questions

scottishminnie

I've never been particularly attracted to IPads - I like my laptop keyboard and I hate anything the idea of a touchscreen with fingerprints however..................

hubby and I take 2/3 holidays a year and the laptop goes with us. It's not a huge one however I've been toying with buying an Ipad just for use on holidays. I figure it would be so much lighter and take up so much less space in my hand luggage. I have some questions though. I'll apologise in advance as some of them are probably so basic you normal people will be muttering "what????" but I'm hopelessly non clued up.

1. If I buy a WiFi ipad can I connect anywhere there is a WiFi signal (hotels etc)? I won't buy anything where I need to have a contract for data or anything like that.

2. Apart from a cover what else do I need to but that doesn't come with the Ipad? I've heard stories of things like chargers not being included.

3. I know there is no DVD slot so how do I get things like my BT Internet connected to it if I can't run a dvd?

4. Is there anything else I should think about?

Thanks in advance - I'm sure the people in the Apple store are really helpful but I feel a complete idiot going into these kind of places with such basic questions.:o

debitcardmayhem

scottishminnie wrote: »

1. If I buy a WiFi ipad can I connect anywhere there is a WiFi signal (hotels etc)? I won't buy anything where I need to have a contract for data or anything like that. More or less yes

2. Apart from a cover what else do I need to but that doesn't come with the Ipad? I've heard stories of things like chargers not being included. Mine has a charger, but don't buy the Apple branded covers , too expensive I have a Faux Leather one cost 10.98 from amazon and is much better value

3. I know there is no DVD slot so how do I get things like my BT Internet connected to it if I can't run a dvd? Why do you need a DVD to connect to the Interwobble??

4. Is there anything else I should think about?
Yes it is not a laptop, and will not be as functional but it is light, and the build quality is very good. Bad news iTunes is well ...pants

Hmmmmmmmm see the green bits above

Edited: Oh and why have 2/3 holidays , who leaves the holiday home with a 1/3rd of the hols left?

bluesnake

1. You can connect to wifi, but the cost and connection details depends on the Hotel etc. Here you get free wifi in McD and Wetherspoon pubs, but Premier inn charged about £16.?? per night 2 years ago.

2. I buy a foreign plug and wire it up to a uk 4 way adapter - it works well

3. Convert dvd's using Freemake and that should work http://3inq.com/technology/play-any-video-on-your-apple-device-with-freemake-video-converter Ipad and phones etc already have wifi drivers included so all you need is the network name and password.

4. Most pads that have built in cameras are rubbish! The other question is, how do you get your proper camera photos to your ipad without a computer? Think you can put skype on too.

Lifeforms

Mostly it will connect, but some that require log on and such and loads a page via whatever browser doesn't always work.

regarding camera, it's not like it's a one ways system. photos can of course be taken off as well as put on (without taking a picture). To get your proper camera pictures to your ipad buy a connector that costs £4 from likes of 7day shop. Voila photos now are on there.

You don't install the internet on your ipad, it works through wifi. Thus if you have no wifi at home, you need to investigate that first to make the most of what would otherwise be a very expensive table mat.

The question you should ask yourselves is it really worth the money to use just on holiday. You sound like it's an experience that you wouldn't enjoy. Just get a reasonably light net book instead, than wasting cash on such an item that wont provide enjoyment, as wll as only just be used 3 times a year!

scottishminnie

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Edited: Oh and why have 2/3 holidays , who leaves the holiday home with a 1/3rd of the hols left?

I had to read that bit twice :rotfl:

bluesnake wrote: »

1. You can connect to wifi, but the cost and connection details depends on the Hotel etc. Here you get free wifi in McD and Wetherspoon pubs, but Premier inn charged about £16.?? per night 2 years ago.

We only holiday in the US and wifi access has always been free.


4. Most pads that have built in cameras are rubbish! The other question is, how do you get your proper camera photos to your ipad without a computer? Think you can put skype on too.

I wouldn't bother putting any photos on it - would wait till I came home to load them onto the proper laptop

Lifeforms wrote: »

You don't install the internet on your ipad, it works through wifi. Thus if you have no wifi at home, you need to investigate that first to make the most of what would otherwise be a very expensive table mat. Sorry , should have said we have wifi at home

The question you should ask yourselves is it really worth the money to use just on holiday. You sound like it's an experience that you wouldn't enjoy. Just get a reasonably light net book instead, than wasting cash on such an item that wont provide enjoyment, as wll as only just be used 3 times a year!

I did think about a smaller, lighter laptop just for travelling as it's simply the weight and space it takes lugging the current one around. It just seemed a bit flash to have 2 laptops but I guess it's more sensible than something which I don't really like much.

I'll have a look and see what kind of mini laptop I could get for about £350 - that's probably more sensible:o

NeverAgain_2

I'm not sure if your remark about Apple store staff being helpful was tongue in cheek.

But I would go so far as to say Apple have the most knowledgeable and helpful staff on the High Street, so definitely worth calling in to a shop.

They can be busy, so avoid lunchtimes and Saturdays if you can.

bluesnake

you should be able to pick up a Chinese a6? screen android "ipad" for about £130 inc p&p. cheaper than a £350 netbook and no itunes either!

seen this http://www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/CE0031W/HYUNDAI_A7_7_Capacitive_Android_40_Tablet_with_3G_WiFi_White.html?utm_source=radica&SSAID=423396

paste but delete the £ sign: http://www.focal£price.com/CE0031W/HYUNDAI_A7_7_Capacitive_Android_40_Tablet_with_3G_WiFi_White.html?utm_source=radica&SSAID=423396

or possibly uk based, wifi tablet £70 http://www.futeko.com/browse.php?cat=tablet

wba31

Do you go on holiday to sunny places? do you hope to use the ipad while outside? the screens are a bit rubbish when the sun comes out as the reflect the light and are hard to see...

Lifeforms

Reading it all, just wouldn't recommend an ipad to you. The ipad experience, feel, look is the top range essentially. it's priced such too, so if you wouldn't enjoy that, then certainly steer well away from sub priced tablets.
Seriously consider it, You're on your holiday, you've earnt it, chosen somewhere nice, and feel meh or blergh using a tablet when needed. WHY?

You could get a pretty decent netbook for £350. They aren't as bulky/big as a normal laptop, does everything a normal lap top will do.

Perhaps a ~£200 netbook and a kindle might work better. Kindle for reading, netbook to watch/surf/use.

scottishminnie

Thanks all. I've made my decision - whether it's outrageous (as suggested by my horrified friends at work!) to have a laptop and a netbook or not that's what I'm going to do. I'm perfectly happy with my current laptop (lenovo ideapad about 2 years old), it's just too bulky to trail around so I will pick up a smaller more lighweight netbook. I've seen an Acer which looks ok and is less than £260. It's good that most online stores list the weight of the netbook, just a pity they don't list the weight of the power cable as they seem to be disproportionately heavy (in my opinion).
I'm not keen on kindles - I like my "real books" too much so I won't be buying one. Thanks for the suggestion though.:)


I wasn't knocking the staff in the Apple store- simply suggesting they had better things to do than answer basic questions which could be addressed with a bit of research before venturing into the store.

NeverAgain_2

Most netbooks around £200 are much of a muchness, so the Acer will be as good as any.

Might be worth thinking about battery life - Asus are quite good in this respect.