The iPad isn't really a full computer. It's more or less a really large iPhone.
There are a lot of apps for it, but compared to an actual computer, even a netbook, the iPad is kinda lacking in power and flexibility.
-k
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OpenOffice.org look it up... though there are complaints I could talk about it is more or less a good app and I think it works on all OSs
Sadly, while there is an MacOS version of OpenOffice, there is no iPhone or iPad version.
The OO folks apparantly don't like the restrictive development environment of the iPhone OS and so far have indicated they are not interested in developing a version of OO for it.
There is the Apple-branded iWork package, but that costs money, and as I stated, the iPad isn't especially great as a computer.
There are a couple of VPN programs available, that let you use an iPad as a terminal to remotely access a PC. You could run the word processor and other stuff on the PC then. Dunno if you'd want to go this route, though.
-k
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The iPad is a media consumption device. Works great as a browser, if you don't mind living without Flash (but there's an app to get you around that, sort of). But just about everything you want to load onto it is trapped behind Apple's content firewall (aka iTunes/AppStore). Sure you can answer e-mails and such but Ninja is right, it's a giant iPod Touch, which is an iPhone without the phone part (insert "so it's just an iPhone 4" joke here).
Well you can get the versions with cell modem support but need a monthly data plan from ATT or you could get the wifi version and a Verizon cell/wifi router and pay them instead (assuming you want to get online from anywhere, not just where an open wifi router is).
The other option is to get the Macbook Air, it's at least a computer without all the restrictions. What Apple does best with laptops over traditional PC laptops is a battery that can last for most of the day. Why this is so difficult among laptop manufacturers is beyond me. Maybe it's tradition, maybe corporate IT departments enjoy buying multiple battery packs for every laptop a suit takes on the road.
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QuickOffice is an app that reads/writes MS office files. I use it on my iPad.
But speaking as someone who uses hisiPad every day at home and at work, it really is not a true replacement for a notebook. Just my opinion of course, but I'd say you will spend too much time trying to make it into a notebook, time that's better spent studying. The iPad is a GREAT device for reading, but not so much for doing more than a little data input or manipulation.
If you are a Mac person (and what sane person isn't lol) take a look at the Macbooks (13" screen) or the snazzy Mac Air (11" or 13" screens). Get the right configuration and you can play CoH when you take a break!
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The Air has no drive motors to suck battery life. That's usually the single biggest drain.|
Originally Posted by Father Xmas
What Apple does best with laptops over traditional PC laptops is a battery that can last for most of the day. Why this is so difficult among laptop manufacturers is beyond me. Maybe it's tradition, maybe corporate IT departments enjoy buying multiple battery packs for every laptop a suit takes on the road.
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-np
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The most insulting thing to me about the iPad is turning it on for the first time. You get a message instructing you to plug it into your computer. I pity all the poor fools buying it thinking it IS a computer. It really is just a consumption device. I'd really look elsewhere if you want to do any real work on it.
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Originally Posted by Father Xmas
What Apple does best with laptops over traditional PC laptops is a battery that can last for most of the day. Why this is so difficult among laptop manufacturers is beyond me. Maybe it's tradition, maybe corporate IT departments enjoy buying multiple battery packs for every laptop a suit takes on the road.
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Easy. VERY tightly integrated OS and hardware platform. It allows them to squeeze the utmost in battery life out while giving the appearance of high performance (essentially the UI is tweaked so that certain functions are heavily prioritized).
You simply CANNOT do this with a Windows machine, as Windows is an actual commodity OS that's designed to run on just about any hardware you can throw its way. As such, hardware support is more generalized and less effective in this arena.
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Drivel. Hardware support is as specific as the manufacture want's it to be.
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Originally Posted by Hyperstrike
Easy. VERY tightly integrated OS and hardware platform. It allows them to squeeze the utmost in battery life out while giving the appearance of high performance (essentially the UI is tweaked so that certain functions are heavily prioritized).
You simply CANNOT do this with a Windows machine, as Windows is an actual commodity OS that's designed to run on just about any hardware you can throw its way. As such, hardware support is more generalized and less effective in this arena. |
No flash, must have a web connected PC to even turn it on, proprietary as hell... it's a flashy paperweight. On top of that there are better Ebook readers on the market for 1/4 of the cost.
IMHO
For school, you should definitely get a laptop. If you're set on an iPad, supposedly version 2 is coming in February or March.
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Gotcha. Thanks for the responses guys. I have a laptop already but it's old and falling apart, so I was looking for something easier to carry around, newer, and could just do the basics for school. I would assume the Galaxy Tab is kind of in the same boat?
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The specs make it look a little worse for the value. which is mental. |
Originally Posted by Night-Hawk07
Gotcha. Thanks for the responses guys. I have a laptop already but it's old and falling apart, so I was looking for something easier to carry around, newer, and could just do the basics for school. I would assume the Galaxy Tab is kind of in the same boat?
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No, an ultra light would suit your needs better.
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If you want a full fledged computer that can do word processing and such, I would avoid tablets. They are relatively new for the general consumer market and are pretty much glorified smart phones at the moment. Give them a few generations and they might be suitable for lightweight computing but not right now.
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Originally Posted by Night-Hawk07
Gotcha. Thanks for the responses guys. I have a laptop already but it's old and falling apart, so I was looking for something easier to carry around, newer, and could just do the basics for school. I would assume the Galaxy Tab is kind of in the same boat?
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Some of the lightweight Toshibas and HPs seem pretty decent. Light on specs as well as weight, but for wrod processing and email they're fine. A friend of mine bought a lightweight Toshiba for business last spring and she's taken it all over the world (literally, she just returned from Korea) without any issues, but it suits her just fine.
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10-4, thanks everyone. Looks like to newegg.com for a laptop I go. 
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Write a few drivers for Windows then tell me that.|
Originally Posted by Cass_
Drivel. Hardware support is as specific as the manufacture want's it to be.
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Additionally, as I said, drivers are only one small portion of this.
Apple can rely on their OS being on a known platform (especially for laptops). This excises several layers of complexity and allows much tighter integration with the hardware than would otherwise be possible.
Moreover, because they know what the hardware is, they can utilize optimizations in the base OS, UI, etc that might break, malfunction, or otherwise result in instability on a slightly different hardware platform.
And, has been reported in the past, MacOS has had it's timings tweaked with an eye towards UI responsiveness, rather than overall maximum system performance.
So most UI tasks "feel" faster. Even if they're actually completing in a slower fashion.
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
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You should do yourself a favor and at least look at the Macs. |
Originally Posted by Night-Hawk07
10-4, thanks everyone. Looks like to newegg.com for a laptop I go.
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You'd be better off getting a MacBook Air. They're super fast, have a lot of memory, they're light and thin, and Microsoft makes Microsoft Office mac for Macs, so you should be covered there. Only draw back is, MacBook Airs don't have disk drives.
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Originally Posted by Night-Hawk07
Figured this was the best place to ask this. I'm looking at going back to school and getting an iPad, primarily as an eReader but also as a mini-computer. Obviously, Apple's word processor doesn't like Microsoft Word (which is what most everyone uses), but wasn't sure if there was an app or conversion tool I could use. Is there such a thing, or am I going to have to look more into a netbook?
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Particularly since you probably qualify for a nice educational discount. (There's a reason Mac laptops are the #1 favorite on US campuses.)
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Originally Posted by Stealth_Bomber
You should do yourself a favor and at least look at the Macs.
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*Reserves snarky comment*
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Originally Posted by TrueGentleman
Particularly since you probably qualify for a nice educational discount. (There's a reason Mac laptops are the #1 favorite on US campuses.)
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If the iPad were only an ebook reader, the price comparison might have a point. However it is not, so the comparison isn't valid. |
Originally Posted by Bonyfinger
No flash, must have a web connected PC to even turn it on, proprietary as hell... it's a flashy paperweight. On top of that there are better Ebook readers on the market for 1/4 of the cost
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I will certainly admit the iPad isn't a full fledged computer in a lot of ways, but it is far more than just a reader.
Too many alts to list.
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Originally Posted by docbuzzard
If the iPad were only an ebook reader, the price comparison might have a point. However it is not, so the comparison isn't valid.
I will certainly admit the iPad isn't a full fledged computer in a lot of ways, but it is far more than just a reader. |
I think it stands, as the OP is looking at it to use primarily as an e-reader.
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2 different things there.|
Originally Posted by docbuzzard
If the iPad were only an ebook reader, the price comparison might have a point. However it is not, so the comparison isn't valid.
I will certainly admit the iPad isn't a full fledged computer in a lot of ways, but it is far more than just a reader. |
My opinion is that it's a flashy paperweight. Based on multiple factors (and yes there's hyperbole in there).
The OP, if I remember correctly indicated that a primary use would be as an Ebook reader. There are better (IMHO) Ebook readers on the market for a FAR lower price point.
Yes, the iPad is more than an Ebook reader.
Figured this was the best place to ask this. I'm looking at going back to school and getting an iPad, primarily as an eReader but also as a mini-computer. Obviously, Apple's word processor doesn't like Microsoft Word (which is what most everyone uses), but wasn't sure if there was an app or conversion tool I could use. Is there such a thing, or am I going to have to look more into a netbook?
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That Stinging Sensation #482183