iPad

[drbassman]

Hey guys, I'm typing this on my iPad and after one day, I have to say I really like it.  Gonna retire my laptop and switch.

[Basvarken]

Cool!

I'm jealous

[uwe]

Don't ever quote me, but I'm tempted.   This from someone who usually has nothing but derision for Apple products.   But if I'm honest: All I ever do with a computer is either send or receive emails or access the net. And doing that on a bigger screen (given my increasing old age far-sightedness) would make perfect sense. The only drawback is at the same time curiously the advantage of the thing: size. You can conveniently store an I-Pad in a handbag if you're a woman , but it doesn't fit into the pockets of a two piece business suit which I have worn and will wear for most of my life.   That is the true advantage of the Blackberry.

But Edith is turning fifty on Sat and I've been wondering about getting one for her aside to the stuff I already have. She's said she doesn't want or need one, but you know how women are. Once in her hands she won't let go of it.  

I hope she is not sneaking this site!   Edith, das ist streng verboten!!!  

So, Dr Bill, would you say that this is (also) a girl toy?

Uwe

[Highlander]

Congrats...

Roshina really wants one, not entirely for "look what I've got", but really pleased to have talked her out of an iphone #4

I have heard nothing but good things about them, and Uwe, grow up man and use a man-bag... get with the modern world... I've been using one since the 70's... (well, not really, but I have an old WWII canvas bag that was my dad's that I used for my camera gear, bird watching, etc - still got it - still use it, on occasion...)

Only one caveat, as per all modern technology - drop it - go buy a new one - they already have a reputation over here for their fragility...

The cynical engineer within me says wait for ipad #2

ps -  Uwe, aren't those buttons on your Blackberry getting smaller every day...

[uwe]

"grow up man and use a man-bag..."

Admittedly, I have issues with that. Wearing a rucksack is as metrosexual as I dare to be.

[Pilgrim]

I'm typing on an 10 inch screen Acer netbook while at 9,600 feet in the mountains of Southern Utah.  The Acer is 3 pounds with a 6-cell battery that lasts about 5 hours.  Also has a 1.6 GB processor ang 2 GB RAM. I'm finding that it will do about 90% of what my 17" screen HP laptop will do, but it's still darn hard to read papers on.  The iPad doesn't attract me so far.

And when I got the netbook, I decided not to pop for MS Office and loaded Open Office instead (free).  It has handled all writing and spreadsheet chores nicely.

[PhilT]

Despite trying every so often over the last 30 years, I've never got on with bags. My pockets go with me, whether they want to or not. Bags get left on or under tables, on tube trains, under seats. As I already spend 80% of my waking day looking at a computer screen, I'm worried an iPad would increase that to 98%. Can you plug a bass into it?

[Highlander]

A useful extra...?

[drbassman]

Well, I'm 60 and I don't have any problem reading or navigating the screen on the iPad.  If something is too small, just put two fingers on it and spread them to make the text larger.  Not bad!  I have a Toshiba netbook that I lug around the house and my wife likes that.  She's a keyboard person and doesn't want to give that up.  So, I gave her the netbook (it will live next to the kitchen where she like to surf for recipes and shop) and I'm using the pad.  

She'll eventually try the pad out as she gets used to the idea.  Like you, Uwe, I pretty much just surf the net, hang out in my fave forums and do email when at home.  This does all of that easily and the screen keyboard is large and fun to use IMHO.  There's a learning curve for sure with the iPad but it'll come fast.  I synched it up with my work calendar and contacts and I'll add my music library and favorites from the home PC tonight.  I just tossed out my Dell palm pilot (Axiom).  

I also have a Motion Computing tablet computer at work and it works OK, but it always had some problems interpreting my handwriting.  So, the pad will be a fun "computer"/palm pilot type device for my purposes.  It'll be fun to drag my favorite tunes a round too.  Don't have an iPhone and don't want one.  Verizon works well for my family, they are all on my plan!

[Highlander]

That expansion of the screen trick is very nice...

[Pilgrim]

That expansion of the screen trick is very nice...

That is indeed a nice trick.  My HTC hero phone does the same, although that's usually just a way to make small text readable on its phone-size screen.

For some years I carried a Halliburton aluminum briefcase, but I've changed to a classic leather briefcase...works out pretty well.  Carries the netbook easily, and I usually take it with me even on vacation since it doubles as a general tote.

[Highlander]

I can see that shoulder strap... very chic, dear...

[Pilgrim]

I can see that shoulder strap... very chic, dear...

Manly, dude.  Entirely manly.

And Bill's iPad would drop right into the center compartment. 

[Highlander]

... and far more leather than I would care to think about...

[Pilgrim]

... and far more leather than I would care to think about...

And isn't THAT a cue for one of our little band....?