iPad I rarely use my iPad, what should I do?

This seems like a post that has no real reason other than how you like the Playbook better than the iPad. However, I'll bite. I don't think you can play FLV files on your iPad without some conversion. Google it.

The iPad mini may work for you but without being attached to any one app, why not just use your Playbook? Why would you buy a mini if the Playbook fills your need for a lighter, smaller, tablet? It seems like a solution without a problem. If you have no idea why you want an iPad then you likely don't need one.

I rarely use my iPad, what should I do?

Rejoice! The internet's a tough habit to break.

Good to hear you're kicking it!

I'll take that iPad "burden", off your hands, for $50.

I'm going to cross-post something that I posted on a forum post on The Verge when someone asked a very similar question. This is referred mostly towards Android (the guy was deciding between a full sized iPad and a Nexus 10), but it can be applied to the Playbook aswell:

If you are the basic user, you will pretty much get the same experience with both devices. My brother and dad both have Kindles AND my dad the iPhone 4, my brother the iPod Touch 4th generation. They both do web browsing, YouTube, Netflix, and some typing. They both LOVE the Kindles too.

The thing about the iPad is that you’re pretty much going to waste that extra money spent on it if you aren’t going to take advantage of all the nice apps. So I’d advise you that if you’re not wanting to do anything but browsing, go with the Nexus. Put those extra $100 to a Netflix/Spotify/Rdio subscription.

Everyone here is going to point out all the really cool apps, and I was about to do the same thing, but I decided to think for a moment. Because I had both the Kindle Fire, and I now have the iPad Mini. I was using things like Pocket, Flipboard, Spotify, Any.DO, etc. I found it great for that. CloudOn is also great and lets you use the Office apps. Evernote works nicely too.

But the iPad is mostly good for the really specialist stuff. And that’s where it really stands out and shines. If you’re not going to take advantage of the hardware itself, I don’t think you need to spend the extra money.

Plus, the Nexus 10 is $399, so the “you get what you pay for” argument is slightly not applicable. That would be more aimed towards the Nexus 7, Kindle Fire, and the low-end Chromebooks.

IMO anyway.

Click to expand...

If you're happy with your Playbook, keep it and get rid of the iPad. Don't let others dictate which device is right for you. Like I said in my post, people are going to point out all the great apps they use on their device, but there's no point to it when you're not interested in using your device for those purposes. Use what works for you.

jessica. said:

I don't think you can play FLV files on your iPad without some conversion

Click to expand...

FLV is Flash Video so no you can't play it on an iPad or an iphone cause there's no Flash support in iOS

Why would you buy a mini if the Playbook fills your need for a lighter, smaller, tablet? It seems like a solution without a problem. If you have no idea why you want an iPad then you likely don't need one.

Click to expand...

Probably the wisest answer of all. If you like and use what you have, and can't think of a reason why something else is better, don't change

sell it and use the money for something else....

Cartwright? said:

some of the people here need to get rid of their insecurities and defensiveness of apple products.

Click to expand...

The only person being defensive is you. You're the one justifying why you have the Playbook in the first place when someone said Boo about that. Just simply a logical inference that if you are grabbing the Playbook more than the iPad, the former must be doing a better job of filling your needs. So stick with it. No one tried to change your mind and convince you that the iPad is better, certainly not Jessica.

Geez if you are that embarrassed about mentioning another company's product perhaps you should force yourself to switch to the iPad, for the sake of your ego

Leave it in the bathroom for quests to use instead of magazines or books, after a few months, swab and culture the surface

Cartwright? said:

There are only one or two apps that I use, like banking app that I deposit once or twice a month, and then apps gone free to load a few games, play once or twice..

I am getting bored with my ipad.
I considered trading it with an ipad mini, I think the main problem with ipad is the size, I just don't want to take it with me, or just grab and play as easily. Also I am having tough time finding those really cool apps everyone is talking about which makes app store "so good". I am sure there are really cool stuff in there somewhere, but what are those things!?

It is no comparison but I find myself grabbing my Playbook a lot more than my ipad, due to it's size.

Suggestions are welcome, ipad is really a nice piece of hardware, and I am not really planning to get rid of it completely since a long distance travel is coming up soon.. I plan to load some movies in .flv, hopefully ipad plays them.

Click to expand...

Ever since I got my iPad 16 months ago, I haven't touched my 17" MBP. My iPad is the only device i need. Not sure how you aren't finding value in it beyond a banking app and free game apps...

WhySoSerious said:

Ever since I got my iPad 16 months ago, I haven't touched my 17" MBP. My iPad is the only device i need. Not sure how you aren't finding value in it beyond a banking app and free game apps...

Click to expand...

Because he's not you and his needs and style are different.

I see tablets in general as glorified e-readers. Think of it as a small book you can carry around except its contents change dynamically.

I'm like you. I only use my iPad with Dropbox and Opera Mini apps but I'm loving the user experience.

I also have it loaded with my emails, books, and calendar.

Cartwright? said:

I considered trading it with an ipad mini, I think the main problem with ipad is the size, I just don't want to take it with me, or just grab and play as easily.

Click to expand...

Cartwright? said:

It is no comparison but I find myself grabbing my Playbook a lot more than my ipad, due to it's size.

Click to expand...

Cartwright? said:

Then I reviewed the specs, and found it not even comparable to ipad, and decided not to trade it.

Click to expand...

You have to sort out your priorities just as everyone else does. Have you checked out the Mini in person? Do the specs really trump the form factor for you? If you're not going to use the iPad because of its size then do the specs really matter? You have to answer such questions for yourself as everyone's preferences vary. Your usage doesn't sound like anything the Mini couldn't handle to me but you have to assess this yourself based on your current and anticipated needs/wants.

Cartwright? said:

Also I am having tough time finding those really cool apps everyone is talking about which makes app store "so good". I am sure there are really cool stuff in there somewhere, but what are those things!?

Click to expand...

Do you read the Apps subforum? Do you follow blogs that recommend and mention apps like Gizmodo?

My biggest is question is why are you so attached to FLV? An outdated file-type, resource-hog.

I bet you have a hard time finding those really cool apps for your Playbook as well.

While its possible you might use a Mini more just due to its size, you may just not have a need for one in your life. Its easy to know for sure, buy one, try it, and keep it if you like it.

Just thought I'd post as I was in a very similar situation earlier this year.

I'd just bought the new retina MBP and realised I don't use my iPad all that often, if at all really. I only really noticed this when I would grab for the laptop rather than the iPad and from then I decided to sell it. Thankfully I sold it for a price which was more than reasonable for the 3rd gen, but it was in mint condition.

Over the last few weeks I've massively been pining for a tablet. Not a full-fat, retina'd up tablet. Just something which would allow me to not get crazy annoyed at using my iPhone for everything (mainly because the battery is god-awful)

So I took a plunge. I put the money I'd made into my wallet and headed down to the local store in my town and picked up the 16GB iPad Mini WIFI. My first impressions of the device where obviously how light it was, but then I saw the display, granted its not retina, but who cares? It fits my needs, I don't need someone to come and tell me how bad it is for them...I don't care about other peoples needs.

I ummmed and ahhhed about the Kindle Fire, Nexus or some real cheap eBay tablet as my needs are really simple, but I thought about all the money i'd spent on iPad specific apps etc. and realised it would be stupid to not continue within Apple's ecosystem. Yes its expensive to get into it, but for a product that holds its value as well as they do, why not?

tl;dr - Gone off on a tangent. If the iPad fits your needs even a little, its still the best thing on the market. For me, the retina version of the iPad was a little excessive as I never used it BUT the mini is perfect. Its light, holds it battery well and isn't all that flashy. It just does the simple jobs I need it to do without fuss. An Android run tablet wouldn't do it with such efficiency!

Seems like you prefer a smaller size, so I would sell your iPad and get either the iPad mini, Samsun Note 8, Kindle Fire HD 7", etc.

Cartwright? said:

I will reply to the one that adds some value to the thread..

Click to expand...

There's value in this thread?

Sell your iPad and you don't need an iPad mini. Stick with your BB Playbook.

The iPad is not for all. Some people do not understand it's capabilities or usefulness. For those there is Craigslist or eBay to sell the burdensome tablet. Personally, I can't imagine life again without my iPad. I've got that sucker within an arms reach at ALL times.

Everyone is different, everyone has different needs and likes. Just find your own and go with it. You will get different opinions from different people on forums like this, and it's nice to weigh them, but don't try to fit into what someone else finds best. I am probably preaching to the choir in this thread though.

Play Clash of Clans.

than just sell it and get a cheap alternative, just for movies. i think (almost) any android tablet will be good enough for it