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Can IPad be managed w/o a computer?

jaybar

jaybar

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Dec 11, 2008
2,179
668
Hi

I have a friend with a very aging laptop that needs replacement. Everything he needs to do in terms of day to day can be done on an IPad.

Without a computer (iTunes), how would He be able to upgrade IOS?

Is there a way to effectively only use an IPhad?

Thanks

Jay
 
Updating the OS... At the moment no. With iOS 5 it will support over the air updates to the operating system so you will be free from the binds of a computer.

Other than that at the moment it is entirely possible to use an iPad as your only device. I know two owners who own nothing but an iPad each and everything is downloaded directly from App & iTunes store. They print to wireless HP e-print printers and are very happy.

When an update does come out OS wise - I update the iPad's for them at the moment. When iOS 5 hits - i won't have to after updating it to 5.
 
MacRumorUser said:
Updating the OS... At the moment no. With iOS 5 it will support over the air updates to the operating system so you will be free from the binds of a computer.

Other than that at the moment it is entirely possible to use an iPad as your only device. I know two owners who own nothing but an iPad each and everything is downloaded directly from App & iTunes store. They print to wireless HP e-print printers and are very happy.

When an update does come out OS wise - I update the iPad's for them at the moment. When iOS 5 hits - i won't have to after updating it to 5.
Click to expand...

Yes, you will be free of the need for a computer after iOS 5 is released, just remember to be on your wi-fi network when updating or downloading large file apps. You will quickly go over your data cap.
 
I think from what I've heard the OTA updates on iOS 5 won't count to your data usage on 3G, haven't seen any official confirmation of that yet though.
 
jaybar said:
Hi

I have a friend with a very aging laptop that needs replacement. Everything he needs to do in terms of day to day can be done on an IPad.

Without a computer (iTunes), how would He be able to upgrade IOS?

Is there a way to effectively only use an Ipad?

Thanks

Jay
Click to expand...

Do you have a computer?
 
iOS 5 is going to be released in Sept (most likely). Once released, you can do updates and everything without a computer. Is it possible to use iPad as only device? Sure... depending on your needs. My mother only has an iPad 2, she no longer uses a laptop. I, on the other hand, need a laptop as I do a lot of 3D design and architecture and much more.
 
i just bought an ipad and when you turn it on it ask's you to connect to itunes. After that, yes you can use it computer free if you choose, and yes after ios5 no computer needed.
 
jca24 said:
i just bought an ipad and when you turn it on it ask's you to connect to itunes.
Click to expand...

That's normal behavior for all iPads in that they need an initial setup via iTunes. Like others have said this will change upon the release of iOS 5 this fall.
 
jaseone said:
I think from what I've heard the OTA updates on iOS 5 won't count to your data usage on 3G, haven't seen any official confirmation of that yet though.
Click to expand...

It counted as my 3G data usage. I updated from Beta 5 to Beta 6 at work during my lunch break. Used up 130+ MB easy.
 
jaybar said:
Hi

I have a friend with a very aging laptop that needs replacement. Everything he needs to do in terms of day to day can be done on an IPad.

Without a computer (iTunes), how would He be able to upgrade IOS?

Is there a way to effectively only use an IPhad?

Thanks

Jay
Click to expand...

Yep, indeed there is. When the iPad 1 came out, my friend, who was frustrated with her computer and how it was always virus and malware ridden (not a Mac) decided that she just didn't want to deal with a computer anymore. She just browses, emails, watches vid, etc., so the iPad was perfect for her.

I simply put her iTunes library on my computer to set her up, and every few months she'll bring her iPad with her when she comes over and I sync it for her and do any available updates. Once iOS 5 comes out, I won't even have to do that for her.

It's worked perfectly for her. If you are willing to do this for your friend, you are good to go. Or, if he's allowed to have iTunes on his work computer, he could just sync at work.
 
greytmom said:
Yep, indeed there is. When the iPad 1 came out, my friend, who was frustrated with her computer and how it was always virus and malware ridden (not a Mac) decided that she just didn't want to deal with a computer anymore. She just browses, emails, watches vid, etc., so the iPad was perfect for her.

I simply put her iTunes library on my computer to set her up, and every few months she'll bring her iPad with her when she comes over and I sync it for her and do any available updates. Once iOS 5 comes out, I won't even have to do that for her.

It's worked perfectly for her. If you are willing to do this for your friend, you are good to go. Or, if he's allowed to have iTunes on his work computer, he could just sync at work.
Click to expand...

I have done away with my laptop because of the simple fact all i do on a laptop to browses the internet & shop & emails and keep track of things i need to keep update as it need ..

Plus a nice fact about the ipad is that i do not need to recharge every two to three hours like a laptop along with the fact i have gotten rid of my mp3 player and smart phone to do thing i need to do ..

I use my office desktop to snyc up as it need to Itunes to do up date's as need
 
So will there be a way to transfer music files to the iPad without using the computer that has your iTunes account on? It sounds like if you want to be truly free of the pc, you can only use the iTunes store... Any other ways?
 
Bluemeanie1976 said:
So will there be a way to transfer music files to the iPad without using the computer that has your iTunes account on? It sounds like if you want to be truly free of the pc, you can only use the iTunes store... Any other ways?
Click to expand...

As far as I know, the only options would be (a) to pay for Apple's service to cloud store all your music and discontinue buying music on physical media or (b) pay for someone else's service and basically ditto.... Or get someone to upload copies of your songs for you.
 
mkrishnan said:
So the OTA updates don't seem to have the 20MB cap placed on them like App Store apps, at this point?
Click to expand...

It doesn't seem like it does. The 20MB limit is great for people like my dad who has a 200MB data package. But for me with Unlimited, it's annoying. Some apps, when you start the update, it'll get paused and you cannot cancel the update until you connect to wifi.
 
Sorry to hijack thread - but i think the prequsitie of needing a computer/laptop with an ipad/iphone can be negated with future, improved iOS and TC..

i sold my TC, since it does not quite meet my requirements.

Ideally i want to have all my media/data on my TC which i can then stream directly to my iphone/ipad/MBP - and access these over the cloud. Also, all software updates can be done independently from pc - maybe itunes like iOS on the TC? Thus, the TC acts much more than a conventional NAS device.

I would also like a TB connection to the TC which would make transferring large amount of data easier; not forgetting that painful, initial back-up.
 
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