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Do I need an iPad?
- Thread starter belyzel4
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Do you need one?
Absolutely not.
But I'll answer your other questions anyhow, even though no matter what the answers to these questions are, the answer is still no, you don't need on. You may really enjoy owning one, though!
(Note: I've only owned mine for about a month, still figuring out a lot of things and testing out various apps. So there are some functions that I'd like to use it for that I don't yet b/c I'm weighing competing apps. Also, I don't own a smartphone.)
1) What kinds of specific things do you do on your iPad that are very convenient specifically because they are done on an iPad? (Productivity)
It's got me posting in my blogs more due to a dedicated blog-posting app rather than posting via the web. I'm really excited to get a good calendar on it, although I don't have one I like yet (waiting for Week Calendar to come to iPad in a couple weeks), because I haven't had a PDA for scheduling purposes since about 2002 and I miss it. I also really like my to do app, Manage - I'm obsessed with to do lists, but on paper you can't rearrange them and that sucks. And on the computer you can't hand write them. I also am trying out various note taking apps that let you handwrite notes - so far I'm not using them a ton but once I find one I really like and get used to all its functionality I think I'll use them more.
2) What kinds of apps do you use on a daily basis? (looking for ideas)
The above, plus web browsing, playing several games, and watching videos. I mostly use it for web browsing and playing games, honestly. The actual productive stuff just doesn't take as long.
3) Is it really only for consumption? or can you actually be productive with a keyboard for things such as note-taking or research?
As I mentioned above, I have a stylus and much prefer note-taking and such by hand, which is not possible on my laptop. That, for me, was a key to wanting a tablet. I'm divided on whether I'll eventually get a BT keyboard for it - not sure yet if I'll want to write enough long stuff on it or just keep doing those things on the laptop.
4) Since 2010, I have slowly been converting to Apple (2010 MBP 13', iPhone 4, 2011 MBP 15')... will I be able to fit this device for daily usage?
(MBP 15' is my desktop replacement / iPhone 4 is always with me / MBP 13' is my take to classes and library computer)
If you have use for two laptops then I'm sure you'll find a use for an iPad. I don't know why you'd get a MBP 15" over an iMac.
5) I really want to start getting into digital reading, but I am so concerned about eye strain and fatigue. I will obviously read on low brightness, but does anyone know much about this?
I haven't had a single problem reading books on my iPad so far. I think the eyestrain thing is way overtalked.
6) Any buyer's remorse/regret stories and/or turn arounds?
I sorta wish I'd gotten 3G instead of wifi, but it just wasn't in the budget.
Absolutely not.
But I'll answer your other questions anyhow, even though no matter what the answers to these questions are, the answer is still no, you don't need on. You may really enjoy owning one, though!
(Note: I've only owned mine for about a month, still figuring out a lot of things and testing out various apps. So there are some functions that I'd like to use it for that I don't yet b/c I'm weighing competing apps. Also, I don't own a smartphone.)
1) What kinds of specific things do you do on your iPad that are very convenient specifically because they are done on an iPad? (Productivity)
It's got me posting in my blogs more due to a dedicated blog-posting app rather than posting via the web. I'm really excited to get a good calendar on it, although I don't have one I like yet (waiting for Week Calendar to come to iPad in a couple weeks), because I haven't had a PDA for scheduling purposes since about 2002 and I miss it. I also really like my to do app, Manage - I'm obsessed with to do lists, but on paper you can't rearrange them and that sucks. And on the computer you can't hand write them. I also am trying out various note taking apps that let you handwrite notes - so far I'm not using them a ton but once I find one I really like and get used to all its functionality I think I'll use them more.
2) What kinds of apps do you use on a daily basis? (looking for ideas)
The above, plus web browsing, playing several games, and watching videos. I mostly use it for web browsing and playing games, honestly. The actual productive stuff just doesn't take as long.
3) Is it really only for consumption? or can you actually be productive with a keyboard for things such as note-taking or research?
As I mentioned above, I have a stylus and much prefer note-taking and such by hand, which is not possible on my laptop. That, for me, was a key to wanting a tablet. I'm divided on whether I'll eventually get a BT keyboard for it - not sure yet if I'll want to write enough long stuff on it or just keep doing those things on the laptop.
4) Since 2010, I have slowly been converting to Apple (2010 MBP 13', iPhone 4, 2011 MBP 15')... will I be able to fit this device for daily usage?
(MBP 15' is my desktop replacement / iPhone 4 is always with me / MBP 13' is my take to classes and library computer)
If you have use for two laptops then I'm sure you'll find a use for an iPad. I don't know why you'd get a MBP 15" over an iMac.
5) I really want to start getting into digital reading, but I am so concerned about eye strain and fatigue. I will obviously read on low brightness, but does anyone know much about this?
I haven't had a single problem reading books on my iPad so far. I think the eyestrain thing is way overtalked.
6) Any buyer's remorse/regret stories and/or turn arounds?
I sorta wish I'd gotten 3G instead of wifi, but it just wasn't in the budget.
The line between a necessity and a beneficial luxury is difficult when it comes to things like children with special needs.
I'm not sure on the exact improvement statistics, but hypothetically if iPads allow these kids to learn twice as well as before, then I think it can be considered a need.
I mean at one time college math students worked without calculators, but I doubt any student or professor today would say that calculators aren't a necessity.
An iPad is a very personal decision. It also depends on what tech gear you already have.
Those that don't have a laptop have more of a reason to try one than someone who already has a laptop.
In my case I've got several Macs, both desktop and laptops. As a big Apple enthusiast I bought one out of curiosity. It was fun in the beginning, but after the newness wore off I only use it for web browsing and to check my email once in a while.
Since I also have the newest version of the Kindle, I don't read on the iPad. It's too hard on the eyes, I'm only 36 and lucky to still have 20-20 vision. There's a huge difference since the Kindle is purpose built just for reading.
That said, my kids love the novelty of the iPad.
Those that don't have a laptop have more of a reason to try one than someone who already has a laptop.
In my case I've got several Macs, both desktop and laptops. As a big Apple enthusiast I bought one out of curiosity. It was fun in the beginning, but after the newness wore off I only use it for web browsing and to check my email once in a while.
Since I also have the newest version of the Kindle, I don't read on the iPad. It's too hard on the eyes, I'm only 36 and lucky to still have 20-20 vision. There's a huge difference since the Kindle is purpose built just for reading.
That said, my kids love the novelty of the iPad.
Thank you so much for your input everyone!! I learned so much about the pros and cons of having an iPad. So ended up biting the bullet and bought a black iPad which I think I kind of way overspent for (64GB Black w/ 3G), but I'm probably going to sell my 13' MBP to compensate. All I can say after using it for over a day is... wow the battery life and resolution are unbelievable! I guess it's because I am just playing around with nothing too intensive, but I feel like I'm getting twice the battery life that my iPhone 4 and 13' MBP (which gets 11+ hours) get!
I also purchased a BlueTooth Apple Keyboard to attempt using the iPad in class and my biggest ordeal now is how to go about doing that. I am just going through the large list of note-taking applications and trying to find one that is fast, easy, and organized for in class use. I realize they all have their own certain purpose so I guess I should focus more on their strong points and use them for that purpose. I like iAnnotate the best so far, but I have purchased Note Taker HD, Goodreader, Notability, Penultimate, Noterize, Pages, etc...
Can anyone comment on how they take notes in class and what they would recommend? *for both PDF slide notes and blank sheet of paper notes* (I convert my PowerPoint slides to PDF's to make compatibility better and easier for annotated note-taking)
I also purchased a BlueTooth Apple Keyboard to attempt using the iPad in class and my biggest ordeal now is how to go about doing that. I am just going through the large list of note-taking applications and trying to find one that is fast, easy, and organized for in class use. I realize they all have their own certain purpose so I guess I should focus more on their strong points and use them for that purpose. I like iAnnotate the best so far, but I have purchased Note Taker HD, Goodreader, Notability, Penultimate, Noterize, Pages, etc...
Can anyone comment on how they take notes in class and what they would recommend? *for both PDF slide notes and blank sheet of paper notes* (I convert my PowerPoint slides to PDF's to make compatibility better and easier for annotated note-taking)
They didn't have it, but that doesn't mean it wasn't needed.
I mean humans existed at one time without running water, but I dare you to tell anyone that it isn't a necessity today.
My point is only that necessities change with the times. Some things so drastically improve quality of life, that they are necessities. For us an iPad may not be that thing, but for a kid who has trouble learning any other way, it can be a necessity.
I agree.
The whole reason any invention exists at all is to fill a potential need. If you don't need a specific invention it is because its application doesn't apply to your needs.
Because otherwise lets just live in a cave and hunt animals by throwing stones because EVERYTHING else is an invention.
I experimented teaching with an iPad in my grad course this month. I was using "iAnnotate" to present PDF documents, and to hand write additional highlights and drawings. I think it worked well overall, kind of like in the old days writing on overhead transparencies. But I'll need more practice to write faster. iAnnotate also has a file system which allows me to origanize notes for different courses. I imagine it would work well for students in taking notes too. It also let you add annotation by typing as well.
If I were you, I would return your BT keyboard for now, and try to learn to type on the iPad itself. It's not that hard, and one can definitely get used to it and type fast enough for taking notes.
iAnnotate was actually the first app I purchased on my iPad! I really liked it, but sometimes it felt too clunky and I felt scared that it would take longer to make quick annotations during class lectures than PDF Expert which I purchased last night. PDF Expert lacks quite a few things that iAnnotate has, including a few that may make me go back, but it's interface is beautiful and super efficient for me!
I kind of solved my problem with taking notes on PDF/Power Point files now with PDF Annotation software. Now my next problem is writing notes in English/History classes... I mentioned earlier I have Penultimate, Note Taker HD, Notability, Noterize, UPAD, Notes Plus, and Pages. I am still going through them and trying them out, but can anyone comment on their use or any other similar apps in the same category they like?
Also, I am having trouble finding an app for "Outlining". I LOVED outlining on Pages on my MacBook Pro, but I can't seem to TAB + Shift-TAB to do indentations using my BlueTooth keyboard!!!! Can anyone help me with that???