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Has your iPad paid for itself yet?
- Thread starter iSingandiDance
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it is difficult to quantify the experience or put some kind of monetary value on it, but as the previous poster said, if something happened to it today (appropriated by another family member, stolen, lost, etc.) i would go out tomorrow and buy a new one.
i am a researcher/grad student, and i do a lot of traveling for my work (overseas at the moment). i digitized my personal library of books and articles and i have all of my notes, data, and papers from the last few years digitized, so the ipad is invaluable for accessing my files and enjoying a paperless life. before the ipad, i was always battling to keep it all organized, but now everything is literally all in the palm of my hand (technically, i have terabytes of info, so it is in my computer and gets transferred into the ipad).
i would easily have to spend several hundred dollars on shipping notes, materials, and books around the world every years, so it has definitely paid for itself in that sense. but, even if i didn't face those shipping costs, i would gladly pay just to have the opportunity to be organized and paperless
i am a researcher/grad student, and i do a lot of traveling for my work (overseas at the moment). i digitized my personal library of books and articles and i have all of my notes, data, and papers from the last few years digitized, so the ipad is invaluable for accessing my files and enjoying a paperless life. before the ipad, i was always battling to keep it all organized, but now everything is literally all in the palm of my hand (technically, i have terabytes of info, so it is in my computer and gets transferred into the ipad).
i would easily have to spend several hundred dollars on shipping notes, materials, and books around the world every years, so it has definitely paid for itself in that sense. but, even if i didn't face those shipping costs, i would gladly pay just to have the opportunity to be organized and paperless
I coldnt agree with you more. This thing is soooo much more than a big iPod Touch.
I recently brought 15 games for $0.99 on 4th and 5th of July sales.
Looks like my PS3 will be sitting untouched for next few months, so defiantly saved around $100 on PS3 games.
Looks like my PS3 will be sitting untouched for next few months, so defiantly saved around $100 on PS3 games.
I got rid of my wife's MacBook Pro for $1300 and bought us both iPads. She does the exact same stuff on the iPad that she used to do on the computer so the fact that we replaced one device with two easily justifies the purchase.
The iPad has offset about 90% of my computer usage so the harder thing to do nowadays is justify the cost of a new computer. Because of Aperture I need a current gen to speed up my workflow, but without justifiers like "I can use it for Gaming" or "With BootCamp it's like buying 2 computers" being relevant for me anymore the. The $1400-1800 price tag is tougher to swallow.
The iPad has offset about 90% of my computer usage so the harder thing to do nowadays is justify the cost of a new computer. Because of Aperture I need a current gen to speed up my workflow, but without justifiers like "I can use it for Gaming" or "With BootCamp it's like buying 2 computers" being relevant for me anymore the. The $1400-1800 price tag is tougher to swallow.
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Not at all. I love my iPad to death but if anything it makes me spend more money than I used to on media. Prime example--I was reading an issue of Wired the other night ($3.99) and saw an article about how the band Battles made their new album. There was a sample track from it embedded right into Wired. I listened to it and loved it. So I hopped right over to iTunes and downloaded the whole album ($9.99).
We are also cord cutters and Netflix and Hulu Plus don't have a lot of the shows I like to watch on the cable channels. But iTunes does. I guess in the long run I am still saving money not having cable, but with my iPhone or iPad or both always within arms reach, I spend a lot more on video and music than I used to.
That's not to say I'm angry about it. I love that my entertainment needs are customized by ME, not a cable company or a record label. I get only the songs I want and only the shows I want with no monthly charge.
We are also cord cutters and Netflix and Hulu Plus don't have a lot of the shows I like to watch on the cable channels. But iTunes does. I guess in the long run I am still saving money not having cable, but with my iPhone or iPad or both always within arms reach, I spend a lot more on video and music than I used to.
That's not to say I'm angry about it. I love that my entertainment needs are customized by ME, not a cable company or a record label. I get only the songs I want and only the shows I want with no monthly charge.
A friend snagged a used iPad 1 for $200. She says she buys her kids games on the iPad for $2-5 each now instead of $30-60 each on the Nintendo DS. The kids like the iPad much better than the DS. They are young kids and not picky about games yet. The older one will also read books on it, and read to the younger ones, she feels the iPad has paid for itself.
I think there's two sides to this:
1. Financial. For me, yes. I'd be very annoyed if it hadn't, because I didn't really want to buy it (I couldn't see much need for an ipad), but had this idea for an app that needed more power than the iphone 4 offered, and the ipad2 was it.
2. Time saving. I value my time, so if something like this saves me a lot of time it pays for itself easily. I'd say the ipad hasn't really done much for me. But that's probably down to how I use it.. when I do use it, it's great, but 90% of the time I'm coding stuff on it, and can't really "use" it.
As an example of what I mean re. time saving, I used to be 100% PC. Then I needed a laptop with a fast GPU, wasn't too big + heavy, and had reasonable battery life. At that time (~2004 when the old hot + slow P4 was king) I just couldn't find one, so I bought a powerbook. That fit the bill, and would be a fun experiment to see how i got on with OSX.
Well, it paid for itself fast. On windows I was wasting LOTS of time updating stuff every day, checking the virus checker, running malware scans, and fixing stuff all the time. The mac? I just opened the lid and got working, the difference was amazing! That old machine must have saved me hundreds of hours over it's life (my mother uses it now, still going strong!) and if I put a cash value on that, it was a pretty profitable machine!
(And yes, windows has improved massively since the dark days of XP and the massive worm outbreaks. A mac still has an advantage here I think, but nothing like it was back then.)
1. Financial. For me, yes. I'd be very annoyed if it hadn't, because I didn't really want to buy it (I couldn't see much need for an ipad), but had this idea for an app that needed more power than the iphone 4 offered, and the ipad2 was it.
2. Time saving. I value my time, so if something like this saves me a lot of time it pays for itself easily. I'd say the ipad hasn't really done much for me. But that's probably down to how I use it.. when I do use it, it's great, but 90% of the time I'm coding stuff on it, and can't really "use" it.
As an example of what I mean re. time saving, I used to be 100% PC. Then I needed a laptop with a fast GPU, wasn't too big + heavy, and had reasonable battery life. At that time (~2004 when the old hot + slow P4 was king) I just couldn't find one, so I bought a powerbook. That fit the bill, and would be a fun experiment to see how i got on with OSX.
Well, it paid for itself fast. On windows I was wasting LOTS of time updating stuff every day, checking the virus checker, running malware scans, and fixing stuff all the time. The mac? I just opened the lid and got working, the difference was amazing! That old machine must have saved me hundreds of hours over it's life (my mother uses it now, still going strong!) and if I put a cash value on that, it was a pretty profitable machine!
(And yes, windows has improved massively since the dark days of XP and the massive worm outbreaks. A mac still has an advantage here I think, but nothing like it was back then.)
Not from a financial perspective but from a spiritual perspective.
I lead a bible study group and I use the Olive Tree Bible Reader and a couple of commentaries. The iPad would show both the bible and commentary on the screen, side by side, sychronized, verse by verse. Also shows my notes and highlights on the same screen.
Previously I would bring a two-inch thick bible with my folder of handwritten notes and another bible commentary book that is equally thick and heavy. Now I only bring the iPad 2 and I also find that I am more effective in guiding the bible study session. Another plus is that I have immediate, easy, and full access to an extensive database to answer pretty much any questions that would be asked by the group.
This alone would be worth a hundredfold or more?
I lead a bible study group and I use the Olive Tree Bible Reader and a couple of commentaries. The iPad would show both the bible and commentary on the screen, side by side, sychronized, verse by verse. Also shows my notes and highlights on the same screen.
Previously I would bring a two-inch thick bible with my folder of handwritten notes and another bible commentary book that is equally thick and heavy. Now I only bring the iPad 2 and I also find that I am more effective in guiding the bible study session. Another plus is that I have immediate, easy, and full access to an extensive database to answer pretty much any questions that would be asked by the group.
This alone would be worth a hundredfold or more?
Your still on the honeymoon. It is not more intuitive to use a slow finger vs the speedy mouse or pinching and zooming vs a 24" display or crashing the browser when the pathetic 256 ram gets exhauseted on a photo blog. The iPad is nice but is niche ... As it should be for single light weight tasks.
I really don't exactly know how my iPad2 could have "paid for itself". It would be very difficult to justify this statement because it would have to perform unique cost-savings tasks that would have to replace other, more costly, alternatives.
Reading books? No, I can do this for free on my
iPhone. Movies? No, I have ATV. Getting tasks done on the Internet? No, I can surf net on my MBP. Games? I don't buy any games except the ones I buy for my iPad2 or iPhone 4.
It's a fantastic and fun device, but unless it performs some unique business function (ie. if you are an iOS developer, artist that uses iPad as portfolio, etc.), it is very hard to say it performs an unique functions to regain my $829. Sorry, I'm a realist.
Reading books? No, I can do this for free on my
iPhone. Movies? No, I have ATV. Getting tasks done on the Internet? No, I can surf net on my MBP. Games? I don't buy any games except the ones I buy for my iPad2 or iPhone 4.
It's a fantastic and fun device, but unless it performs some unique business function (ie. if you are an iOS developer, artist that uses iPad as portfolio, etc.), it is very hard to say it performs an unique functions to regain my $829. Sorry, I'm a realist.
I've got my iPad for only 2 months now. Financially, No. It is hard to value the device on itself; as said before in this thread, there are quite a few aspects related to this.
For one, actual financial savings: thanks to the 3G feature, it saved me A LOT of lenghty phone calls for looking up some information. Driving to a client/contact and remembering all kinds of stuff I had to look up (I know, bad preparation), I used to call home for it. Now, I just grab my iPad and look it up. As I use prepaid cards for phoning, these calls used to add up quickly.
I also never got a GPS, even though I planned for it. Now, I don't need it anymore (even though maps is kind of slow on Edge still, but don't need it that much ). And yes, I have no smartphone which has the same feature .
On the other side, you have time saving due to efficiency. Time is valuable. I used to print a lot of stuff, because my laptop is a slow booter. Now, I just open up iPad & Goodreader or Notes, and I've got everything I need. After a meeting, I can instantly mail my notes to all attendees. Got a phone call? Check calendar on iPad, and immediatly plan a meeting right there (yup, still no smartphone, but I absolutely love iPad's screen size, it's just perfect for these kinds of things, in my opinion).
As I recently graduated, it is also useful for showing off my CV when at a sollicitation, and immediatly leaves those people with an impression of someone who is well-organised, flexible and efficient (again, refer to calendar). That same impression is great for contact with clients or business contacts too.
As said, it hasn't paid itself back (yet?), however I believe is worth it's money twice in my humble opinion, if I think to all my other uses for it ("media center" for watching videos/movies, reading iBooks, listening music, sometimes gaming...).
I must admit, that my apps I thought would pay back quickest (pages & numbers), are actually nearly unused on my iPad. If I have a computer to my disposition, I rather prefer editing on there. I do believe it is very useful to for example salesmen.
For one, actual financial savings: thanks to the 3G feature, it saved me A LOT of lenghty phone calls for looking up some information. Driving to a client/contact and remembering all kinds of stuff I had to look up (I know, bad preparation), I used to call home for it. Now, I just grab my iPad and look it up. As I use prepaid cards for phoning, these calls used to add up quickly.
I also never got a GPS, even though I planned for it. Now, I don't need it anymore (even though maps is kind of slow on Edge still, but don't need it that much
). And yes, I have no smartphone which has the same feature .On the other side, you have time saving due to efficiency. Time is valuable. I used to print a lot of stuff, because my laptop is a slow booter. Now, I just open up iPad & Goodreader or Notes, and I've got everything I need. After a meeting, I can instantly mail my notes to all attendees. Got a phone call? Check calendar on iPad, and immediatly plan a meeting right there (yup, still no smartphone, but I absolutely love iPad's screen size, it's just perfect for these kinds of things, in my opinion).
As I recently graduated, it is also useful for showing off my CV when at a sollicitation, and immediatly leaves those people with an impression of someone who is well-organised, flexible and efficient (again, refer to calendar). That same impression is great for contact with clients or business contacts too.
As said, it hasn't paid itself back (yet?), however I believe is worth it's money twice in my humble opinion, if I think to all my other uses for it ("media center" for watching videos/movies, reading iBooks, listening music, sometimes gaming...).
I must admit, that my apps I thought would pay back quickest (pages & numbers), are actually nearly unused on my iPad. If I have a computer to my disposition, I rather prefer editing on there. I do believe it is very useful to for example salesmen.
I can say my iPad has literally paid for itself.
I had accumulated a ton of books over the years and had lacked the energy or time to downsize and sell them. Finally I said to myself: "If I make enough money off of my book sales, I will get an iPad for future book purchases!"
Well, needless to say, I somehow found the energy within me and had the money for an iPad in two weeks. Once I was done with my books I was so energized by clearing out space, making money, and going digital that I soon turned to selling my CDs and DVDs that were collecting dust. I've made about $1,000 in six months and I now live in a digital world thanks to my trio of the iPad, Macbook Pro, Apple TV 2.
In the meantime I think I've spent maybe $50 on media on the device. Not a bad trade-off.
I had accumulated a ton of books over the years and had lacked the energy or time to downsize and sell them. Finally I said to myself: "If I make enough money off of my book sales, I will get an iPad for future book purchases!"
Well, needless to say, I somehow found the energy within me and had the money for an iPad in two weeks. Once I was done with my books I was so energized by clearing out space, making money, and going digital that I soon turned to selling my CDs and DVDs that were collecting dust. I've made about $1,000 in six months and I now live in a digital world thanks to my trio of the iPad, Macbook Pro, Apple TV 2.
In the meantime I think I've spent maybe $50 on media on the device. Not a bad trade-off.
I love this reply. The question at hand is merely a figure of speech, that can also be taken literally. Nothing to get overworked by.
Um, probably no in terms of money but considering I purchased 4 iPads for myself and family members I guess that's okay. I think games are a valid savings for me, I really like a few games like Carcassone, Scrabble and Ticket to Ride and they have a lot of replayability for the price.
However, my non-tech mom who had a really hard time with a PC is now able to easily check email, Facetime with my 1 year son, and stream videos is well worth it in the end.
However, my non-tech mom who had a really hard time with a PC is now able to easily check email, Facetime with my 1 year son, and stream videos is well worth it in the end.
Probably not, but it has saved me a lot of trouble sometimes when I want to quickly reference something without wanting the bother of opening up my mbp.
I didn't actually realize one of the biggest advantages of the iPad until I had surgery recently. I couldn't sit in a chair very easily but lying up in bed was possible. A laptop is horrible in this position, but the iPad is wonderful.
Come to think of it, the iPad has come in handy for work a few times, but it's probably only saved me about $30 in labor terms. So if I can squeeze another $700, I'll be golden.
I didn't actually realize one of the biggest advantages of the iPad until I had surgery recently. I couldn't sit in a chair very easily but lying up in bed was possible. A laptop is horrible in this position, but the iPad is wonderful.
Come to think of it, the iPad has come in handy for work a few times, but it's probably only saved me about $30 in labor terms. So if I can squeeze another $700, I'll be golden.
My iPad (original) has certainly paid for itself many times over. It's my first call for browsing the web, emailing (after my iPhone), reading reviews and stories from the web via Instapaper, watching my favourite channels on YouTube, writing reports for my Societies members magazine, playing games etc; you get the picture. My MacBook Pro has seen a lot less use since buying this wee beauty.
Cheers, Macjim.
Cheers, Macjim.
Just out of curiosity, what is your data consumption using your 3G iPad in this manner? I have no idea of how much I would use, had I gotten the 3G iPad2.
I have the wifi only and think that wasn't necessarily a good decision. However, paying tiered rates wasn't appealing either. Had my iPhone4 jailbroken with MyWi but went back to stock to be ready for iOS5 - whenever it comes out.
I'd say it has. Figuratively, for one, because I use it so much that it feels pretty priceless right now.
But if I were to take a Chartered Accountant approach to it, well...I travel quite a bit professionally and if I take into account all the stuff I used to buy to kill time during flights/transit times, it amounts to smth. Now I can convert some of the movies I didn't have time to watch at home and enjoy them on the go, I can also increase my productivity and get some more basic work done (thanks to an increased battery life over a regular laptop), which gives me more time to focus on core stuff at the office and which is still money in the pocket (virtually). And since I bought an iPad I got my Macbook Pro quite a bit of rest. Lots of things that I used to do on it are now done through the iPad. No need to increase the MBP uptime unnecessarily. And if you consider the fact that I live in a hot-as-hell country (Cyprus), every nap time my laptop gets is a blessing. I'm virtually increasing its lifetime, improving depreciation.
farfetched? probably
But not by much.
But if I were to take a Chartered Accountant approach to it, well...I travel quite a bit professionally and if I take into account all the stuff I used to buy to kill time during flights/transit times, it amounts to smth. Now I can convert some of the movies I didn't have time to watch at home and enjoy them on the go, I can also increase my productivity and get some more basic work done (thanks to an increased battery life over a regular laptop), which gives me more time to focus on core stuff at the office and which is still money in the pocket (virtually). And since I bought an iPad I got my Macbook Pro quite a bit of rest. Lots of things that I used to do on it are now done through the iPad. No need to increase the MBP uptime unnecessarily. And if you consider the fact that I live in a hot-as-hell country (Cyprus), every nap time my laptop gets is a blessing. I'm virtually increasing its lifetime, improving depreciation.
farfetched? probably
But not by much.
The emphasis here is on monetary cost. I believe that everything in life has a cost. If you choose to become a world-class Olympic athlete, for instance, you have to give up other options. For every decision you make, you have to decide whether it's worth the cost of the alternatives you didn't pursue. For material possessions, how do you decide whether they have paid for themselves? Has your $5,000 home theater system paid for itself? It's subjective. From that standpoint, has my iPad earned me the money that I paid for it? No. Is it worth the money I spent on it - to me? Absolutely.