I always tell people my iPad is the most unnecessary thing I ever bought, and that's the best way too put it. I have an iPhone and a MacBook. Why the heck do I need an iPad? It's completely a luxury device.
For about a year, I needed/wanted a mobile computer device would allow me to surf the web, check emails, watch movies/TV shows, read ebooks, view photos and home movies, and play a few games, AND to do so comfortably in a variety of situations sure, I could technically do all of those things on my iPhone or with a laptop had I chosen to go that route over the months, I did a lot of research and thinking on just what I needed I knew going into it that my iPhone just didnt cut it for most of those tasks for an extended period of time so it came down to, do I go with a laptop/netbook or this new re-fangled tablet idea? If I went the tablet route, which one to get?
Although currently without one, I have had several laptops over the years, and there is nothing wrong with them theyre powerful, flexible, and relatively portable but I didnt really need the power and portability/usability is only ideal if sitting at a table imo personally, I cant use a laptop without a mouse, which makes casual use on the couch, in bed, in the car, or on a plane very inconvenient for me flexibility was the stickler no question, laptops were more flexible and would do more than the iPad, IF I needed it to do more but I didnt need it for work I didnt want it for work
Everything I want to do, the iPad handles perfectly or close enough in the end, the iPad is what I needed what I always really needed unless my job requirements change, I cant image every going back to a laptop
I need my iPad the same way I need my 2-story house, my HDTV, my PS3, my Jeep, my New Balance running shoes, my beer kegerator, my planned trip to Disney, etc I could live without all of those things, but why?
I believe OP meant no disrespect and was asking a honest question, so this last comment is not directed at him/her, but I gotta say, I am getting real sick of the whole justify your little toy attitude unless you live some Spartan lifestyle, all of our lives are filled with little toys
After seeing the replies, I'm thinking to myself it's probably going to be a luxury, and that only..![]()
Love of tech gadetry. Period.
I need and iPad for the same reason my GF needs a Prada bag. (Well, OK I don't quite get why she even wants to spend that kind of money on a bag, but point is, both are accessories.
Don't try to justify the iPad. That's not to say you won't find ways to use it productively or that you will migrate some tasks over to it from your mainline computer, for example I love taking it instead of my laptop on short trips. But ultimately the iPad is still in it's "big boy/girl toy" stage. I don't think too many people can honestly say (to themselves) they need it.
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Beside it's useful to read books I can finally use it to also work away some company emails while commuting. After quite some time my company finally managed to agree to allow iPad to connect to our Exchange server. Plus Citrix for all kind of application. Thoug I find it often difficult to control mouse-based windows application with my finger. Often zoon in and out. But hey, for some tasks like approvals or quick syste
Checks it's perfect.
I think if you are lucky enough to be able to ride the train to work, the iPad is the ULTIMATE companion. But I mainly use it as a couch computer myself.![]()
Main reason: PDF reader. I'm a criminal defense attorney. The prosecutors are routinely handing out discovery (the police reports, etc) on a CD. I used to print them all out and stick them in binders and lug them around to read the file. With typical murder cases that have 300+ pages, I am now loading them all on the iPad so I can have them with me to read whenever I have time.
Luxury? Sure, but with a practical "need".
Aside from pdf files, I can bang out longer, more coherent emails than I ever could on a phone.