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All iPads Why do i always feel like I'm showing off every time i pull out my Full size iPad?
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While I wouldn't use a full-sized iPad in a cramped bus or subway (where it might actually inconvenience other passengers), I have no qualms using one in an airplane or at the airport terminal. For one thing, you get assigned seats on the plane so the likelihood of the guy standing beside you trying to watch/read over your shoulder or the iPad bumping into someone else's shoulder or something is lessened. Besides, plenty of people have been using larger, thousand-dollar laptops at airports and planes way before the iPad was released so I reckon expensive gadgets to relieve boredom (or even to do actual work) during long flights is the norm rather than the exception. As has been mentioned though, situational awareness is key.
As for being self-conscious about using an Android tablet, why should I be? I buy gadgets because they suit a specific purpose of mine and not because they're status symbols. That and I'm a bit of a gadget geek.
No, but that's because I'm too busy getting work done on it to care.
Don't take the glares too personally. I used to have people watch me draw and write on copier/notebook paper. It's a very similar feeling.
Don't take the glares too personally. I used to have people watch me draw and write on copier/notebook paper. It's a very similar feeling.
I think the bottom line is there is a difference between taking something out to use it and flashing it. I think we all know this. I also think there is a built in tendency to want to show off our new toys.
I admit when I first got some of my new toys over the years, like my MiniDisc player oh-so-many years ago, I flashed it a bit. When people were sitting near me on the bus I'd find reasons to eject discs and switch them around. I loved having something that most people didn't have, or even know existed.
As the owner of a full-size iPad 3 I do find it a bit difficult to carry around -- you can't fit it in a jacket pocket so you need to carry it openly, or put it in a bag or backpack. I tried to be as inconspicuous as possible but it's obviously not as easy to do as with a smaller device.
Assuming you're not showing off, nobody out there cares. But not flashing it in front of potential thieves is a legitimate concern depending on the time of day, surroundings, and how vulnerable you might look.
I admit when I first got some of my new toys over the years, like my MiniDisc player oh-so-many years ago, I flashed it a bit. When people were sitting near me on the bus I'd find reasons to eject discs and switch them around. I loved having something that most people didn't have, or even know existed.
As the owner of a full-size iPad 3 I do find it a bit difficult to carry around -- you can't fit it in a jacket pocket so you need to carry it openly, or put it in a bag or backpack. I tried to be as inconspicuous as possible but it's obviously not as easy to do as with a smaller device.
Assuming you're not showing off, nobody out there cares. But not flashing it in front of potential thieves is a legitimate concern depending on the time of day, surroundings, and how vulnerable you might look.
This is all in your mind. No one cares. I promise. Unless yours is gold plated and studded with diamonds, everyone has seen an iPad, and no one is looking at you.
We'll said. Imagine being at a dinner party and walking around with a small snack plate. That's ok. But now imagine walking around with a large dinner plate. That's just douchy!
People at the dinner party are just as likely to have dinner plates as they are snack plates. Its also weird to come to a dinner party without a dinner plate, if all you want to carry a snack plate, go to a pot-luck snack party.
Not everyone cares what those judgemental people with snack plates think.
That's actually standard practice at our family get-togethers. The snack plates are for when it's time to eat desserts.
That's actually standard practice at our family get-togethers. The snack plates are for when it's time to eat desserts.
I know that at most dinner parties I've been to everyone would wonder if something was wrong with the person only carrying a snack plate. Maybe they didn't like the food.
Have been using an iPad in public since the first one was released. The only time I noticed anyone caring that I had an iPad was when I had the first gen and they wanted to ask questions about it. Or would ask of they could see it. Prior to that I would be using my laptop out in public.
Traveling on your own probably gets you over what others think. And also keeps you alert to situational awareness. I have no problems going to a really nice restaraunt with my full size iPad to read while eating. No big deal, and no one cares. And if they did care, it is their problem, not mine. Of course I always have my electronics muted or am using headphones if in public, to respect others.
Traveling on your own probably gets you over what others think. And also keeps you alert to situational awareness. I have no problems going to a really nice restaraunt with my full size iPad to read while eating. No big deal, and no one cares. And if they did care, it is their problem, not mine. Of course I always have my electronics muted or am using headphones if in public, to respect others.
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Of course the problem with the full-size iPad is that it is too big to put in a jacket or pants pocket, so you have to put it down somewhere. In a bag ideally, but if you don't have one...
Once, I set mine down on the floor by my feet, while my party ate. Then I forgot about it and drove off
Good thing it was still there when I came back half an hour later.
Now I just leave it in the car...
I suppose it depends on where you are. Where I live, not only is it not weird to be using your full size iPad, it's extremely commonplace. Not an issue at all and I don't feel the least bit conscious.
Last week I was in a hospital's surgical waiting room while a friend was having surgery. I had my iPad 3 with me (new iPad Air was enroute to me at that point) and I noticed that there were quite a few iPads and iPhones in the room -- from what I could tell, most of us were using older-generation iPads rather than the new iPad Air. There were more full-sized iPads than there were iPad Minis, interestingly. There were also a few other tablets and devices as well, but definitely Apple products were the name of the game for the most part.
While I wouldn't use a full-sized iPad in a cramped bus or subway (where it might actually inconvenience other passengers), I have no qualms using one in an airplane or at the airport terminal. For one thing, you get assigned seats on the plane so the likelihood of the guy standing beside you trying to watch/read over your shoulder or the iPad bumping into someone else's shoulder or something is lessened. Besides, plenty of people have been using larger, thousand-dollar laptops at airports and planes way before the iPad was released so I reckon expensive gadgets to relieve boredom (or even to do actual work) during long flights is the norm rather than the exception. As has been mentioned though, situational awareness is key.
As for being self-conscious about using an Android tablet, why should I be? I buy gadgets because they suit a specific purpose of mine and not because they're status symbols. That and I'm a bit of a gadget geek.
Exactly. On an airplane is the perfect place and time to use an iPad. The purpose of the iPad is how easy it is to be used in public places. Can't really understand those that would feel uncomfortable using an iPad on a train/plane. It's no different from using a Mac/laptop, which is far more expensive.
Depends on the train, too. On Amtrak? Sure, no problem. On the local subway which does have some pickpockets and the like? I'll pass, thanks.
I can relate to the OP. I just got my first iPad and I'd like to use it for work and taking notes but I'm a little worried about bringing it to work meetings (no one else in my lab has an iPad that they bring regularly to work). I think having digital notes would be nice but I don't want to be distracting to others when I'm taking notes and I don't want my boss to think I'm more interested in my new toy than listening to what she's saying.
However I did finally bring my iPad to work with me today and used it to take notes at a seminar. It worked out pretty well and after the first few seconds I stopped worrying about using an iPad and just tried to keep up with what the speaker was saying.
However I did finally bring my iPad to work with me today and used it to take notes at a seminar. It worked out pretty well and after the first few seconds I stopped worrying about using an iPad and just tried to keep up with what the speaker was saying.
It's probably just a matter of social norms... if you're the first or only person to do it one way, you might get extra attention. But once other people start using tablets for note-taking, nobody will pay you a second thought.
I remember one year sitting in a room to discuss a budget and we had a projector to show the spreadsheet on a big screen so everyone could see and discuss. The following year was after the iPad introduction. No projector this time -- we set up Dropbox accounts and everyone followed along with the budget on their own laptop, tablet, or cell phone. The meeting chair made changes, hit "save", and everyone's copy updated. That was a definite "wow" moment.
I think it's something you'll get over with if you use it all the time in public. Sort of like a new haircut or a new style of clothes, first you feel like everyone is looking at you, then you just forget about it.
Could be the environment too; less common to see an iPad on a crowded bus than it is to see them at an airplane (or airplane commercials, which further instills the idea that iPads = perfect for plane use).
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Now that is interesting, because I feel like OP would actually feel more secure if they were using a generic tablet, rather than something distinctive like an iPad with Apple's logo on it bright and clear.
Could be the environment too; less common to see an iPad on a crowded bus than it is to see them at an airplane (or airplane commercials, which further instills the idea that iPads = perfect for plane use).
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Now that is interesting, because I feel like OP would actually feel more secure if they were using a generic tablet, rather than something distinctive like an iPad with Apple's logo on it bright and clear.
Try this exercise: go out every day in a public place and use your iPad as a camera. Hold it high in the air so that everyone will see you are taking pictures with it. Now when you use it for any other tasks, you'll feel much better.
But that's the thing: some of them just like using Macs and are not trying to show off. Yes, their laptop has a big shiny Apple logo on the back, but should they really stop using their laptops in public because the brand of the laptop is so obvious?
Well, you better pick which one you're more surprised about, otherwise you'll be hesistant in making decisions in other aspects of your life as well.
Actually, I am impressed. I'm impressed that they're a better customer than the people who bought other laptops or tablets, and that they made the better decision by going with Apple. When I see someone with an iPhone or another Apple product, that tells me that that person was smart enough to get a better phone for a bit of extra money.
But why is it okay for him to read a newspaper on an exercise bike but not okay to read off of a full-sized iPad?
I regularly use Apple's Bluetooth keyboard paired with an iPhone to type out notes... can't imagine what kind of looks I would get if I brought it to a work meeting though.
Funny how that works, isn't it?
iPad and slower typing on virtual keyboard = totally fine
iPad or iPhone with bluetooth keyboard = stares and comments
My point is 170 million iPads in the wild means it's not exclusive like a Bentley. It's a mainstream device like a laptop or smartphone, not a toy relegated to the rich & famous.