Talk to me about the Ipad

Megcheer2

I'm having bad computer luck. 13 months ago, my laptop died and I bought a new one. I turned it on yesterday and the screen won't come on, but everything else is working because I can hear the dings and whirrs. I gave it to a computer guy to look at, and he can't get it working either.

In the event that Geek Squad thinks I need a new monitor, which would cost almost as much as the computer itself cost, or more (which is ridiculous!!), I am contemplating an Ipad. But I've always had PCs, not Macs and I don't know if I would like a Mac-base.

Can I use my same printer with an Ipad? It's just a Dell printer. Can I install MS Office on an Ipad?

Any other thoughts?

mrsbecky07

I don't use my ipad for work or anythign so I don't know about MS Office. I will say that H has MS Office on his Mac and it's the only thing on there that has crashed.

I have my ipad set up to print wirelessly - it's actually fairly simple, so that's do-able.

I guess it depends on what you would use it for - there are a ton of apps out there that you can get to sort of "tailor" your ipad.  I almost exclusively use my ipad and only go to a computer if I need flash or I want to upload pictures from my camera to the hard drive.

 

KathrynMD

I'm starting to thinkm about getting one too, but I'm not sure I can swallow the $500 price tag.  Plus, don't you have to pay to download each app?

 

Cooper81

I wouldn't use the iPad to totally replace a PC/lap top.  There isn't a USB port or ports for data cards, so you can't upload pics (which is one of my main uses for our crappy PC).  You can print from it.  I'm not sure about Microsoft Office, but I have a wireless keyboard for writing emails and posts, so I'm sure you could get a wireless mouse to go with it.  I mainly use mine to surf the net, email, play games (like angry birds ) and listen to music. 

There are tons of free apps you can get, but yes some you have to buy.

mrsbecky07

there are more and more free apps becoming available and some apps that I paid for are now free....booo. but I think i've only paid for 2 apps - Friendly for Facebook, and, um, Smurfs Village

lenebene

Be ware the I have seen issue's with Dell printers not working well with other companies, so I wouldn't guarantee that it will work.  I just bought DH a ipad, it should be delivered on Monday.  I don't see it replacing MS Office stuff but rather to read/surf the web.  

You might be wise to get a netbook if you don't want to spend the money on a laptop but want to be able to do MS type of stuff...

TheLinkBride

We were having the ipad discussion at lunch today.  I don't see it being a great replacement for a laptop, unless you want to have a keyboard and mouse for it and even then there are things like uploading images that it isn't good for.  I personally see more use in a smart phone and a laptop because when you are on the go, you're more likely to take the smaller phone than the ipad and at hone the laptop is nice.

For travel, I love my netbook.  I can still type easily but it's small and easy to keep with me if need be.

tspring82

While I love the iPad, I don't think that I'd be able to use it as my primary computer.  I like it for time-kill type things, but not for "real world" stuff...so trying a paper or creating a spreadsheet isn't going to fly for me personally.

I third the netbook recommendation though...I use mine for my business and LOVE that it's so portable and fully functioning.  Battery life on it is amazing too...fully charged, I think my battery lasts about 8 hours. 

MrsAmber

The iPad is great for play, surfing the net, emailing, etc., but I don't use mine as my primary computer.  I use it for travel because it is so much smaller/lighter than an actual laptop.