Why Ipad?

[MZurf]

My wife needs a tablet computer and has her mind set on the new Ipad. Went and had a look at it yesterday and the dam_n thing has no USB slot! I asked a sales rep how you're supposed to transfer files to it and he started talking about having to use Itunes and transfer via wifi??

I'm not a big fan of Apple products to start with and Itunes must be one of the worst programs ever made so at this point I left the store. I have owned one Ipod but gave the dam_n thing away because of all the proprietary BS and the crappiness of Itunes.

But since the Ipad is so popular I'm clearly missing something so my question is: Why buy an Ipad instead of eg an Asus Transformer?

[meand]

I'm with you to a large extent, some think i'm weird but i love my ipod and hate i tunes. I just put music on it quick with itunes and thats it, I try and disconnect from the internet too b4 I transfer. In short, they do make a really good product is the "problem" with not giving the your business. Im very glad I went apple with the ipod... battery life, ease of use, durability I think you would like the ipad. There are even nice online storage places nowadays giving free GB, like dropbox. Look into it, I dont think lack of usb should be a total deal breaker the way things are moving nowadays.

Edited June 16, 2012 by meand

[LucidLucifer]

Apps for a start....the Ipad has an unrivaled number.

I don't know if you have children or not, but there's some truly great educational stuff on them that can be easily accessed independently by even a toddler. My little girl has been using ours since she was 2 1/2. She's three now and is a little wizz on it, you'd need to see it to believe just how good she is.

I've never used any other tablets, but we were using ipads in my old school over 18 months ago. Before I went out and bought my own I did investigate what alternatives were on the market. Although some companies are catching up, universally the Ipad came out on top. It's the market leader for a good reason.

I'd say go for it. If it's a tablet you're definitely after, you won't regret it.

As for transfering files, load them to icloud, then access them on you ipad from there.

[Crushdepth]

The iPad has the best screen and much better ergonomics than the transformer, which is not too friendly on the hands...and if you want a keyboard, get a lap top! (Have a look at the Galaxy Tabs instead?).

Re. 'unrivalled number of apps', this argument is out of date and no longer relevant. Both Android and Apple have more apps in their stores than anyone could conceivably install in a lifetime (Android had 500,000 last time I checked, and Apple is currently claiming the same number). Of the minority that are actually useful, most are either available on *both* systems, or have functional equivalents that are.

Edited June 16, 2012 by Crushdepth

[rijb]

Your wife is probably not concerned with what's under the hood. An iPad is more of an appliance than a PC. No need to be a computer whiz.

Ps: iPad apps usually look better than Android apps.

[LucidLucifer]

Re. 'unrivalled number of apps', this argument is out of date and no longer relevant. Both Android and Apple have more apps in their stores than anyone could conceivably install in a lifetime (Android had 500,000 last time I checked, and Apple is currently claiming the same number). Of the minority that are actually useful, most are either available on *both* systems, or have functional equivalents that are.

I'm happy to be corrected on the number, maybe android does have as many (it wasn't the case a year ago), but the quality and functionality is behind the Ipad. Research it, you will see that.

That may change, but at the moment the Ipad still wins hands down.

I do think this is one of those questions where you will find people firmly in one camp or another. I have limited personal experience of andoid, but what I do have is extensive experience of using the ipad, and I'd recommend it without hesitation

[Shurup]

I'm the same as many others, I hate itunes but love my iPod. It's simple to use, it's battery last forever and I've got a 120GB of storage that I use as an external HDD (I've got a classic model). It lacks some functions, I would really love to see the "Delete song" in it's options so I don't have to connect to the dam_n itunes.

I don't see the point of having tablet personally, they're just like the overgrown smartphones but lacking phone functionality (most of tablets), If I needed something for work, I would get ultra notebook and have a full functionality to work comfortably. File transfer is a big deal breaker if you really need it for work. Think about using the thing in the corporation where you're not allowed to install any side application on the work computers (no itunes) and access to some certain web sites might be restricted from the internal network (no icouds or whatever they called). Have to have a fast and reliable way to transfer your files.

[lomatopo]

My wife needs a tablet computer

Can you clarify the requirements? Is this a requirement for school, work, small business? Is 3G a requirement?

The new iPad is a brilliant product, and iTunes is probably a decent way for most people to manage their apps, media, etc.

What types of files are you planning on transferring?

I own an IPod, and I am an Android user: SGS1, SGS2, Tab 10.1/WiFi. In the school, education and design fields the iPad is the best choice. They've sold what, 70 million units, so it must be OK.

[wjhall]

Buy her a G-Net G-Pad Extreme. About 5000 Baht and will almost certainly do all she wants to do....and save you 10,000 baht plus

[Shurup]

I don't know the OP or his wife but from what I see in Thailand I would guess that she WANTS it more than she NEEDS it. These electronic gadgets are more of the "I'm cool" factor and mostly use to play silly games and show off in front of friends and co-workers than they actually used for work.

[Theboy]

I was always anti apple until my wife bought an iPad. I hate to say but for a tablet I am hooked. Have tried the usual Android offerings but they simply cannot match the iPad

[MZurf]

I was always anti apple until my wife bought an iPad. I hate to say but for a tablet I am hooked. Have tried the usual Android offerings but they simply cannot match the iPad

Now this is information I'm after but please be more specific. What is it that is unmatched in the Ipad? Is it ease of use (all Apple proprietary BS notwithstanding), is it the hardware, all of the above?

[MZurf]

I don't know the OP or his wife

You should have just stopped there...

[PattayaParent]

I don't know the OP or his wife but from what I see in Thailand I would guess that she WANTS it more than she NEEDS it. These electronic gadgets are more of the "I'm cool" factor and mostly use to play silly games and show off in front of friends and co-workers than they actually used for work.

Agree with this.

And don't they look stupid taking photographs with it as well? Especially with the crap camera on the previous models. Better to use your iPhone instead.

[Riggi]

Popular doesn't necessarily mean good.

Personally I would only buy an iOS device for the music apps and associated peripherals. That is the one area that iOS kills Android.

But for for everything else, I prefer the capability, flexibility, connectivity and customisability (yes, I just made up a word) of Android.

One reason iphones and ipads are popular is that they are easy to use. As Steve Wozniak said, he would recommend an iphone to people who are scared of computers.

If my parents wanted a tablet, I'd tell them to get an ipad, because I know they would find it easier to use, and it's less likely they'd do something to mess it up and then call me to fix it

It also depends on what your wife wants to do with the tablet.

If all your wife wants to do is surf the internet and play games, then an ipad will suffice.

If she wants to watch videos, the ipad will also work, but depending on the file format, you may need to stuff around a bit more before you can watch them. With Android you should be able to just drag and drop most formats from your PC and watch them.

[GreenSnapper]

I don't know the OP or his wife but from what I see in Thailand I would guess that she WANTS it more than she NEEDS it. These electronic gadgets are more of the "I'm cool" factor and mostly use to play silly games and show off in front of friends and co-workers than they actually used for work.

From a scientific survey I regularly do in the BTS, iPads are used by Thais for exactly these two cases:

1. Playing games for the under 8

2. Checking their Facebook account

Some weird Farangs, Koreans or Japanese use it for surfing the internet, writing emails or even reading a book, but that is out of question for the average Thai.