Have been looking at Ipads and they seem quite neat - especially the new one coming out. I'm wondering whether I should get one or not as I'm not quite sure what I'd do with it. I've already got an Iphone4 and a macbook...

Two uses that would be obvious are as an e-book reader and web browser for taking on train journeys etc... (although I can already use my macbook for this) maybe less clumbersome than a laptop.
Also maybe using one of those wi-fi -> IR devices and using the thing as a universal remote (although I could already do this with the iphone) the big ipad touch screen would be a bit more impressive than the current universal remote offerings out there.

So any more uses for the thing - am basically trying to justify the potential purchase  as its a new shiny thing I want but can't necessarily justify buying yet...

In my opinion the main use for a tablet is as a living room / coffee table device. 99% of what I do on my laptop when im sat on the sofa could be done on a ipad. Great for a quick to pick up internet device.

I wouldnt use one as an ebook reader, kindle is still the one for that.

They are quite expensive IMO.
I got an android tablet last month from Aliexpress (herotab).
£150 with shipping - pretty much the same spec as the galaxy tab.
It dont have multitouch - but you can get capactive touch ones for a little more.

I cracked it open & installed a custom firmware on a larger memorycard (they have a microSD inside with the OS on)

Quote from: sexytw on March 13, 2011, 14:09:00 PM
I wouldnt use one as an ebook reader, kindle is still the one for that.

does kindle do much more than the ipad/iphone kindle app?

Sort of says it all:



But saying all that I do keep checking the used prices on Ebay and will pick one up when hopefully after the 25th used prices on the original will drop quite a bit, after people with more money than sense upgrade to the new one, currently you can pick up a 16gig Wifi model for around £300, I am hoping that is nearer to £250 after. 

I would use one mostly for video around the house, using a combination of:
Air video http://www.inmethod.com/air-video/index.html;jsessionid=7C0005D6D892BC6B043419E1573F0875 for downloaded video files.
IPIMP http://code.google.com/p/ipimp/ for TV.
MX tube http://www.iphonealley.com/news/mxtube-download-youtube-video-directly-to-iphone for youtube.

I currently have all these on my Ipod Touch and they do work well, but the size of the display is too small for something I could use regularly, while my Mrs is watching something I don't want to watch like Coronation Street or Greys Anatomy, but don't want to go sit another room.

Quote from: Eggtastico on March 13, 2011, 15:34:52 PM

Quote from: sexytw on March 13, 2011, 14:09:00 PM
I wouldnt use one as an ebook reader, kindle is still the one for that.

does kindle do much more than the ipad/iphone kindle app?

It doesn't give you eyestrain and the battery lasts long enough to be practical as an e-book reader.

The screen on the Kindle is completely different to looking at any kind of normal screen, be it on your PC, mobile phone, netbook or laptop.

Quote from: Quixoticish on March 13, 2011, 17:57:18 PM

Quote from: Eggtastico on March 13, 2011, 15:34:52 PM

Quote from: sexytw on March 13, 2011, 14:09:00 PM
I wouldnt use one as an ebook reader, kindle is still the one for that.

does kindle do much more than the ipad/iphone kindle app?

It doesn't give you eyestrain and the battery lasts long enough to be practical as an e-book reader.

The screen on the Kindle is completely different to looking at any kind of normal screen, be it on your PC, mobile phone, netbook or laptop.

+1.

The kindle does much less than the the ipad but what it does do it does very well. As Quixoticish says, its exactly like reading a piece of paper, no a backlit screen so its actually comfortable over a long period of time.

I will be ipad 2 or Hp Touchpad, I need to hold both before I decided but I do love webOS.

Quote from: sexytw on March 13, 2011, 20:31:52 PM

Quote from: Quixoticish on March 13, 2011, 17:57:18 PM

Quote from: Eggtastico on March 13, 2011, 15:34:52 PM

Quote from: sexytw on March 13, 2011, 14:09:00 PM
I wouldnt use one as an ebook reader, kindle is still the one for that.

does kindle do much more than the ipad/iphone kindle app?

It doesn't give you eyestrain and the battery lasts long enough to be practical as an e-book reader.

The screen on the Kindle is completely different to looking at any kind of normal screen, be it on your PC, mobile phone, netbook or laptop.

+1.

The kindle does much less than the the ipad but what it does do it does very well. As Quixoticish says, its exactly like reading a piece of paper, no a backlit screen so its actually comfortable over a long period of time.

+2

Battery life on the kindle is up to 1 month use, ideal if you are going on holiday. The present version does have a web browser of sorts and the 3G version can access some stuff on the move. I would expect future versions to improve on capabilities.

The main advantages are price, battery life and ease of reading on the screen, even in direct sunlight. As a book reader/MP3 player it is excellent.

As a web browser it is slow and limited but probably adequate for checking mail. I can get the tekforums site to display well enough.

However, if you need more processing power or access to multiple apps on the move it isn't for you. In that case I would stick to the lappy.

With web access 3g etc version I bet the battery life is not 1 month though?

Quote from: neXus on March 14, 2011, 00:29:31 AM
With web access 3g etc version I bet the battery life is not 1 month though?

If you're hammering away on the web browser for hours every day then no, but then if you're doing that you shouldn't have bought a Kindle.

for the price, I dont see the benefit in a kindle, considering I got an android pad for not much more that does a whole lot more.
I do like the kindle & the idea. just over priced IMO - as are their books.