Post by: kimmer on March 04, 2013, 01:34:05 PM
I've not paid much attention, so I am seriously asking what you find so spiffy, neat, etc and why would you not want to be without your iPad?Second: is this a bargain? A trusted friend is selling her 1st gen iPad for $220. The Apple store shows them at $279 (out of stock at present). We trust this gal, she takes good care of her "toys", she's also an IT person so we know she's not messed up the iPad. It's not something we would have gone out of our way to look for, but we're willing to help her out if this is a decent deal.
Are 1st gen iPads still usable, or is it like buying a powerpc when the world only works on 10.8? Are apps still available? Does it do fun stuff? Work stuff? Anyone have a 1st gen? If so, do you like or not like it?
Post by: RNKIII on March 04, 2013, 02:12:41 PM
HAD a first gen.and really liked it, UNTIL I got a current/4th gen for Christmas...
I use it primarily as a book reader, quick emailer, and web browser, from any where we get wi-fi.
Your comparison to a PowerPC vs. Intel is quite accurate. It will be stuck with version 5 of the OS, while the more current versions are on to vs 6.
The current version has front and rear facing cameras for picture taking and chat capabilities. The older ones will run all current app, except those that specifically require the newer OS. (Haven't run into any yet)
Price... Usually based on memory and wi-fi vs data plan capabilities. I got $135 for my 1st gen when I sold it to a reseller. Not sure what price they resold it for... Gazelle.com
My .02
Bob K. rnkiii
Post by: Paddy on March 04, 2013, 05:17:43 PM
I've got a 4th generation that I got for Christmas. I love it. I use it to do email (I now have everything on IMAP and therefore synced with desktop, laptop and iPhone), some web browsing, games (Whirlyword is my latest addiction...) and reading books. I'm currently reading our book group's latest choice, The Sea Captain's Wife. I plan to load it up with a few more books when we head to Eleuthera at the end of this week for March break. I can also get at least some of my magazines on it, so again - for portability, it's a win. I don't think I'll take it to the beach though...for that, we'll revert to the analog edition of the reading material!!
I've even updated Wordpress web sites on it, though probably won't do that a lot, as typing without a real keyboard is much slower for me. Of course, if you buy a keyboard for it, then it's much easier and you can do lots of things you might otherwise turn to a laptop for. It takes quite decent pictures too - I've used it when I wanted to catch something that I would have missed if I'd gone to find my camera. However, I don't think I'd consider it a true camera substitute as it's not as easy to handle as a camera physically. If you have people to Skype with, it would be great.
Mine is wifi only since I have the iPhone - if I really need the bigger screen, I can always use the iPhone as a hotspot and get online that way.
There are lots and lots of great apps out there - I feel like I've only scratched the surface. I'm intending to take it to a board meeting on Wednesday for which I am the designated minute-taker, and am going to try recording the meeting using the iPad, just in case I miss anything in my note-taking.
Anyway - it's a fun thing. But get one of the newer ones. We got my Dad a 3rd generation one from the refurb store for Christmas/his birthday. It's his first ever computing device at the age of 92. I'd love to report that it's been a roaring success, but unfortunately, he's still "too busy" to spend much time with it!! (He's been playing a lot of snooker at his retirement home lately - which, considering it gets him out of his suite and socializing, is probably better!) It has both wifi and cellular; we just added it to my plan and share the data, which is working just fine, since he isn't using any most of the time!
While it's supposed to be slower than mine, we haven't noticed any particular slowness, so you might want to consider one of them from the refurb store. Don't know when the next generation will appear - the buyers guide at Macrumors.com lists the iPad as "neutral - mid-product cycle."
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 04, 2013, 06:30:57 PM
I do need to check/buy Pages, possibly, however... she gets .doc files and uses Pages to edit/modify and send back as .docs. I need to see if the iPad version of Pages has that capability...
Post by: Paddy on March 04, 2013, 07:37:13 PM
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4088?viewloc...mp;locale=en_US
(the answer is "yes"...)
Post by: kimmer on March 04, 2013, 07:40:16 PM
QUOTE(Paddy @ Mar 4 2013, 03:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm currently reading our book group's latest choice, The Sea Captain's Wife.
Ohhhh, looks like a great book. Let me know your thoughts when done, please.
Post by: Paddy on March 04, 2013, 10:16:52 PM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 04, 2013, 10:27:57 PM
Post by: Frances144 on March 05, 2013, 05:49:08 AM
Having said that,I am sure I don't use it's for anything exotic more than FB input, playing a few games and reading a book, watching videos.
I can't offer a suggestion about price.
Post by: Thomas S. England on March 05, 2013, 12:44:42 PM
I will save maps, websites, ticket receipts as PDFs & put them into Dropbox.
That way I can pull them up on the iPad, which is so much more portable than a laptop (or I can have them on my iPhone at the same time).
If you think you will be without an internet connection, access the documents while you are still connected in Dropbox, then "Star" them. That way you can access your documents w/o a connection.
Post by: Frances144 on March 05, 2013, 02:26:06 PM
Post by: Thomas S. England on March 05, 2013, 03:05:05 PM
QUOTE(Frances144 @ Mar 5 2013, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
How does that work? without an internet connection?
My understanding is that it actually places the item in question onto the drive of the iPad. That means it will take up what limited space you have available on the iPad.
If you don't "star" it then it has to use the internet to refer back to the copy on the DropBox mothership.
For many of my items, I only need them accessible for the duration of my trip, so I will later delete them, freeing up space.
Post by: Paddy on March 05, 2013, 05:18:10 PM
Post by: LR827 on March 06, 2013, 10:22:51 AM
Lorraine
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 06, 2013, 10:24:47 AM
The same applies to one brand of computer and any other.
That's not to say that there are significant user experience differences between one brand and another, be it a computer or a tablet/smart phone/automobile/refrigerator/hair spray/fly swatter/etc. But those differences may not be subjectively justifiable to the buyer. This is what I call 'convergence of technology.' 30 years ago, there were huge differences between different categories of technology. Now there are many technologies combined into new categories we never even thought about back then. One current day device may do what took multiple devices back then, or even 10 years ago.
The major reason to buy a device, however, has not changed that much; Buy what you need unless you can afford to buy what you simply want.
Post by: krissel on March 07, 2013, 01:16:32 AM
Typing from my 1st gen iPad. I haven't even updated the OS from the original, believe it or not.
This was purchased for my Mom and she used it mainly for some simple games to keep her fingers flexible and her mind working.
Now it's main use is for reading articles online while I walk on the treadmill. Very convenient, though I did have to stop the treadmill to type.
I agree that you would be better off with a newer one if the latest app updates are important and you want a camera feature. Still there is a lot of use left in this pad. But I wouldn't pay a whole lot for this model.
Post by: Frances144 on March 07, 2013, 03:43:00 AM
Post by: jcarter on March 07, 2013, 11:45:10 AM
And he has so many apps on it that its bulging.
I think its a great learning tool, he teaches other kids how to use it, and is actively trying to persuade me to get one.
He never uses his Kindle, not even sure where it is.
He loves the maps and I think they discuss that in class too, know that the teachers encourage iPads in his school.
The schools are wireless too.
Jane
Post by: Sasha on March 07, 2013, 09:00:12 PM
Post by: jcarter on March 08, 2013, 06:20:14 AM
Post by: Frances144 on March 09, 2013, 04:11:19 AM
Post by: RHPConsult on March 10, 2013, 05:19:59 PM
Different strokes for . . .
My stable of Mac products is now serving a quite specialized function as my life and activities are more restricted by the exigencies of age.
I got my 1stGen iPad on about Week 1, enjoying it immensely until my arthritic fingers couldn't manipulate the KB I bought from Kensington, initially to accomplish typing at reasonable speed.
Because I am now with Lil during much of her waking hours while she reads and watches TV (her computing, so important to her for so many years is now increasingly difficult for her), my getting/answering MAIL, Googling the 'net, etc are now increasingly important to me. The iPad, while VERY portable, just wasn't enough "computer" which is what led me to an MB-Air that, thus far, is THE solution. Absolutely Perfect, which turned out to be such a surprise.
Full-size KB, dazzling display/wonderfully large FaceTime/speedy internet connection/fast printing when I need it/etc./etc./etc. all are "there" @ just over 2 lbs. No HD is simply a non-issue, since networking with my trusty iMac is so fast and easy.
The iPad has become a large, easy to read, TV remote with the help of this nifty app . . .
.
My 4s iPhone is invaluable (as a phone) primarily because it's "Blue-toothed" to my hearing instruments via a streamer manufactured by the hearing aid company, AND as a wonderful camera that has "retired" all previous cameras. No need for any other bells-or-whistles for us these days.
Not that "one-size fits all" by any means, but the MB-Air is far more important to us these days than an iPad ever could achieve.