iPad/Tablets - Pros, Cons, the Best?

Updated on March 15, 2012
J.K. asks from Audubon, IA
9 answers

Hi Mommas!

So my hub is considering getting a new laptop with the tax return and I'm suddenly wanting to get myself a tablet device. I'm just not sure of what's out there - I know the iPad is a big deal. I played my mother's a lot, and she loved hers. I have a laptop but the main thing I do on it is play an online computer game, and I wouldn't be able to do that on a tablet. My mother loved her iPad because she travels a lot (she's a dog handler/breeder. She was at westminster!)

I just like how mobile, light, simple a tablet is. What are payment plans for 3G access like? What are the pros of the iPad? or the cons? Does anyone have something other than an iPad? A low price would be nice but I'm not planning on getting one for a few months so it'd be easy for me to save up for one.

I first thought of how nice this would be when I had to move my laptop, charger, mouse all to the kitchen to look up a recipe and start cooking dinner!!! It'd be much nicer to just pull it up on a ipad and go...

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So What Happened?

I'm looking to use it for web browsing, email, recipe searches, facebook.

Also hubby won't be getting a Mac. I like their laptops a LOT and their desktops but we're looking to get a pro gaming laptop.

Featured Answers

B.S.

answers from Lansing on

My advice for anyone seeking whether to get an Ipad is. What do you want to use it for? If you're looking for something to write a paper on....don't get it. If you're looking to search the internet, play games, answer simple email....get an Ipad.

I have not even touched my desktop or netbook since getting my Ipad. But, I will admit writing long emails/papers can be difficult.

I don't have the built in 3G but have my wifi connection hooked up at my house, my work, my parents, my IL's and one of my very close friends house. The main places I spend the majority of time. I have also had no problem connecting to free wifi at places.

2 moms found this helpful

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Get an iPad.

And if your Husband is getting a laptop, tell him to get an Apple/Mac laptop.

Then that way, with an iPad and his Apple laptop, you both can sync with each other etc., and instant chat etc.
Really great.

2 moms found this helpful

D.F.

answers from San Antonio on

Have you considered the Kindle Fire. For only $200 it can do everything that you are wanting to do. My daughter got one for Christmas and she loves it.
Just an idea, then you could spend the other $300 on more stuff for you!!
Blessings!
D.

1 mom found this helpful

E.B.

answers from Fort Collins on

Get an iPad. I use mine for cooking all the time. There are so many more options with an pad and literally a million apps are there. We do not have 3G on ours, but the Wifi works just like a computer. If you have an iphone there is a third party app that will turn your phone into a Wifi hot spot and then you can use it anywhere your phone has service.

Just an FYI... My hubby and I both game. We used to be big into WoW and our Mac Books work great! We actually consistently had less lag then when we had other high end Dell's.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I second the Nook. iPads are nice but SO expensive, and if you're just looking to browse the web, FB, recipes, etc....the Nook would be perfect. As a bonus it's so nice to read books on. LOVE the Barnes and Noble marketplace, it's got me into reading again. Good luck with your research.

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J.C.

answers from New York on

Don't get a Kindle Fire. I have one (asked for plain old Kindle for xmas and my hubby got the fire). It's heavy and hard to type on. The sound sucks.

I wouldn't do anything but a iPad. And I hear that once the new ones come out, the current version will be 100 less.

iPads can either go 3G or wifi. 3G is more expensive and will run you about $30 a month (adding to an existing data contract). Without it, you can't use it everywhere, just in WIFI hot spots. So if you are already paying a lot for your phone, this would be an added expense. Not sure how rural your world is so all will have to be considered.

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C.O.

answers from Minneapolis on

My MIL gave us $150 and wanted us to buy our girls a cheap Android tablet. I wouldn't even consider it! I saved a little then Best Buy had a no-interest financing offer and we bought our iPad2 then. Love it! We just use wifi and are very happy. Only thin I have noticed that I cannot do on it is my online banking and some rare video applications (java). Buy the iPad..it is rediculously stable and has the most and best apps.

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L.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

No one has mentioned it, but I have a Nook Tablet, and I love it. I use it to look up recipes in the kitchen while listening to Pandora on it. Checking FB is quick and easy and it also has an email app that will notify you when you have a new message. Barnes & Noble also has a lot of fun apps, and I love reading on it. Can also watch Netflix on it too, although the sound is better with headphones. At half the price of the iPad, I found it a great deal and use it daily. Also, i only use wifi with it, not willing to pay more for 3G, and haven't had any issues.

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R.N.

answers from Sioux City on

The prices have already been dropped by $100 on all the iPad2 models. (The prices were actually dropped the day the announcement was made about the 3rd gen iPad - March 7th.)

The 3rd Gen iPad (they aren't calling them iPad3) will be released tomorrow (March 16th). The only iPad2s left on the Apple site are the 16gb and they will not make any more of the 32 or 64 gb. The iPad does not run anything that is Flash based but for your uses you might be OK.

For what you want to use it for, you might go check out somewhere like Best Buy - they have demos you can use to see which one you like best. We have a MacBook and plan to get the 3rd gen iPad but there are much cheaper Android tablets, along with the Nook and Kindle that can do what you want and more.

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