iPad Solution?
November 11, 2010 3:15 PM Subscribe
A couple of iPad questions...
I think I want to get my wife an iPad for Christmas.
My wife's uses for this will be general web surfing, Skype, email, etc., when she is not in front of the laptop which resides permanently on her desk.
The biggest reason she'd like to have one will be as a kitchen device to keep her beloved Food Network recipes in front of her as she cooks. Meanwhile, she'll be double checking her GMail account and Skyping with her girlfriends.
iPad users, please tell me how much the web experience is diminished by it's failure to support Flash?
How much of an adjustment is it to type on the on-screen keyboard?
For traveling purposes, this Apple case looks pretty good to me. Is there a better alternative at a comparable price?
I'm an Apple lover but a Windows user with multiple machines in the house. Will I regret not buying her a Win7 netbook or lower end laptop instead? Will she?
I think I want to get my wife an iPad for Christmas.
My wife's uses for this will be general web surfing, Skype, email, etc., when she is not in front of the laptop which resides permanently on her desk.
The biggest reason she'd like to have one will be as a kitchen device to keep her beloved Food Network recipes in front of her as she cooks. Meanwhile, she'll be double checking her GMail account and Skyping with her girlfriends.
iPad users, please tell me how much the web experience is diminished by it's failure to support Flash?
How much of an adjustment is it to type on the on-screen keyboard?
For traveling purposes, this Apple case looks pretty good to me. Is there a better alternative at a comparable price?
I'm an Apple lover but a Windows user with multiple machines in the house. Will I regret not buying her a Win7 netbook or lower end laptop instead? Will she?
She won't be able to do video calls with Skype, but I hear Skype works fine on the iPad for audio calls. Haven't tried that yet myself.
I've found no real issues being without Flash on the iPad, but it could depend somewhat on the types of sites she visits. Either way, it will be less and less of an issue over time I think, as sites move away from Flash.
The on-screen keyboard is surprisingly simple to get used to. I can type almost as fast on it (in landscape mode) as I can a regular keyboard. But if she has trouble, there is a keyboard accessory she can get.
There are a lot of nice cases out there, and they sort of depend on how you end up using your iPad most. I'd hold off on this until she has it and uses it a bit, or just get a small stand for now that she can use in the kitchen.
Also, there are some nice recipe apps she may like... Epicurious and Allrecipes.
posted by dayintoday at 3:30 PM on November 11, 2010
I've found no real issues being without Flash on the iPad, but it could depend somewhat on the types of sites she visits. Either way, it will be less and less of an issue over time I think, as sites move away from Flash.
The on-screen keyboard is surprisingly simple to get used to. I can type almost as fast on it (in landscape mode) as I can a regular keyboard. But if she has trouble, there is a keyboard accessory she can get.
There are a lot of nice cases out there, and they sort of depend on how you end up using your iPad most. I'd hold off on this until she has it and uses it a bit, or just get a small stand for now that she can use in the kitchen.
Also, there are some nice recipe apps she may like... Epicurious and Allrecipes.
posted by dayintoday at 3:30 PM on November 11, 2010
Re: Flash-- almost zero, depending on the sites you visit. Occasionally I have to bookmark a Flash video or game to come back to later, but most major sites have Quicktime encoding now. iPad is better than the iPhone in that YouTube videos and the like will play directly in the webpage instead of loading the YouTube app.
And then there are sites that are built entirely in Flash, but I don't bookmark those. I fucking hate sites like that. (Restaurants, I'm looking at you.) In my experience, it reduces annoyances (ugh, Flash-based banner ads) rather than causing them.
The keyboard takes a little getting used to, but less so than the iPhone. You won't be able to type on it quite as well as a regular keyboard, though-- if you want to do that, get the keyboard dock or a Bluetooth keyboard.
It is fantastic for recipes. Epicurious app is great. Get a cheap cookbook holder, turn off auto-sleep, and you're golden.
posted by supercres at 3:33 PM on November 11, 2010
And then there are sites that are built entirely in Flash, but I don't bookmark those. I fucking hate sites like that. (Restaurants, I'm looking at you.) In my experience, it reduces annoyances (ugh, Flash-based banner ads) rather than causing them.
The keyboard takes a little getting used to, but less so than the iPhone. You won't be able to type on it quite as well as a regular keyboard, though-- if you want to do that, get the keyboard dock or a Bluetooth keyboard.
It is fantastic for recipes. Epicurious app is great. Get a cheap cookbook holder, turn off auto-sleep, and you're golden.
posted by supercres at 3:33 PM on November 11, 2010
Its hard to compare the ipad and a laptop. The ipad is just awesome in ways you can't imagine until you're using it. Just get one and be happy!
posted by muscat at 3:39 PM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by muscat at 3:39 PM on November 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
It may be because I don't use the built-in Safari browser. But I am generally unable to watch YouTube links. For example: I couldn't watch the link in this MeFi post until I booted up the laptop. It's enough of an annoyance that I would feel negligent not telling someone to factor it into a purchase decision. The more time passes, the less of an issue it will be - as more sites switch to HTML5. There is a new app called Skyfire that purports to display Flash videos - though not games. I haven't tried it. There's a mixed review of it here.
Typing in landscape mode is as easy as it will probably ever be without a physical keyboard. For the uses you describe, it's completely adequate. Indeed, in a crumb-rich environment like a kitchen, it's probably preferable.
As long as you have a laptop available for the tasks for which an iPad is unsuitable, I don't think either of you will regret the purchase.
posted by Joe Beese at 3:53 PM on November 11, 2010
Typing in landscape mode is as easy as it will probably ever be without a physical keyboard. For the uses you describe, it's completely adequate. Indeed, in a crumb-rich environment like a kitchen, it's probably preferable.
As long as you have a laptop available for the tasks for which an iPad is unsuitable, I don't think either of you will regret the purchase.
posted by Joe Beese at 3:53 PM on November 11, 2010
i clicked it in safari, it opens in the youtube player
Thanks, that's useful to know.
However, I suspect that only the Safari browser will be allowed to trigger the YouTube app. If so, the iPad owner is paying a usability cost either way. Either they can't watch YouTube or they're locked into Safari's feature set.
posted by Joe Beese at 4:19 PM on November 11, 2010
Thanks, that's useful to know.
However, I suspect that only the Safari browser will be allowed to trigger the YouTube app. If so, the iPad owner is paying a usability cost either way. Either they can't watch YouTube or they're locked into Safari's feature set.
posted by Joe Beese at 4:19 PM on November 11, 2010
Personally I don't miss Flash in the least on my iPad. I also don't spend much time on flash-heavy sites, so YMMV.
The Apple case is the only one I've tried, and I actually really like it. It seems a bit… cheap at first, but it's very clever. It adds almost no bulk to the iPad, and makes it easy to put it into a position to type on. I find I can type on it almost as fast as a regular keyboard, but the lack of tactile feedback means my error rate is quite a bit higher, and the autocorrect sometimes does funny things to my writing, necessitating thorough proof-reading.
I've never had a netbook, and I'm a 100% Mac user if that's relevant, but I do love my iPad. It's the most handy gadget I own. I can't imagine a netbook would give you a better computing experience.
posted by damonism at 4:19 PM on November 11, 2010
The Apple case is the only one I've tried, and I actually really like it. It seems a bit… cheap at first, but it's very clever. It adds almost no bulk to the iPad, and makes it easy to put it into a position to type on. I find I can type on it almost as fast as a regular keyboard, but the lack of tactile feedback means my error rate is quite a bit higher, and the autocorrect sometimes does funny things to my writing, necessitating thorough proof-reading.
I've never had a netbook, and I'm a 100% Mac user if that's relevant, but I do love my iPad. It's the most handy gadget I own. I can't imagine a netbook would give you a better computing experience.
posted by damonism at 4:19 PM on November 11, 2010
Personally, I really don't miss Flash. I can't think of any specific downsides off the top of my head, but there are occasionally times when I can't do something I want to do. The upsides though a that I don't have my browsing experience dragged down by flash crappily displaying crappy flash.
I'd suggest that you check out your wife's favorite sites on safari with flash disabled though.
If you can learn to trust it, the keyboard works find for touchtyping in landscape mode. I actually prefer it to typing on the HP Mini netbook I've used. If more typing is necessary, it works with Bluetooth keyboards.
And yes, the apple case is the way to go.
posted by Good Brain at 4:41 PM on November 11, 2010
I'd suggest that you check out your wife's favorite sites on safari with flash disabled though.
If you can learn to trust it, the keyboard works find for touchtyping in landscape mode. I actually prefer it to typing on the HP Mini netbook I've used. If more typing is necessary, it works with Bluetooth keyboards.
And yes, the apple case is the way to go.
posted by Good Brain at 4:41 PM on November 11, 2010
If your wife likes to cook, Epicurious for the iPad is fantastic. FANTASTIC.
I bought Mr. Narrative an iPad 3G for his birthday this past spring. He'd been interested in them but wasn't intending to buy one for himself. However, once he actually had it, he immediately began integrating it into his daily routine. Now he usually brings it as his sole computing device when he travels for business, runs presentations off of it, reads on it in bed, answers emails and types up work documents on the train, etc etc etc.
It really is a fantastic device and it FEELS more luxurious than it actually is, price-wise.
Also, the Apple case is definitely the way to go -- my husband tried out a few, via borrowing from coworkers, and theirs was useful without being too bulky.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 5:25 PM on November 11, 2010
I bought Mr. Narrative an iPad 3G for his birthday this past spring. He'd been interested in them but wasn't intending to buy one for himself. However, once he actually had it, he immediately began integrating it into his daily routine. Now he usually brings it as his sole computing device when he travels for business, runs presentations off of it, reads on it in bed, answers emails and types up work documents on the train, etc etc etc.
It really is a fantastic device and it FEELS more luxurious than it actually is, price-wise.
Also, the Apple case is definitely the way to go -- my husband tried out a few, via borrowing from coworkers, and theirs was useful without being too bulky.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 5:25 PM on November 11, 2010
I've had one for about a month and have yet to encounter any problems with it not supporting Flash. Typing isn't too big a problem in landscape mode--I've used it for short emails and such--and even in the vertical position it's not too bad. The Epicurious app mentioned above is indeed quite awesome and I've already used it a few times in the kitchen. If she's anything like me, she won't regret the ipad over a netbook at all. It's versatile, sleek, and very much a different experience than a laptop or netbook. I'm big on aesthetics, though. I still haven't gotten over the OMGIT'SSOPRETTY stage.
I can't attest to the case because I've never used it, but my boyfriend and I are currently lusting after this DODO case, which is $20 more (but really neat looking).
posted by a.steele at 5:31 PM on November 11, 2010
I can't attest to the case because I've never used it, but my boyfriend and I are currently lusting after this DODO case, which is $20 more (but really neat looking).
posted by a.steele at 5:31 PM on November 11, 2010
The lack of flash support is barely noticeable in most situations. I've used Skype to make hour-long phone calls and the call quality is actually quite impressive - better than Skype on the iPod touch, for example. Note that the current OS doesn't support multi-tasking, so she wouldn't able to chat on Skype and then, say, tab over to a different program to check something (or play a game if she's being bored...). But that's not a problem that's likely to last for too long.
I thought the Apple Case was sort of lame, aesthetically, so I Googled around for a different leather case. I have this one, which I quite like as it actually feels protective. I would also get her a stand for when she's cooking - I'm quite partial of this one and have been eye-ing it for quite a while.
Lastly, typing isn't an issue at all for me in landscape mode. I've actually turned off auto-correct because Apple suggesting weird things based on their algorithm was getting more annoying than the minimal mistakes I would actually make in real life. If she's writing a novel, a bluetooth keyboard might just feel more comfortable, but for emails and whatnot I really wouldn't worry about it.
So, all in all: Go for it! It's an AWESOME gadget.
posted by Phire at 5:51 PM on November 11, 2010
I thought the Apple Case was sort of lame, aesthetically, so I Googled around for a different leather case. I have this one, which I quite like as it actually feels protective. I would also get her a stand for when she's cooking - I'm quite partial of this one and have been eye-ing it for quite a while.
Lastly, typing isn't an issue at all for me in landscape mode. I've actually turned off auto-correct because Apple suggesting weird things based on their algorithm was getting more annoying than the minimal mistakes I would actually make in real life. If she's writing a novel, a bluetooth keyboard might just feel more comfortable, but for emails and whatnot I really wouldn't worry about it.
So, all in all: Go for it! It's an AWESOME gadget.
posted by Phire at 5:51 PM on November 11, 2010
Like the other posters here, I am also amazed at how much I love the iPad. It does everything everyone says, but nobody has brought up an essential part of the experience: it is a TABLET. I bought a stylus and I am loving taking notes in my own handwriting (there are many apps that will do that)
I am also at a point (after a month) where I can type fairly well on the touch keyboard (in landscape mode), although you have to look at the keys, which is a bit of a drag (I'm a great touch typist).
I had an Asus netbook (it died quite prematurely and inexplicably) and I never liked it. The iPa is far far more fun.
I don't miss Flash at all. I watch YouTube videos with no problem. I don't like Flash websites anyway.
posted by DMelanogaster at 6:05 PM on November 11, 2010
I am also at a point (after a month) where I can type fairly well on the touch keyboard (in landscape mode), although you have to look at the keys, which is a bit of a drag (I'm a great touch typist).
I had an Asus netbook (it died quite prematurely and inexplicably) and I never liked it. The iPa is far far more fun.
I don't miss Flash at all. I watch YouTube videos with no problem. I don't like Flash websites anyway.
posted by DMelanogaster at 6:05 PM on November 11, 2010
iOS4.2, which will support multitasking, will be released sometime this month.
I expect the lack of flash will have a negligible impact. It doesn't impact my iphone browsing in the slightest.
Skype will work fine, just not for video calls.
Strangely, the iPad is not listed on the macrumors buying guide. The iPad was released in April 2010, and I would expect that a new version will be released in April 2011, which may include one or more cameras.
posted by reddot at 6:06 PM on November 11, 2010
I expect the lack of flash will have a negligible impact. It doesn't impact my iphone browsing in the slightest.
Skype will work fine, just not for video calls.
Strangely, the iPad is not listed on the macrumors buying guide. The iPad was released in April 2010, and I would expect that a new version will be released in April 2011, which may include one or more cameras.
posted by reddot at 6:06 PM on November 11, 2010
iPad rules. I use it mostly for .pdf viewing or remote management, but everything else it does is pretty spiffy too.
I have the ModulR case. It was steep, but it's pretty awesome. Having the little feet on the bottom makes it ok to just set it down wherever (which was a big concern before I had a case), and the different mods you can get are sweet too.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:07 PM on November 11, 2010
I have the ModulR case. It was steep, but it's pretty awesome. Having the little feet on the bottom makes it ok to just set it down wherever (which was a big concern before I had a case), and the different mods you can get are sweet too.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:07 PM on November 11, 2010
I like the incase book cover/stand because the stand is built in to the case, it has 3 different angles (up to five, really) and I find occasion to use them all.
http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/cl57512R/7
I don't miss my netbook much---the iPad is visually easier to look at than the tiny netbook screen, and everything is faster.
I use the built in keyboard most of the time---but have a Bluetooth keyboard for my doctoral work, ie. writing papers in Google docs, using an app.
posted by vitabellosi at 7:07 PM on November 11, 2010
http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/cl57512R/7
I don't miss my netbook much---the iPad is visually easier to look at than the tiny netbook screen, and everything is faster.
I use the built in keyboard most of the time---but have a Bluetooth keyboard for my doctoral work, ie. writing papers in Google docs, using an app.
posted by vitabellosi at 7:07 PM on November 11, 2010
I have the DodoCase: totally worth the 20 extra bucks.
posted by shothotbot at 9:18 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by shothotbot at 9:18 PM on November 11, 2010
I hate Flash so surfing with the iPad is my preference (I have an Air as well).
If your wife likes to cook, Rouxbe is awesome on the iPad.
For a case, I use Freitag. It doesn't double as a stand but it's a great case.
Here's some other cool iPad stuff.
posted by dobbs at 10:11 PM on November 11, 2010
If your wife likes to cook, Rouxbe is awesome on the iPad.
For a case, I use Freitag. It doesn't double as a stand but it's a great case.
Here's some other cool iPad stuff.
posted by dobbs at 10:11 PM on November 11, 2010
Joe, icabmobile can play youtube videos or launch the app from the browser.
posted by monkeymadness at 3:27 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by monkeymadness at 3:27 AM on November 12, 2010
IANTP(tech person), but I just read this, about flash on the iPad, this morning:
http://www.ipadshouse.com/apple-finally-permits-flash-on-the-ipad/
posted by vitabellosi at 6:34 AM on November 12, 2010
http://www.ipadshouse.com/apple-finally-permits-flash-on-the-ipad/
posted by vitabellosi at 6:34 AM on November 12, 2010
Just a note: if she uses the iPad in the kitchen and wants to protect it from splashes etc., she can put it in a Ziploc bag and the multitouch will still work.
posted by crosbyh at 9:24 AM on November 12, 2010
posted by crosbyh at 9:24 AM on November 12, 2010
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posted by gnat at 3:22 PM on November 11, 2010