Re: old versus new (laptop vs ipad)

And if you live in an area with good mobile signal, not everyone does, even in England I found several areas where there is no signal, these modern tablets won't work then will they

Of course maybe there is a land line socket on them, if there is no one has mentioned it in all the reviews I've read.

Re: old versus new (laptop vs ipad)

I am a Mac user too and would never go back to Windows; I also have an iPad which I find very convenient.

Re: old versus new (laptop vs ipad)

I dont have a problem with buying an Ipad, just using one, they are completly alien to me, its an whole new ball game and I am at the age when new technology is very hard to understand, so I will keep with my desktop and maybe upgrade when the new windows 8 surfaces.

Re: old versus new (laptop vs ipad)

That's true but then that caveat applies to all mobile devices such as laptops, iphones and tablets. One you are out of the house you are at the mercy of the phone coverage - that's how they work because that's what they are designed for - taking with you.
Having said that, we find the 3G coverage much better wherever we go in England than the wi-fi internet via a dongle. We did that with a mini laptop a few years ago and wasted £60 on wi-fi data we couldn't access except in a park in Glasgow whereas we have had no trouble at all picking up the 3G network. I guess it's a matter of what you want one for.

Re: old versus new (laptop vs ipad)

mags - I use a stylus with my ipad )like a biro but with a soft rubber end) - you can buy them in the IT accessories dept of any big shop - they make using the ipad much more accurate and easy

Re: old versus new (laptop vs ipad)

ipads are easier to use than a desktop or laptop - much simpler and much quicker. It's really only a matter of getting someone to show you and I think you would be surprised at their simplicity of use. They are meant chiefly for email and internet, photos, music and entertainment and don't replace a desktop but are brilliant for travel and out and about. I take mine in my handbag to appointment, hairdresser, meetings etc. My 86 year old b-in-l has just traded his ipad1 for ipad3 and loves it.

Re: old versus new (laptop vs ipad)

I am not a great fan of tablets I have an Android based one made by Sony which is great as a remote control and perhaps on train journeys (though I prefer my eReader) but for everything else the desktop, laptop or even my netbook are much more useful. Even printing from the tablet is a major chore and much more work is needed before they even come close to replicating the usefulness of the aforementioned.

I have used an iPad but personally think 'Apple' is just a synonym for 'overpriced' (though to be fair that is their business model and it seems to work). My tablet is rarely used.

Re: old versus new (laptop vs ipad)

Have you found any help
For your ipad use yet !

Re: old versus new (laptop vs ipad)

Aitch, has your brother found the iPad guide on his actual iPad? If he clicks on the bookmark icon in Safari (it's like an open book, on the top left), and he'll find the user guide. It may help him to start off with the basics.

I held off buying one until late last year, for cost reasons, and love it. I also have a desktop, laptop and netbook. And an iPhone. I'm a 60 year old single woman (just never call me a spinster!) and love technology and gadgets!

Re: old versus new (laptop vs ipad)

I looked for the manual on the computer and found that it is 160+ pages long, not something my brother would read, I printed him the first few chapters out, to get him started so to speak, but he is still in a rut with it, I told him to make his daughter (who supplied him with it) give him instructions on the thing, she is a chartered accountant so must be used to them, I will see what happens with him.