Vibrant Nation

HA!  True!

i want a t shirt that says this!

Thanks for your response.  I think one should always get the best when one is buying electronics because the technology gets better and better and pretty soon even the best you just bought is obsolete.  These seem so reasonably priced for all they do that I wonder if the price will go down as it usually does with all Apple products or if it won't because the rate is already pretty good.

Thank you for responding.  I think I really get it now.  Please tell me if I understand.  The one with Wi-Fi works with any wireless network, like the one in my house or at Starbucks?  The 3g works like a cell phone browsing the net so it works in lots of places, but there is actually no telephone in this device.  It's just for books, music, surfing the web and email.  Is that correct?

Also, another question I forgot to ask is about the books.  I was thinking about buying a Kindle myself but decided not to spend the money because - well, to be honest, I decided to leave the money in the bank for my SE and the kids.  I would not get to enjoy it long enough to spend the money in my mind, but I am considering buying a computer for a good friend of mine.  She might just enjoy one of these IPads.  What I should like to know first is about the reader part of this.  With the kindle it seems like there were lots of books to choose from because it is Amazon.  Is there as many books with this and are they as cheap as the kindle books?  Oh and another question about 3g.  I have not used a phone like that.  I only use it to talk on or reply to text messages which I hate, but my kids and grandkids and nieces and nephews like to text me so I do it.  Gotta keep up with the times I guess.  So my question about 3g is this:  Is it fast or does it take forever to get a screen to open like dial-up?  

Again thanks for your response (and your concern for my health which is depressing so I won't even go into it, but thanks for asking.

You got it!  The 3G works just like a cell phone. it's the 3G technology that the device uses to transport data.  And yes it's blazing fast.  I have an iPhone 3G & it works great.  Keep in mind that it will probably be just thru AT&T (who knows maybe they'll expand to other networks at a later date).  Apple will have a site just like iTunes (iBooks) that you'll be able to buy books from, the same way you would purchase books thru Amazon (Don't know yet if you'll be able to download from other sites). I know that they have some big publishing houses sign-on to this deal so there should be plenty of books to choose from. The Wi-Fi version isn't much more than the Kindle but it would be worth a little more money to go with the 3G for better connectivity (just my opinion). It also stores photos, plays videos and of course email...hope that helps......K

I'm a Mac lover as well. The 3G version is worth the wait...but won't be long...and shortly the publishers will all sign on. The technology isn't brand new - it is an expansion of the iPod Touch, so many kinks have already been worked out...or so my computer guru tells me. The main difference between the iPad and a full laptop is the word processing function, which is about the only thing it isn't great for.  The other problem is that typing is trickier if you have longer nails, since it responds to touch, by flesh. Having said all of this, it is an amazing product and will be my 60th birthday present to myself this summer - so I'll just have to trim my nails. And it is truly a work of art...a sculpture you can hold in your hand and take with you.

Fela - You say the word processing is it's weak link - really? I watched the Steve Jobs presentation video and was so excited (I too am a die hard Mac Freak) They talked about the word processing capabilities using Pages from the i-Work suit. I do a lot of writing - have been using the Mac version of Word, but assumed that the Pages software would be comparable. Maybe not? Also wondered if my Word files can be transverred successfully to Pages format? The big trade off for me in swithching to an i-Pad, would be not being able to run more than one application at a time - think about it - I now can have Word open while I"m working, and jump over to catch an e-mail, or go looking on the internet for some factoid (or to Vibrant Nation!) as reference for what I'm working on. Thats a bummer. Also, I'm a big fan of Netflx - living in rural Maine and no where's ville Az - but don't think I can use Netflx to watch movies on the Pad - would only be able to access one's available through Macs movie store (same question someone else had about book availability - as in less titles than Amazon) Guess it will catch up, or start sharing before too long, just wonder if we should wait till they get it ramped up. My 4 year old Mac Book Pro, is getting close to it's natural life expectancey, so I'll have to decide soon whether to take the leap to  Pad. Do you think it would work in Europe? Whew - that was a lot! Sorrry, but I"m brimming with excitment about this thing and want to be smart instead of just falling for all the glorious Mac looking Mac style bells and whistles as ! Thanks - Sarah

Yes, iWork (Pages, Numbers and Keynote - all of which I love and currently use on my lap-top) will work. The only problem I have found is that when I send any file as an attachment, most people can't open them since the Mac and PC world seems to use Microsoft Word, etc. So I have to save as pdf to send. Not sure the iPad can do that, but will find out. I work as an art consultant and regularly communicate with clients via e-mail, so a big issue with me. I use Pages and Keynote for art presentations and Word and Excel for the rest. And I agree, multiple applications is a great convenience. So, not yet replacing my laptop, but if you can afford it, have both!!! I think (hope) that eventually these functions will be incorporated. Supposed to work everywhere. My Blackberry, for example,  worked in Cambodia, but that largely depends on your service provider and their reach. But you need the 3G.

Great info - thanks! The bit about converting Pages files to jpj in order to send, sounds critical, so will wait to hear what you find out about that. Wish I could afford both, but afraid not. So the juries out as far as replacing my Mac Book Pro - was hoping that would work as I am so excited about the Pad. Will sit tight and learn more, and hope my Mac Book holds out for a few more months anyway.