Anyone using an iPad?

Post your general and technical information, questions or responses in this forum. Viewing messages is open to all with no registration or log-in required. Prior to posting a new message or a response to an existing message, registration or login is required. Please do not post FOR SALE or WANTED ads in this section!

Moderator: bfadmin

Post Reply
User avatar
bcope01
Posts: 1290
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2005 6:55 pm

Anyone using an iPad?

Post by bcope01 »

Scott Bass, in a recent post, mentioned that he purchased an iPad 3G for use in his BF and gave it praise for use in an RV.

Any others using one in their travels that would be kind enough to tell us what they think of the iPad (pluses & minuses)?

I'm hoping to win one from an online giveaway. :wink:

Thanks, Bill
Barb & Bill
2004 Born Free 22' Built for Two (Sold)
no longer towing a 2008 Smart ForTwo

Escondido, CA
bill crommett

pod

Post by bill crommett »

Bill: What is an ipod ? is anything like a Smith-Corona ?
User avatar
bcope01
Posts: 1290
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2005 6:55 pm

Post by bcope01 »

Ha, ha Bill. Or a Royal? Actually we've moved beyond the iPod and now are thinking iPad.

Bill
Barb & Bill
2004 Born Free 22' Built for Two (Sold)
no longer towing a 2008 Smart ForTwo

Escondido, CA
User avatar
bbwolf
Posts: 163
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:07 am

Post by bbwolf »

Bill, the conventional geek view of the iPad is that it will replace a laptop, but not just yet. The things the current version lack make it a bit limited. Here are some of the standard positive/negative items discussed:

Pros of Apple iPad:
■10 hour battery life
■Built in Speaker and microphone
■Awesome App Store
■Interface is very much alike to iPhone/iPod Touch
■User-friendly to read newspaper, eBooks, magazines
■Uses home Wi-Fi
■Supports third party apps without modification

Cons of Apple iPad:
■Camera and flash is not supported in iPad
■GPS is not supported completely .
■Can’t load flash enabled videos.
■No USB support.
■No SD card reader built-in.
■You won’t able to connect iPad to TV because there are no HDMI output

Bottom line: It is a great device as is, but if at all possible, try to wait to get a future version that has the limitations resolved.
Alan and Jeannie Wolfe
2014 Born Free Freedom
User avatar
Steve
Posts: 204
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2005 11:46 am

Post by Steve »

Well the other thing about the iPad is it costs around $800.00 for the upgraded version but you can purchase a Netbook (same size screen and batterylife) for under $300.00 and have a "real" computer. Just my .02 cents worth!
Steve
Dennis Park

Post by Dennis Park »

bbwolf is right on in his response.

However my job requires me to carry both a lap top and Ipad, I travel for business 200 days a year, not in BF, all by air.

The application for navigation on the Ipad is excellent cost $85.00 and is updated every time you turn unit on.

There are 6 models of the ipad 3 just for wifi and 3 that have wifi and wireless capabilities. The difference in the 3 categories is how much stuff they will hold.

The advantage of the wireless vs a standard computer with wireless is there is not contract to use wireless, you can cancell and sign up at any time (only committment is for 30 days @ $30.00 unlimited useage), so if you are going on a tripl you can add and not have to worry about a reoccuring charges.
John S.
Posts: 477
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:01 pm

Ipad

Post by John S. »

I have an iPad and love it. It is not a full replacement for a computer but I now carry it instead of the laptop. More and more stuff is being written for Ipads and Iphones. The reason is mobile is the hot area and the iphone is so large an installed base that developers and companies can not ignore it any longer. So the lack of flash has only been an inconvenience. I do carry my laptop with it as well but it usually stays in the closet. The nav feature is worth it weight in gold. I saw on a sign board just the other day that the road would be closed. I looked for the iPad not the GPS as I could see much more of the surrounding area to figure out a detour.

Is it a complete replacement, no. But, Intel lowered its forecast and netbook sales have fallen and iPad sales have taken off. It is much lighter and the battery lasts a full day. I bought the camera adapter so Ic an upload and use my regular camera. Works much better than my phone for a picture.
2015 Royal Splendor on Ford 550 none slide version
Former owner 2007 24foot rear bath painted and 2006 22 foot built for two
Former owner 1994 34 foot 2000 36 foot and 2001 42 foot FORETRAVEL's.
User avatar
bcope01
Posts: 1290
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2005 6:55 pm

Post by bcope01 »

Thanks for all the responses so far - very informative. Any others?

Bill
Barb & Bill
2004 Born Free 22' Built for Two (Sold)
no longer towing a 2008 Smart ForTwo

Escondido, CA
Peter Robinson

Post by Peter Robinson »

Our children have IPads, their children have them; wish we did. Isn't that the way! Would have been perfect for our recent 50 day 7500 mile BFT trip. Use inside or out. Read books-magazines-newspapers online or stored, use Wikipedia, do EMail, show photos to people, find travel maps, locate campgrounds, make all kinds of reservations, navigate, search web, buy stuff and have it sent ahead, use Skype to call family (w/o video camera yet) basic word processing, play games draw and sketch with stylus (touch screen), listen to music. Use on wi-fi and/or cell system (subscribe to cellular data plan only when needed if you wish). All in a 7.5" by 9.5" by .5" superlite package with a georgeous bright screen. A great American designed product. What's not to like!
User avatar
bbwolf
Posts: 163
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:07 am

Post by bbwolf »

Bill, this article is aimed at traveling internationally, but there may be some interesting observations in it about the iPad.

http://gizmodo.com/5619750/eight-great- ... h-the-ipad
Alan and Jeannie Wolfe
2014 Born Free Freedom
harrisgowing
Posts: 338
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:30 pm

Post by harrisgowing »

Bill, based upon my experience with the 3G iPhone on our last two BF trips, the 3G iPad is number 1 on my wish list for travel. With the 3G iPhone I was able to access the internet any time I had decent cell coverage, which was most of the time. I frequently could search while we were driving and used it for access in campgrounds that had a fee for wifi. The bigger iPad screen would be a big plus for extended use. Plus, it is just a cool device!

Judy Harris
Chuck and Judy Harris
Oliver and Monty, the Cavaliers at the Rainbow Bridge; Timothy Dickens, the Cavalier puppy
2004 RSB
2015 Royal Splendor
Santana tandem bicycle
dnehring

iPad numer one on my wish list

Post by dnehring »

For years we have traveled with a laptop with WiFi, but have been frustrated with poor WiFi reception at campgrounds. Those with aircard equipped laptops using cell phone networks make out much better, but most aircard plans cost between $50 and $60 a month for the contract, which has to run for two years. So we've never gone this route. Now comes the iPad. The contract is half that of the aircard per month (or close to it; I have trouble keeping up with all the ATT pricing variations) and, best of all, when you are home and don't need the service, you can turn it off, then start it up again when you hit the road. Can't do that with an aircard. You have to keep paying out the $50 to $60 a month for a service even if you don't need it for several months. I do agree with those who say wait for the next generation of the iPad, probably due out within the first six moths of 2011, as it will no doubt be much improved over the current version. However, if you have to have one now, on our last trip we met an RVing couple who each had one!!! Now there's a vote of confidence. As for those who say get a net book because they are cheaper, these run operating systems other than Apple, meaning they are more prone to crashes, require more tech support, and are more prone to viruses.
User avatar
BFrees
Posts: 39
Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:56 pm

Re: Anyone using an iPad?

Post by BFrees »

bcope01 wrote: I'm hoping to win one from an online giveaway. :wink:

Thanks, Bill
If it's the AARP sweepstakes giveaway, I'm afraid you're out of luck!

I'm winning it! :D
Ed & Ann Marie
2002 24' RSB
Post Reply

Return to “General and Technical Information, Questions, and Responses”