Will an iPad fit my needs?

[Savannah]

I've been trying to do some research on the iPad in deciding whether I should get one & I was wondering if you could help me out?!
So, here's my situation. It sucks but I have a chronic illness & it is really acting up. There are many days I spend on the couch & can only do things in 10-15 minute increments . Not a fun way to live but i love to write,keep in touch with people online, sketch & read.When I have days im stuck in bed it's really hard for me to get my laptop & move it aside when I'm done& then pick it up when I'm rested again. That's why I'm considering the iPad. Do you think it'd fit my needs?
What would you say are the must have accessories?What would be the best desk/dock to use in a recliner with an attached keyboard?
Looking forward to your thoughts!
Savannah

 

[Dragoro]

It will be perfect for everything but writing. Its not good for any kind of long periods of writing unless you buy one of the keyboards you can use with it. For everything else youve described it will be perfect for you.

 

[Savannah]

I'm definitely planning on a keyboard. I'm just trying to figure out how to best set it up. Like a lap desk or just a stand

 

[Dannyboy85]

I would get a lap desk for the iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard... The apple keyboard/dock is quite cumbersome and not really made for lap surfing.

 

[col.bris]

Welcome on board from australia in respect to typing options you can use dragon voice to text and other similar products if you cannot type easily.

I personally the ipad will be perfect for you and maybe the new apple tv so you can stream music and Picts to your tv. Plus rent movies etc

I am on my iPhone right now and not at home. however will research some options for you later

Col. Brisbane Australia

 

[SweetPoison]

I am on my iPhone right now and not at home. however will research some options for you later

You Are A Good Man, Charlie Brown.

 

[MattIM]

Welcome to the Forum, Savannah!

There are several Forum members who have found the iPad a real Solution to their physical requirements. Im glad you Found this Place.

I would recommend you check out this review of the Zaggmate by another forum member, Marilyn. I think with this accessory and the iPad, you will find very useful. I would also suggest you get a stylus, too.

http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-acce...-review-zaggmate-bluetooth-keyboard-case.html

 

[dupont2005]

I think you will like the iPad. I used to use my laptop for couch surfing and it was too big, got hot, and the battery died too quick. The iPad has never changed temperature that I know of and the battery lasts all day. It can become a chore holding it depending on what you are doing and for how long though. As far as it's weight, it's definitely lighter than my computer but heavier than I expected after all the praise it got for being so lightweight. As far as surfing and writing goes, it could be better but it does the job. I prefer using apps to actually visiting websites. Sites that have apps like Netflix and Facebook I visit more often, and even then there are things I can't do or get to work right. I do use the iPad to Google things, browse Amazon, take online surveys, e-mail, and check up on the web forums I visit, but I am more likely to actually respond in a forum when I'm at my laptop still. Writing will take me some getting used to. I do write on the iPad, but I make a lot of corrections from not hitting the spacebar or accidentally hitting the enter key in the middle of a word or something. And the auto correction does not actually save me any time. I have not tried drawing but I have read plenty and it's great for reading, indoors of course. Overall I think it's a great couch device. If you have limited time to dedicate to it per session you probably will want the keyboard for typing. I haven't tried it so I can't give any feedback on that though.

 

[Mickey330]

I too think the iPad would be great for you. I used to use an ASUS netbook/lapdesk combo and it would be both heavy and hot after a while. That's the main reason I have the iPad - it's much lighter and comfortable to use.

I was reading an article on TUAW the other day about an iPad stand. I was wondering if this might help you in holding the iPad or while stuck in bed. I've not tried it (nor am I interested in it for myself) - I just think it might be neat for someone to use in bed with the iPad. The TUAW article is here:
Laplog for iPad molds to your midsection

Good luck with your decision.

Marilyn

 

[George Knighton]

What worries me a little bit is that if Savannah finds a notebook/laptop cumbersome, and the user can only work for ten or fifteen minutes at a time, the user might find that an iPad plus a keyboard will be as cumbersome as the laptop/notebook.

The user might also find the attaching and detaching of a physical keyboard or the linking and unlinking of a Bluetooth keyboard to take a little too much time out of the fifteen minutes, and prove a little more effort than is really necessary.

If the user is just doing things like emailing and managing Facebook, or using a text chat interface, then perhaps the user would be better off using the iPad by itself with a Zoogue case that will allow the user to prop the iPad on the abdomen or chest for viewing and using the on screen keyboard. If this doesn't work, then the only thing wasted is the $30 or so for the Zoogue case, and the user can proceed to invest in an add-on keyboard.

An OEM charger cord easily attaches and detaches from the stock iPad with the Zoogue case, too.

This is a very cheap and easy solution which, perhaps, should be attempted before investing in add-on keyboards and attempting to manoeuvre the attaching and detaching, or linking and unlinking.

And I know this is an iPad forum, but we might want to also consider the possibility that one of the new MacBook Air with integral keyboard might be a better solution for this particular user than an iPad, especially an iPad to which the user will have to add a physical keyboard for a solution.

This is a very good buy for $1099: Refurbished MacBook Air 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - Apple Store (U.S.)

A small number of the large screen MacBook Air of the current generation came back to Apple because of a bug and these items have been re-worked and provided for sale at a savings. I don't know how many of them are left, but I was tempted by this price point when I was shopping for a friend. Although I went with the 13" MacBook Pro instead of the refurbished MacBook Air for various reasons, maybe this might provide a better experience for the particular original poster.

If the poster is thinking about an iPad plus a keyboard, and having to worry about docking it for charging while in some sort of limited mobility state, or a state hampered by various levels of pain, then I think (personally) I would consider either the refurbished MacBook Air or the iPad with the Zoogue case opened in the way it opens so that you can prop it on your chest or abdomen for viewing and typing.

I apologise for interfering with the train of thought. It is just a couple of ideas.

 

[George Knighton]

And by the way, I noticed the other day that OWC (macsales.com) has a number of the Apple physically docking keyboards and the current generation Bluetooth keyboards available at substantial savings.

 

[George Knighton]

Apple Keyboard Dock for Apple iPad - Keyboar... (MC533LL/A) at OWC

Apple Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard for Mac or... (MC184LL/A) at OWC

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/ZooGue-ZGSMRT1-Tablet-PC-Case/dp/B003UYRZO2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291560408&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: ZooGue ZGSMRT1 Tablet PC Case - 7.75" x 9.75" x 0.93" - Leather - Black: Electronics[/ame] (This is version one, I think. Version two is about the same quality but is designed to give more room on the edges of the glass so that you won't hang up if you're moving applications from one screen to another.)

The keyboards seem to be a good buy compared to new at Apple, but I think that personally I would still first consider just the Zoogue case or look at the 13" MacBook Pro and the MacBook air.

 

[Savannah]

Thank you for all the responses, you've given me a lot to think about & look into!
George- the mobility or add ons is something I'm considering too