r2i forum

Oh, the ignominy!

I am looking for a "portable" Microsoft Word. Something I can take with me around the house or outside to kids activities etc, and enter deep thoughts for blog posts or threads. It should preferably fit in a small tote bag, and be easy to use for typing medium to long documents. My knowledge of the latest devices is very very limited. I read that Palm is going out of biz, and have never held a PDA in my palm.

What would be a better buy - the Netbook or iPad? Are there any other devices that would serve the purpose (portable Microsoft Word).
Some friends say to go for iPad, but I would rather wait for a stabler version.

Which brand to buy, to avoid, where to buy online... any opinions appreciated. Would buying a used one from craigslist be a good idea? Any idea what professional bloggers use other than laptops?

Budget is not an issue, but prefer to not overspend either.

Thx.

I got the IPad and love it. I use it when I need to look up something quickly, or when watching TV. There are a lot of apps for kids to. One can always keep waiting for stabler versions but once u get urs you will find uses which have never thought of. If you want to use it for word processing get the external keyboard. Check out youtube videos of cats and Ipads. This is a revolutionary platform and its better to be goto the party earlier then later. Best thing is to goto the Apple store and feel it. I had my doubts too but when I saw my friend use it, I drove 30 miles to get it as it was sold out in the shops closeby. I have never been an Apple Mac user but of late I find that I am using their products more then anything else. They know how to do user-interface better then anybody else

I would recommend IPad with an External keyboard too. However, it might be a bit inconvenient to take the external keyboard to outdoor places. The on screen keyboard might bring jitters to you fingers unless you are typing tons of pages. Best is to try one out at an Apple store.

Oh and one more thing -

Some wise words about IPad from Hitler -

[video=youtube;ht5a-Jtai0w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht5a-Jtai0w[/video]

And another one...

[video=youtube;nQlZm3Y63y0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQlZm3Y63y0[/video]

Remember - No Multitasking and no Flash support (and a lot of web is Flash - including Videos) - I believe that's why they have priced it as low as $500. Also people have wondered why it has no camera. I would go and try it out at an Apple store for a feel of it.

Kindle costs about $300 - so paying $200 for an almost full computer may be a good value.

Good Luck and Have Fun if you decide to buy it.

Bhagat Singh

modus_vivendi;279435Budget is not an issue, but prefer to not overspend either.

If you don't have a budget, how can you overspend? Go for it! :)

I am waiting for the next version of iPad so that they work out the kinks from new product launch. I like Apple products. I have an iTouch that is handy at home. The wait is worth it as it will also give an opportunity to check out the Google product. There is an HP one as well coming out later this year. I recently dropped my iTouch and the screen cracked. It took me $80 to get that fixed. :(

I am half way assembling my new PC. :) Will complete it tonight, hopefully. Now, that is my latest toy.

As for word docs, I wouldn't go for it for that reason, unless you want some fancy templates. Google docs is good enough for me.

I think the 3G with WiFi is the key for any of these products. 3G when outside home and WiFi at home. Will ensure that one is connected, on the go. Once online, you can use http://www.scribefire.com/ or http://wbloggar.com/ or http://download.live.com/writer for blog posting. They are all pretty decent.

BhagatSingh77;279612Remember - No Multitasking and no Flash support (and a lot of web is Flash - including Videos) - I believe that's why they have priced it as low as $500. Also people have wondered why it has no camera. I would go and try it out at an Apple store for a feel of it.

Kindle costs about $300 - so paying $200 for an almost full computer may be a good value.

Good Luck and Have Fun if you decide to buy it.

Bhagat Singh

Couple more things to consider about iPad.

- Multi-Tasking will be supported on iPad starting with OS 4 scheduled to launch in Summer 2010
- Apple plans on sticking to their guns about NO Flash support. It is not known yet if they would entertain Flash any time in future.
- No Camera (might be considered for the next version of IPad)
- No USB ports (might be considered for the next version of IPad)

No flash support as Apple doesn't want to encourage a development platform other then XCode. The current iPad can be upgraded to the the multi-os. They will not introduce h/w in november so it will be atleast one year before they move to newer platforms. I believe this is not a replacement for the PC, it is an addition. I for one love the tactile/touch option since I hate to use the mouse. I have the Kindle too and that is useful when you don't want to hold a 1.5 lb device in your hand for long. The Hilter video makes a case for everything should be included in the iPad, however are you willing to wait for 2 years . I for one am not and what I have does its job. I believe parents will flock to this device in huge numbers due to a large number of educational applications. Best analogy to the iPad is the black slate and chalk we all grew up with. That had zero features but everyone loves it. Humans want to touch and feel things and want feedback for their actions. The iPad delivers that experience better then any device out there.

Thanks for the responses. Check this out: :)

[YOUTUBE]Q9NP-AeKX40 [/YOUTUBE]

modus_vivendi;280277Thanks for the responses. Check this out: :)

[YOUTUBE]Q9NP-AeKX40 [/YOUTUBE]

All right this does it, I have decided to buy one immediately, it is so cute, and amazing, it can multitask, it has more intelligence built in than an average one, wonder how much it costs though, the cat that is!:)