Looking at buying an iPad 4th Gen (16GB) with wifi

rack on 29/03/2013 - 11:25

I am not a gadget person but now that i have recently started commuting long hours, i have thought about getting an ipad. Tired of carrying around folders and books. I need the ipad for some light browsing on the train, check emails etc.

Most important thing i need to get out of it is to be able to read pdf files. Save them on the ipad and access them. Read books in pdf format also. And this one i am not sure about but is it possible to use microsoft word on an ipad. I need to be able to write up stuff.

Does the ipad allow dual screen like computers do. You know looking at one document and typing onto the other.

Is it possible to insert a storage card into the ipad and expand the memory and if not possible then maybe using a usb storage device and saving stuff directly to the usb.

I appreciate some advice about the features and how to get the best price this weekend.

Computing

Comments

  • rack on 29/03/2013 - 11:28

    Also i am not into fancy apps or things like that, not interested in gaming etc so if there is a cheaper tablet which can do the same work please suggest. I just want it to be fast and not leg behind or freeze.

    • gottacatchemall on 29/03/2013 - 12:04

      If 7 inch enough for your reading needs? If so consider a Nexus 7 which is really cheap at the moment.

  • rack on 29/03/2013 - 12:22

    I need a full size only so that i can type easily. 7 inch is too small. But good suggestion.

  • leonheart1 on 29/03/2013 - 12:32

    Typing on a tablet is a pain. You need a Bluetooth keyboard.

    I'd recommend an ipad with 3G just so you can use it to browse on the train.

    More apps (and lots of them going free often) compared to android.
    And yes, there are ms office equivalents for both devices.

    If you can't afford the ipad 4, maybe look at a refurbished ipad3. Only differences are the slightly faster graphics chip and the lightning connector. Ipad 1&2 have much lower resolutions.

    And no, there's no additional storage option but there are heaps of online backup utilities.

    • gottacatchemall on 29/03/2013 - 12:53

      The graphics are more than slightly faster. The CPU and graphics are alot faster. The front facing camera is also better and the lightning connector is also new.

      • scrimshaw on 29/03/2013 - 13:33

        iPad 3 is already sufficient for PDF viewing and typing up documents.

    • rack on 29/03/2013 - 13:38

      Thanks for the info. So it means i can't work on documents stored on a usb drive. How does one transfer files over to an ipad and then from the ipad back to the computer.

      • scrimshaw on 29/03/2013 - 13:40

        How does one transfer files over to an ipad and then from the ipad back to the computer.

        Ummm… dropbox? Dropbox will automatically sync your files over your WLAN connection.

        If you want a device that takes in USB (and other USB devices, like regular computer keyboards and mice, portable hdds, card readers and cameras) then you should buy an Android tablet.

        If you're not reliant on cloud storage and prefer to carry USB keys around, then you should buy Android.

        If you're getting an iPad, you really should use Dropbox or sign up to some other kind of online storage, since the iPad cannot mount USB drives or read SD cards.

        • rack on 29/03/2013 - 23:13

          Wow pretty limiting when it comes to hardware. Any recommendation on a good android tablet. What's the tablet they show on TV which flips between a laptop and a tablet. Is that any good?

  • ajd71 on 30/03/2013 - 09:22

    I have an Asus Transformer Prime Infinity. It's an Android tablet. It comes with an optional keyboard docking station (basically turning it into a laptop).

    10" screen, superb resolution, HDMI & mini SD card in base tablet. Full size USB port & SD card in keyboard dock.

    I've never managed to run the battery out - It's got about 4-7 hours in the tablet, and another 4-7 hours in the keyboard dock.

    App wise, it has native Adobe Reader. It comes with an office clone (Polaris office) which I'd trust to write basic word documents, but wouldn't trust to keep advanced formatting, indexs, embedded objects and so on.

    I love the fact I can avoid Itunes, just plug it in and I've got all the expandable connectivity I require. It only comes with WiFi - I've got a 4G Telstra mobile broadband device if I need data. (It can charge from the keyboard dock).

    It's about the same price point as an Apple device (well last I checked), but I love the fact I get what I want without being locked into the constraints of an Apple device. And it's so much better for typing on than a tablet, no fingerprints too!

    • rack on 30/03/2013 - 09:37

      Ok thanks. Will go shopping today and try on the ipad and Asus transformer if i can find a demo model at the stores.

  • Miss Dior on 30/03/2013 - 19:43

    Thanks "rack" for asking these questions. I've been unsure whether to buy an ipad because of what I've heard. Like you I want access to Word, but also Excel and I want to transfer files, including use a USB. I like itunes and want to store photos but after the above responses I think I might be better sticking with my (old) netbook. Only problem is the sound isn't so great. I guess there must be some apps specifically designed for certain industries, since I've seen many real estate agents use them. Seems like ipad is mainly for games apps, music and photos and isn't really a substitute for a laptop. Horses for courses I guess. Thanks everyone for your comments, you've helped more than one Ozbargainer.

  • ironsword on 30/03/2013 - 21:32

    An android tablet is probably best suited if you want/need to transfer files via USB. Whilst most tablets don't have a USB port there are micro USB to USB adapters that will allow you to do this. I don't know of any recent tabs that have a USB on them but the Acer Iconia A210 (launched June 2012 I think) does. Not sure of performance etc… just look up some video reviews. You can pick one up for less than $400. Just a suggestion.

  • kenbro on 31/03/2013 - 03:58

    I recommend the Google Nexus 10"
    Not only are you getting a tablet at a better price than Ipads which are overpriced (imo)
    You are getting one of the best spec-monstered tablets on the markets.

    And with android, you have so much more capabilities to do things

  • ITveteran on 31/03/2013 - 04:44

    Given your requiremement I 'd suggest go for an ultrabook - full functionality yet good battery life.

  • antzz on 31/03/2013 - 10:12

    If you want office, adobe and usb. You should look at microsoft surface. Cost about the same but completely sync woth windows. You can use native microsoft word. Sync with your outlook account and use skydrive to sync between content. It has a touch keyboard which is fancy with quite limited functionality but do the job. It will keep your formatting constant. Otherwise buy android tablet like note 10 inch. You can use your handwriting which works very2 good in recognizing and ability to split screen between apps which is the only tablet with this capability.

    • rack on 31/03/2013 - 11:05

      Microsoft surface does look good. Anymore comments on this.

      Here's are my requirements so far.

      Able to download and save pdfs.
      Be able to view pdfs and office word in split screens
      Be able to type and format
      Lightweight and long battery life.
      Use some form of external storage (not online)

      Basically whatever a laptop does but lightweight, fast and long battery life.

      • scrimshaw on 31/03/2013 - 15:29

        Another vote for MS Surface. One good thing about the surface that most other tablets lack is the full size usb port.

        You can plug in any kind of device into the surface, including: mice/keyboard, webcams, printers, card readers, portable drives etc. and Windows 8 RT will work with them.

        Re: split screen functionality. While it is possible to split Metro apps into 2, the apps are not equally divided onto both sides of the screen, unlike Windows programs. In "Metro" mode, one app will take roughly 1/4ths of the screen while the other takes up 3/4ths.

        So while you can technically edit and view your PDF at the same time, your screen layout will look abit like this

        So you might wish to consider the surface PRO (or equivalent x86 tablet like Acer Iconia W series) not the surface RT.

      • kyteflyer on 31/03/2013 - 15:38

        If you were prepared to use google docs or zoho or similar for storing and working on your docs, there are a few split screen apps for iOS. I imagine there may also be some for Android. Here's a link to just one. They use a browser window. You could be reading the pdf from google docs, and working on the word file on google docs in the second window.
        http://fifthcolumncode.com/splitscreen/

        I just downloaded and tried out the free version. Works fine. However I would not be doing that kind of work on a tablet. A lightweight laptop would make a better choice.

  • rack on 01/04/2013 - 09:26

    Thanks for all the info people. I went for a look around and tested a few of the things. Honestly i don't think the tablet is actually what i need. I couldn't see any benefit over buying a laptop. It might be portable but like someone said before i think it's more for entertainment and less for work.

    I am now looking at buying a laptop. Very lightweight. Decent storage. And durable as it will be travelling a lot. Any ideas do let me know.

  • Miss Dior on 01/04/2013 - 11:39

    I have a toshiba laptop (15") and an acer netbook (10"). While I needed a laptop to put my Adobe master collection on, I have found that I don't use it when away on a photography shoot. I tend to do that work at home, so I really take my netbook with me most times, for internet and email plus a bit of Word and Excel. As a consequence I would now choose to buy a 14" if I were upgrading and that would probably satisfy both needs, eliminating the need for 2 machines. Its a real pain that the netbook doesn't have a CD to load programmes. I've found both brands to be excellent, especially the acer. I've taken it all over Australia. I would definitely go for something light since the weight makes a real difference when you are on the move. I bought both at Harvey (yes I know not everyone likes them) and they've been very good for me. If I have any problems I just drop it off to the technicians at my local store and they take care of it, which is good for me given that I am not technologically savvy. The staff that sold it to me are now based at the Castle Hill store in Sydney, and as I am a regular shopper with them, they did give me a good price at the time (years ago). Sorry I can't recommend a specific machine as I don't have the need to upgrade that often.

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