<p>It’s physically uncomfortable and I really do love my Kindle, so that would be what I will take on my express bus. I commute about 1 1/2 to 2 hours each way and that’s the time I use the Kindle. The iPad is so heavy that it would be uncomfortable to sit and hold it for that long. The mini might have been a better choice for what I would use. I really do only read on it because I’m not a movie person (I’ve seen two movies in the last 20 years) and I don’t play games. I just can’t see myself putting aside my Kindle for this and it’s so expensive to sit unused.</p>
<p>I got my ipad three Christmases ago from my H when I had asked for a basic kindle. </p>
<p>I did still wanted a kindle, so I got that the following Christmas. But I find I love the ipad. I use it for:</p>
<p>Reading late at night when my H is sleeping so I don’t want to turn on a light to read on my kindle</p>
<p>Cooking–I have the Food Network app and Epicurious app, in addition to googled recipes</p>
<p>Watching Netflix and shows that I watch alone, comfortably in bed. I watch Nashville on the ABC app, PBS shows on the PBS app, Project Runway All Stars on the Lifetime app. </p>
<p>I work in a school, so I have some apps for working with kids.</p>
<p>We have almost never exchanged presents in our 27 years of marriage, so this has not come up before.</p>
<p>Since this is the case, I would keep giving it a try or fake it altogether. I would not want to hurt his feelings.</p>
<p>The iPad isn’t heavy at all. I sit and hold mine for hours with no problem.</p>
<p>My H is not a tech-loving person AT ALL but he bought himself a refurbished ipad for his birthday and never even uses his laptop anymore. He doesn’t find it physically uncomfortable at all-MORE comfortable than the laptop, that’s for sure. What he likes about it is that is can do all of the office tasks he used to have to do on the laptop, so when he’s called upon to work after-hours or at home, he can, without having to drag a laptop around. He enjoys the live interactive things some TV shows have and the touch screen just makes it that much easier. </p>
<p>I think your H was probably excited to get you what he thought was a much better piece of equipment than a kindle-and he’s right as far as how much more it can do, but if you really hate it, I’d be honest with him-at least in my household, honesty, even if painful, is preferred over directing attention elsewhere. Just tell him, apologize, and ask if he can help you out with a different option.</p>
<p>Dang. just lost long post.</p>
<p>Short version-MowC, I have zero interest in iPads. Don’t like Apple products much at all. I know that’s highly weird and grounds for putting me on a no-fly list or something, but there it is. Some people just don’t.</p>
<p>Zoos–I sympathize. The weekend away trip might work. otherwise, maybe it could sit out on the coffee table as the extra, family quick internet access.</p>
<p>Love my IPad. But I do understand that if you are used to holding a lighter, smaller reader–it’s size and slightly heavier feel can be off putting. Reading is very personal and I would tell my husband, that though you initially wanted one----the fit just is not there. And since it is not only a lovely thoughtful gift, it is also expensive and you want that sort of thing to be something you will use everyday.</p>
<p>
I find it very heavy and awkwardly balanced. But like musicamusica pointed out, I’m just very used to something smaller and lighter.</p>
<p>
I like that.</p>
<p>Morning Zooser! Merry Christmas :)</p>
<p>Seems like there’s two things going on: 1 is about “the thing” i.e the iPad and 2 is about the gift giving. I think that you need to worry more about the gift giving aspect rather than “the thing” especially since you don’t often give each other gifts, never mind one that is $$$. Plus I know you’ve had a rough year, what with the aftermath of Sandy.</p>
<p>Your DH felt the desire to make a grand gesture with this gift. Just saying “I’m never going to use it, so I’ll return it” may seem a little harsh or a rejection, while “regifting” it later to your D may seem dismissive as well. </p>
<p>I like a variation on ebeeee’s suggestion: say to DH “hey, this was really thoughtful. But I can’t imagine a way to use this that I don’t already do with my Kindle Fire. We’ve had a crazy year. How about if I return this then use the $$$ for something for the both of us? A weekend away sounds great.”</p>
<p>As an aside, I don’t have an iPad. DH does & I’m not very tempted by it, although it has come in handy when I’ve borrowed it for offsite meetings in lieu of a laptop. If I traveled a lot, I could see myself using it. BUT D2 got an iPad mini for Christmas. THAT looks intriguing. Would that be an option? Trade down to an iPad mini AND use the extra $$ for a trip with DH?</p>
<p>My husband one time gave me a piece of jewelry I really wasn’t going to use. It was more expensive than an IPad. I politely told him that I loved the thought, but that I was not likely to use the piece. We went TOGETHER to return the piece, and MY HUSBAND chose several other options for me.</p>
<p>Since this is a gift from your husband, be honest…tell him you appreciate the thought but just like what you already have, your Kindle. Then let HIM choose a replacement gift…it was HIS gift to you and I really do think he should be choosing the replacement.</p>
<p>How about trading for the ipad mini since weight is the problem?</p>
<p>You know him best. If he’s emotionally invested in the gesture or there is a history that suggests he’ll be sensitive to a return, those are also things to consider.</p>
<p>I can understand thinking the IPad is awkward to hold for reading. A suggestion might be to get the type of case that opens up so your IPad feels like a book when you are reading.Amazon has tons to choose from. I have a red leather one. I had a Kindle and I enjoy reading on my IPad more.
I didn’t need an IPAD but I have found I am happy I have one. What I love- reading in bed, checking my email or facebook from bed. Reading in bed after H has gone to sleep. I also find on mornings that I don’t have to get up early I reach over and grab my Ipad and check my email and such from my warm bed. I also have Skype on my IPAD which I used to talk to my D when she was in a 15 hour ahead time zone. That was really nice since with that time zone difference she often called when I was in bed. Once again I could reach over and open up the IPAD and talk with her from the warmth of my bed.
The IPAD might also be something your S enjoys showing you how to use.
You didn’t say if your H got you the Wi Fi only version. If he got you the more expensive you might consider returning it for the less expensive model. That way it also doesn’t cost you anything to use it each month.
I know my H would be torn. Sad that I didn’t like the gift but also he would hate for me to keep something that I wasn’t going to use.
Another great thing about the IPAD is how quick you can get on the internet. I can find something on the IPAD before my computer even has reached my search engine.
I also find it great for viewing pictures.</p>
<p>My husband got himself an iPad and he totally hates it. I would never want one either. I agree about the weird weight in the hand, and it’s just like an iPod touch only bigger. I love my iPod touch-- it’s been traveling with me in my purse and it does just about the same thing as a computer. Only little. Which is a GREAT advantage sometimes. Maybe trade it for an iPod touch. That’s a terrific gadget.</p>
<p>The 4G doesn’t cost more to use each month unless you activate it for that billing cycle. You have the option to turn it on or off depending on if you will be using it that month.</p>
<p>If you don’t like the iPad, you won’t like a Fire - it’s also big(ger) and heavy and backlit.</p>
<p>ZM - Do you already have a smartphone? I wasn’t sure I wanted one, since our Verizon bill is already so high with 3 other smartphones on the plan. But I bit the bullet last week when there was a freebie offered with DS’s Droid Razor Maxx. </p>
<p>Also, I like the weekend away idea.</p>
<p>If you find the iPad heavy, head on down to the Apple store and try out an iPad Mini. It might be just the solution.</p>
<p>I spoke with my husband last night and he couldn’t have been more understanding and gracious. He said that it seemed tablets were the thing to buy, so he assumed it would be perfect for me, but if not then he didn’t want me to feel obligated to keep something I don’t like. He agreed with me that it’s too expensive of a gift to toss aside to collect dust until something bad happens to it, so the iPad goes back to the Apple store tonight with no hard feelings. Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>Glad it worked out. Maybe I’m the only one out there but I feel creeped out at the Apple Store. All those fake smiles and enthusaism. The employees are so coached it feels almost robotic. I go out of my way to avoid going there…</p>