<p>My mother was unable to effectively use the internet because of her ancient, slow laptop. I wanted her to just get a new laptop. She could have gotten something she would love for $400-600. Instead, my niece persuaded her to buy an Ipad. What a disaster. Touch screens are not for everyone. They are particularly bad for anyone who is not confident on a computer, who cannot easily discern when an unexpected event is the fault of the frequent touchscreen failure to register a tap, rather than them tapping the “wrong” thing. Apps instead of familiar programs are not for everyone. She could easily afford to get a laptop in addition, but she won’t now that she has the damned Ipad. Frankly, I’m tempted to just buy a laptop for her and swap.</p>
<p>I have a Kindle for reading (only free stuff), an iPhone for calling, an iPod for listening, and and an iPad for my wife to watch downloaded TV shows on long airplane trips. One is coming up to Kauai. If it wasn’t available I might have to talk to her.</p>
<p>I don’t like the ipad either. Mom & dad got one and mostly it gather’s dust. Mom eventually gave hers to my sister & did dusts his off from time to time. Our kids really don’t like tablets or ipads either, but do like laptops, ultrabooks and netbooks. They can’t see why I’d ever get or use an e-tablet since we create more than consume. Most of the tablets are more designed for consuming than creating.</p>
<p>So glad ZM that you & your H reached a good solution–are you guys going to use the $500 for a nice getaway or special couples treat?</p>
<p>I’m glad that you found a solution, zooser. I don’t have any desire for an iPad, either. My husband just bought a Surface (MS version of iPad) to use for taking notes at meetings.</p>
<p>I’d love to be able to replace my laptop with a tablet - the thought of not having to haul that heavy thing around is so appealing - but tablets are not capable of running the applications I need for work. </p>
<p>I don’t know why people don’t understand not liking the iPad. Clearly, zm prefers reading to surfing the internet on her commute. The Kindle is perfect for reading (I have one of those).</p>
<p>I agree, abasket. My issue isn’t with people not liking the iPad. It is with deciding in a few hours that you don’t like it and have no use for it. I’m sitting on my bed right now posting from it. Big dog lying by my feet. Can’t beat it!</p>
<p>Me too MOWC! Lots easier than holding a laptop in bed!</p>
<p>As a teacher, my IPad has become a necessity. The ease of data collection, and the educational apps for my specific field make this an item I would not want to be without.</p>
<p>It’s great that you guys love them. But from my perspective, why should someone put in the work to figure out how to find something useful, if prior to encountering it, they didn’t feel any need for it or gap that it could fill?</p>
<p>Isn’t that sort of consumerism gone crazy? The constant drumming of HAVE THIS THING that you didn’t know you want, but now you do. I say hats off for Zoos for knowing herself.</p>
<p>well, you asked for advice, not whether or not an ipad is a good device…so here goes. After 27 years of marriage, I hope that you would be able to explain to hubby that it was a thoughtful gift, but after trying it out, it isn’t for you.</p>
<p>I was going to buy an iPad but my kids kept insisting that I wouldn’t have much use for it. I have tried out the iPads owned by my dad, mom & relatives. My kids are right, I don’t really like it. S wants to buy iPhones for Christmas but still is dragging his feet on it. So far, still are struggling with our old phones while he & D make up their minds about what they want. I am happy with voice & text, preferring a qwerty keyboard, if at all possible. Prefer to surf on a larger surface, like a laptop over a smartphone. Will see what the kids do.</p>
<p>P.S. Zoosermom, I’m glad it worked out for you. I hope you and your husband have figured out another Christmas present for you…one that you will enjoy.</p>
<p>i think we all adjust to new tools based on curiosity and exposure. on vacation with the worm, he was using his laptop for work and loaned me his ipad1. whenever i had a Q, he was there to answer it. </p>
<p>when i visit some older friends, i’ve spent time showing them how to use their iPhones, setting their rings, using camera. then they received a Kindle. the husband caught on pretty fast, but not the wife. some people learn best with a demonstration.</p>
<p>Now i have the new Logitech keyboard, and still have to learn how to make it capitalize automatically. it is nice to not have to shift screens to use numbers or punctuation marks.Next step, must learn to download movies for flying. AA played the same movie going and coming, and a silly flick at that.</p>
<p>i think Zooz should definitely exchange for something she really wants. i feel same way with jewelry; if I had someone buying me something nice, I’d like to go together. As long as I am wandering off topic, both the worm and I received wallets. the leather is beautiful, but neither of us like the styles. Mine lacks a coin pouch, and his is too big. Both came from a local store where we cannot get to to exchange. I wish I had been given a clutch or cosmetic bag, something more generic.</p>
Interview with the Vampire and The Prisoner of Azkaban.</p>
<p>I mentioned to my husband that we should go away and he thought that was a great idea, but he wouldn’t consider that a Christmas gift for me as he had already received his presents which were all personal. I am going to see if we can find somewhere to go for a weekend. We’ve never been away without the kids.</p>
<p>Thumper and BW–there is great utility in learning to use tools. Tools that one needs. To say that one needs learn to use an iPad if the tools one has are working for one really doesn’t make sense to me. Pretty much everyone here learned to use computers 20-something years ago when they became common, and certainly they’re a new technology that changed our society. But after, it’s just a means to use that technology–whether laptop, desktop, touchscreen, phone, etc.</p>
<p>They’re all different doors to get into a room. It doesn’t matter which one you prefer using; it’s the same room.</p>