This has hit be several times now. I have a 64GB iPhone 4S, and the 64GB LTE iPad 3, and now a MacBook Air 13, and a Lenovo X220T (a convertible tablet PC running windows).

I'm not likely to be taking the two laptops with me as I go places, but I could have the phone, tablet, and one of these laptops.

Man, I feel if I let people see me with this stuff I'll be come a good target for a mugging. Weighing against that is the fact that I tend to be a rather menacing looking guy, but only to normal people, I would think. I still try to make sure that I don't pull out the phone while using the iPad (which is what I like to use if I'm in a restaurant or something).

Adding to this is this article I ran across:

The shame of owning an iPad | ZDNet

Now, frankly, I don't think there is anything "elitist" about owning an iPad.....that's just stupid. The real "elitist" among us are the super rich who also wield political power. I'm certainly not in that group and I suspect most iPad owners aren't either. But as a target for a hit-and-run mugging, I at least have stuff that the criminal element might desire.

Do you others here have similar feeling with your toys? Do you hide your toys when in public? Or do you let them all hang out? And, concerning the article, you people look at you funny or pay more attention to you when you pull out your iPad?

Yes, I agree with her! When I take out my iPad at my school where I work, I'm very conscious of the students looking at it and touching it. I don't earn a lot of money like the teachers do so I have to justify myself to the students some of whom wouldn't be able to afford one. Some i wouldn't trust at all. I do let the favoured few play with it but only ones I trust. I'd like to bring it out more but I feel like I'm showing off. Silly really. Two of my colleagues have them but the rest just think we have toys and wouldn't dream of the expense. I guess you have to own one to understand why we love these things.
I use my iPad for storing my lesson plans, work schedule, meeting notes, revision etc... I haven't worked up the courage to let anyone I know that I now own the new one as I'm too ashamed to say I bought it when they know money is tight for me! Silly really but this thing is my one true vice, I don't drink a lot, I don't go out, I don't smoke so this is my secret little pleasure. I'll let you know if I take the plunge and tell my colleagues. Maybe next year when the price drops and I can pretend I got it cheap!!!

Sent from my new iPad using iPF

I never go out in public

I use mine in public all the time. However, I do carry my iPad and laptop in a travel bag when I am not using them. I hope that if they think I have a PC, they won't bother.

I use my iPad all the time in public, I also use my phone in public. Sometimes I have both out. When I meet with a client sometimes the meetings are off site and my iPad is very handy for that. If people what to think I'm ultra rich because of that, then let them. They are right though! I am ultra rich just not for the reasons they are thinking.

Originally Posted by Hayles66

Yes, I agree with her! When I take out my iPad at my school where I work, I'm very conscious of the students looking at it and touching it. I don't earn a lot of money like the teachers do so I have to justify myself to the students some of whom wouldn't be able to afford one. Some i wouldn't trust at all. I do let the favoured few play with it but only ones I trust. I'd like to bring it out more but I feel like I'm showing off. Silly really. Two of my colleagues have them but the rest just think we have toys and wouldn't dream of the expense. I guess you have to own one to understand why we love these things.
I use my iPad for storing my lesson plans, work schedule, meeting notes, revision etc... I haven't worked up the courage to let anyone I know that I now own the new one as I'm too ashamed to say I bought it when they know money is tight for me! Silly really but this thing is my one true vice, I don't drink a lot, I don't go out, I don't smoke so this is my secret little pleasure. I'll let you know if I take the plunge and tell my colleagues. Maybe next year when the price drops and I can pretend I got it cheap!!!

Sent from my new iPad using iPF

Hayles- i think its great that you bought the new ipad! Good for you-it's what you enjoy and that's all that counts.

I bring mine to work and feel comfortable using it there. Several of us have ipads so it is a joy to share ideas with each other.

Just take a marker and color over the Apple logo and in big bold letters write BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK​

Originally Posted by seneca18

Just take a marker and color over the Apple logo and in big bold letters write BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK ​

That's funny, Seneca!

My Mac Pro and iPad never leave my home. I am always armed, but also am careful not to use my iPhone where strangers can see it. We have the stand your ground law in my state, and if someone really tries to rob me there is going to be deadly force used.

I'm careful where I use any electronic device, as I would be with anything of value. Just be aware of surroundings.

I do use my iPad, laptops, netbooks and other gadgets in public. I don't use them anywhere where I think I'd be at significant risk of theft, mugging, etc. I don't want to lose the devices, but more important I don't want to get hurt, nor do I want my data at risk.

In some cities in the U.S., Asian women were being targeted for iPad muggings and snatch-and-grabs, probably because we're petite. On subways in the U.S., there also have been snatch-and-grabs, especially of iDevices, which have good resale value.

On U.S. subways even when I feel relatively safe reading a book, I use an iPod touch 4 on which I keep limited content -- mostly ebooks, audiobooks and music. That way, even if it were grabbed, none of my contacts, email, etc., would be on it. All of my iDevices have passwords, remote wipe, Find My iPhone/iPad activated, of course.

Some people are excited about near field communications, which allows you to put credit on a phone for purchases. I'm not keen on this, because I see it as another reason why a phone would be valuable in a snatch-and-grab.