Thanks all....and in particular LannyC.
Yes...that sounds like a plan....use my iPhone to see if what I want is achievable before I part with another 400 quid (to ensure it doesnt just attract dust)

Why didnt I think of that? Cheers m'dears.

Hmmmm, mifi unit? I haven't heard of this, but it sounds like something I may be interested in as I have wifi only, which works fine 99% of the time, but there have been those rare occasions when I wished I would have gone with the 4g instead.

That works too, of course. An iPhone can be seen as a mini iPad in lots of ways. By the way, when I said that 4G is out, all that means is that the new technology is not available yet in the UK. 3G is fast enough and is actually what you will be using on your iPhone.

So, for sure, try out the concepts on your phone and when you have figured out whether its going to work for you, buy the iPad and enjoy the bigger screen.

Don't forget to get back to us and let us know how you get on.

One more comment, assuming you are going to show off your web pages to prospective clients, I would be very impressed if you showed me your website on an iPad instead of a laptop. It looks very sophisticated and you spend very little time setting up your iPad. In the business world, using the latest technology, especially a tablet, garners a whole lot of pizzaz!

If you are trying to show off a desktop version of a website on an iPad, you better go to the nearest Apple store and see what it looks like before you take the plunge.

If I were a customer looking at a desktop version of your website on an iPad, I would not be particularly impressed.

Most websites designed for a desktop can be displayed on an iPad, however it's not a great choice. Websites optimized for the ipad are brilliant however...

Originally Posted by LannyC

Balderdash, there are solutions for all of your needs. You do have to be willing to adapt, though--iPad does not have a file system like you're used to, in the interest of denying viruses a path to propagate. Your workflow will be a bit different, but the results should be the same. Lots of folks make a game of it, to see how far they can push this 'media consumption device' into doing useful work. You'll benefit from a spirit of adventure.

There are apps to grab web pages, and apps to play all types of video. The good ones include a wifi server, which you visit in your desktop or laptop browser, and just drag the files from Windows onto the iPad, no iTunes required. If you buy an iPad with 4G capability, it will fall back to your wireless data plan when wifi isn't available, as long as there's cell service.

I recommend that you try some of these apps on your iPhone, as a proof of concept. They'll all work much better on a larger screen, of course, but you'll get an idea of what's possible, and how many hoops you'll need to jump through. Then, if you decide it's all doable, you can spring for the iPad and get on with it.

BTW, I'm typing all this on my iPad's onscreen keyboard. With a positive attitude, it's not at all hard to get used to.

milliHelen: amount of beauty required to launch one ship.

I might add the Logitech Blue Tooth keyboard made for iPads, will make typing a lot simpler and quicker then just tapping on the iPad screen.

Also, if you are on the same wireless as your Mac or PC you can sync videos to the iPad without being physically connected - just plug your iPad into the wall somewhere in wireless range. You can drag the videos anytime and they should sync when you are ready, this works great on my iPhone too. You do still have to use iTunes though to do it.

Take a look at 'browse later' app

Yes - I quite agree and is really the reason I wanted to present it on one.

Thanks for further comments all. Yes - the web pages will be iPad optimised and I'll seek out the "browse later" app, cheers

Originally Posted by MattIM

One more comment, assuming you are going to show off your web pages to prospective clients, I would be very impressed if you showed me your website on an iPad instead of a laptop. It looks very sophisticated and you spend very little time setting up your iPad. In the business world, using the latest technology, especially a tablet, garners a whole lot of pizzaz!

I've had an Ipad since the One came out and one of my fun and challenging things to do is solve my friends' Ipad issues for business and personal. I have found, both for myself and my friends in various vocations, that I can generally find apps or combo of apps that works for them without carrying a laptop.

Personally, for saving web pages I often use a PDF converter and save as a PDF and am able to organize in both Noteability and Goodreader apps--and back them up to Dropbox (which can easily be your friend in dealing with Ipad and PC). I'm in US and do have a 3/4G Ipad 3 so am able to access my Dropbox anywhere--but those pages are also saved for offline reading in the two apps I prefer.

I don't know what's available in the UK but the cost of using your Iphone for hot spot might be well worth the additional cost to not have to carry a laptop--and for having that bit of cache' the Ipad might give you to your clients.

Diane