I've given my Kindle to my son. Have not listened to music on my iPhone or iPod since getting the iPad, and can't imagine buying any more DS or PSP games because games are so gorgeous on this screen! Have used my computer only to sync, but will use it for MMOs since this Grandma is an avid gamer and well as gadget junkie!

This is thrilling and as it happens, I do have some techy friends. But I kinda sorta wanted to hear from folks who are using the iPad as I would like to.

Back in the day I bought a crib/high chair/chair seat/toaster...and it did none of its functions well. I am kidding, but you take my meaning...I'd love to consolidate down into one device but I fear it may not be feasible.

Originally Posted by cherhall

I've given my Kindle to my son. Have not listened to music on my iPhone or iPod since getting the iPad, and can't imagine buying any more DS or PSP games because games are so gorgeous on this screen! Have used my computer only to sync, but will use it for MMOs since this Grandma is an avid gamer and well as gadget junkie!

cherhall, I was willing to chance it. I wanted to wait a few weeks to buy an iPad and my brother was convinced I'd be horribly disappointed, so he gave me a new pc before I could get an iPad, he he he. Families, huh?

Now I need to upgrade my cell phone to an iPhone and I am wondering again, why not simply get an iPad?

BTW, are we permitted to ask general computing questions? I would like to know why any of us pays for an ISP if we can just buy a gadget or two and get free WiFi. But I am new here and need to mind my manners, yanno?

Thanks to everyone who has replied.

I think that depends on what you use your computer for. If you just check some mail, play simple games and browse the web than sure. If you do more complicated stuff then I'd say no. While some might argue that you could use it with a keyboard and external screen and that that might make it a replacement for the computer, I feel that it still laks the power and memory to run heavy apps like Servers and Programming env.
I guess that what i am trying to say it that it could replace a computer for an average user.

For games I prefer Xbox, Wii and my PC. So for me that will most prob not be a usage area. But who knows

Originally Posted by Madeline

BTW, are we permitted to ask general computing questions? I would like to know why any of us pays for an ISP if we can just buy a gadget or two and get free WiFi.

Don't be confused, WiFi is not an ISP. Wi-Fi is type of network.

ISP is kind of an old term, but if you define ISP as a way of getting on the internet, then Wi-Fi definately doesn't replace an ISP. You could say that 3G can replace an ISP, but slowly and for a cost.

Tell us how you're connecting right now to the internet so we can clarify a little better.

Are you connected to your cable TV box?
Do you have Wi-Fi at home? (no cable to your computer, but you have a little box with an antenna on it)
Are you connected through the phone lines?
Are you at a friend's house or library?

I would recommend checking out "Internet for Dummies" to understand more. You can read it online here:
The Internet For Dummies - Google Books

I have a wired connection. ATT installed U-verse tv for me and changed my internet from DSL to whatever I have now. There's a large silver thingy the installer called a "gateway".

Thankies in advance for the help!

Unless the gateway has an antenna on it, you're probably going to want someone to help set it up with wi-fi in your house. The iPad connects fast and free to wi-fi. It is a little bit slower and a lot less free to always need to connect through 3G.

Ask a friend or family member for help. You can even print this out so that something doesn't get lost in the translation.

I am sending this entire thread to my techy folks. Thankies again for the help...I am so excited!

cell phone and personal computer no.

Originally Posted by Madeline

Well, okay so we are agreed then that the iPad does replace the Kindle with ease and comfort?

Are we as agreed that the iPad replace the MP3 player just as well? Seems so, from what all y'all have said.

Just not the cell phone or the pc? Does it fail as a pc because of the touch screen? I'm not entirely sure I followed what Takenover83 said. Do you mean you'd still need an ISP before an iPad could surf the 'net?

Don't they make gizmos these days to let us collect the 'net via WiFi? How come any of us is still paying for an ISP, if that's true?

Please "talk slower" folks...LOL. I am a techy idijit and I am thrilled at the possibilities, but a but uncertain it'll all work just as I envision it.

Thankies for the help. I plan to decide what sort of gadget to buy within the next couple of months.

For me personally ipad does not replace an mp3 player. The beauty of most mp3 players is that you can easily carry them in your pocket and my shuffle I can clip to my clothing and listen to music.

It fails on PC for a variety of reasons. You need a PC to sync to is the biggest one, but additionally you can't do everything you can do on a pc on ipad. I can't play world of warcraft for instance. While there are 10s of thousands of apps in the itunes store, there are still some things my desktop does that ipad can't and some it does better.

Phone, whatever I'm not giving up my phone to be forced to use a headset to talk to people.

kindle, I basically gave up my kindle when the kindle for iphone app came out.