Need iPad guidance

[bebe]

I'm buying 2 maybe 3 iPads for Christmas gifts this year. I need some guidance from those of you who
have one. In particular, I have questions about cases and folding keyboards.

Before I march into Apple, what do I need to go along with these gifts? I'm clueless. I know there is a
need for a case, but what kind?
And is a folding portable keyboard the answer if you are doing a lot of typing - say while traveling?

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I want to be on your Christmas gift list!

My dad got one back in June. I would highly recommend a case. There are tons of different styles out there - I got him a leather portfolio style so that he can keep the screen covered when he's not using it. There are also cases with a stand built in (if you want to use the iPad for photos or movies or such), or basic silicone covers that only protect the back of it (in which case I recommend getting a good screen protector (to protect against scratches). My recommendation is a leather portfolio style. I think it looks nice, will keep both the back and front of your iPad covered and protected when not in use, but it will add some bulk. I love the Sena cases - Link - great quality leather, though it'll get a bit pricey - and SGP - Link. I think Vaja has GORGEOUS leather cases but eep, they are expensive! Link

If the giftee is someone who's going to be using it a LOT, almost as a personal computer, I would recommend an external keyboard. If this is just going to supplement their laptop and be for personal use, the keyboard on the iPad should be fine. Unlike the iPhones, it'll at least be much wider and easier to type on.

For traveling - earphones? If they'll use the iPad as an iPod as well, that is.

Hope this helps!

 

[iLander]

I personally wouldn't buy them a case. This seems to be a personal expression thing and my DH likes the case that does NOT cover the screen. Half the fun of a new ipad is picking a cool case for yourself, funky colors or styles.

Based on experience, I would get a nice cleaning cloth. This is often overlooked, and people seem to like them but don't get around to buying their own. Something in a microfiber, available from opticians.

When rotated the keyboard is as wide as the ipad, so I don't think a keyboard is necessary either. The other half of the fun of an ipad is it's portability, and having it tethered to a keyboard makes that annoying. Think "laying on the couch, playing on the net, do I really want a keyboard?"

I do agree with the nice charger/stand idea, though. Giving it a "home" at the end of the day would sure make it easier to deal with and using it for photo display is cool. That idea is a winner.

P.S. I'll be the little brown haired lady hiding behind your tree on Christmas morning . . .

 

[bebe]

good points. certainly will take those into consideration.
hadn't thought of the earphones - see I need ya'lls help.

 

[Denise222]

I received an IPad for my bday and I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it !!!! It's the best invention EVER next to frozen water, sliced bread and a flat iron. I would highly recommend getting a simple case and screen protector. All it takes is one slip and its curtains for the IPad. Then they can go and pick out their own style/color, etc. case like Ilander said.

So Must Haves:
Case
Screen protector
Ear phones
And an ITunes Gift card would be nice.

Then they can get all the other 10,000 goodies that they make for them now. Did I mention I LOVE LOVE LOVE my IPad ??

 

[waterlilly]

You might want to hold off on buying them until the iPad2 release date is announced. Rumor is that the new one with have camera&video capabilities and perhaps multitasking...I think it is going to be released before x-mas...

If the recipients use social networking, video and picture capability is hugely convenient...

 

[luv2sparkle]

Bebe-if you do buy a case-the storage kind- I would suggest that you check out Leatherology.com. I have purchased a few things from
them and I love their leathers! They have cases in a lot of colors and I have always found their prices to be good.

Maybe that is not the kind of case that you were thinking of, but I thought I would mention it just in case. (no pun intended!)

 

[Denise222]

Wuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut ... I didn't know they were coming out with a new !!!! Oy vey. I guess I'll be getting the new one and giving mine to my daughter. I'm sure she won't say no !!!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Ooh a new one is coming out already??

Btw, for earphones I HIGHLY recommend these - Link

I use them for my iPhone and they have excellent sound and a good microphone too, and aren't that expensive (especially considering the crappy Apple earphones will run you about the same amount for a lot worse quality - the number of Apple earphones I've gone through... ).

Good call actually on letting them pick out their own cases. I still ditto screen protectors however!

 

[bebe]

iPad 2 ??? already??
How do I find out more? Or a release date?

on the way to check out those earphones

 

[bebe]

I received an IPad for my bday and I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it !!!! It's the best invention EVER next to frozen water, sliced bread and a flat iron. I would highly recommend getting a simple case and screen protector. All it takes is one slip and its curtains for the IPad. Then they can go and pick out their own style/color, etc. case like Ilander said.

So Must Haves:
Case
Screen protector
Ear phones
And an ITunes Gift card would be nice.

Then they can get all the other 10,000 goodies that they make for them now. Did I mention I LOVE LOVE LOVE my IPad ??

where do I get a screen protector - Apple store?? (sorry to be so dumb about this)

 

[bebe]

did a real quick search and several reports put the next iPad release in April 2011..
anyone else heard otherwise?

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Bebe, it seems like it'll be next spring at the earliest, but you never know with the holidays coming up. If you want to feed Apple neuroticism, you can check out the Macrumors forum. I drove myself nearly insane on that site when I was waiting for the iPhone 4 to come out.

For screen protectors, I really like the Scosche anti-glare (which is what I use for my iPhone) - Link. It does take a little away from the new iPhone screen (because it makes it matte) but I don't think that would be a problem for the iPad. I've had mine on for a couple months now and it's still good to go. If you don't like matte and just want a clear screen protector, there's also this one by Scosche - Link

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Here are a couple from SGP, which usually get good reviews -

Link

Link

Unfortunately SGP stuff ALWAYS seems to be out of stock. The ones I saw on Amazon were the full body ones (front and pack). Ebay might be your best bet if you go with these.

 

[bebe]

a million thanks !!

ok, another question - do I need a case and a sleeve protector?
what about a charger? or an additional cord?

my daughter mentioned wanting or thinking she'd need the keyboard, so I need to find one.
what is the stylus pen used for?

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Depends on the case I think. If you get a portfolio style case that covers both sides of the iPad when closed, then no need for a separate sleeve. If you get a case that only covers the back (like the silicone covers) and a screen protector, you probably don't need a sleeve either (unless the recipient is exceptionally hard on devices and throws them into their bag or something). I would recommend a sleeve if you're not putting anything on the iPad (no screen protector, no case, no silicone back, etc.). Totally a preference as to which is better. My choice would probably be case + screen protector, so that it's protected both when in use and not.

You'll probably be fine with the charger that comes with it. The battery life should be good that you don't need an extension cord (if one exists - no idea). However, if your daughter is anticipating traveling a LOT with it, maybe a travel charger could be good? But in general, I don't think you need one.

Here is an article rounding up the best keyboards for iPad - Link. I like the Apple ones - the non-bluetooth one is great because it has a stand, but if you get a case that can convert to a stand, you could probably go with the really portable BT Apple keyboard. The non-Apple ones look good too, but the Apple ones will have the built-in shortcuts, etc. to make it easier to use it with your iPad.

Here is a thread with a ton of case links to browse through - Link

A round up of popular cases - Link

I do love Vaja - if I could justify spending that much on a tiny leather case for my iPhone I would get it. It's expensive but the construction and leather are high quality and some models convert to a stand like here - Link

ETA: Stylus is used for navigating the touch screen, but I really doubt she'll need it. Using fingers worked just fine when I was playing with my dad's iPad, and I think some things (like zooming in or out with two fingers) are just easier without the stylus.

 

[waterlilly]

did a real quick search and several reports put the next iPad release in April 2011..
anyone else heard otherwise?

It's all rumors right now, but some speculation says it will be released in time for Christmas of this year (would make sense) and some say Q1 of 2011.

I would think an Xmas release would be the wisest marketing choice, but who knows...I would think it it were going to be December - they would announce it in the next few weeks...

 

[bebe]

Depends on the case I think. If you get a portfolio style case that covers both sides of the iPad when closed, then no need for a separate sleeve. If you get a case that only covers the back (like the silicone covers) and a screen protector, you probably don't need a sleeve either (unless the recipient is exceptionally hard on devices and throws them into their bag or something). I would recommend a sleeve if you're not putting anything on the iPad (no screen protector, no case, no silicone back, etc.). Totally a preference as to which is better. My choice would probably be case + screen protector, so that it's protected both when in use and not.

You'll probably be fine with the charger that comes with it. The battery life should be good that you don't need an extension cord (if one exists - no idea). However, if your daughter is anticipating traveling a LOT with it, maybe a travel charger could be good? But in general, I don't think you need one.

Here is an article rounding up the best keyboards for iPad - Link. I like the Apple ones - the non-bluetooth one is great because it has a stand, but if you get a case that can convert to a stand, you could probably go with the really portable BT Apple keyboard. The non-Apple ones look good too, but the Apple ones will have the built-in shortcuts, etc. to make it easier to use it with your iPad.

Here is a thread with a ton of case links to browse through - Link

A round up of popular cases - Link

I do love Vaja - if I could justify spending that much on a tiny leather case for my iPhone I would get it. It's expensive but the construction and leather are high quality and some models convert to a stand like here - Link

ETA: Stylus is used for navigating the touch screen, but I really doubt she'll need it. Using fingers worked just fine when I was playing with my dad's iPad, and I think some things (like zooming in or out with two fingers) are just easier without the stylus.

Thanks so much - you are now my official IT go-to person !!

 

[Denise222]

Bebe, it seems like it'll be next spring at the earliest, but you never know with the holidays coming up. If you want to feed Apple neuroticism, you can check out the Macrumors forum. I drove myself nearly insane on that site when I was waiting for the iPhone 4 to come out.

For screen protectors, I really like the Scosche anti-glare (which is what I use for my iPhone) - Link. It does take a little away from the new iPhone screen (because it makes it matte) but I don't think that would be a problem for the iPad. I've had mine on for a couple months now and it's still good to go. If you don't like matte and just want a clear screen protector, there's also this one by Scosche - Link

I actually got my protector at Best Buy for my IPad and I love it minus the dern bubbles I can't seem to get rid of. I think I'll have someone at the store do it for me instead. I can NEVER get it "bubble free" and it irks me to no end. I have the matted/non glare protector for my IPhone 4 and since I got new glasses it looks weird to me. So I'm going with a regular one instead.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Bebe, it seems like it'll be next spring at the earliest, but you never know with the holidays coming up. If you want to feed Apple neuroticism, you can check out the Macrumors forum. I drove myself nearly insane on that site when I was waiting for the iPhone 4 to come out.

For screen protectors, I really like the Scosche anti-glare (which is what I use for my iPhone) - Link. It does take a little away from the new iPhone screen (because it makes it matte) but I don't think that would be a problem for the iPad. I've had mine on for a couple months now and it's still good to go. If you don't like matte and just want a clear screen protector, there's also this one by Scosche - Link

I actually got my protector at Best Buy for my IPad and I love it minus the dern bubbles I can't seem to get rid of. I think I'll have someone at the store do it for me instead. I can NEVER get it "bubble free" and it irks me to no end. I have the matted/non glare protector for my IPhone 4 and since I got new glasses it looks weird to me. So I'm going with a regular one instead.

I HATE bubbles. My screen protector (the Scosche one) came with a miniature scraper thingy to smooth out the bubbles - works way better than my fingers!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Depends on the case I think. If you get a portfolio style case that covers both sides of the iPad when closed, then no need for a separate sleeve. If you get a case that only covers the back (like the silicone covers) and a screen protector, you probably don't need a sleeve either (unless the recipient is exceptionally hard on devices and throws them into their bag or something). I would recommend a sleeve if you're not putting anything on the iPad (no screen protector, no case, no silicone back, etc.). Totally a preference as to which is better. My choice would probably be case + screen protector, so that it's protected both when in use and not.

You'll probably be fine with the charger that comes with it. The battery life should be good that you don't need an extension cord (if one exists - no idea). However, if your daughter is anticipating traveling a LOT with it, maybe a travel charger could be good? But in general, I don't think you need one.

Here is an article rounding up the best keyboards for iPad - Link. I like the Apple ones - the non-bluetooth one is great because it has a stand, but if you get a case that can convert to a stand, you could probably go with the really portable BT Apple keyboard. The non-Apple ones look good too, but the Apple ones will have the built-in shortcuts, etc. to make it easier to use it with your iPad.

Here is a thread with a ton of case links to browse through - Link

A round up of popular cases - Link

I do love Vaja - if I could justify spending that much on a tiny leather case for my iPhone I would get it. It's expensive but the construction and leather are high quality and some models convert to a stand like here - Link

ETA: Stylus is used for navigating the touch screen, but I really doubt she'll need it. Using fingers worked just fine when I was playing with my dad's iPad, and I think some things (like zooming in or out with two fingers) are just easier without the stylus.

Thanks so much - you are now my official IT go-to person !!

I like to accessorize

 

[psadmin]

This is a very nice accessory that i found for the ipad if you want some control, have larger fingers or just feel like using a styles.

My kids love it for the drawing programs.

This is the link to the product but i think Amazon also has it for a great price.

http://tenonedesign.com/sketch.php

Edit:
Also recommend a good headset or the apple ones which work great for music or if you have a Netflix account. They have an app to stream all many movies.

You may also want to get the apple Ipad to RGB if you TV excepts RGB and Audio inline it to play the Netflix on a large screen.