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Advice needed for iPad purchase Advice needed for iPad purchase
Chris Bryant   Intermediate VA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 212	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/17/12 9:49 AM Hi All, I thinking about buying an iPad so that I can watch my Craftsy class at my local library. My Internet connection isn't up to the job of downloading the video content and my library doesn't have audio available on their computers. I don't know a lot about them so would those of you that have them give me some advice as to what I should know before I go to the Apple store. Thanks, Chris
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5423	Login to reply to this post In reply to Chris Bryant << Like this post Date: 10/17/12 10:07 AM Chris - no real advice, but I love my ipad, even though it is the original with no cameras. LOVE ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
TamNearPDX Beginner WA Member since 1/16/08 Posts: 203	Login to reply to this post In reply to Chris Bryant << Like this post Date: 10/17/12 11:01 AM I love my iPad too... We do a majority of our casual intrnet surfing (and my blog lurking) on this hing. My 3 yr old is a Whiz on it too! If we didn't need our computer for my embroidery designs I think that we might be getting rid of the old laptop.
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4402	Login to reply to this post In reply to Chris Bryant << 1 member likes this. Date: 10/17/12 12:27 PM If you do any amount of travel or vacationing, consider the wifi with cellular. Cellular is activated month by month. Just be sure to note the date of activation so you can shut it down the day before renewal. Initially they sent about to renew notices. Now, they just send we did it and billed you notifications. I'd say two trips a year would justify the added expense of the cellular capability. No more GPS. Cheaper hotel rates. Last week, a $22.00 savings for one night. The hotel clerk and the national phone reservation clerk both said they could not match the internet rate ( it was on the hotel's website). On the road and in a hurry? Locate a convenient restaurant, check the menu and order so dinner will be ready when you arrive. My husband looooves the iPad for travel. I'm so busy that I don't have time to help him drive. Last year we considered a tv for our bedroom when I was recovering from surgery. No need, iPad and Netflix worked just fine. When I do accounting on the computer I run something on Netflix on the IPad. Football? I can catch the highlights while surfing, researching or reading. My laptop has been on its last legs for a long time. The IPad has already stretched its life span out two years. I now catalog my fabric on the iPad using the $29.00 camera connection kit. One photo of description and care instructions ( overlaying fabric if possible ), one photo of fabric and one photo of fabric with other possible fabric combinations from the stash. Looking forward to cataloging patterns via photo albums also. We use the wireless keyboard often. Haven't even begun to fully utilize the iPad. It is beyond fantastic. Check the refurbished units on the Apple site. The warranty is the same as new. ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.
SouthernStitch   Advanced LA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 8205	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/17/12 4:10 PM Sister Stitch summed it up nicely. I will say though, that if you have anyone else in the house who will be using it - watch that monthly cellular data plan. It's great, but DD borrows my ipad and uses it outside of the house. She downloads LOTS of video such and it eats it up quickly! And then she figured out how to add more !!! I think I pay ATT $30 a month for 3MB, and there is another more expensive plan. Mine switches automatically from data plan to wi-fi when I'm back home. MUCH cheaper to go with a Wi-fi plan from your service provider for home use. But, I'll always have the Cellular plan for when we are on the road. ------ Bernina 730E, 530, and 350PE Singer 221 FW, 403a When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
andye   Beginner VA USA Member since 5/9/09 Posts: 1534	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/17/12 5:05 PM Wait a few days-- there's supposed to be a smaller ipad (8 inches instead of 10 inches, for a correspondingly lower price) coming out on the 23rd, or so. Craftsy does have an ipad app, so youprobably won't have problems with "flash" video. How fast is your internet connection? Apple assumes that it's fast, so it doesn't feel guilty when it decides to push a 500 Megabyte update via itunes.
MBMc   Intermediate FL USA Member since 7/29/08 Posts: 129	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/17/12 7:14 PM I have never had an iPad, but I just recently bought a Nexus 7 tablet. It is google's version. It is an android tablet that is quite small and works on wireless at home or in a coffee shop as well as on my cellphone plan with Verizon. I have only had it for a month but so far I like it because it is small enough that it goes in my purse, and I can easily access things almost anywhere. Also the 8GB model is only $200. and I won't need more than that because I can always transfer things I want to store long term to my laptop when I get home. I don't know all the advantages of an iPad since I've never had one...just felt that this was more affordable for me.
andye   Beginner VA USA Member since 5/9/09 Posts: 1534	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/17/12 8:39 PM craftsy doesn't appear to have an android app. However, not having used craftsy, I can't tell you what the advantages would be. Rumors suggest that the ipad mini, due to be announced on 23 October 2012, will sell for $249 for a 8 gigabyte, wifi only model. Since your home connection is not very fast, you'll want to download videos, not just stream them, but I don't know if craftsy lets you do that. -- Edited on 10/17/12 8:41 PM --
misschris AUSTRALIA Member since 2/3/06 Posts: 1328	Login to reply to this post In reply to andye << Like this post Date: 10/17/12 8:45 PM I can't watch Craftsy videos on my android tablet. It automatically switches you to a mobile version of the page where you lose all functionality and the video stream is so poor, its unwatchable. I have no problem watching anything else that I've tried, so until they come up with an Android app, I'm restricted to the limited time I have on the home computer.. ------ chris Melbourne
andye   Beginner VA USA Member since 5/9/09 Posts: 1534	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/17/12 9:10 PM OK, I've set up an craftsy account. Using either the ipad app, or the ipad version of Safari, I was able to view the videos for "Sewing Machin 911". But I can't seem to actually download the videos for offline viewing-- though this may not be possible with any computer.

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