[ctviggen]

After reading all of this, I'm still looking at a Kindle and not an iPad for the wife.  The biggest consideration is price -- the 3G iPad is insanely expensive for what you get.  I can buy a Kindle and a laptop for that price (although she already has a laptop).  The only concern is the speed issue, and I'll have to look into that.  As far as color, my wife wants to read books, and I personally think color and photo quality are useless for this endeavor, for the type of books she reads.  Now, if she didn't already have a laptop, I might consider the iPad, but the price is still too shockingly high for me.

[Construct]

After reading all of this, I'm still looking at a Kindle and not an iPad for the wife.  The biggest consideration is price -- the 3G iPad is insanely expensive for what you get.  I can buy a Kindle and a laptop for that price (although she already has a laptop).  The only concern is the speed issue, and I'll have to look into that.  As far as color, my wife wants to read books, and I personally think color and photo quality are useless for this endeavor, for the type of books she reads.  Now, if she didn't already have a laptop, I might consider the iPad, but the price is still too shockingly high for me.

I can just imagine this:  Going into best buy...  $499 for the ipad, that hurts.  1 year warranty, applecare is $69  for the second year.  Let's not forget a protective jacket.  $39.
Here is the cost: 

	cost	tax	total
ipad 16gb	499	44.91	543.91
case	39	3.51	42.51
applecare	69	6.21	75.21
			661.63

 

[ooheadsoo]

Actually, you can take away glare.  Just get a matte screen protector, like me.

Furthermore, when sitting in my car under very bright sunlight, I have never turned the brightness up more than half way on the ipad.  Now, if you're really sure about reading in direct sunlight, there's no question that the kindle/nook is better.  They are actually much better than real paper in sunlight precisely because of the lower contrast ratio.  Paper is blinding in the LA sun.

[Construct]

Actually, you can take away glare.  Just get a matte screen protector, like me.

Furthermore, when sitting in my car under very bright sunlight, I have never turned the brightness up more than half way on the ipad.  Now, if you're really sure about reading in direct sunlight, there's no question that the kindle/nook is better.  They are actually much better than real paper in sunlight precisely because of the lower contrast ratio.  Paper is blinding in the LA sun.

I saw one today, and while it helps (like the one on my iphone)  it's still no e-ink display. 
I ended up with the wifi+3g nook today.  Got a case and a clip-light as well.  I had no idea that unlike the ipad, 3g on the nook---is FREE.     SOLD!!!
I got it set up, and actually bought "Mustaine"  the Dave Mustaine bio.  I am diggin it. 

[ooheadsoo]

Congrats!  I've never seen anything better than e-ink in bright light.

Kindle has free 3G, too.  Now if only the ipad...

[Construct]

Congrats!  I've never seen anything better than e-ink in bright light.

Kindle has free 3G, too.  Now if only the ipad...

Ipad 3g:  it's not a damn phone AT&T...it is a friggin tablet pc and should have an UNLIMITED data plan.  >

[ooheadsoo]

Actually, the ipad does have an unlimited plan, that's what I'm using.  Not that I've ever exceeded 5gb.

[Construct]

Actually, the ipad does have an unlimited plan, that's what I'm using.  Not that I've ever exceeded 5gb.

No, not for new customers.  New customers, that have never had the plan before are required to choose the 200mb data +  or the 2gb data pro. 

[Lyndon]

Construct is right about the new customers. I think this is going to really tick off a lot of iPad 3G buyers.
Watch a couple of movies/videos, etc. and bam, you hit your limit.
I guess this is AT&T's plan to limit use of bandwidth?
Doesn't sound too good to me.

[Construct]

Construct is right about the new customers. I think this is going to really tick off a lot of iPad 3G buyers.
Watch a couple of movies/videos, etc. and bam, you hit your limit.
I guess this is AT&T's plan to limit use of bandwidth?
Doesn't sound too good to me.

I would tell you who my employer is and why I know that.  Hint:  Begins with the letter "A".   

[ooheadsoo]

If those were the only plans available to me when the ipad 3G was launched, I don't think I would have gotten one.

[Construct]

If those were the only plans available to me when the ipad 3G was launched, I don't think I would have gotten one.

Sales, tech support and management get blasted DAILY by people saying "The only reason I bought it was for the unlimited data!!!"  (usually, this call is well after the 30 day return policy.) I sympathize with them because (IMO)  $60  is a ton of money for 5G  "laptop connect".  It's not reasonable.  One lady was mad because she thought that unlimited data was available and FREE.   

[Audiovista]

I saw one today, and while it helps (like the one on my iphone)  it's still no e-ink display. 
I ended up with the wifi+3g nook today.  Got a case and a clip-light as well.  I had no idea that unlike the ipad, 3g on the nook---is FREE.     SOLD!!!
I got it set up, and actually bought "Mustaine"  the Dave Mustaine bio.  I am diggin it. 

Congrats, I got one (with the case) for my b'day just recently. Saved me on a long trip one way (4.5hrs, daytime flight) and when the return flight was delayed (long sitting at the airport). Unlike with LCD screens I managed to get immersed in my reading and even tried to "turn the page" once or twice. It has a very rudimentary web browser (does not work with 3G though - you need Wi-Fi connection), good enough for checking emails, and I am yet to try audio player. The only problem so far is that it does not properly show images on some of my technical books in PDF format.

Overall, very happy, more convenient than carrying more books when not sure what will fit the current mood...

[Construct]

Congrats, I got one (with the case) for my b'day just recently. Saved me on a long trip one way (4.5hrs, daytime flight) and when the return flight was delayed (long sitting at the airport). Unlike with LCD screens I managed to get immersed in my reading and even tried to "turn the page" once or twice. It has a very rudimentary web browser (does not work with 3G though - you need Wi-Fi connection), good enough for checking emails, and I am yet to try audio player. The only problem so far is that it does not properly show images on some of my technical books in PDF format.

Overall, very happy, more convenient than carrying more books when not sure what will fit the current mood...

I still have my pocket sized iphone with 16gb worth of ALAC files, and a netbook for PDF's n such (with 1/4 TB of alac and flac) .  I have to agree though, the text is so perfect it's as easy to read as any book.

[TONEPUB]

Construct is right about the new customers. I think this is going to really tick off a lot of iPad 3G buyers.
Watch a couple of movies/videos, etc. and bam, you hit your limit.
I guess this is AT&T's plan to limit use of bandwidth?
Doesn't sound too good to me.

Why would you download movies via 3G anyway?  That's what your network is for, that's free.

After about two months, I enjoy the iPad more and more all the time.

[Construct]

Why would you download movies via 3G anyway?  That's what your network is for, that's free.

After about two months, I enjoy the iPad more and more all the time.

I know of 3 complaints of people that did...the result was a ghastly $1,900 usage charge for going over the data limit.  They were watching netflix via 3g. 

[TONEPUB]

Ouch!

[turkey]

I know of 3 complaints of people that did...the result was a ghastly $1,900 usage charge for going over the data limit.  They were watching netflix via 3g. 

Bandwidth gets cheaper and cheaper, but the telecom companies charge the consumer more and more. I think it's time to break up the Bells again so there will be a chance of some competition for a while.

[ctviggen]

Why would you download movies via 3G anyway?  That's what your network is for, that's free.

After about two months, I enjoy the iPad more and more all the time.

Why on Earth would one watch movies on an iPad while you're at home?  Why not on the upstairs 32 inch TV with two channels or the downstairs projector onto a 92 inch screen with seven channels of surround sound and two subwoofers? 

I really have tried to figure out the use for an iPad, but I just cannot.  Sure, you can look at Word documents, but who wants to work on a word document on such a small screen, where you need an external keyboard?  Why not just use your laptop?  It seems like too much money for something that's basically a Web surfing tool. 

Maybe it would be cool if you're in college and don't have access to other tools, like a surround sound system, but I've yet to determine what good the iPad is for someone who has all the tools already.  I certainly can't see paying a $300+ premium over the Kindle 3G. 

[ooheadsoo]

The reason why i got an iPad is because i needed (ok, i WANTED) 3G on the road, and I don't stay near free wifi hotspots.  To get it for a laptop costs roughly double the ipad's original $30 plan.  A 13" laptop would cost just as much as an iPad, and its really barebones at this price and does not have all i want in a laptop.  A net book would be cheaper, but the disparity in the data plan would make the net book more expensive for me within 2years.  A smartphone has a similarly priced data plan but you are capped at 5gb, plus have to deal with a tiny screen.  I considered an iPod touch for a pocket sized reader, but eventually decided that it was too small.  The iPad is easier to use while reclining than a laptop, although the weight is a slight hindrance.

The 3G plan was definitely the deciding factor for me, from a financial perspective.

I love e-ink and will still consider buying an e ink device when the technology has matured further.  Meanwhile, the iPad lets me have my cake and eat it too, to some extent.