[srb]

What is the max memory you can add?  I'm really hoping that the Ipad 2 will have much more memory.  I would like to put 1TB of music on it (uncompressed) and ditch my ipod for travel.

It will likely be at least a few years before 1TB of memory chips would be affordable enough and exist in a form factor that would fit within an iPad.
 
Right now, most 1TB SSD "drives" are 3.5" form factor (5.75"L X 4"W X 1"D) and sell in the $3K to $4K range.  There are a few new 1TB 2.5" form factor drives (4"L X 2.75"W X ~1/2"D) and they are even more expensive.
 
The largest CF (Compact Flash) card currently available is 128GB and the largest SD (Secure Digital) card is 64GB.
 
I doubt that the next generation or two of iPads will exceed 128GB.
 
Steve

[skunark]

My wife wants and IPad and I do not know which model to purchase so I am looking for recommendations based on your experiences.  I do not plan to purchase one of the 3G Models as she does not travel often enough to justify that option.  The question is which wifi model in terms of memory do I need to purchase?

Thanks,

Ken

I think the 16GB or 32GB is plenty unless you have several thousand photos or want to mostly upload video.    I went with the 32GB for the rare travel occasion so I can upload a season of Top Gear.   I didn't pick the 3G option because I mostly plan to use it at home or places that traditional have free wifi (coffee shops, airports, etc).

[tomjtx]

I don't think directions are an issue.

She can use her GPS (already owned).

She can use her phone (already owned).

George

I bought my Ipad the 1st week it was out. 16Gb wi-fi only.
I have never had need of 3G even when traveling.

Locally, every coffee house, restaurant, bookstore I go to has free wi-fi

When I travel in the US and Europe every hotel and or campus I stay on has free wi-fi.

For the rare times I need 3G I have my Iphone.

I would advise anyone with a smartphone and data plan to consider carefully before spending extra on 3G for Ipad.

I have many friends who have jailbroken their Iphone and have free tethering for those times when wi-fi isn't available.

Flying with the Ipad is great, no taking it out for the security check.

As to memory I still have 10GB left on my 16GB .
However, for music when traveling I use my Ipod Classic 160GB with ALAC.

I would never use the Ipad for navigation since I have the Iphone with Navigon and a GPS cradle mount for the car.

BTW, the Ipad is a great remote for Squeezebox control. I have both Ipeng for Ipad and Squeezepad. Both are terrific.

[TheChairGuy]

Thanks for that helpful post, tomjtx

You answered several questions for me in one shot...

Should I buy the Navigon GPS for my iPhone and ditch my old Tom Tom?  Yep

Should I care about 3G on a future purchase of iPad? Nope

Can I tether my iPhone to my (future) iPad if needed?  Yep, by jailbreaking my iPhone taking a few minutes and few $$

So, only question you didn't answer - do all those cradle mounts for iPhone have adjustable widths?  I have a rather bulbous Ballistic case on my iPhone, so it's a lot wider than the standard issue of those with the simple frame-type-case around the phone.

I, too, travel in US, Europe (and Asia), so I'm trying to reduce bulk whenever possible.  Now with cloud storage from SugarSync on tap - all my files that I may need are ready so for a day or two trip I wouldn't need my laptop anymore as I can send files from my phone or (future) iPad

Longer than a day or two and I may need document processing abilities to change or add in Word, Excel, Powerpoint mostly.

John

[Bigfish]

Guys:

I really appreciate all of the responses.  It would seem the WiFi Model with 32 MB of memory will be more than sufficient for my wife's needs.

Thanks Again,

Ken

[cryoparts]

FWIW-I have both the 3G and the wifi, I find myself using my iPhone when I am out an about, and the iPad at coffee shops, home, and the office (and all have wifi). 

The 3G iPad is great when sitting somewhere, but "on the go" it is a little bulky (at least for me) to carry around, while the iPhone slips right in my pocket, and does almost everything the iPad does, albeit with much smaller screen.

Peace,

Lee

[zybar]

Here is a great way to use the iPad...dad and son playing Angry Bird.   




George

[Pez]

Haha! that's awesome! It's amazing how quickly kids pick this stuff up.

My daughter using "her" iPad to watch Elmo videos.

http://gallery.me.com/jasonmwong#100023/IMG_1440

(let me know if you can't see it, I'm not sure if the way I linked it is correct)

[lonewolfny42]

http://mineola.patch.com/articles/district-to-give-ipads-to-fifth-graders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agA88xnaPls

[cryoparts]

Here is a great way to use the iPad...dad and son playing Angry Bird.   

Oh, man, that game is addictive.  Start playing it, next thing you know, it's four in the morning...   

Lee

[PhonoJack]

I don't have the 3G service option with my iPad.  I don't need it.  Verizon's 3G service with the Motorola Android let's me create a 'hot spot', really an 802.11n Access WiFi Point to which my iPad will connect.  This is particularly useful at remote locations where WiFi is not available.

Also, just a heads up for customers taking the high speed Acela train, there is end-to-end WiFi service between cities such as Boston, New York, Philadelpha, Washington and intermediates along the way.

Finally, check out www.LogMeIn.com which allows you to get access to your desktop PC from an Internet connected iPad.  To get the use of your PC's features & functions, I suggest you get the iPad keyboard.   Have fun.

[Don_S]

I use logmein.com for it-that-shall-not-be-named (at least not on an Apple thread) devices.  After some initial set-up aggravations it has worked without problems.

[santacore]

On a side note-does anyone know of a way to open Microsoft word documents on the iPad? I'm a freelancer and considered an iPad to carry around and so that I can create invoices on the go. Any input would be appreciated.

<<<Hijack off>>>

[bpape]

http://www.apple.com/iwork/compatibility/

[santacore]

Thanks bpape! My niece told me there is a new Microsoft product for iPad, but I haven't been able to find it. This must be what she's talking about.

[Pez]

  hmm not sure what program your niece is referring to, but the only MS software I know of for any iOS device is Bing. I may be wrong though. iWork is an App from Apple.

[santacore]

Pez, she told me that they made a version of "MS Office" for the iPad. Like I said, I can't find anything about it out there. She probably got confused with iWork.

[skunark]

Pez, she told me that they made a version of "MS Office" for the iPad. Like I said, I can't find anything about it out there. She probably got confused with iWork.

You can use "pages" to edit word documents and send pdf, word or pages via email or other means.  Should be fine for basic word documents and there's keynote and numbers that will work with powerpoint and excel files.

[Pez]

I use pages for work on my iPad. It's so nice! Also numbers. Easy to type up an invoice anywhere and instantly email it as a PDF over 3G. Quickest way to bill and get paid!

[santacore]

I use pages for work on my iPad. It's so nice! Also numbers. Easy to type up an invoice anywhere and instantly email it as a PDF over 3G. Quickest way to bill and get paid!

That's what I'm talking about!! That's exactly the kind of stuff that I need it for. I saw you started a MB Air thread too. That's the other unit I'm considering for this stuff. Any thoughts on which you would prefer?