Some basic iPad questions

abelard

My laptop is due for upgrade, but I'm considering replacing it instead with a self-built Windows desktop and an iPad. I have some questions about the iPad. I'm completely new to iDevices and have no idea of the kind of apps available for them and what they'll let me do.

Firstly, I know this is a question all about opinion, but is a tablet an adequate replacement for a laptop for mobile computing needs? (by this I mean, music, video, light typing (email, the odd document), web etc)

Is iTunes the sole interface by which I can transfer stuff between the computer and iPad? Is it flexible in that if I just want to transfer a couple of films or whatever over I can easily do that, or will it try add everything in my music/film library?

Is there an app that will let me stream media directly from my networked computer to the iPad?

Can I connect the iPad to a TV or monitor?

yawnstretch

iPad 2 connects to tvs better than iPad 1.

I connect my iPad 1 to tv using a VGA cable but there are cables for tvs with component too I think.

I have a PC in work and I don't like to work at home so I have an iPad. I practically live on the thing and there's not much that you can't do (although some stuff requires work-arounds in the form of specialized apps - for opening zips, running flash videos, transferring files etc.).

I wrote this reply on my iPad

yawnstretch

Forgot to clarify iPad 1 tv limitations.

You can't see a mirror of the iPad ui on the tv screen - only video that is playing and not all video playing apps support it.

yawnstretch

As far as I know there are loads of apps for streaming various files from PC to iPad. I don't have a PC at home as I said though so I don't use them but there seem to be lots of different ways to do it from what I've casually seen.

Some apps have a UI that handles all your streaming media themselves, others allow you to actually just control your PC (as in it streams an image of the PC screen to your iPad).

Lots of options I'd say but maybe people who regularly stream from a PC to iPad could make specific app recommendations.

chrislad

PC to iPad for video: All I've ever used is AirVideo. Fantastic app, and supports AirPlay too.

chrislad

PC to iPad for video: All I've ever used is AirVideo. Fantastic app, and supports AirPlay too.

abelard

chrislad wrote: »

PC to iPad for video: All I've ever used is AirVideo. Fantastic app, and supports AirPlay too.

Is it free?

abelard

Another question, as I don't really follow mac news - when is the next revision of the iPad likely? And what are the rumoured changes?

Ricky91t

abelard wrote: »

Another question, as I don't really follow mac news - when is the next revision of the iPad likely? And what are the rumoured changes?

I'm not sure when, put it'll probably be some unnoticeable things processes, memory etc and then maybe a tad thinner and a better screen resolution.

Not sure when though, if you predict it from iPad and iPad 2 release dates; March-May next year it seems.

TouchingVirus

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#iPad

abelard

TouchingVirus wrote: »

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#iPad

Nice info, thanks. Interesting that they have the iPad as neutral and iPhone as 'don't buy' when the rumours seem to suggest they'll both get updated at the same time. i know the iPhone was released about half a year earlier but even so. Wondering now if I should wait until October. How reliable have these rumours tended to be in the past?

Creamy Goodness

there's more reliable rumours about an iphone refresh than there are of an ipad refresh at the moment.

also the ipad product cycle goes from q1 2011 to q1 2012, iphone is q2 2010 we're now in q3 so it's missed it's supposed yearly update that's why they are saying not to buy the iphone and ipad is mid product cycle.

i honestly don't think we'll see an ipad refresh until q1 2012.

Steve jobs: "2011 is the year of the ipad"

yawnstretch

iPad 3 in 2011 is highly unlikely.

The quote from Steve Jobs (and also written on the screen during his presentation) visible here:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/03/02/apple_kills_fall_ipad_3_rumors_by_calling_2011_year_of_ipad_2.html

"with over 65,000 apps, we think 2011 is going to be the year of iPad 2."

yawnstretch

abelard wrote: »

Is it free?

AirPlay is free as far as I know (I think it's included in the os as part of the last update) but I thought it was for streaming stuff to apple tv rather than from PC to iPad but I've not used it so I'm sure it does a few different things.

There are definitely other dedicated apps too.

chrislad

abelard wrote: »

Is it free?

No, it's about 2.39, a bargain considering how often I've used it. Universal app too so works on iPhone and iPod touch also.

yawnstretch

Oops - I just saw the AirPlay bit and missed the actual name of the app (airvideo) you suggested.