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48 hours with an iPad 1

CHR1S

By CHR1S
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Pete10141748

Pete10141748

Posted
Posted

Yup same here, 24 PDA boxes stacked in my room was the first I knew of them, was asked if staff could use them for SIMS to do registers etc.

The damn things can barely run the calender and clock features, God knows where they came from.

 

No-one ever asked about them again after the delivery day, think the current SLT doesn't even know we have them!

Butuz

Butuz

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Christ on a bike dont show those to petes head or he'll end up with an invoice for £60k dropping through his letter box!!!!

 

I have to admit at first when I saw petes post I was discusted - but now I am simply jealous that you guys in England still appear to have waaay more cash to spend on ICT than us in Wales. :(

 

Butuz

flyinghaggis

flyinghaggis

Posted
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The lack of file browser is an issue, perhaps because I am a windows user? Not having an all in one place to move my files around locally is weird, going from app to app for each different file. This compounds the issue of not having a unified system for editing and storage as discussed earlier.

 

 

I quite like the concept of a tablet computer but this is the one thing that stops me from buying an ipad. I just can't get my head around the concept of not having a 'my documents' folder that I can simply store files in! That coupled with the fact you have to use itunes to synchronise the thing means it's never going to be a device you could use as a stand-alone computer.

 

Having said that if you want a 'tablet' computer it's still pretty much the only option at the moment. Android/Windows slate/tablet devices are still a year or two away from being ready to take the fight to Apple unfortunately.

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jamesb

jamesb

Posted
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I rather like the look of Asus' version - includes a slideout keyboard, decent specs, Android, and the price is apparently going to be in the $400 region.
fathead

fathead

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I purchased only ONE recently for the HoD ICT to demo. I am not a fan of it myself, just a big iPhone in my opinion and I found it hard to part with the cash but it seems to have gone down ok although even they have found out it's limitations quite quickly (most of them have been mentioned in previous threads!). The kids will get to use as a treat at the end of the lesson if they're well behaved.

 

However, as they can't be monitored or controlled centrally it does leave it open to abuse. Rude words/messages being typed etc. As far as I know, there is no way of integrating monitoring software on an iPad into a Windows 2k3 vanilla network?

 

I've had a look at the few Viewsonic's on offer at the Insight Technology Show recently, they are heavy too but look good, excellent spec and from the 2mins I played with it, it worked well, you can also get 7 Pro on the ViewPad 10s as well I think?

Pete10141748

Pete10141748

Posted
Posted

It's been discussed before (and I don't want to hijak this thread into yet another iPadvsXOOMvsAndroid / ilove-hate-Apple thread) but from what I have seen & heard/read on here, Windows 7 on a touchscreen is quite awful to work with and to be avoided.

 

I have a HTC phone with Android on it and love it, but the iPad2 is just too much for me (personally) to resist now; the iPad1 I managed to talk myself out of getting, I can't do it with this new version though!!

fathead

fathead

Posted
Posted (edited)
Windows 7 on a touchscreen is quite awful to work with and to be avoided.

 

I've just read your previous post in late January and read the heads up from everyone! With my budget being released next week I doubt I'll be able to afford fancy things like tablets this year anyway, so I might as well wait for the Win Tablet OS due in late 2012!!!

 

Also be interesting to see what the Blackberry Playbook is like?

Edited by fathead
syntax!
jamesb

jamesb

Posted
Posted
It's been discussed before (and I don't want to hijak this thread into yet another iPadvsXOOMvsAndroid / ilove-hate-Apple thread) but from what I have seen & heard/read on here, Windows 7 on a touchscreen is quite awful to work with and to be avoided.

 

I've got Windows 7 with a touchscreen on my laptop - absolutely lovely to work with on the occasions I need a touchscreen. Have you tried it at all?

Tunster

Tunster

Posted
Posted
It's been discussed before (and I don't want to hijak this thread into yet another iPadvsXOOMvsAndroid / ilove-hate-Apple thread) but from what I have seen & heard/read on here, Windows 7 on a touchscreen is quite awful to work with and to be avoided.

 

I have a HTC phone with Android on it and love it, but the iPad2 is just too much for me (personally) to resist now; the iPad1 I managed to talk myself out of getting, I can't do it with this new version though!!

Very true. I've not played with any Windows 7 tablets, but I have played with a touch-screen based Windows 7 desktop. I can't remember the manufacturer of the screens, but I didn't understand why they made the edge of the screen stick out so you couldnt click the corners properly? Very annoying when it isn't flush.

 

We're possibly going down the iPad route as a trial with our prep school (infant and junior kids). We liked the 12 or 14 unit storage case as linked in a previous post. Going through all the infrastructure, there really isn't much apart from ensuring wireless is available in the areas you want to use them in. Our idea is to put them in the library initially and then locking them down. This is possible with the iPhone Configuration Utility. You can make quick changes by passwording the profile. There's an idea we'll setup a mini-web server that'll host these configuration files too so we can chop and change them.

 

Personally, I'm keeping with my original iPad through the iPad 2 life and wait for the iPad 3 to drop :). I love the fact I don't have to lug around my laptop everywhere in the house. I use it naked and keep it safe in a leather case. Nice to take around when travelling around. General web browsing, reading books, writing blogs etc; it's a very useful tool.

fathead

fathead

Posted
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I use it naked

 

I won't even ask what for! lol. Once they hit £300 I may indulge for me personally, basic iPad has just hit £319.67 inc vat on ebuyer!

Tunster

Tunster

Posted
Posted
I won't even ask what for! lol. Once they hit £300 I may indulge for me personally, basic iPad has just hit £319.67 inc vat on ebuyer!

I just realised what I typed. I mean't, the iPad is naked (without a cover). Don't see bulging the size with a huge case.

Pete10141748

Pete10141748

Posted
Posted (edited)
I've got Windows 7 with a touchscreen on my laptop - absolutely lovely to work with on the occasions I need a touchscreen. Have you tried it at all?

 

Ah sorry, i should have clarified that by saying that (reportedly) Windows 7 on a touchscreen tablet/slate device is not so good - general problems with not being able to touch the edges of the screen, dragging&dropping not working properly (a fault of the touchscreen perhaps not W7), and remember reading someone's comments about it not looking good on a 7" screen and having resizing issues with the 800x600-something resolution.

 

Main thing for me too was W7 wasn't designed exactly for a touchscreen, whereas the iPad OS and Android both are.

 

There was a lot more to it that I can't recall right now, but it was off-putting enough to make me remember not to go down that route!

Edited by Pete10141748
zag

zag

Posted
Posted

Windows 7 on a touchscreen is awful! I tested it on one of our old tablets and they are so far behind on the user interface side of things

 

Hopefully windows 8 will be better.

Tunster

Tunster

Posted
Posted
Windows 7 on a touchscreen is awful! I tested it on one of our old tablets and they are so far behind on the user interface side of things

 

Hopefully windows 8 will be better.

Or MS have the noddle to make a tablet OS from scratch. A desktop OS is never going to win any hearts.

 

The biggest issue going back to the OP; are there any education application writers making apps for the iOS devices? I know you don't have to install apps through the store as the iPhone Configuration Utility will allow to upload custom applications.

Rydra

Rydra

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I was informed this morning that 12 ipad 1's have been bought to arrive early this week.

 

Oh Joy.

 

For the time being it'll be the 12 ipads, and I think a set of the cables to attach them to projectors/IWB's. I've heavily suggested to the HT to look into getting a charging case and some docks for them.

 

I'm very sceptical how if at all they will fit into everyday usage within the school, as the staff wont really know what to do with them initially. So I'll be helping, with any luck in force feeding their integration into things to make sure they get some use.

 

If left to the devises of the staff they will be seen as a hinderance rather than a new tool, and will only end up being used for messing around/treats etc. Hopefully we can change this.

CHR1S

CHR1S

Posted
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Hopefully my iPad 2 is coming from the states, if there is stock when my cousin goes to the store. £303 depending on exchange rate :D
Butuz

Butuz

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Posted

Well chaps I am afraid I gave in an popped into my local tesco extra last night and picked up a 16gb wifi iPad 1.

 

I am typing this on it now!!!!

 

First thing that strikes me is the quality of the unit and the screen. Whatever apple do wrong they certainly get syling and build quality spot on.

 

Second thing that strikes me is actually how useable the on screen keyboard is. I started off using two fingers and after an hour or two have gratuated to using 2 to 3 fingers on each hand at the same time. this makes for surprisingly rapid typing!! I was not expecting this as I had trouble typing on my iPhone 1 due to the tiny keyboard. The on screen keyboard in landscape mode is very usable. The only thing that really slows you down is numbers as you have to enter the number section and then go back to qwerty section. Overall very impressed!

 

I joined it to iTunes on my admin pc and sync my exchange account so I have my full calendar and contacts. So far I am using my calendar and the notes app In work to good effect. I plan to have a look on the app store and see if there arer any other business / productivity apps available for free.

 

Last night I just sat in front of the tv browsing Facebook and a few if my fav forums and it did the job excellently.

 

So to recap. Very pleased so far, for what, web browsing, calendar and email, note taking It is perfect.

 

How much use it would actually be for a pupil or teacher in a school on the other hand is a much harder question to answer!

 

Butuz

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