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I don’t use my iPad. Am I alone?

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I am was sitting there last night a little upset and I looked over at the iPad on the keyboard dock collecting dust and it made me happy that I made a choice not to buy the MacBook Air 11 today. I almost bought one on an impulse just before I left work. I thought about it on the way home and realized that I don’t “need” it. Well, I didn’t “need” the iPad either.


So, why did I buy an iPad? Well, I resisted the urge to buy one because it was the new thing to buy when they were first launched. I ordered, then canceled. I got the iPad for a couple of reasons. Every time I go to Best Buy, my son (8) and daughter(17) both head straight to the iPad display instead of the game system section. They are game system spoiled already since we have a Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3. I am trying to spend more time in the living room and less time in my office. A couple months ago, I figured as much as my son uses my wife’s iPhone, along with the fact that he loves playing with the ones at Best Buy, I might as well get it to share with the family. I could read RSS feeds, check email, and do Twitter while watching TV and they could play those stupid Zynga games. Things went well for a couple of weeks. I rarely used it and my son wore it out. He got bored though. He has 2 different Nintendo DS systems and he loves playing those more than the iPad. He picks the iPad up 1-2 times a week. My wife and daughter never use it. It sits on my desk collecting dust now.

I just can’t find a compelling reason to use it. Even with it sitting next to me on the couch, I pull my phone out to tap out a quick email reply and to check Twitter. Am I doing it wrong? I don’t need to carry it around since I carry a real nice Sony Vaio everywhere already. I can’t see the iPad replacing my laptop ever. I think I might be alone in this. I attribute this problem to the fact that I have so many toys to choose from already.

Help me!

Tell me what I should be using this damn thing for. What software are you guys using on your iPad to make it fun or productive to use? The only apps I use with any regularity of than base apps like email and the browser is Flipboard and Twitter.

Does anyone else have this problem or are you all using your iPads?

48 Comments

48 Comments

  1. Brandon

    10/21/2010 at 2:45 pm

    You don’t want it … I’ll take it.

    Seriously though, when I had mine I used it for RSS feeds (Reeder), Safari and ebooks which I moved on to a K3 instead. Beyond that it was games and email. Nothing spectacular, but instead of sitting at my desk, I could be in the living room with the family.

  2. Larry Telfor Jr.

    10/21/2010 at 2:49 pm

    Don’t have an iPad, but I do know how I utilize my iPhone and what things would be nicer on an iPad. I don’t have a home internet connection, so internet enabled apps wouldn’t be any good, I would use it for ComicZeal and iBooks. If I were traveling and could get wifi, it would be a great web browser, easier than pulling out a laptop and nicer than reading things on my iPhone.

  3. cmw

    10/21/2010 at 2:52 pm

    Mine collects so much dust on my desk that I have that I droop a cloth over the screen.

  4. cmw

    10/21/2010 at 2:52 pm

    Mine collects so much dust on my desk that I have that I droop a cloth over the screen.

  5. cmw

    10/21/2010 at 2:52 pm

    Mine collects so much dust on my desk that I have that I droop a cloth over the screen.

  6. Iscogd

    10/21/2010 at 2:57 pm

    Do you remember the old paper organizers with used at the past containing calendar, contacts, notes, meeting notes, etc’. iPad can simply replace your organizer for daily use, plus the ability to read emails, and read RSS. what else do you need from tablet?

  7. Mcdougalda

    10/21/2010 at 3:09 pm

    It allows for less clutter – I can listen to music, a ballgame live, view movies, tv, and videos, work on papers through iWork, read books through iBook and the Kindle app (use them both), social network, photo album, email, alarm clock, HD quality games, contacts and appointments (and phone calls through skype or whistle phone), in an organized yet mobile fashion – love it, and my wife loves hers as well – it fits in the middle, the iPhone is too small for media consumption and the laptop is too large (and immobile) for media creation.

  8. Michael Robert Borgstede

    10/21/2010 at 3:19 pm

    Must be nice to be able to buy “toys” on impulse. I do that and I end up in debt on my credit card – not good. :) But on a serious note – Is there a way for people who don’t want their iPads to get them to people who could use them but can’t afford them? We are looking into funding to get an iPad for my son would could benefit from using “Proloquo2Go” to help with his Apraxia (speech disorder). We could also use “Diet Well” to track his protein intake to manage his GA1. We can’t afford an iPad right now but these are awesome apps! Any thoughts? Anybody willing to donate and “unsued” iPad?

  9. Michael Robert Borgstede

    10/21/2010 at 3:19 pm

    Must be nice to be able to buy “toys” on impulse. I do that and I end up in debt on my credit card – not good. :) But on a serious note – Is there a way for people who don’t want their iPads to get them to people who could use them but can’t afford them? We are looking into funding to get an iPad for my son would could benefit from using “Proloquo2Go” to help with his Apraxia (speech disorder). We could also use “Diet Well” to track his protein intake to manage his GA1. We can’t afford an iPad right now but these are awesome apps! Any thoughts? Anybody willing to donate and “unsued” iPad?

    • Mark

      10/25/2012 at 10:17 am

      aren’t similar applications available on pc?

  10. Warner Crocker

    10/21/2010 at 3:19 pm

    I smell a post coming up in answer to this.

  11. Warner Crocker

    10/21/2010 at 3:19 pm

    I smell a post coming up in answer to this.

  12. Brian

    10/21/2010 at 3:49 pm

    This is actually quite interesting to me. I put off buying and iPad because I wasn’t sure I would use it. I had purchased a MacBook Pro (after years of using tablets) and absolutely love the thing, so wasn’t sure the iPad would get any use. That sure has not been the case! I use both quite a bit, just for different things.
    I use the iPad everyday for reading both books and most of my online reading (it has replaced my Kindle- my wife now uses it), email, browsing, watching Netflix, and only a little bit of gaming.
    I use the MacBook for things the iPad can’t do- music production, design work, etc.
    I have found I take the iPad everywhere with me- in my case, it has replaced not only the Kindle, but I find I use my phone less and less for online stuff and email. I have even considered going back to a basic phone… I don’t know if I ever will, but I have thought about it. I also watch less on the TV, preferring to watch either on the iPad or MacBook.
    So no, for me, the iPad is getting much more use than I ever thought it would, and with the improvements in the software and anticipated improvements in the iOS, I am sure it will get even more use down the road.

  13. rainman

    10/21/2010 at 4:14 pm

    thats why I don’t have one… but I would get one in a millisecond if it had a stylus and inking!

  14. Norman W

    10/21/2010 at 4:15 pm

    Hey, sorry to hear about not using it. I don’t have one, but I do have an iPhone. Currently, I use my iPhone for EVERYTHING.
    E-Mail
    chat
    netflix
    calendar
    phone
    address book
    notes
    gps
    topo maps
    inventory
    keeping my son busy
    home pictures
    home movies
    communicating via facetime with my wife / son when I travel
    book reading
    comic books
    writing
    web publishing (my website)
    twitter (use the iphone more than the computer for this)
    facebook
    myspace
    linkdin
    music

    basically, If you can think of it, I use it for it.

    If I were to have an iPad, I’d most likely be doing more of what I currently do on that and less on the iPhone. It’s just one of those things that would make my life so much easier to carry around one little device that I can carry a USB charger with as opposed to my Macbook, my iPhone, the charger for the laptop and phone, etc.

    I know it doesn’t do everything that a laptop would do and I’m prepared to deal with that. I just haven’t been able to justify to my wife the price on it. I have however justified the price of a Kindle (especially since they’re sub $200 now) but I hesitate to purchase one as I have the reader software on my Mac and iPhone and if I were to get an iPad it would go on there as well.

    I’m also in the process of writing some apps to work with some of my home automation and control that the iPad would make just soooo much nicer. (surveillance cameras, access panels, etc).

    So, I’m not sure what I can suggest except what I’ve mentioned above. I can say however that if you’re not going to put it to good use, I’d be more than willing to work out a price with you. :) Unless you’d be generous enough to let me have it in return for a review from a “I do everything with my iPhone” user. ;)

  15. Michael Anderson

    10/21/2010 at 4:21 pm

    My iPad has replaced my netbook for everything but running classic games like Baldur’s Gate … and that I have moved to my Alienware m11x! It has even taken away many uses for my Macbook Pro and the Alienware. It is my constant companion. That … and my Droid ;)

  16. Chrisphickie

    10/21/2010 at 4:41 pm

    Let go of your guilt.

  17. Joe Romeo

    10/21/2010 at 4:50 pm

    We have the same “problem.” Our demo unit is almost exclusively used for light web surfing and twitter.

  18. Argos_feucht

    10/21/2010 at 4:54 pm

    I finally heard one legitimate use for the ipad form factor. They change the social aspect of using a computer. When you go to a meeting with a tablet in front of you, it promote interaction because you do not have the laptop screen between you. This is true of everything from healthcare to Companies. Other than that… Well I dont think it is actually better at anything, people use it to justify it, rather that it justifying use.

  19. tivoboy

    10/21/2010 at 4:56 pm

    yeah, I pretty much use it everyday, at times during all the day. reading, checking email, looking things up on the web, watching tv, WHILE watching tv, using apps for stock tracking, etc. That doesn’t mean that the MBP and extra monitors on the desk aren’t getting the lions share of the use, but the ipad is use almost constantly

  20. Anonymous

    10/21/2010 at 5:20 pm

    I’ve been blabbering like an idiot about this on the Engadget boards, and I’m starting to see others like myself who love, love, LOVE the form factor behind the iPad, but want a legitimate business application for it as well.

    I’m not talking about a fully functional enterprise tablet – I’m talking about a tablet that I can use simply as a digital notebook in business meetings.

    What that means, of course, is an iPad (essentially) that has an active digitizer and a OneNote-like app that syncs with the cloud. Microsoft seems like the natural company to provide me with this dream, as they have more-or-less maintained their advocacy for stylus input, unfortunately they also seem determined to try and make Windows 7 work on a tablet – which just isn’t happening.

    Take windows Phone 7, put it on a 10″ tablet with an active digitizer and a stylus, give me a cloud-connected OneNote and at least 5 hours of battery life and I’d have my cash in hand.

    And, of course, Microsoft almost did this very thing with The Courier, but wouldn’t see that particular product through to market, for whatever reason. I hold out hope that something very Courier-like might be on the horizon. We’ll see.

    • Tuur

      10/21/2010 at 5:48 pm

      right on the spot C_James!

    • Anonymous

      10/21/2010 at 9:57 pm

      I’m sort of in the same boat, but replace “business meetings” with “college classes”.

      Currently, the Kno is the only thing even near our niche, EMR pen digitizer and all (along with robust note-taking capabilities with cloud integration, albeit obviously not OneNote)…but you may find the single-screen model at 14″ and 2.25 lbs. too bulky, let alone the dual-screen variant. Battery life is still unknown to me at this point; after all, the OS still needs some optimization before they can give out some figures.

      If only there were more…darn shame, since iPad + Wacom would have me almost instantly sold.

    • Anonymous

      10/21/2010 at 9:57 pm

      I’m sort of in the same boat, but replace “business meetings” with “college classes”.

      Currently, the Kno is the only thing even near our niche, EMR pen digitizer and all (along with robust note-taking capabilities with cloud integration, albeit obviously not OneNote)…but you may find the single-screen model at 14″ and 2.25 lbs. too bulky, let alone the dual-screen variant. Battery life is still unknown to me at this point; after all, the OS still needs some optimization before they can give out some figures.

      If only there were more…darn shame, since iPad + Wacom would have me almost instantly sold.

    • Juan G

      11/07/2010 at 5:14 pm

      C_James wrote:
      “Take Windows Phone 7, put it on a 10″ tablet with an active digitizer and a stylus, give me a cloud-connected OneNote and at least 5 hours of battery life and I’d have my cash in hand.”

      There is something similar with iPad (about 10″ tablet) + MobileNoter for iPad (cloud or PC syncing with OneNote) + capacitive stylus (Dagi, BoxWave, Targus, etc.).

      • Juan G

        11/07/2010 at 5:22 pm

        And, according to Apple, iPad’s battery life is up to 10 hours of Wi-Fi surfing or video, for example.

  21. Oldman

    10/21/2010 at 5:23 pm

    high class problem :)

  22. Nate

    10/21/2010 at 5:31 pm

    Not trying to be mean or funny but sell it. The iPad obviously does not fit well within your personal computing workflow. So no matter how innovative and cool it may be, it’s just not for you and there’s nothing wrong with that.

  23. Tuur

    10/21/2010 at 5:32 pm

    yesterday I tried the inking experience with the iPad/Pogo Stylus/iAnnotate.
    In 1 word: rubbish! the inking really sucks big time!
    So ‘cos there aren’t any decent W7 tablets yet (where are you HP Slate?) I’ll go for the new Fujitsu T580 which should be launched in November.

  24. Tuur

    10/21/2010 at 5:32 pm

    yesterday I tried the inking experience with the iPad/Pogo Stylus/iAnnotate.
    In 1 word: rubbish! the inking really sucks big time!
    So ‘cos there aren’t any decent W7 tablets yet (where are you HP Slate?) I’ll go for the new Fujitsu T580 which should be launched in November.

  25. rfenney

    10/21/2010 at 6:26 pm

    I use mine all the time. I convert documents to pdf/ebook format and drop it on the device before I go out the door. I also use it so I can be in the living room or in my kid’s room when I put them to bed. I use it at school when I don’t need to take my laptop to program. Inking is not up to par yet but I think it will arrive eventually. I also think and am researching development of multi-touch design, planning, and extendend/emersive learning applications. For mobile users going out to clients locations the iPad makes much more sense than a netbook or laptop. I use it for reading. I liked the new kindle add were the two people are by the pool and the kindle user could read in the direct sun light and the iPad user could not – BUT – I would like apple to do an add showing a low light condition like the half time at kids sporting event. In a nut shell, use my iPad to be able to work at a moments notice anywhere but very rarely to replace my desktop/laptop in my office. Having said the last sentence I am using the iPad to augment my work in the office. I can reference information on the iPad without having to interrupt my work-flow main systems.

    I hope this helps….

  26. rfenney

    10/21/2010 at 6:26 pm

    I use mine all the time. I convert documents to pdf/ebook format and drop it on the device before I go out the door. I also use it so I can be in the living room or in my kid’s room when I put them to bed. I use it at school when I don’t need to take my laptop to program. Inking is not up to par yet but I think it will arrive eventually. I also think and am researching development of multi-touch design, planning, and extendend/emersive learning applications. For mobile users going out to clients locations the iPad makes much more sense than a netbook or laptop. I use it for reading. I liked the new kindle add were the two people are by the pool and the kindle user could read in the direct sun light and the iPad user could not – BUT – I would like apple to do an add showing a low light condition like the half time at kids sporting event. In a nut shell, use my iPad to be able to work at a moments notice anywhere but very rarely to replace my desktop/laptop in my office. Having said the last sentence I am using the iPad to augment my work in the office. I can reference information on the iPad without having to interrupt my work-flow main systems.

    I hope this helps….

  27. Wmt76

    10/21/2010 at 6:54 pm

    If anyone no longer wants their iPad I could really use one! I had one but was forced to sell it to cover some unexpected bills. I would love to get one again but I can not afford it right now.

  28. Wraith808

    10/21/2010 at 6:58 pm

    Media consumption is the key. Everyone talks about productivity- while it’s possible to squeeze it into that function, it shines for media consumption, whether it be books, images, web pages, video, or any other type of media. I can’t be truly productive with it- that’s why I carry around my tablet in addition to my iPad. But for consumption, its better than a kindle or nook because I can do so much more than a reader ever could, but at its root, it’s for the same purpose- consumption of media.

  29. Ursula S

    10/21/2010 at 8:42 pm

    I like mine but I still need something with flash in it to play other games I like. So, really, did I need it? No.
    And I’m telling you, I love my Palm Pre interface. If my iPad offered multi-tasking windows and a better way to separate applications then flipping through page after freaking page, I’d like it better. I’ll probably give mine to a family member if HP comes out with some type of pad that utlizes the Pre OS.

  30. Brett Gilbertson

    10/22/2010 at 4:04 am

    My iPad gets used for Farm Frenzy, Harbour Master (by the kids), IMDB and occasional eBook reading and web convenience. There is no doubt that the form factor and battery life is nice, but they don’t make up for the complete lack of functionality.

    It’s clear that there are plenty of people who love fiddling around to make basic functionality work (I converted this to this to this and uploaded to here and bounced it off my satelite dish and voila… it’s now on my iPad in a format that I can’t work with!!), but it’s not for me. I presume these people are doing this on someone elses dime…

    It’s not the form factor that is the problem, because I work with a Slate tablet all day every day. It’s the basic lack of functionality, like tabbed browsing. That stupid 3×3 grid in safari is just awful. Email is awful. Forget about inking / note taking – I gave up crayons in kindergarten. Document creation on iPad does not exist, and input is v1 stuff – slow and clunky.

    It’s very frustrating that both Microsoft and Apple do not put enough energy into the Tablet interface (one through apparent ineptitude, one through sheer arrogance), but Microsoft slates are still miles in front when it comes to serious work. The form factor gap will be closed soon though.

    Meanwhile, my office is an iPad free zone. It just has no place there.

    • Wraith808

      10/22/2010 at 1:54 pm

      A lot of what you say is true, but not the tabbed browsing. “There’s an app for that.”

      https://www.icab.de/mobile.html

      And e-mail will be improved in the next OS version. But, as I say, in my opinion, the iPad is for consumption. That seems to be what it was originally intended for, and what it still is aimed towards, no matter what bloggers, or even Steve Jobs says. If you get it for productivity, prepare to be disappointed or frustrated. Or buy some blinders, because that’s what you’ll have to wear to make yourself oblivious to the shortcomings as a productivity device.

    • Hannahbel

      03/12/2011 at 1:59 pm

      what is inking?

  31. Will

    10/22/2010 at 5:51 am

    How much you want for it?

    • Chris Leckness

      10/22/2010 at 2:47 pm

      Sorry folks. I don’t ever sell my old gadgets. I keep them, loan them to family members, or give to local charity.

  32. Courtney

    10/22/2010 at 6:12 pm

    Sometimes it is hard to work a new gadget into your life. One way would be to stop carrying your iPhone around with you for a couple weeks and keep the iPad near. Maybe after you have broken the habit of pulling out your phone you’ll be able to see the usefulness of the iPad. Its something I’ve been consciously trying to do and then I can create new habits that I will have to break when I bring a another new device home ;)
    Just a thought!

    • Chris Leckness

      10/22/2010 at 6:13 pm

      That’s a good idea, but I have been using Android phones for the last 2 weeks. :) Reviewing the Samsung Transform and Fascinate right now.

  33. KarinA

    10/22/2010 at 7:23 pm

    I use mine all the time. In fact, my laptop is collecting dust because I use it so much. I use it in the evenings when I watch TV or movies. During commercials, I can look up things on wikipedia, check my email, browse the web, etc. I use it in the kitchen to look up recipes with the Allrecipe app. I take it with me traveling instead of my laptop. I use it with Airfoil and some external speakers to extend music to any room in the house. I have a political cartoon app that I enjoy reading every so often. I check my Netflix queue on it, watch TV shows with my ABC app. And the list goes on and on… I’m actually using it much more than I ever expected to.

    I have an iPhone and and iPad. I only use my iPhone when I’m out and about because the iPad is so much easier to read.

    It probably depends on what kind of apps you use, but I can say that the iPad has been really useful for me.

  34. A_dairy_cow

    03/03/2011 at 6:52 am

    Your not alone. I was disappointed in it too. Just another overrated toy.

  35. NetJunky

    05/13/2012 at 7:11 am

    I’m in the same boat as well, in the store it seemed to be the holy grail, but once I got it home it quickly turned into an oversized iPhone that I never use… Sad really, I think I probably have a whole room full of expensive electronics that I bought on a whim and never use. Can’t sell the stuff because most of it is obsolete already and would cost more to ship than it’s worth. I have to start leaving my bank card at home when I go shopping! ;)

  36. EileenApple

    07/01/2012 at 9:59 pm

    If someone does not want theirs and wants it to go to good use for not a lot of money let me know. My grandson I am raising has apraxia and I just cant afford a few one the app alone is almost $200 but well worth it. If your interested let me know. Thanks.

  37. Pete

    09/15/2012 at 2:20 pm

    do you wanna know how to use your ipad efficiently? these video tutorials will do! https://418b9hb3c7rz1n42x0gmp1nd-z.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=YJJYSFHZ

  38. Pete

    09/15/2012 at 2:21 pm

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