IPad 2

[Spreeny]

I've just ordered one & I'm a bit of a technophobe, are they easy to set up/use?

[RATTER15]

lol, sometimes these things are worth looking into before ordering, I'm sure you will soon find out. There are a few people on here that will happily help you with any problems you come across. Enjoy your new toy :)

I want one as well!!! :(

[KJN]

If I can do it (which I have) then I am sure to will be able to, found it very easy, just took my time and used the Internet for anything was not sure about, plenty of forums around to ask.

[Spreeny]

Thank you both, I feel a tad more reassured now :-)

[beso]

The iPad is somewhere between a media reader/player and a computer. It isn't really suited to extensive editing as one does on a computer. An external keyboard can take it further that way but it was never really intended to replace a computer.

The biggest operational difference between an iPad and a computer is the absence of a central file system. Each application has an independent store of files associated with it that are not accessible from other apps.

You can't just plug in a USB drive and transfer the files like you would with a computer. The files are moved onto the iPad through iTunes (or in some cases another special interface belonging to the app). Apps can also get files via email.

Basically the apps and files are bound to a particular instance of iTunes on a particular computer. If you synch the iPad with another instance of iTunes all the apps and their files are deleted from the iPad.

Once you understand this and get used to the way the apps are accessed the operaton is reasonably straightforward.

It does take a while to recognise the function of the buttons in an app. There are no "tooltips" when you hover and each app uses its own button designs so someitmes it can be tricky to interpret the icon. It can take a while to get to know what each button does because basically you have to click and see what comes up.

There are many apps available for the same tasks with different strengths. For example there is a plethora of pdf readers that support more features than the standard reader but they are all different. Check out the app store to find the apps you want and be prepared to try a few. They mostly only cost a few dollars each.

There are several patterns of gestures and clicking that mean different things. Some of them are configurable. One that got me at first was the triple click to reverse the video colours. I had no idea what I had inadvertently done and I only worked it out when I found the setting.

Like the iPhone the iPad cannot support Flash video.

Despite the software ideosyncracies it really is a truly remarkable piece of portable hardware. It is so light and small yet has the ability to run for several hours on its battery.

[Spreeny]

Thank you Beso