I Pad or Tablet?

[butterfly31851]

Which one should I buy? I currently use a lap top, but as my mobility decreases (I am palliative care only) been thinking maybe I should get either an I pad or tablet - just don't know which one?

[Lyd12]

I like my ipad, so handy to use anywhere. Good camera too. My husband doesn't like it - the touch screen bothers him, he likes the mouse.

[butterfly31851]

thank you Lyd12,

I like the mouse as well - not so sure about touch screen -

[Suzy6]

Hi butterfly I love my iPad too. I have a laptop but rarely use it now.

Suzyxx

[butterfly31851]

Thanks Suzy6,

There is an awful lot of difference in price isin't there? any suggestions?

[Suzy6 in reply to butterfly31851]

My son had a tablet which he lent to me, couldn't get on with it but iPad no problem. Yes more expensive but to me well worth it.

Suzyxx

[butterfly31851 in reply to Suzy6]

now that sounds like a plan - try them both out & see which I prefer.

Thank you Suzy xx

[Suzy6]

I have a pen with a special rubber tip which I use instead. My fingers tips are a little numb from chemo.

Suzyxx

[knitter in reply to Suzy6]

Hi Suzy, I have the special pen too which I use on my phone...arthritis is my problem. Take care

[butterfly31851]

Hopefully the feeling will come back Suzy.

good to hear that you have made adaptations to make life easier.

take care,

hugs & love,

Jean xx

[Suzy6 in reply to butterfly31851]

Thanks Jean yes I'm making adaptations all the time. It allows me to keep reasonably active and positive.

Lovely sunny day here hope the same for you. Have a good day.

Love Suzyxx

[knitter]

Hi butterfly, I have a laptop but invested in a mini iPad ....completely addicted to it now, so easy to use, fast and light to hold. Too easy to use in some ways ...I try and ration my use and fail !

I do have problems sometimes with losing the Internet connection and have to go back to Settings to log on again....that may be my provider though.

I use it to buy e books as it is easy to hold....can't manage to buy them from Amazon for some reason only from I books.

My daughter has the larger I pad not the small mini like mine...a bit heavier to hold but a bigger screen for watching TV programmes and viewing this site.

My husband doesn't like it , the same as Lyds husband, he doesn't like the touch screen or the small size.

[CELAT06 in reply to knitter]

Can you connect the I pad to any make of printer? I too am thinking of replacing my laptop, but completely unsure of what to get,

[butterfly31851 in reply to CELAT06]

Hi CELAT06,

I have no idea what can be connected, but if I find this out during today I will let you know - I will start researching soon, once I have gone through the long process of dressing! you know what it is like!

Jean x

[knitter in reply to CELAT06]

Hi CELATO6, I still use my laptop for publishing and printing...so I use my iPad for browsing and reading and catch up tv ...

[stone-UK in reply to CELAT06]

Hi

If you go to Apple Store, iPad app. There is a list of printers that are suitable for iPads that work through wifi .

[knitter in reply to stone-UK]

Thanks stone

[RibvanRey in reply to knitter]

My Samsung Android has an on board list of printers. Plus there is an app that allows most Android phones and tablets to connect to any WiFi printer.

[Tracey1972]

Hi I love my iPad can't get on with the tablet use mine a lot in hospital it's great X

[butterfly31851]

Thank you all for your advice - I will do some I pad research today - the I Pad seems to be winning over the tablet!

[Tee1008]

iPad all the way for me, butterfly. Easy to use and carry about. Multitude of free apps to download...books, newspapers, travel timetables, jigsaws, take photos, etc. I hardly use the laptop at all!! I even took it to the surgery to show my doctor the photos I had taken of my flare-up of roseacea..which meant I could leave the covering make-up on and not frighten the waiting room!

Worth every penny!

Tee x

[pergola]

I am so stuck in my ways. I love my laptop. Yes, I have husband's ipad on the table next to me. It is what you feel comfortable with. My mouse ceased to work so I replaced it, and let the cat play with the old mouse!! X

[butterfly31851]

I used to love my big old desktop! but I did give into the laptop, I have never been as much into the lap top though!

I will keep you posted. x

[Magpuss in reply to butterfly31851]

I liked my old desk top computer, it had Windows XP and I was used to that but my fairly new laptop has Windows 10. I find it more complicated and less user friendly than the XP, but for convenience and ease of use my iPad wins, hands down!

[Kerrieblue]

My brother had the same dilemma. He opted for a tablet even though I recommended the iPad (my hubby and I each have one) Two months later he sold the tablet which he just couldn't get on with, and bought an iPad. He has just bought a second one for his wife. I don't have shares in Apple sadly, but for ease of use and versatility their products are second to non. The initial outlay is heavy but the rewards are plentiful. There are three things in life I wouldn't want to be without. My family, my cats, and my Apple products, (I also got treated last year to an iPhone 6s an amazing piece of kit!!)

[butterfly31851 in reply to Kerrieblue]

Thank you for info Kerrieblue, I think I will get my family to do some research for me as well.

Maybe they will treat me!

[Offcut]

Apple products are good but I do think they are so overpriced. Tablet can be as low as £59 for a amazon fire tablet which if you like e books is worth it as they can be read in the sunlight no trouble. We have a Hudl and that has been very good and easy to use.

Hope that helps

[knitter in reply to Offcut]

Hi Offcut, I don't think Tesco sell the Hudl anymore and lots of people seemed to like them too.

[Offcut in reply to knitter]

You are correct they do not which is a shame as the one we have is great we have watched films and all sorts on it. So Looks like the fire will be our next one then.

[butterfly31851 in reply to Offcut]

Hi Offcut,

Yes, Apple do seem to be very high priced in comparison to tablets but I wonder if there is a real reason for that other than just PROFIT. I only read 'proper' books - I love the smell of them & turning the pages, which fortunately I can still do.

I will look at more reviews I think - I believe even google do a tablet!

[Offcut in reply to butterfly31851]

which.co.uk/reviews/tablets...

worth a look

Apple is all about profit that is why shops push them so much they make more.

[Hidden]

Hi I was looking at tablets recently and the shop assistant said beware of windows ones as it takes 2/3 times longer to load than others. He recommended a Samsung and said you can't get a better make. This could be coz he was trying to flog those though instead of the windows ones.

Why not have a look at the reviews online of Ipads and different tablets?

Another thing I don't know about other devices but on a lappy you can change it to voice control so you no longer need to type. x

[butterfly31851 in reply to Hidden]

Yes i am going to read a lot more reviews before I splash out - maybe see if I can borrow either/or for a week or so & see how I get on on with them.

Intgeresting about the voice controls though.

Thank you.

Jean x

[RibvanRey in reply to butterfly31851]

Android can type out what I speak. Lots of companies make Android tablets. Only Apple make iPads. Apple software costs. Everything for Apple costs. Android tablets have thousands of free programs. Plus some that cost. Even music and TV can be free on Android although we will need a licence to watch BBC iPlayer. Other channels are free. Plus Android smartphones use the same language and programs.

Regards Rib

[Tee1008 in reply to RibvanRey]

Apple iPad can also type as you speak, Rib! I have never paid for any of their software, but I still have loads of free apps, TV, radio, music, books, puzzles, etc, etc. Can also use WiFi printers.

Nothing wrong with Android either!!

Tee x

[RibvanRey in reply to Tee1008]

Thank you Tee for widening my knowledge of the iPads. Admittedly by bias is based upon conversations with my DiL who uses one. Whereas my wife has an Samsung Android tablet and I use a Samsung smartphone.

Certainly agree that having one or the other is a lifeline to sanity when stuck in bed. Whether in hospital or at home. I could not bear to be without Internet for more than a few hours. When I think back to the many many isolated months a few decades back, life would have been so much different with the communication and endless diversion that my smartphone affords.

Regards, Rib

[Tee1008 in reply to RibvanRey]

Couldn't agree more, Rib. Mine is attached to me...be quite lonely without it!

Tee x

[Helen6]

Hi Coughalot, I would recommend that you give some consideration to what you will be using the tablet for before making a decision. Like most of the above, I have found the iPad to be really user- friendly and versatile. I did have an android tablet, but found that it was too heavy and large for me to handle easily sitting in a chair. It was also slow when compared to the responsive iPad. I opted for the iPad mini which is great to handle and easy to carry around. Yes, the screen is smaller but I haven't found that to be a problem - depends on your eye sight and what you mainly will use it for - if it's for watching tv and films you might want a bigger version (see what I mean about what will you be using it for). There are good android tablets out there but personally, I would go for an iPad every time.

Best Wishes,

Helen

[Nottobad]

I use a iPad as I can't use a mouse with having arthritis in my hands I use a touch pen. And find it very useful. It has voice search too

[Watfordgirl]

Hi butterfly, looks like the iPad's winning!

Just one thing - you write about your mobility decreasing, but you mentioned before going on a pulmonary Rehab course at the end of the month. You also say you're palliative care only, but, in a sense, most of us on this site are the same - we have inhalers, steroids, antibiotics to 'palliate' our symptoms. The up side of that is we don't have to try to deal with the side effects of chemo etc.

Hope you don't think I'm interfering, butterfly, but it would be much nicer if you could enjoy your new toy and not see it as necessary because it's all you'll be able to cope with. Hope there are lots of good days ahead, Sue x

[butterfly31851 in reply to Watfordgirl]

Hi Sue,

Yes it does seem as though the I Pad is winning this race, I believe there is the Pro & Air - I will have to investigate the difference! I am not really into hi tech stuff!

What you say about my health situation is true Sue, all this has happened so fast to me. I do seem to be losing different skills each day. It is the SOB I find the hardest to cope with, I am so sorry if I sound very defeated, most days at present I am but I am trying to 'brain train' myself - there is always someone worse off than me - I just wish I could walk more than a few paces - hopefully after these classes I will be able to.

I do feel that because I am palliative only (like many others) that I have just been dumped! probably because 'self inflicted' (I am an ex smoker)

I will endeavour to cheer yup.

I was only trying to plan for the future a bit, but I guess I shouldn't - sorry.

My best wishes to you.

Jean x

[Watfordgirl in reply to butterfly31851]

Jean, I'm sorry - I wasn't telling you off, and of course you right to plan for the future. It puts you a bit more in control.

It is horrid and it is frightening and it is frustrating. You might be surprised by how helpful Rehab is. Meanwhile your posts are great - look at all the fun people have had with this one! So thank you!

Love, Sue x

[Hidden in reply to butterfly31851]

No Jean that isn't the case at all. If you get palliative care it means you are at the centre of patient centred care with a multi disciplined team around you. At least I hope you have all that.

It just means that there is nothing much they can do for you anymore which is due to the limitations of suitable meds etc. Many can spend a long time in this stage and still have good quality of life.

You hang on in there chuck! Ok? Bev xx

[Hidden]

Sue I love your replies. You always manage to get to the heart of the issue. Bev xx

[Watfordgirl in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Bev. I'm not so sure, but that was nicely timed because I seem to have got everything wrong today! Sue x

[Hidden in reply to Watfordgirl]

xx

[butterfly31851]

Yes, right to the heart coughalot2

[redted]

I love my Ipad,hubby says its permenantly attached to my hand, got to admit it has become very addictive,I also have a new Laptop but hardly use it,my Son bought me my Ipad 2 Christmas's ago,and I love it,and it works with my printer by wifi,but I use the laptop and printer in the spare room when needing to print,copy or scan.

[butterfly31851]

thank you redted.

Which Ipad you got?

By the way I have amended this posting to 'community only' but the little padlock hasn't come up yet!

[Perce]

I got fed up with laptops only lasting about 3 years so we bought an ipad 1about 6 years ago and it still works perfectly, I mostly use a Samsung 7 inch tablet as it is much lighter and I can read it in bed easily and it is big enough to do most things on.

[Tenter]

Sorry, I have not read the whole thread as there is a lot of it, but, Here's my two penny-worth. I have a Android tablet and iPad mini. A cheap tablet will not be in the same league as an iPad, but, these days a Samsung tablet will out perform an iPad of a similar price point; At least accordinding to the consumer magazine Which.

I do not have a Windows tablet, but, a colleague at work has one, which he says is great, because it can be used seamlessly with PC's and as he moves from place to place is lighter than a laptop. However, I believe it was top of the range and cost far more than a iPad.

You may ask why do I have both Android and iPad and the answer is simple, I love playing board games and some are only available on Android tablets and others on iPad. Which do I prefer, my iPad mini, the only reason being that it is 4 years newer than my Android tablet and therefore works faster.

The first thing that you will need to do is work out what you may be doing on the device. All of them will let you send emails and browse the web with relative ease, even cheap tablets. If you want to watch films or use BBC iplayer or itv equivalent then, a slightly more expensive device will generally be better.

The other thing is the size of the device. If you are lying in bed, then, a smaller lighter device can be held in one hand whilst lying on your back, leaving a hand free to type. This is where the weight of the tablet needs to be looked at, a few grams may not seem a lot, but, believe me it makes a difference. As my oxygen level is only gets above 85 (without oxygen) when lying on my back, I prefer a smaller device so that I can hold in one hand, by having a case with a hand grip on the back.

A smaller device does have its down side, especially if you have bigger fingers. I use a stylus, but, my wife uses her fingers on her iPad mini.

Regardless of which device you get, there will be a time learning how to use it and to understand the terminology. Therefore, if, you know someone that already has a device and likes to explain how things work, it may be that that I s more important to your decision, than, the different people that say one is better than the other.

I hope my comments and thoughts are useful and you find the device of your dreams.

Regards tenter

[M67W77]

Get an I.pad. You can use it from your armchair. Don't know how I would pass the time without mine.