??? I-Pod, I-Pad and/or Tablet ???

[Oldgringo]

My wife has a Kindle and an older Sony Vaio laptop. We're not retired with a big fat pension, we just quit working a few years ago. There weren't personal computers when we went to school and for more than a few years thereafter; consequently, neither of us are computer gurus. The stage is set.

Mrs. Oldgringo wants an I-Pod that she can surf, e-mail, play word games/crosswords, facebook and video talk with her son and grandkids. We don't know the difference between a tablet, an I-Pod or our father's Oldsmobile. We are not "gamers" but she might listen to some music?

What's the difference in operating systems, a tablet vs, an I-Pod, and an I-Pod vs an I-Pad?

Will/can somebody point is some direction, please. BTW, money is an object.

Thanks, y'all.

[JustMe]

First, I have to say that I am not a techi---this is just my understanding.
an ipod is mostly just a music holder I think--an ipad is the apple version of a tablet.A tablet will do the books, facebook, surf the web, movies, books, games etc.

I chose an ipad because I already had an iphone--and i can use the same apps and sync the 2 together---i.e. I can put something in the calendar on the iphone and it will sync to my ipad-or vice versa.
And let me clarify--I am not a Mac person! Those are the only two mac platforms I have!

BUT--neither will replace my laptop---I still use the laptop for major work-word-etc. Just now, I don't have to take the laptop with me when I go somewhere--it stays home.

Like I said--not a guru--just a user

Mary

[Teamless]

I bought my first apple anything last fall, and Ipad2, as when I travel (weekly) I watch movies or TV shows on it, that I have to buy from ITunes.
I, previously, had a Nook Color that my wife bought me, as you were supposed to be able to put movies and such it on it as well. And while it is possible it is a long and arduous task to say the least.
So after some research for what I wanted to do, it came down to the IPad2, as even if I went with a tablet, it would have been another arduous task to put shows on there.

the ease of use on the IPad2 is great.

after getting the IPad2, both my wife and I also bought IPhones, and as said above, these are the only "I" platforms that we have, and are not "Mac" people.

Also as said above, for day to day PC work, stick with a laptop, spend the $600 or so for a decent laptop and be done with it.
If you want something for portability, and to play games or facebook or other applications like that, the IPad2 will work nicely, but then again, so with Tablets.
however if you want to do movies, etc, the IPad is the only way to go.

[RottenApple]

An iPad is a tablet device and the best on the market. I've played with several Android tablets and, while they have some nice features, Android still has a long way to go to truly compete with Apple.

As for operating systems, iOS is the operating system used by all iPod Touches, iPhones, and iPads. Same OS on all of them. It's easy to use and intuitive. The learning curve is VERY short with iOS devices. Android devices are still a few years behind Apple in the customer experience area but Google is working hard on it. My main issue with Android (other than the lack of refinement) is the fragmentation. There are several different versions of Android and whenever a new version is released, it may or may not be compatible with whatever device you have.

Ultimately it's going to come down to what you want to use it for, how quickly you can learn to use it, and how portable you need it to be. For books and web surfing I typically use my iPad (which I'm typing this out on now), for music I use my iPhone.

[Oldgringo]

Thanks, guys.

The computers in the house are all MS driven. My Smartphone is a Samsung android thinghy and music would be way down on the list of needs with Skype (?) or some sort of video/talk capabilities being way up on the list of needs.

Does that narrow it down and is I-Pad an Apple thing whereas an I-Pod or a tablet is everybody else's version of the same gizmo? Whatever we get must be compatible with what we have...doesn't it?

[RottenApple]

iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touches are all compatible with MS Windoze. Im sure all the Android devices are too. So you'll be fine there.

[Wes]

an iPod Touch is basically the same thing as an iPad, the only difference being the size and consequently the price. You will want at least a 4th gen iPod Touch which normally run about $175 and at least an iPad 2 which will run $399. These will be the basic devices that will give her video talk capabilities, both would require WiFi but you can get an iPad with 3g/4g service on it for a fee from your normal carriers.

[philip964]

First iPod is pretty much over and done with the exception of an iPod Touch.

Everything that is on an iPod Touch is on an iPhone, plus you get a cell phone in addition. Downside you have to buy an internet plan which is 15 to 30 dollars a month more than just the phone. So you could have a cheap cellphone and an iPod Touch and have the same thing. Except you only get the internet on the iPod Touch where a place has free wifi: ie: your house, some hotels, McDonalds, etc.

The iPhone or iPod Touch do everything and more that the iPad does. However, the iPad is bigger easier to read to see photos or movies. It is also easier to type on as the small keyboard on the iPhone or iPad Touch are very hard to use. The iPad is not a cellular telephone and it does not have Siri personal assistant.

The iPad comes in two versions wifi and with wireless internet. Wifi is free but wireless internet costs like the iPhone.

I carry an iPhone so I see no reason to have an iPad, as I don't need bigger. I do need something to type with. So I am looking for a MacBook Air, which is like the iPad only in a notebook type computer that has a real keyboard. It is very thin like the iPad and opens like a book.

All of this is also available from other people besides Apple. Usually for a little less money, but not as sleek and neat as the Apple products. Just like before it is Apple vs. the rest of the world. They came out with the products first and everyone is copying. In twenty years we will know who won.

All the products Apple makes, someone else makes a similar one. Toshiba makes a Microsoft/PC version of the MacBook Air. HP supposedly is coming out with one, but I have not seen it yet. Samsung makes a Android/Google version of the iPad. HTC and many others make a Android/Google verision of the iPhone. I'm not sure the Kindle, Nook and the like are as useful as the iPad for things other than reading books.

The Apple products seem to be very easy to learn and use. Except when it comes to making my Microsoft/PC work with them. I still haven't figured out how to copy photos from my PC to the iPad, my wife has.

I love my iPhone, not as happy with ATT. So when renewal comes around I may experiment with an Android smart phone.

I do know the HTC android phones are faster than my iPhone.

Good luck.

[Oldgringo]

Thanks, again. We're gettin' there.

[Teamless]

the Ipad does not have an external connection.

technically you are correct, but there is an adapter for that, which I bought from Best Buy, and it works quite nicely.
http://reviews.bestbuy.com/3545/2343563 ... eviews.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JustMe]

the Ipad does not have an external connection.

technically you are correct, but there is an adapter for that, which I bought from Best Buy, and it works quite nicely.
http://reviews.bestbuy.com/3545/2343563 ... eviews.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I agree--works fantastic! I did the live stream webcast from last years Sweet Adelines Intl Competition and had great sound and picture

[Oldgringo]

So, where is the goodest, cheapest, most knowledgeable place to shop for one of these thinghys? (Note that I didn't say Best place.)

[TexasComputerDude]

I have an iPhone and iPad but I'm not sure if I'm buying any more apple products. They have lots of nice features but I'm sick of the walled garden. Once you start buying apple products you have to keep buying apple products.