Just a few questiouns before buying my ipad

[tony kop77]

I put my name down for an ipad 3g 16GB at an apple store and just have a few questiuouns.

What case do you guys recomend

Is it worth take out Apple care or whatever it is called as peace of mind

What is 3G like? Is it hard to get 3G signal and what is it like streaming music and sky over 3G?

Does the ipad get warm at all and can I surf the net in bed and not worry about it over heating?

I am getting the new iphone so music will go on there while ipad will have mostly reading materials and apps. I put my name down for 16G but is that enough, should I pay £70 more for 32G

Is it easy transfering dvd's to your ipad and what is the quality like?

Is you tube smooth when played over 3G?

 

[Cenzo74]

I can't comment on the 3g side as I only have wifi...

however:

Q: Is it worth take out Apple care or whatever it is called as peace of mind

I believe you can take it out at any time during the 1st year warranty period. I haven't got it yet but plan to towards the end so I can have another year's Apple warranty. If you take it out straightaway you get free telephone support for the whole period but otherwise there is no other major benefit as far as I can see during the first year.

Q: Does the ipad get warm at all and can I surf the net in bed and not worry about it over heating?

Doesn't get warm at all. Fantastic for use in bed, I especially like the lock feature to stop auto rotation enabling you to hold it at whatever angle is most comfortable. I find myself surfing at extremely odd hours now because of this little gem!

Q; Is 16gb enough?

If you are just using Apps and Books then 16gb should be enough. I got 32gb because I know I'll be using a lot of video. I have HD video on my apple TV that syncs with the ipad and 32gb is plenty for me so I shouldn't think its too much of an issue using only 16gb for your needs.

I don't have a case yet, but in terms of price vs quality the official apple case seems to be a favourite.

Transferring DVDs is a snap - but it depends on your home setup. I use handbrake to import video into itunes for use on Apple TV. Previously I utilised the universal preset so that the films would also play on iphone/ipod but have found that the apple tv preset is best now I have an ipad. The only problem you face is when importing copyrighted DRM protected material into the library but there are other forums on here that may be of help. Please note howeve rthat circumvention of DRM and infringement of copyright is illeagal.

 

[Lancia34]

I don't have the 3G either but glad to help on some bits...

Q: Is it worth take out Apple care or whatever it is called as peace of mind

As with previous poster, I have got Apple Care yet but I might do - waiting to see what the general reliability is like

Q: Does the ipad get warm at all and can I surf the net in bed and not worry about it over heating?

It's fine in and around the house - only place it will tend to overheat is when outside on a sunny day - direct sunlight has caused several to overheat but just leave it to cool down and it should be fine. Personally I don't plan to use mine outside too much if it's very sunny.

Q: Is 16gb enough?

I have the 16Gb and looking at some of the apps coming out I think I might be filling that up quite quickly. I don't keep any music on it as I stream from my NAS but do have some photos and will have the odd video just for travelling. If you can afford to get the 32Gb then it might be worth it as it does give a bit more breathing room.

Q: Is it easy transfering dvd's to your ipad and what is the quality like?

I have most of my video on my NAS as either DVD rips or divx so using an app called airvideo it can convert to iPad compatible on the fly and can also convert a queue of films offline - all initiated from the iPad - awesome
To convert DVDs, something like Handbrake can convert to iPad compatible or you could rip a DVD to MPeg or divx with loads of apps and then stream with Airvideo (did I mention how awesome that software is!)

 

[tony kop77]

Thanks guys, think I will go for the 32GB. I dont plan to use mine in direct sunlight, only time I will use it away from home is on the coach while traveling to the football.

 

[Lancia34]

Oh and regarding the case, I have the official Apple case and it's pretty good, feels nice, looks good and does the job. There might be better ones out there for less money so it might be worth checking out the iPad case thread in the Accessories section

 

[onelife2000]

What case do you guys recomend

None for actual use... why would you!? It's great to look at and won't slip in a dock easily with it.

Is it worth take out Apple care or whatever it is called as peace of mind

What is 3G like? Is it hard to get 3G signal and what is it like streaming music and sky over 3G?

All works fine for me! on O2 daily package - looked at the orange but you
cannot admin it directly from the iPad.

Does the ipad get warm at all and can I surf the net in bed and not worry about it over heating?

Zero heat at all!

I am getting the new iphone so music will go on there while ipad will have mostly reading materials and apps. I put my name down for 16G but is that enough, should I pay £70 more for 32G

Get the 32GB - I am regreting not getting the 64! Because of the higher res
- apps are bigger. And one thing I have noticed is that the iTunes movies are massive

Is it easy transfering dvd's to your ipad and what is the quality like?
It is - you need to get a seperate app. seach DVD > iTunes

Is you tube smooth when played over 3G?[/QUOTE]

Yup fine for me. But depends on connection of course.

 

[Lancia34]

Does the ipad get warm at all and can I surf the net in bed and not worry about it over heating?

Zero heat at all!

[/QUOTE]

It can overheat in direct sunlight on hot days but that seems to be the only time from what I have heard

 

[TylerDurden]

Transferring DVDs is a snap - but it depends on your home setup. I use handbrake to import video into itunes for use on Apple TV. Previously I utilised the universal preset so that the films would also play on iphone/ipod but have found that the apple tv preset is best now I have an ipad.

Using the apple tv preset how big (filesize) is a 2 hour film ?

 

[tony kop77]

I would only use the case when taking it to the coach with me and waiting for the coach to turn up.
I dont hardly ever get 3G on my iphone when traveling on the motor way. I am with o2 so might try another provider for 3G to see if its any better.

 

[Lancia34]

I would only use the case when taking it to the coach with me and waiting for the coach to turn up.
I dont hardly ever get 3G on my iphone when traveling on the motor way. I am with o2 so might try another provider for 3G to see if its any better.

You might be better getting a slip case then as opposed to the official apple case as it doesn't give too much protection and is a pain to get in and out.

 

[MIB]

Using the apple tv preset how big (filesize) is a 2 hour film ?

About 2.4gb so not many films on a 16gb. I picked up a preordered 16gb yesterday and had second thoughts about going for a 32gb, the Apple shop didn't have any but they said I can try the 16gb for 2 weeks and if I decide I need the 32gb just take it back to the store and they'll swap it.

 

[Lancia34]

About 2.4gb so not many films on a 16gb. I picked up a preordered 16gb yesterday and had second thoughts about going for a 32gb, the Apple shop didn't have any but they said I can try the 16gb for 2 weeks and if I decide I need the 32gb just take it back to the store and they'll swap it.

Using Airvideo, where you can set off movie conversions from the iPad itself (they convert on your PC), I converted a 720p MKV and it came out on full quality at 1.2Gb. Looked perfect on the iPad and it was an animated film so easy to tell when quality isn't that good.

Even with a smaller converted file you would fill up the 16Gb quite quickly

 

[tony kop77]

I changed my mind I am going to go for the 32GB instead of the 16GB, do I have to go in store and tell them or can I change the model I want online? I was told instore that I will recieve an e-mail when they have the ipad 16GB in store for me and I have 48 hours to pick it up.
If I order online will I recieve it sooner?

 

[Lancia34]

I changed my mind I am going to go for the 32GB instead of the 16GB, do I have to go in store and tell them or can I change the model I want online? I was told instore that I will recieve an e-mail when they have the ipad 16GB in store for me and I have 48 hours to pick it up.
If I order online will I recieve it sooner?

No idea about this - I didn't get mine from Apple.

Best bet would be to go into the store and tell them if you can't find a way of doing it online - have you received the email about the 16Gb one yet?

 

[tony kop77]

No idea about this - I didn't get mine from Apple.

Best bet would be to go into the store and tell them if you can't find a way of doing it online - have you received the email about the 16Gb one yet?

Not yet, only an e-mail to say they will be in touch. I went in the apple store Tuesday and the guy didn't know when they would be getting some in but way he was talking sounded like it could be a month or more.

 

[Lancia34]

Not yet, only an e-mail to say they will be in touch. I went in the apple store Tuesday and the guy didn't know when they would be getting some in but way he was talking sounded like it could be a month or more.

Thought about getting it somewhere else such as PC World (though don't know if they have any either)?

Could also try - CANCOM UK - The Apple Mac Specialists

I got mine from Solutions inc. Apple Premium Reseller Store in the UK

Both these places only sell it instore I think and again, no idea if they have any stock.

 

[DrD787]

I would only use the case when taking it to the coach with me and waiting for the coach to turn up.
I dont hardly ever get 3G on my iphone when traveling on the motor way. I am with o2 so might try another provider for 3G to see if its any better.

I have got an O2 iPhone and an Orange iPad. The difference when on the move (I have been on a lot of cross country trains recently) is chalk and cheese. Orange scarcely ever misses a beat, O2 hardly ever has a signal.

 

[tony kop77]

Thanks looks like I will go with orange for 3g though I would only use 3g once a week so what would be the best tarrif for me and do I have to give then 30 days notice?
I changed my order to 32GB, I don't know how long it will be before the apple store get them in stock. Did you guys have to wait long before you was able to go to the store to pick up your ipad?