iPAD 2 - should I get one? Advice wanted

Hi - I'm a non teckie and I have been impressed by the iPad 2 and I am now thinking I need one.  But i think they are quite expensive so are they really worth it. over a Laptop?

Basically my requirements are:

• E-mail and Internet on the move
• Want to use to do presentations to clients
• Use for a bit of fun whilst travelling
• Storage of property details
• Synchronisation with Desktop PC

At the moment I use a desktop PC and a Blackberry - the BB is slow and doesn't synchronise in real time (without an enterprise server) so I end up dealing with most e-mails twice!

Is it best to rely on a Wi-Fi model or better to go for a 3G? I have a T-Mobile dongle - can i use this with a non 3G iPad?

Any help gratefully received.

Many thanks

Andy

I have the 16gb wifi model.... and it's practically replaced the home laptop which was on it's last legs

For what you need, the ipad is perfect - and the wifi model is more than enough. If you are on the move a lot, save yourself the hassle of 3g and get a mifi from Rob Williams - Carphone Company.

/ipadguru

Hi Andy,

Please see below;

What sort of Email service are you using? We provide hosted exchange which means synchronised calendars and emails across devices so it might be an area worth looking at.

With regard to the 3G vs Wifi, I have the Wifi Model as I can tether my iPad with my iPhone whenever I need to get online, but realistically I'm always indoors when using the iPad anyway.

Andy

They are very expensive (around £500)

Netbooks are around £200. They're less flashy, but still do a sterling job.

Pros: Tablets do boot up instantly, they are touch friendly and quite nice to look at.

Cons: I have a netbook because it's more practical. If I'm going to be doing a presentation or work on the train for a few hours, a tablet wouldn't be comfortable.

And if you are going to get a tablet, make sure it's an Android. Mark Adams is raving about the anticipated lauch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and he's right, it's a cracking machine. You can do alot more with alot less. But that's just my opinion, everybody has their own preference.

If it has to be an ipad could be worth waiting a few months http://www.t3.com/feature/ipad-3-rumours

I would also suggest a quick look at this video

On the move, then you'll need 3G in some form, be it a MiFi, tethering or built into your tablet.

Tablets are cool and shiney, but the only reason I bought mine (a ASUS Eee Pad Transformer) was because it has a keyboard dock (that also doubles the battery life), so it is a LOT more useful.  Essentially with the keyboard it is a netbook.  Granted, you could probably use a bluetooth keyboard/mouse, but it'd be a bit bulky to lug around.

Mine runs Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) and has full flash support, so that was another bonus over the iPad's.

What kind of presentations (file formats etc...) and how are the property details stored (again file formats)?  I'll take a look on mine and see what kind of apps there are for support.

You probably won't be able to use the dongle with any tablet, especially the iPad as it doesn't have any USB ports.

Have you considered replacing your BB with a different smart phone, like an Android or iPhone?  Maybe you could do everything you want with a 4" screen phone?

I'm a bit bias and because I'm a techie I do like Android, but it is also seriously worth considering.

I'm not trying to hate, but my Eee Pad (with the keyboard dock) was £429, without the keyboard it's £379, and spec wise it blows the iPad 2 away.

It runs the latest version of Android (3.1), has full flash support, 2 full USB ports, a mini-HDMI port, Micro & full size SD ports and up to 16 hours worth of battery (8 without the keyboard dock, another 8 with it).

In my opinion, there is nothing between the two screens.

Yes, there are a raft of cheap, rubbish Android 2.x tablets but it's normally really easy to spot them as they're <£250ish, and ok, there have been a few malicious apps in the Android market place, but they do get removed, and automatically uninstalled when they are identified by Google.

Thanks Guys.  All this information is really useful.  I think I am decided on what I am going to do, but will keep that under my hat for a day or so, as i really appreciate the sort of comments people are making.  Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy days to do this.