Don't understand technology----ipad? tablet? netbook? laptop? huh???

BluegrassRN · Mar 8, 2010

I so understand your frustration.

I'm getting an iPhone this summer, and my 14 year old daughter desperately wants one, too. I've told her the deal is that I will buy her one if she will teach my how to use mine to my satisfaction. Nearly every day she's giving me tips and pointers on apps, as well as the very basics of usage. She has a newer ipod, so I'm practicing a bit.

My attitude with technology is always "how does it do this? Can it do this? Why does it do this?" Her attitude is "What do I to make it do what I want it to do" I'm caught up in what it can't do, or how it does what it does, it's limitations, will I break it, etc. She just has the natural assumption that she can figure it out, and that there most definitely is a way to make it do what you want it to do.

So my suggestion? Grab the nearest 14 year old.

IHeartPeds87 · Mar 8, 2010

LOL will do :)

What do you know about the IPad? It looks awesome and I want one, but can I use it as my only computer? Can you write papers on it??

BluegrassRN · Mar 8, 2010

What do I know about the iPad?

That it has a TERRIBLE name (hello, Apple, got any women on staff?).

That it doesn't run flash, so you can't do a lot of internet stuff on it, and it also can't run more than one app at a time.

That it is basically a big iPod touch.

That it looks terribly cool.

That I would probably be better off having an iPhone and keeping my laptop.

Wikipedia offers a pretty comprehensive criticism (positive and negative) about the iPad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 8, 2010

Hi all - I'm a conundrum. Old but very wired. If it's tech, I have it!!!

Although it's really being hyped, the Ipad is just a toy right now. It is very expensive - and the base model does not evern have wireless connectivity. Maybe in a year or so, it will be practical, but not now. Apple has a habit of doing this - the first model of anything is usually very buggie. Always wait for the later editions. Hey - (chuckle) do you know what the second choice for a name for this device was???? The TamPod (snort).

EBooks are great! I have two Kindles (eReader from Amazon); one for fiction and one for non-fiction. Kindles hold 1500 books, runs for a week or so before needing a re-charge. Books are usually

You have to have a laptop for school!!! I have three - two large HP & one very cute Lenovo netbook. If you do go with a netbook, be sure to upgrade the memory to 2mb ($60) and get one with an actual hard drive. This will ensure that you won't have difficulties running any software. Most school environments provide wireless networks for students, but I would also recommend that you get a wireless Internet 'card'. It works like a cell phone - provides you with internet access no matter where you are. I just upgraded to the new 4G 'overdrive' (Sprint). It's a wireless hotspot - you can connect up to 5 devices to it - and it looks very cool.

SmartPhone - you NEED one. I use a blackberry because I like an actual QWERTY keyboard. It has fast internet access and it's connected it to all my email accounts as well as instant messaging. It maintains my calendar, my to-do list, shopping list, contact list, references, etc. I'd be lost without it.

CrazierThanYou · Mar 8, 2010

Hi all - I'm a conundrum. Old but very wired. If it's tech, I have it!!!
You have to have a laptop for school!!! I have three - two large HP & one very cute Lenovo netbook. If you do go with a netbook, be sure to upgrade the memory to 2mb ($60) and get one with an actual hard drive. This will ensure that you won't have difficulties running any software. Most school environments provide wireless networks for students, but I would also recommend that you get a wireless Internet 'card'. It works like a cell phone - provides you with internet access no matter where you are. I just upgraded to the new 4G 'overdrive' (Sprint). It's a wireless hotspot - you can connect up to 5 devices to it - and it looks very cool.

I hope you mean 2 GB. You won't get far on 2 mb...

Mission · Mar 8, 2010

Many smartphones can be accessed by your laptop via bluetooth and used for wireless internet so you don't need the additional wireless card for your laptop if you have that type of smartphone.

Also, I would add that the base model kindle does not support pdf files, which I found essential for school. I went with the cheaper sony even though it doesn't have the wireless support I found being able to read more file types to be more important. As for textbooks, my school has many (not all) available for free download through the school library. Last semester I saved about $300 (which paid for the ereader), this semester I couldn't find any of the books I needed so it's hit or miss.

... but I would also recommend that you get a wireless Internet 'card'. It works like a cell phone - provides you with internet access no matter where you are. I just upgraded to the new 4G 'overdrive' (Sprint). It's a wireless hotspot - you can connect up to 5 devices to it - and it looks very cool.
SmartPhone - you NEED one. I use a blackberry because I like an actual QWERTY keyboard. It has fast internet access and it's connected it to all my email accounts as well as instant messaging. It maintains my calendar, my to-do list, shopping list, contact list, references, etc. I'd be lost without it.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Mar 8, 2010

I hope the OP doesn't mind if I ask a few tech questions myself.

I have a cell phone on contract that I'm happy with. My husband's employer has a special contract with Sprint that allows us an 18% discount, so I'm loathe to change carriers (plus I have two years left on the contract). Plus, I previously had AT&T and the coverage is notoriously dodgy where I am. So, my question is...is the iTouch just an iPhone without the phone?

I've googled the info I ask about, and that's what many people are saying, but it seems like we have some tech-savvy people here who may be able to confirm/deny. I need to have internet access and apps and email. Thanks!

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2010

Get on the bandwagon, dear. You'll be in big trouble if you don't.

Learn techie because it's the future.

wrigh146 · Mar 8, 2010

Most textbooks, at least those through Elsevier, have a CD included with purchase to download to your laptop. For the initial poster whose concern was lugging books to and from class, this is an amazing feature. It does, in fact, have a highlighting tool. It also allows you to take notes in the margin along with the book. I would not recommend kindle for textbooks. Expensive and limiting. iPad sounds great and I will probably be purchasing one. It will have word processing ability, but I don't think I will be trading in my laptop quite yet. I need to do a bit more research myself. Also, when researching and writing papers I need to have multiple apps functioning simultaneously. Good luck!

johnnyDoGood · Mar 8, 2010

I am trying to understand the technology that is out there now! I am taking prereqs and am getting annoyed with my "paper trail."
So what are your favorite gizmos? What is the ipad? What's the difference between the "wifi-only" and the "3gb" one they are coming out with in april?
What's a kindle? are all textbooks on there? could I not have to carry around my ginormous books??
Please share your thoughts....

before you take any courses in anything, take computer courses. talk to a counselor who can direct you to the right courses to take. asking around will only get you confused, and end up buying $$$ gadgets you won't need. some instructors get annoyed when students bring too many gadgets to class. they usually tolerate a laptop, but more than that they will get suspicious. the kindle to my understanding is mainly for reading books online, and many books are not on kindle. people usually read novels, newspapers on kindle, i'm not sure about textbooks on there. but a laptop should do you well. look also into textbooks on audio like vango website. but again, take a couple of computer classes. students will get annoyed with you if you ask them too many of these questions in class.