thinking iPad... questions about use at uni!

hello, so I can't believe I'm actually considering an iPad (especially after mocking it for it's entire life span).

some of you know I don't see well so I would be using zoom and white on black features. and some of my questions relate to that... I may also use voiceover as well.

1. I want to be able to use this thing to take notes in class. but I also need those notes to be visible on both an iPad and a PC (and possible a mac as well). how does the iPad output these files? can I create multiple 'pages' inside the files or is just one long piece of paper.

2. I've also heard with an app I can import and write (with the stylus) directly in PDF files and save them that way. is this true?

3. also can you select different sized of 'digital ink' when writing with the stylus?

4. is battery life really 10 hours (or close to)?

5. Anything else I should know?

thanks for any help! I can't easily get to an apple store to try it... the store is 1 hour away in West Edmonton Mall (which is HUGE, well biggest until that new one was build in china).

 

Here's an excellent review by Laptopmag: Apple iPad Review: Introduction and Design

 

Great! good to see. I'm still looking at an answer to the first 3.

one more...
6. Does the iPad come with the stylus?

 

No it doesn't. The screen is capacitive so regular plastic tipped stylus will not work with the iPad.

 

I've seen a stylus from a friend... and apparently it works. it was a different stylus not a regular one rather one with a soft tip. anyone know anything about that? I'm going to have to track this iPad down tomorrow and see what he did.

 

what about this?
New Stylus Touch Pen for Apple iPad iPhone 3GS 4G iPod on eBay.ca (item 280543108965 end time 30-Sep-10 23:01:50 EDT)

 

Yes, I've seen it, it has a bristled soft end?

Like these: iClooly Multi Touch Stylus Pen for iPod/ iPhone/ iPad | Overstock.com

MacMall | Griffin Stylus for iPad, iPhone and iTouch GC16040

 

does apple sell these? I just don't think I want to wait 2-3weeks to get a stylus..

Edit: I'm surprised no one has consider doing actual work on one of these...

 

I picked up my stylus at an Apple store, and have seen them at another Apple store. I do not however see them on the web store.

 

ok, that's good. I really didn't want to wait 2weeks to get one.

can I ask how much it was? and how well does it work to write notes?

 

1. If you use the notebook app you get one long page and can sync it or email it to your computer. For $10 you can get the Pages app which is a full word processor which allows multiple pages and can email or sync to your computer in .doc or .pdf format if you choose.

2. Yes there are apps that do that, noterize and iannotate are 2 off the top of my head.

3. I'm not sure but you should be able to find that out easily.

4. Yes, even longer is possible depending on how you are using it.

Here's a link to the stylus I picked up. I actually don't use it much as I type more than write (never was much for penmanship) but it does come in handy for drawing and such.

 

Thank you! that's what I need to know! I need the pen for math and diagrams if I'm going to type out a long doc I'll just type it on the keyboard or my real laptop

+ 1!

how much did the stylus cost and did you get it at the apple store? just trying to get an idea how much this will cost me if I go for it.

also what the return policy at the apple store? if there is no restocking fee I will just buy and figure out if it's worth it latter.

do you know if Pages can act like MS office oneNote? drawing and typing together? or is it one or the other.

 

There are dozens of note taking apps. Just go into the iTunes App store and search for "note" and there are dozens of apps. There's bound to be one that will suit your needs.

Apple stores have a 10% restocking fee I believe if opened.

 

ok, I got a hold of an ipad for 20mins, and I just figured I give my opinion of it.

1. Accessability was very very good much better than expected, I had not trouble using the iPad being legally blind with the use of Zoom and the white on black.

2. It true is not a note takeing device. the response time from the stylus was FAR FAR to slow. I could only write about 1 character every 1 1/2 seconds. ( i used Ianotate i think).

if it was as responsive as my older HP TM2 ( AMD 2.2Ghz) I'd have bought one.

overall I'm impressed once I have a job I may consider one just as a gadget.