iPad, or Tablet?

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by superseiyan

I may get an iPad pending a couple of reservations:

1. How does it interact with a Windows PC?
2. Can you print?
3. Can you sync with GMail, Google Calendar, Google Docs?
4. Can you access Microsoft's Skydrive? (cloud)

I want a tablet but I've really been wanting to avoid getting an Apple as first of all, I don't want to enter yet another ecosystem, and second, I really, really, really hate iTunes. However, it is frustrating to see Anroid releasing tablets with 'smartphone interfaces', smartphone apps, and pricing ***** tablets like Toshiba Xcite higher than the iPad (or pricing a 7" device at Verizon at the same price as an iPad).

For electronics, I always look for a sweetspot between price, simplicity, technology (specs) and support. For tablets, android seems only interested in competing on the technology front.

(BTW, I don't like to compare the Fire, Playbook and other 7" tablets head-to-head with the iPad. Different people want different sizes).

You don't have to use iTunes if you don't like since the iPad has it's own operating system. What you use iTunes for is for purchasing music and videos from Apple, or for listening to the music you have in your iPad. In fact, you don't even have to connect the iPad to a computer if you don't want to. The iPad connects to the network at your house or anywhere else via Wi-Fi, or 3G (iPad 2) if there is no Wi-Fi nearby.

[superseiyan]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

You don't have to use iTunes if you don't like since the iPad has it's own operating system. What you use iTunes for is for purchasing music and videos from Apple, or for listening to the music you have in your iPad. In fact, you don't even have to connect the iPad to a computer if you don't want to. The iPad connects to the network at your house or anywhere else via Wi-Fi, or 3G (iPad 2) if there is no Wi-Fi nearby.

Don't you need iTunes to get apps? Or does it have it's own marketplace?

[tpk-nyc]

Originally Posted by superseiyan

Don't you need iTunes to get apps? Or does it have it's own marketplace?

There's is a separate App Store and Bookstore. You only need iTunes for music and some movies.

[Peregrine]

I thought the OP already decided on an iPad? Discussion over/.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by superseiyan

Don't you need iTunes to get apps? Or does it have it's own marketplace?

No. Right on the iPad's screen you have an "App Store" app. Just touch that app with your finger and if the iPad is connected to an Wi-Fi network (or 3G), it will take you straight to the App Store. By the way, this week the number of apps downloaded from the App Store reached 25-billion. Millions of apps are downloaded from the App store each week.