Csteele, thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to check out some
of them. When I do check out the app store, its a bit overwhelming
just how many are available!

Mind you, this Ipad is only the wifi version, which I can use
through my home modem, connected to the net anyhow. If I bought
another one, I'd probably go for a 3g version, so I can switch
from one to the other.

So far, since birth, I've never spent a night in hospital, but I
can imagine that boredom is a major problem there. So a 3g
equipped Ipad would be great to solve that problem to some extent.
As they don't have a HDD, they are not as touchy as netbooks, in
terms of moving them around whilst they are operating. So on a
train, or on a bus, or in a car, they should work just fine.

Dear Yabby,

To really enjoy it a chunky data plan is preferable. I am on 200GB at home but hardly download anything on 3G. The bulk of the podcasts or rather vodcasts I spoke of in my second post are fully downloadable rather than streaming. I have over 100 hours of content on my phone I have yet to get to. Perfect for long drives or when I am on the tools. There are plenty of free wifi hotspots around too like the libraries and some of the shopping centres. My fav cafe has one as well. Great for checking email or shares.

One would only be a time waster for me, and my smart phone does everything I need it to do. I get on the net and Twitter, and play a coupla games.

Personally, I don't need an ipad or such, but I can see how some like them.

Csteele, where I live, out in the sticks, luckily there is a mobile
tower not far away. The copper wires are too old and stuffed for
broadband. So its all 3g.

So its 7 gigs a month, make do with it. Mind you, that's all relative, its much better then the 1 gig I was one for a long time.

I am saving for an ipad as we speak Yabby, and I am jealous of anyone who already has one :(

I love my iphone, and wonder how I ever lived without it, but I would love to be able to read books on the bigger ipad.
I adore reading books, but am sick of not being able to afford all the new releases I want.

I want one....bad!

I never thought I even consider buying a Tablet Computer for reading. I so enjoy settling comfortably with a book, a nice cuppa, a couple of pets stretched out beside me, while winter rains turn fern fronds into dainty filigree.

However, the technology has really improved, there are books I want to read that are either too expensive locally or only available via the internet. The latest releases are available instantly online via well known books sellers or in E-form, for example a book I see recommended on the Daily Show.

So I am seeing my future and it includes some brand of tech that makes reading whatever I want, when I want very desirable. Now if they can start making computer tech from recycled more viable, I would be guilt free. I recently bought a refurbished PC with 4 times the memory of my old one, just the basic Windows (I use Ubuntu), so don't need the expense of Windows Office. Won a new LED screen for an absolute bargain on one of those online trading centres, have a new modem/router for merely extending my contract with my ISP - with whom I am happy with their service. My old printer still works.

When I see adverts for the most simple tablet for more $ than I paid to revamp my old system, I can wait for the right technology and the right price.