I'm going to Best Buy today to get an I-Pad and I had some questions. What is 3G and do I need it? Which model is the best for a student who will use it for internet, music and note taking? External keyboard is what I'll be getting as per Squanto's advice. Anything else that is a must buy accesory?

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Also, would a lap top be a better alternative? What is a good, fast, light lappy for 600 bucks?

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3G = cellular internet.

If you get the 3G version, you can sign up for data plans on the device through AT&T, and you'd have internet access anywhere you have a cellular signal. If you get the WiFi only version, you'd have to have to be in range of a WiFi signal to have internet.

To each their own, but I prefer the WiFi version. (That's the one I have.) Almost everywhere I use it, I'm near wireless.

I don't have one, but I know the lack of data ports would bother me. No usb, lan, fire-wire, sd-slot or anything else.

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I would definitely recommend - for a STUDENT - a laptop. If you're not a touch typist, then maybe the iPad would be better initially?

I'm not sure how art-friendly the thing is, but I'm going to assume it offers nothing near the sensitivity or accuracy of a graphics tablet, and you can't install the software on it.

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I'm just going to use it hold reference images, not work on them in any program. I have a PC for that stuff. I'm just gonna use it for quick notes but man the price tag is high for a big phone

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if you're going to be lugging a keyboard around with you, I dont see the point of getting an Ipad.

I vote cheap HP laptop.

You can pick up a netbook for as little as $200

Check out tigerdirect.com and newegg.com.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

For $600, you may be able to find a used/refurbished tablet PC that would suit you better. For example, THIS (yes, that's a link - it's a touchscreen netbook) may work for you for basic computing, word processing, and taking notes, but it sure as hell ain't gonna run any computer games or graphics processing programs.

It really depends. Describe your ideal computer, and I'm sure we'll be able to point you in the best direction.

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Oh...and if you were thinking about the Apple bluetooth keyboard (I have one and it's sweet) They're friggin $70.

So add that on to the price tag.

I'd say save $300 and get a netbook but that's just me.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I'd say spend $600 on the best laptop you can, but that's just me. Otherwise, you're going to experience serious buyer's remorse. Regardless, if you can wait 3 weeks, two words - BLACK FRIDAY.

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Stupid question, but how do you get your pictures on the IPad except via Bluetooth or Wifi?

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Well, the wife has a lap top, I got the PC so I'm thinking Ipad because I like the size and the aps. I like the bookstore ability and the simpplicity. Hrmm...

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it is retarded to not have a usb port though to upload pics. can you use i-tunes to upload them?

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I looked it up. You can use Itunes to upload pictures and stuff or you can buy an adapter for sd-cards and cameras

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so essentially the only benefit I see from having an Ipad over a laptop is size. I mean they're cooler too but way more expensive for what they can do.

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Yes, it's all about style and size....As Crosscheck said, I would buy a netbook.

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There are quite a few decent drawing/content creation apps available for the iPad.

I'm not going to advocate for or against the iPad. As long as you know what it can and can not do, and you make an informed decision about it versus a netbook, then you'll be fine with whatever you purchase.

I'll be honest, I thought I'd have buyers remorse when I bought my iPad, but I use it more than my laptop now. Every not and then I'll have to pull the laptop out for something, but usually the iPad suffices.

What works for me might not work for someone else though. To each their own.

How about anything Word related. Can you write a paper for instance on it?

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