New iPad

[HudsonHawk]

On a whim, I picked up an iPad today. Posting from it now. I like it. It will definitely replace the laptop for surfing while sitting around the house.

[drew corleone]

I mainly use the laptop these days for music management, or when the iPad runs low on juice. If I feel like posting a bunch I may opt for the laptop, just because of the keyboard aspect.

Anyone upgraded from the 2 to the 3? Can you tell a difference?

[Limey]

On a whim, I picked up an iPad today. Posting from it now. I like it. It will definitely replace the laptop for surfing while sitting around the house.

The trick about the iPad is that it almost as good as a laptop for surfing / posting but it's more portable and - most importantly - instant on.

Has it burned your fingers off yet?

[NeilT]

On a whim, I picked up an iPad today. Posting from it now. I like it. It will definitely replace the laptop for surfing while sitting around the house.

There are good guitar tuner apps.

[Limey]

There are good guitar tuner apps.

Are you kidding?  HH tunes his guitar old school:  with sheet metal and a tire iron.

[HudsonHawk]

Anyone upgraded from the 2 to the 3? Can you tell a difference?

I could definitely tell the difference in the store, side by side.  It was quite noticeable.  Of course, if you didn't have both together, it's probably not so much.

[HudsonHawk]

Are you kidding?  HH tunes his guitar old school:  with sheet metal and a tire iron.

I actually have a good guitar tuner app for my iPhone.  But I like the handheld tuner better.  I'm not quite good enough to bend a saw blade to A440.

[HudsonHawk]

The trick about the iPad is that it almost as good as a laptop for surfing / posting but it's more portable and - most importantly - instant on.

Has it burned your fingers off yet?

Hasn't done that yet.  But I noticed it doesn't charge when you're syncing to your computer.  Which I thought was weird. 

[Limey]

Hasn't done that yet.  But I noticed it doesn't charge when you're syncing to your computer.  Which I thought was weird. 

I supposed to charge.  Are you using an old cable connected to your computer, or the one that came with the new iPad?  Apple tinkered with the charging connections a few years back, meaning that some old dock connectors will carry sync but not charge to a newer iDevice.

[HudsonHawk]

I supposed to charge.  Are you using an old cable connected to your computer, or the one that came with the new iPad?  Apple tinkered with the charging connections a few years back, meaning that some old dock connectors will carry sync but not charge to a newer iDevice.

Using the one that came with the iPad. I'll try it again.

ETA:  ok, I found the issue online. Apparently, the new iPad is such a battery hog that most USB ports cannot put out enough power to both sync and charge. It will do one or the other, but noth both.  Not an issue with my device, just physics.

[drew corleone]

Mine syncs with my Macbook Air.

ETA: Er, charges.

[MRaup]

Using the one that came with the iPad. I'll try it again.

ETA:  ok, I found the issue online. Apparently, the new iPad is such a battery hog that most USB ports cannot put out enough power to both sync and charge. It will do one or the other, but noth both.  Not an issue with my device, it's a feature!

AFIFY!

[Ron Brand]

After SXSW Interactive, I figured I needed an iPad for work so I got one too and I'm learning my way around it.

I fucking hate iTunes.

First app I bought: The Guitar Collection, George Harrison. Really, really cool. I'd love to see this become something expanded to other artists. This is the way of the future, my friends.

[HudsonHawk]

I fucking hate iTunes.

Why?  I cannot imagine a better way to manage your iContent.

[Ron Brand]

Why?  I cannot imagine a better way to manage your iContent.

My brain isn't wired to understand how Apple works. I've been using pcs since 1981. I can tear them apart, build them from scratch. I taught myself DOS from the beginning, then Windows. I am so in tune with their logic that it is second nature but the simplifications of Apple's systems are completely opaque to me and I get very frustrated very quickly. Doubly so because the PC equivalent seems so easy and obvious to me.

Part of it is that my whole experience with iTunes has involved non-Apple devices somewhere in the chain.

[HudsonHawk]

My brain isn't wired to understand how Apple works. I've been using pcs since 1981. I can tear them apart, build them from scratch. I taught myself DOS from the beginning, then Windows. I am so in tune with their logic that it is second nature but the simplifications of Apple's systems are completely opaque to me and I get very frustrated very quickly. Doubly so because the PC equivalent seems so easy and obvious to me.

Part of it is that my whole experience with iTunes has involved non-Apple devices somewhere in the chain.

I've never used iTunes on anything other than a PC. I think it's fabulous and simplistically intuitive.

On a side note, I charged my iPad on Wednesday, have been using it regularly, and the battery is still at 70%.

[drew corleone]

I barely use iTunes anymore. Downloading the latest software update for ipad and iphone without a tethered connection was glorious.

[HudsonHawk]

I barely use iTunes anymore. Downloading the latest software update for ipad and iphone without a tethered connection was glorious.

How do you back up all your stuff?

[Ty in Tampa]

How do you back up all your stuff?

I use iTunes as a drag-and-drop way to get music on my iPod/iPhone and to back up my iPhone, but only because I have to. I organize my content in folders on drives, which is where it's most important.

[OregonStrosFan]

So here is a question for y'all iPad folk...  I've become so spoiled by multiple monitors that it drives me nuts to be in depos/out of town with only my laptop.  So, I was considering picking up this Toshiba Mobile Monitor ($175ish) until I learned that I could also use an iPad/tablet computer as a second monitor also (more cash, but still).  Any rec's?!?

[HudsonHawk]

So here is a question for y'all iPad folk...  I've become so spoiled by multiple monitors that it drives me nuts to be in depos/out of town with only my laptop.  So, I was considering picking up this Toshiba Mobile Monitor ($175ish) until I learned that I could also use an iPad/tablet computer as a second monitor also (more cash, but still).  Any rec's?!?

I suppose that would work, personally, the reason I got the iPad was so that I didn't have to use a laptop. So I'm probably not the best advice on that.

[DVauthrin]

I've never used iTunes on anything other than a PC. I think it's fabulous and simplistically intuitive.

On a side note, I charged my iPad on Wednesday, have been using it regularly, and the battery is still at 70%.

Did you get a screen cover that snaps on the iPad?  If you leave that on when you aren't using it, the iPad goes into sleep mode and doesn't suck life out of the battery. 

[HudsonHawk]

Did you get a screen cover that snaps on the iPad?  If you leave that on when you aren't using it, the iPad goes into sleep mode and doesn't suck life out of the battery. 

I have an Otterbox type of case for it. And it also goes to sleep automatically when you don't use it. Or you can just hit the sleep button.

[OregonStrosFan]

I suppose that would work, personally, the reason I got the iPad was so that I didn't have to use a laptop. So I'm probably not the best advice on that.

I want a second monitor.  I would like to have an iPad at some point, but haven't been able to justify it to myself thusfar.  This *may* be the beginning of my personal justification to justify the purchase of one...

[HudsonHawk]

I want a second monitor.  I would like to have an iPad at some point, but haven't been able to justify it to myself thusfar.  This *may* be the beginning of my personal justification to justify the purchase of one...

See, it took next to nothing for me to bullshit myself into thinking the iPad was a must-have necessity.

[drew corleone]

How do you back up all your stuff?

Admittedly I don't back up as often as I should. Maybe once a month.

[austro]

Admittedly I don't back up as often as I should. Maybe once a month.

No problem.

[Waldo]

So here is a question for y'all iPad folk...  I've become so spoiled by multiple monitors that it drives me nuts to be in depos/out of town with only my laptop.  So, I was considering picking up this Toshiba Mobile Monitor ($175ish) until I learned that I could also use an iPad/tablet computer as a second monitor also (more cash, but still).  Any rec's?!?

I did not know this was possible, but it made me curious so I looked into it.  The apps that I came across only work over wifi, meaning that the video performance on the iPad side is going to suck (since it is basically using VNC/remote desktop).  You'll also need to have both devices connected to a wifi network.  In the absence of such, I'm not sure if you can use them with an ad-hoc wifi network.

The Toshiba monitor is a larger screen and would not have the same performance limitations or wifi requirements since it's going over USB.  It would still not be as good as an actual external monitor using VGA/DVI/HDMI but it would be better than the iPad.  Since it's cheaper I would go with that.

[OregonStrosFan]

The Toshiba monitor is a larger screen and would not have the same performance limitations or wifi requirements since it's going over USB.  It would still not be as good as an actual external monitor using VGA/DVI/HDMI but it would be better than the iPad.  Since it's cheaper I would go with that.

Thanks Waldo.  FWIW, I just saw THIS, and at half of the price of the Toshiba with a 2" bigger display, I think I'll pick one up this week on a flier and'll let you know what I think...

[BUWebguy]

Piggybacking on this thread... I just got an iPad2 through work (I know, bad timing, but I had no control -- it was this or nothing, not this or the new one). I've had an iPhone for years, but curious if anyone has any good iPad-specific app recommendations.

[drew corleone]

Piggybacking on this thread... I just got an iPad2 through work (I know, bad timing, but I had no control -- it was this or nothing, not this or the new one). I've had an iPhone for years, but curious if anyone has any good iPad-specific app recommendations.

What kind of apps? Games? Entertainment? Productivity?

[HudsonHawk]

What kind of apps? Games? Entertainment? Productivity?

They have apps that are specific for the iPad?

[BizidyDizidy]

They have apps that are specific for the iPad?

[HudsonHawk]

Seriously. If that's true, I was unaware. I thought they were or any iDevice.

[BizidyDizidy]

Seriously. If that's true, I was unaware. I thought they were or any iDevice.

Any app has to be specifically made for the iPad to work properly - otherwise you get the iPhone app syndrome where your choices are either to use the app at iPhone size (with big black borders), or to blow it up 2x (and have smaller black borders). There seem to be more iPhone only than iPad only apps, but it goes both ways.

[HudsonHawk]

Any app has to be specifically made for the iPad to work properly - otherwise you get the iPhone app syndrome where your choices are either to use the app at iPhone size (with big black borders), or to blow it up 2x (and have smaller black borders). There seem to be more iPhone only than iPad only apps, but it goes both ways.

All of the apps from my iPhone work just fine on my new iPad. I'm not sure what you mean when you say they won't work properly.

[BizidyDizidy]

All of the apps from my iPhone work just fine on my new iPad. I'm not sure what you mean when you say they won't work properly.

That means they all have iPad versions - I think it sorts itself out automatically.

[BizidyDizidy]

If you want to see the phenomenon for yourself, go to the app store on the iPad. Search for anything randomly - there will be two results sections, iPad apps and Iphone Apps. Download a free iphone app and you can see the borders.

[HudsonHawk]

That means they all have iPad versions - I think it sorts itself out automatically.

Some have borders, others do not. But they all work equally well on both devices.

[BizidyDizidy]

Some have borders, others do not. But they all work equally well on both devices.

They work, they are just not native to the iPad display. I wouldn't call having an app the size of an iPhone on an iPad working great.

[BizidyDizidy]

To make sure we are on the same page, this is what an iPhone app looks like on iPad:

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/9/2010/01/appletabletb317_01.jpg

You can click that 2x button to blow it up (but gets a bit pixelated).

[HudsonHawk]

They work, they are just not native to the iPad display. I wouldn't call having an app the size of an iPhone on an iPad working great.

They're not the same size. And I call any app that functions exactly as designed "working".

[HudsonHawk]

To make sure we are on the same page, this is what an iPhone app looks like on iPad:

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/9/2010/01/appletabletb317_01.jpg

You can click that 2x button to blow it up (but gets a bit pixelated).

 Doesn't get pixelated on the new iPad. Least not that I can tell.

[BizidyDizidy]

Doesn't get pixelated on the new iPad. Least not that I can tell.

Might have gotten better now that iPhone has better resolution and apps are optimized for that.

[drew corleone]

Maybe it's better with the 3, but on the 2 an iPhone app definitely looks pixelated when expanded x2.

[BizidyDizidy]

Drew, you are talking to a man who watches HD through RCA cables...

[HudsonHawk]

Maybe it's better with the 3, but on the 2 an iPhone app definitely looks pixelated when expanded x2.

I don't have a 2, I have a 3.

[HudsonHawk]

Drew, you are talking to a man who watches HD through RCA cables...

Says the man who claims to be a foodie and eats at Pappasitos and boils his steak.

[Bench]

They're not the same size. And I call any app that functions exactly as designed "working".

And anything on any screen you own is "HD."

[HudsonHawk]

And anything on any screen you own is "HD."

Yeah, that was original.

[Ron Brand]

After playing with it for ten days, I'm enjoying Pulse, AppStart and Intellicast HD quite a bit. At Bat, too. I still love the George Harrison app.

[jbm]

Do you know how to get stats sorted by team using the IPad version of At Bat?  For that matter, any stats any way other than clicking on an individual in the box score.  Easy enough on the IPhone, but not the IPad.  For me at least.

Calling customer service was completely fruitless and frustrating. Selig must be in charge of that area also.

[drew corleone]

I don't have a 2, I have a 3.

I realize that, but I have a 2. I'm saying that maybe you don't notice the drastic difference between iPad apps and iPhone apps that are enlarged for the iPad screen, because your 3 is more advanced than my 2. But I can definitely tell.

As far as apps I enjoy, the network/cable media apps are great (watch ESPN, HBO GO, NBC, ABC Player, TWC TV; availability may be dependent on your cable provider). Crackle gives you access to some free movies/tv shows, and Netflix is useful if you subscribe. And if you have a Slingbox, their app is a must-have, though it's pricey at $30.

Games: WordWelder was an obsession for about a week, but grew old quickly. I have a love/hate relationship with both Words With Friends and the NYT Crossword, and I've recently become hooked on Draw Something.

News: FeeddlerRSS is the best RSS reader I have found, and I also use Zite (which I much prefer to AOL Editions). HSW HD is a good time-waster when you're feeling nerdy, and CNN, FoxNews and NPR all have pretty food interfaces for the national outlets.

Other: As someone that always keeps a Wikipedia tab pinned in Firefox, I use Wikipanion a lot. I came to the iPad party too late last year to justify At Bat, but it looks pretty sweet so far. And if you like space, both the NASA HD and NASA Visualization Explorer apps are nice.

Books: Kindle and Stanza are my go-tos.

I suppose, in conclusion, I'm a big nerd.

[Bench]

Yeah, that was original.

It's definitely standard definition humor.

[BUWebguy]

What kind of apps? Games? Entertainment? Productivity?

Anything.

[das]

Anything.

Ok, here's my list:

- RadarScope (of course):  It's like having a Layer 2 weather radar terminal on your iPad.  Awesome. $9, I think.
- MLB At Bat:  It is very, very good.  Free this year, you only pay for the service now, not the app too.
- RDP Lite:  Dial into your desktop at home or work (via VPN).  Free.
- Atari Greatest Hits:  over 100 of your favorite childhood games.  $5 or so.
- Streaming video apps:  ABC Player, TV.com (CBS), PBS, NASA TV, Crackle, Squrl, Hulu Plus.  All free.
- SuperCam:  Great for connecting to your home security DVR.  What are the cats doing at home right now?  Now you know.  Free.
- OnLive:  Want to provision a Win7 desktop in the cloud in less than 60 seconds?  Here you go.  Free or small monthly service for expanded capabilities.  Lets you play Flash and other non-Apple formats on the iPad.
- Photosynth:  Panoramic image capture (and sharing).  Go into a cathedral in europe or a game at MMPUS, take the pics and relive that moment in time.  Very cool.  Free.
- Wundermap:  Good all-purpose weather app (radar, satellite, current conditions, model output).  Free.
- Streaming music apps:  Pandora, AOL radio (good for networks that block Pandora), iHeartRadio, NPR.  All free.
- Paper Toss HD.  Fun.  Free.
- X-Plane Trainer.  Cool flight simulator.  Free.
- Labyrinth Light.  It's like the iPad was made for it.  Free.
- Line2:  Free trial.  Monthly service.  Use your iPad as a VoIP phone.  Works thru 3G too.
- Stellarium:  Gyroscopic planetarium on your iPad.  Free.
- Galaxy on Fire 2 HD:  Beast of a game.  Works on iPad2.  Thrives on iPad3.  Free trial available to see if you like it.

[Limey]

Pit Droids.

You will love me and hate me for this recommendation.  If you can solve the last 3 puzzles, please bring me in off the ledge.

[Ty in Tampa]

- RadarScope (of course):  It's like having a Layer 2 weather radar terminal on your iPad.  Awesome. $9, I think.

Well worth the money, especially here in Florida. I was lucky and got it on sale for like $2.

[Waldo]

Thanks Waldo.  FWIW, I just saw THIS, and at half of the price of the Toshiba with a 2" bigger display, I think I'll pick one up this week on a flier and'll let you know what I think...

Cool.

[Limey]

They're not the same size. And I call any app that functions exactly as designed "working".

All iPhone apps work on an iPad; the reverse is not true.  The issue is the iPad's greater screen resolution, and apps that are not optimized for this are shown with a "+" in the App Store so that you know it's not a native iPad app.  The gap closed a little with the iPhone 4's retina display, but has widened again now that the iPad 3 has had a similar upgrade.

Often, "upgraded" iPad apps are designated as "HD", reflecting the more detailed graphics.  Many are otherwise identical, but some have greater functionality and/or a better layout (utilizing the bigger screen area).  MLB At-Bat is such an app.  However, these native iPad apps are usually more expensive and require you to buy the iPad version even if you have the iPhone version.

FWIW, I don't see / am not bothered by any pixillation when using iPhone apps on my iPad 1, but then there's not a huge difference in resolution between the iPad 1 and the iPhone 4.  I have paid for the iPad upgrade on a few apps: namely MLB At-Bat, Fieldrunners* and Stick Cricket.


Fieldrunners is highly recommended for either iPhone or iPad.  Stick Cricket is highly recommended if you like that sort of thing.

[HudsonHawk]

I have paid for the iPad upgrade on a few apps: namely MLB At-Bat, Fieldrunners* and Stick Cricket.

So is this why I can't get MLB At-Bat audio on my iPad?  I need to "upgrade" to the iPad version?

[jbm]

You gotta pay the $15 upgrade to get audio. 

[HudsonHawk]

You gotta pay the $15 upgrade to get audio. 

Well fuck that.  Why would I do that when I can already get the audio on my iPhone? 

[jbm]

I could be wrong, but my understanding is that you have to pay the $15 to get the audio on either the IPhone or the IPad.  Once it is purchased for one device, you can upgrade on the other device for free.  I bought it on the IPAd, and downloaded it to the phone for free.  If you can get it for free, then I needlessly dropped $15.

[drew corleone]

Well fuck that.  Why would I do that when I can already get the audio on my iPhone?  

No, you don't have to buy separately. If you have already subscribed on the iPhone, go into your settings and basically link your MLB.com account to your iPad. It should work just fine after that.

[HudsonHawk]

No, you don't have to buy separately. If you have already subscribed on the iPhone, go into your settings and basically link your MLB.com account to your iPad. It should work just fine after that.

That's one problem...I can't log into my MLB account. 

[Limey]

That's one problem...I can't log into my MLB account. 

Is your username "fuckbudselig"?

[HudsonHawk]

Is your username "fuckbudselig"?

No, but I'm thinking about it.  I have an account, can't log in.  I asked to send a new password, it says "sent", but nothing shows up in my email.

[drew corleone]

That could be a problem. You may try creating a new account and linking it to that?

[NeilT]

No, but I'm thinking about it.  I have an account, can't log in.  I asked to send a new password, it says "sent", but nothing shows up in my email.

Same thing happened to me, but even worse because I had to get a new iphone.  I decided screw it and was going to repay the $14, but the Apple Store won't let me, because, of course, I've bought that App before.  It won't let me repay.

[HudsonHawk]

That could be a problem. You may try creating a new account and linking it to that?

Well, I already have an account.  It even tells me I do.  I just can't log in.  I'll try calling MLB first to see if that will help.  It's really not that big a deal.  I didn't plan on using audio much on my iPad anyway, just thought it might be convenient.

[Ebby Calvin]

I'll try calling MLB first to see if that will help.

Have fun with that.  Mind giving them a message from me?

[HudsonHawk]

Same thing happened to me, but even worse because I had to get a new iphone.  I decided screw it and was going to repay the $14, but the Apple Store won't let me, because, of course, I've bought that App before.  It won't let me repay.

It let's me use the app on my phone just fine.  It just won't let me log into my MLB account to get audio on the iPad.  And as far as Apple store is concerned, if you've already purchased something, you don't need to purchase it again.  Just re-download it.

[HudsonHawk]

Have fun with that.  Mind giving them a message from me?

They got an earful from me a few years ago when they told me I couldn't get the Astros games on MLB.TV because Midland was in the Astros "territory", even though no one ever broadcast their games (I actually understand MLB's position, it's just annoying).  Hopefully, they have a short memory.

[NeilT]

It let's me use the app on my phone just fine.  It just won't let me log into my MLB account to get audio on the iPad.  And as far as Apple store is concerned, if you've already purchased something, you don't need to purchase it again.  Just re-download it.

which is all true, unless you're re-downloading it to a new machine, like our ipads, and my new phone, in which case it wants your password, and then it promises to send your password . . .

[Andyzipp]

They got an earful from me a few years ago when they told me I couldn't get the Astros games on MLB.TV because Midland was in the Astros "territory", even though no one ever broadcast their games (I actually understand MLB's position, it's just annoying).  Hopefully, they have a short memory.

Have you seen Schindler's List?  MLB has Selig's List, but the objectives are...different.

[HudsonHawk]

which is all true, unless you're re-downloading it to a new machine, like our ipads, and my new phone, in which case it wants your password, and then it promises to send your password . . .

Is your new phone linked to the same account as the old one?  If so, all you have to do is re-download the app to your new phone or to iTunes.  Or do you mean you've forgotten you old password and can't log in?  I'm not sure I understand your trouble.

[MusicMan]

Have you seen Schindler's List?  MLB has Selig's List, but the objectives are...different.

I could have screwed more fans, Donald... I could have screwed more...

[Limey]

They got an earful from me a few years ago when they told me I couldn't get the Astros games on MLB.TV because Midland was in the Astros "territory", even though no one ever broadcast their games (I actually understand MLB's position, it's just annoying).  Hopefully, they have a short memory.

The real reason why Crane decided not to change the team name is because he floated the idea "Hawks" and Selig fell out of his chair.

[BizidyDizidy]

Should've gotten DirecTV

[NeilT]

Is your new phone linked to the same account as the old one?  If so, all you have to do is re-download the app to your new phone or to iTunes.  Or do you mean you've forgotten you old password and can't log in?  I'm not sure I understand your trouble.

 If I ever had a password, I've forgotten it, but my problem is exactly the same as yours, except that I have no original phone on which I can still listen to the games.  The problem you're encountering--ask for my password to be sent, mlb telling me it's sent, no email--is what I'm encountering both on my IPad and my replacement IPhone.

eta:  Taking HH's always [excellent][adament] advice, I reloaded the app on the new Iphone and now it works.  Go figure.  I'll try the same on my IPAD.

[NeilT]

If I ever had a password, I've forgotten it, but my problem is exactly the same as yours, except that I have no original phone on which I can still listen to the games.  The problem you're encountering--ask for my password to be sent, mlb telling me it's sent, no email--is what I'm encountering both on my IPad and my replacement IPhone.

eta:  Taking HH's always [excellent][adament] advice, I reloaded the app on the new Iphone and now it works.  Go figure.  I'll try the same on my IPAD.

Worked on the ipad too.

[HudsonHawk]

Worked on the ipad too.

That will be $8,000, please.

[NeilT]

That will be $8,000, please.

No problem, it's in the mail. 

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'll give adamant advise for half that price.

[Ebby Calvin]

Posting from my new one. I'm in love.

[HudsonHawk]

Posting from my new one. I'm in love.

Are you also drinking a Saint Arnold Oktoberfest and smoking a La Gloria Cubana Retro churchill?

[BizidyDizidy]

Are you also drinking a Saint Arnold Oktoberfest and smoking a La Gloria Cubana Retro churchill?

What happened to the Louis XIII?

[HudsonHawk]

What happened to the Louis XIII?

I'm not on a culinary pilgrimage tonight, just sitting outside watching the wind blow. But when I win that $800MM tonight, I shall make it an everyday thing.

[austro]

I'm not on a culinary pilgrimage tonight, just sitting outside watching the wind blow. But when I win that $800MM tonight, I shall make it an everyday thing.

I happened to be out in a field near Hutto last evening, and I was far enough away from any roads or other noise sources that it was just me and the breeze. I don't remember "hearing" that kind of silence since my days as a youngster in Colorado and Wyoming. It is incredibly calming.

[Ebby Calvin]

Are you also drinking a Saint Arnold Oktoberfest and smoking a La Gloria Cubana Retro churchill?

Beer that good rarely stays in my fridge that long, and I will never complain about an ice-cold Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. My cigar stash is, sadly, depleted.

[OregonStrosFan]

The Toshiba monitor is a larger screen and would not have the same performance limitations or wifi requirements since it's going over USB.  It would still not be as good as an actual external monitor using VGA/DVI/HDMI but it would be better than the iPad.  Since it's cheaper I would go with that.

Thanks Waldo.  FWIW, I just saw THIS, and at half of the price of the Toshiba with a 2" bigger display, I think I'll pick one up this week on a flier and'll let you know what I think...

I've used the AOC USB monitor a half-dozen times now, and have been EXTREMELY pleased with it thusfar.  I'm not sure how well the swivel-stand will ultimately hold up (seems like it'll ultimately be an area of weakness), but that notwithstanding highly recommend the AOC!