Smartphone or iPad: What Should I Get?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores the decision between purchasing a smartphone or an iPad, with participants sharing their personal experiences and preferences regarding each device's functionality and suitability for business use.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses a preference for an iPad due to its larger screen, which they believe will be easier to use for business tasks.
  • Another participant mentions their dissatisfaction with Android smartphones, citing issues with performance, while expressing a preference for iPhones.
  • Several users note the convenience of using a smartphone for taking orders on the go, highlighting the ease of entering information directly into an app.
  • One participant shares their experience of using an iPad for managing bookings and team information, emphasizing the organizational benefits it provides.
  • Another participant mentions their hesitation to switch devices until they see improvements in technology, indicating a preference for a tablet for viewing size but acknowledging the practicality of a smartphone.
  • Some participants discuss the potential for using a Kindle Fire, noting its affordability and compatibility with Android apps, while others express uncertainty about its functionality for their business needs.
  • One participant raises a question about the necessity of multiple data packages if using both an iPad and a smartphone, leading to a discussion about Wi-Fi versus 3G options.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the choice between smartphones and iPads, with some expressing clear preferences for one device over the other, while others remain undecided or cautious about making a change.

Contextual Notes

Participants share their experiences and preferences based on their current technology usage and business needs, with discussions reflecting a range of opinions on device functionality and practicality.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants considering new technology for their business operations, particularly those weighing the benefits of smartphones versus tablets.

cookingwithlove
cookingwithlove
Gold Member
Messages
882
Okay, I need advice.... What should I get? Should I get a smart phone or iPad. I am willing to spend the money. If a smart phone, which one? If an iPad, which one?
 
Smart phones - so many options and personal choice. I've had a Droid (android system) and personally dislike it. Cannot wait to get a new phone. With that said though, I have the first droid and I know they have come a long ways. Many folks I know have the same gripe I do with Android - have to power it off often as it freezes or just doesn't function. I have never heard of that with iPhone. Androids though you can simply d/l your online trainings (mp3s) without using itunes and converting them and i can just plug in my phone and transfer files as if my phone was an SD card.

Ipad, there really aren't many options other than memory (8, 32, 64) and if you want 3G or just wifi. With 3G you'll need a separate data pkg as you would as well with the smart phone. If you meant which tablet (iPad or Android), I don't know much on the other ones. I plan on going iPad vs those like Samsung Galaxy (the most popular Android tablet I believe).

Smart phone will double for you as both phone and business app tool. I think it will be easier to work on an iPad vs phone or iPod touch.

Not sure i'm really much help but there's my 2 cents :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Melissa, I think I followed most of it. If I am on the Phone with a customer and want to place her order, how do I do this if I am on the phone? I want to make this easy. I am so resistant to change. I am leaning towards an iPad.
 
Wendy, you should be able to operate the application while you are on speaker phone.
 
I have an iPad and the big thing that I like is the larger screen. I would think it will be a lot easier to use and maneuver than on a phone but we will see when we get the app! I'm due for a phone soon and will be getting the iPhone because everything will sync.

I love that even if I'm out and about I'll be able to whip out my phone and take an order without trusting my math or calculator, no issues remembering a product price, no issues with "now what did I do with that paper". Oh! And a new contact? Just enter them right in the app!
 
bethcooks4u said:
I have an iPad and the big thing that I like is the larger screen. I would think it will be a lot easier to use and maneuver than on a phone but we will see when we get the app! I'm due for a phone soon and will be getting the iPhone because everything will sync.

I love that even if I'm out and about I'll be able to whip out my phone and take an order without trusting my math or calculator, no issues remembering a product price, no issues with "now what did I do with that paper". Oh! And a new contact? Just enter them right in the app!
Click to expand...

Along with that, I love that I can enter the booking info right at the show, and immediately have it all done! No more going home and bouncing back and forth between P3 and my website! AND it's set up on my team calendar and everything all at the same time!

Which means I will be better able to manage my ENTIRE TEAM! When they build a show, I will automatically know! No more of this guessing, and begging for info, and wondering who might have shows on the calendar! I am SO excited about that!
 
I just got a new phone in Dec, not a smartphone. I will be waiting to see what bugs will be worked out before I commit to something new. Leaning towards a tablet for viewing size but a phone for sticking it in my purse.We asked one of the techies at the Milwaukee Spring Launch (many of those team members were there) if the app would work with the Kindle Fire and he said they had a lot of interest in that and they are working on it.Not sure if I have enough business now to justify a change -- will be watching what happens.Android or not? Issues, personal opinions???
 
Many people have asked me about Kindle Fire since that was the 'hot' holiday gift this year. It is android based so hopefully they can go that route b/c that is also much more economical for people to purchase (if they so choose) vs a tablet.
 
Melissa, I have a droid Galexy and I love it. It does none of the things that you describe but again, yours is an early version and I have had mine less than a year.

Personally, I can't imagine doing my business in a time efficient manner from my droid mainly because of the screen size.

If I were to get an ipad and still keep my droid, I would have to pay for 2 data packages, correct?

I had someone take a picture of me with their ipad...and I thought it was not something I would like.

Now, I didn't catch everything...if I wanted to go to Consultant's Corner and put in orders, etc. could I do this? I am thinking taking the card from my desktop and using my notebook to take to parties.

Still some questions so I am glad they have FAQ's!!!:help:
 
I'm guessing (and just a guess) that it will work on the Kindle Fire because the main part (not the app) is web-based and as long as you can access the web (which I think you can from the Kindle), it should be fine.
 
I'm going to snag my son's iPad on show nights until I get comfey then I'll buy one for myself! I do have an iPhone, but I'm afraid it will be too small of a screen for me to function well at a show, but will be great for taking orders when I'm out and about!
 
baychef said:
If I were to get an ipad and still keep my droid, I would have to pay for 2 data packages, correct?
Click to expand...

No. Only if you buy the 3G version. The others that are wi-fi will connect for you whenever u have access to wireless internet. I personally will not buy a 3G one b/c so many hot spots are out there as well as I can tether to my Droid should I need internet where I don't have access. When I'm home, I have wireless internet so the wifi iPad would connect just fine.
 
Melissa- how do you do that? Could I tether to my iPhone to get wireless?
 
Well for my laptop i use an app (sorry my phone is not by me to look it up) but if you simply google something like using smartphone wifi to connect ipad' there are several sites and even youtube videos for "how to". Thats how i learned to use my phone and laptop... its great for when i would travel and was too cheap to pay the hotel for wifi. lol
 
You're brilliant. Thank you!
 
If you have a laptop without the mobile broadband service it's not going to work for entering info because you can't get online unless there is wi-fi available (and mobile broadband service necessary for an ipad is more expensive than the data plan for an iphone). Yo may be able to get in on a host's wi-fi, but if it's like mine it's locked down and I am not giving anyone my password. If you ask ahead, the host may be willing to have her own laptop or desktop available for you to use, but again -- there are things on MY laptop that I don't want people to see (online there are saved passwords, etc). I think for me, I will be waiting for them to work out the bugs and then decide which I will get -- an iphone or a tablet. Android or apple...not sure just yet. My son has an iphone and will be getting an ipad in March, so I am planning on using his to see which I prefer.I am in no hurry to switch. I don't have 3 or 4 shows a week on my schedule right now and so the benefit for me at this moment will not outweigh the cost. I can still enter things at home, and I am not afraid of paper. And from what we were told, the credit card system will work the same as it does now....if they are rejected, you will find out AFTER you submit the show, it's not cleared immediately at the show.Time will tell --
 
jwpamp said:
If you have an ipad without the mobile broadband service it's not going to work for entering info because you can't get online unless there is wi-fi available (and mobile broadband service necessary for an ipad is more expensive than the data plan for an iphone).
Click to expand...

I disagree. Apps you can use without being on wifi and I listened very well to their explaination as well as Becky listed it and we spoke with Exec Cindy Lazor who was on the committee too and you "CAN" use the app offline.

In Baltimore, it was repeated more than once, how those without internet access of ANY kind could still use the app to input orders. You just have to be with internet to submit and process it all but you can enter your info without wifi/internet. (I'm strickly speaking of the 'app', not the web-based page)
 
So sorry -- I meant that if you were on a laptop you couldn't enter orders...you are so right, the app should work offline to enter, but not to submit. It should have said "laptop" not "ipad".Sorry! Thanks for correcting that -- trying to do 2 things at once, post AND watch the superbowl!
 
QUOTE=Melissa78;46605]No. Only if you buy the 3G version. The others that are wi-fi will connect for you whenever u have access to wireless internet. I personally will not buy a 3G one b/c so many hot spots are out there as well as I can tether to my Droid should I need internet where I don't have access. When I'm home, I have wireless internet so the wifi iPad would connect just fine.[/QUOTE]

:woohoo: I want to kiss you...but before you accept...realize, my hot water heater is being replaced today and Saturday morning was the last time I have been completly clean:yuck::yuck:
 
I am excited about it, when they get it up and running...I think that in the long run it will be way more efficient and all-in-one...I just hope that they don't have as many bugs as they do now....I highly recommend that if you don't have at least 4 g ram on your computer that you process orders on you upgrade. Ram is cheap now and it is going to make your internet run way smoother...
 
  • Thread starter
  • #21
Wow, great conversation guys. I am not going to run right out and get an iPad/tablet or what not, but I am so glad to have this conversation.
 
My personal opinion is whether you get a phone or a tablet, get Android. Android IMHO is so much easier to use, easier to customize and a LOT of the apps are free because it's open source software. apple products are run by Apple...and Apple wants to make a lot of money. They make it very difficult to keep older technology by forcing you to upgrade to versions of software the don't run well on older versions of the unit. I had an iPhone that stopped working until I upgraded, but when I upgraded it bogged down the whole system and it wouldn't work properly. When I called about it, I was told this is a common issue with Apple upgrades, yet they are mandatory. I just love that the Android apps are so much more affordable. I don't think I've paid for a single app. You do have some that come with advertising if you don't pay for them, or limited capability unless you buy the premium version, but I've been very happy with the basic versions of apps I've been downloading. So in short, my opinion is Android. But do lots of research and decide what would work best for you. :)
 
I have only paid for two apps and both were under $2. I do have a lot of useful free apps on my iPad so I guess it's all about what you want. As far as upgrades, I've only had the iPad one year so haven't run into it myself but my son who has been apple forever has never complained ...but then he does go out and buy the latest and greatest so, thinking about it, he's not a good one to ask. With what these cost in the first place they should make it easier to keep using for a loooong time or at least give you a good discount with a trade in. lol I know! They gotta make their big bucks.
 
Yeah I'm not sure about iPads, but with my iPhone it was ridiculous. It was to the point that it was unusable. When I tried to type something in, it took literally minutes (anywhere from 2-5) for it to register that I typed something...I did all kinds of things to try to fix it and then I called their tech support and was told it was because my phone model wasn't good enough (not their words) to support the new software...but when I asked how to downgrade they said I couldn't. It was ridiculous.
 
I have no problems with my iPhone. I don't have the most current one and even when I had the one before this, I didn't seem to have those problems. Sometimes I never upgraded to the new version and when I did finally do it, I personally didn't notice any difference in speed.
 
I had the Droid X for 2 years and just switched to the iPhone. I personally like the iPhone so much better! I liked the Droid, but my main complaint was the battery SUCKED!!!!! It would be dead by noon, and I did not have much running in the background either. I'm not a huge app user (yet) so haven't had any issues with those. And, I think that Siri is awesome on the iPhone ;) !
 
Ah yes, battery life is terrible on my Android phone. It's something I can live with since I'm usually at home or in the car where it can be plugged in...but yes it can be a huge pain.
 
pamperedlinda said:
I had the Droid X for 2 years and just switched to the iPhone. I personally like the iPhone so much better! I liked the Droid, but my main complaint was the battery SUCKED!!!!! It would be dead by noon, and I did not have much running in the background either. I'm not a huge app user (yet) so haven't had any issues with those. And, I think that Siri is awesome on the iPhone ;) !
Click to expand...

Mine holds a charge well. I did get a large battery as a back up but I haven't used it yet. I am wondering if they improved on it.
 
baychef said:
Mine holds a charge well. I did get a large battery as a back up but I haven't used it yet. I am wondering if they improved on it.
Click to expand...

The extra battery wasn't available on the Droid X when I had it. I am home most of the time so plugging in wasn't a huge issue. But when I traveled it was unbearable! In Chicago last summer the phone was at 20% by lunch. So far the iPhone will last me all day, even surfing around and fb'ing it.
 
Love love love my Iphone and Ipad, I use the Ipad wirelessly....it's my fav.....
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between a smartphone and an iPad?

A smartphone is primarily designed for communication, allowing you to make calls, send texts, and use apps on the go. An iPad, on the other hand, is a tablet that offers a larger screen, making it better for media consumption, productivity tasks, and creative work. While both devices can run similar applications, the experience can vary significantly due to screen size and functionality.

Which device is better for productivity tasks?

An iPad is generally better suited for productivity tasks due to its larger screen and the availability of accessories like keyboards and styluses. It can run full-featured applications for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations, making it a great choice for work-related tasks. However, a smartphone can also handle basic productivity tasks, especially when you're on the go.

Can I use an iPad as a smartphone?

While an iPad can make calls and send messages using apps like FaceTime and iMessage, it does not have cellular capabilities in all models. If you want to use it as a phone, you would need a Wi-Fi connection or a model with cellular capabilities. However, it lacks the traditional phone features like SMS texting and calling without third-party apps.

What factors should I consider when choosing between a smartphone and an iPad?

Consider your primary use case. If you need a device for communication and portability, a smartphone is the better choice. If you prioritize media consumption, gaming, or productivity, an iPad may be more suitable. Additionally, think about your budget, as iPads tend to be more expensive than smartphones, and consider whether you need cellular connectivity or if Wi-Fi will suffice.

Are there any apps that work better on one device over the other?

Yes, some apps are optimized for specific devices. For example, productivity apps like Microsoft Office or Apple’s iWork suite are often more user-friendly on an iPad due to the larger screen. Conversely, communication apps like WhatsApp or social media platforms may be more convenient on a smartphone, where quick access and portability are key. Always check app compatibility and user reviews for the best experience on your chosen device.

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