Spec me (my dad) a gadget?

Begbie · 10 Jul 2010 at 14:02

So my Dad is in the states just now, and he always does this! He bought a £700 DSLR last time - doesn't even know how it works buys cheap lenses for it and sticks it on auto! :rolleyes:

He has just sent me an email, saying he is looking at an Ipad! He would never use the thing, it doesn't have anything he needs. But if he does buy, most likely, will it work over here on 3G?

Plus any cool, funky, maybe has useful gadgets out at the moment worth considering? I suggested a new laptop, but I don't think he will be saving that much money anyway.

Berserker · 10 Jul 2010 at 14:12

Given that UK iPhones can't get 3G in the States, I'd put very long odds on a US iPad working on 3G here. Willing to be proved wrong by someone who has done it, of course (and I have no doubt some have tried). Obviously, everything else will work.

Begbie · 10 Jul 2010 at 14:35

Berserker said:
Given that UK iPhones can't get 3G in the States, I'd put very long odds on a US iPad working on 3G here. Willing to be proved wrong by someone who has done it, of course (and I have no doubt some have tried). Obviously, everything else will work.

Doubt he would use the 3G, so it ain't too big of an issue anyway.

Deyvy · 10 Jul 2010 at 14:45

Berserker said:
Given that UK iPhones can't get 3G in the States, I'd put very long odds on a US iPad working on 3G here. Willing to be proved wrong by someone who has done it, of course (and I have no doubt some have tried). Obviously, everything else will work.

I've got 3G signals in the states before on an iPhone, when I've switched on roaming. I was going to buy an iPad in the states, lady at the store said all you need is the micro sim. Bought it in the uk in the end, because they didnt get stock before I came back.

Scottland · 10 Jul 2010 at 14:47

Begbie said:
Doubt he would use the 3G, so it ain't too big of an issue anyway.

Tell him not to bother buying the 3G version then.

I don't think there's much out in the states that isn't available over here, and I don't think anything is much cheaper with the exchange rate not being great at the moment.

Yas786 · 10 Jul 2010 at 14:49

Scottland said:
Tell him not to bother buying the 3G version then.

I don't think there's much out in the states that isn't available over here, and I don't think anything is much cheaper with the exchange rate not being great at the moment.

This tbqh he wont save much...my dad picked an ipad up back in may when he was in America...worked it out and saved a whopping £50!!!111!!! :eek:

^TANK^ · 10 Jul 2010 at 14:54

Spyder III Pro arctic series?

Begbie · 10 Jul 2010 at 15:01

Spawn said:
This tbqh he wont save much...my dad picked an ipad up back in may when he was in America...worked it out and saved a whopping £50!!!111!!!

You try and tell him any different! :rolleyes:

Oxide™ · 10 Jul 2010 at 15:13

spec me a cool gadget thread deserves a Dyson Bladeless Fan recommendation

Yas786 · 10 Jul 2010 at 15:13

Begbie said:
You try and tell him any different!

LOL my dad is quite good and knew he wasnt making such a big saving but still ended up buying it...saying that he does use it..says its better than lugginbg around a heavy laptop.

Berserker · 10 Jul 2010 at 15:37

Oxide™ said:
spec me a cool gadget thread deserves a Dyson Bladeless Fan recommendation

I was surprised how effective they are - but worth £299? Er, no. I don't think so. Can see that one going the same way as the Dyson washing machine.

Oxide™ · 10 Jul 2010 at 15:42

far too expensive but cool nonetheless

PhillyDee · 10 Jul 2010 at 15:49

Berserker said:
I was surprised how effective they are - but worth £299? Er, no. I don't think so. Can see that one going the same way as the Dyson washing machine.

Except it also has blades, albeit hidden ones.

I get around · 10 Jul 2010 at 16:21

Let him get an ipad so he can sit in starbucks and pretend to by doing something productive. I swear thats the only place i've ever seen one used

Phemo · 10 Jul 2010 at 16:28

Berserker said:
Given that UK iPhones can't get 3G in the States, I'd put very long odds on a US iPad working on 3G here. Willing to be proved wrong by someone who has done it, of course (and I have no doubt some have tried). Obviously, everything else will work.

Yeah they can and iPhones work fine in the US with data roaming turned on.

As for iPads, they'll also work fine. They aren't network locked so a US iPad would accept any UK provider's micro SIM and would work with no problems. Of course, if your dad isn't likely to make use of the 3G, why doesn't he just get the wifi-only version?

Begbie · 10 Jul 2010 at 18:11

Phemo said:
Yeah they can and iPhones work fine in the US with data roaming turned on.

As for iPads, they'll also work fine. They aren't network locked so a US iPad would accept any UK provider's micro SIM and would work with no problems. Of course, if your dad isn't likely to make use of the 3G, why doesn't he just get the wifi-only version?

Never knew they done none 3G versions.

I personally don't rate them at all, don't see what they do really. Just a waste of money if you already own a laptop and a smart phone.

bigsharn · 10 Jul 2010 at 19:42

Stylophone or Kaossilator

Westyfield2 · 10 Jul 2010 at 19:50

Just incase no-one made the point explicitly clear....

A USA bought iPad 3G will work fine here. I got my 3G 64GB from the 'states before they were launched here, and it works fine! :cool: