What's the least amount of money you can get away with spending on a camera that's to record seated interviews. Reading the reviews on a couple that I found are making me slack-jawed with abject horror: [link] [link] but I have no perspective. Should I tell my sister to plonk the dosh for this: [link] ?

So my sister is graduating college and going to dental school, and she's dropped not-so-subtle hints that she wants an iPad. Or a tablet of some kind. She says she likes the Surface, but she's never really used it; she thinks the interface is cool. I don't know anything about tablets, but I want to get her something for taking notes in class and playing games (NOT in class...maybe) and whatnot. I figure the iPad (iPad 2? Isn't that the latest one?) is the best-in-class, right? She has an iPod Touch already, so she knows how iStuff works.

I have an ipad and I love mine. They are on Ipad 4 now (but they aren't calling it that). Ipad 3 is what I bought almost a year ago, so you might be able to get a good price on one refurb.

If you get one, make sure you get at least 32 GB and I would recommend getting one with data because that has the GPS functions even if you don't use the monthly data plan. The ipad 3 is significantly thinner than the Ipad 2 (which is MUCH thinner than the ipad 1).

I was wondering what size hard drive was good and whether the data plan was worth it. Upgrading to 32 GB and data is $200 more, though.

I am having very frequent problems with Google Calendar lately, usually, "I'm afraid I can't do that right now, flea," kind of problems. Having a reliably functioning web calendar is very important to me right now. Is this happening to anyone else? Is anyone happy with a free Google Cal alternative? I do not need to sync to anything, but I do need my calendar to be visible to my (lazy) husband.

P-C,

if this is her first, go wifi only. My first was wifi only and I liked it. It is expensive, so I get that data might be lower on the priority list.

I do think 32GB if you can swing it, is important. It is very easy to run out of space.

flea,

I have not had problems. can you describe what is going on? do you think it is on google's side?

if this is her first, go wifi only. My first was wifi only and I liked it. It is expensive, so I get that data might be lower on the priority list.

I'm looking at what's available on Amazon, and it looks like they're discounting the data pretty heavily, so it's only $50 more, which isn't bad. I don't understand how it works, though: if I get her one with AT&T 4G, in order to actually take advantage of the 4G, she would have to pay for data? It's not like the Kindle with 4G where you can use data if there's a network around? If she has a phone with GPS, why would she need the iPad with GPS?

I do think 32GB if you can swing it, is important. It is very easy to run out of space.

Thanks! It looks like Amazon discounts more for the bigger ones anyway, so it's more affordable to upgrade than I thought.

Any thoughts on the Surface? It's cheaper, and one of my friends was singing its praises, but I feel like the iPad is a safer bet for her.

Cozi does the shared calendar thing pretty well, and can import data from Google.

P-C,

I have a Verizon ipad and I have to pay for the data monthly. sometimes I don't pay for data, but here lately I have been paying every month. Note: the benefit of getting a Verizon ipad (I am not sure if this is still true) is that you can use the hotspot feature of the ipad without additional fees. I think AT&T charges an additional fee, but I am not certain.

Anyway, if you aren't on wifi and want to get online, you need data. It is like a phone in that regard. Kindle has a relationship with Sprint I think, so included in the kindle is some limited data usage. The ipad does not operate that way.

You are right that she may not need GPS features in the ipad. I know that for some people the GPS functions really matter to them in an ipad. I'm not one of those people.