I do not want to get rid of my Sprint card so I need to find something that will work with it.
You will not be able to share your Sprint card with another computer without using a dedicated router, a hub with Ethernet connections, or replacing the the card with either a Novatel
MiFi™ 3G or the newer Sierra
Overdrive™ 3G/4G hotspot. Other option is to get him his own aircard. I'd recommend the Sierra
Overdrive™ 3G/4G hotspot, depending on the current state your current contract plan and time remaining.
The little of have seen of the I-Pad looks as if it will work well and then maybe I can just keep my Blackberry and quit drooling over the Droid.
The Droid is way better than a Blackberry.
The iPad is a really big iPod Touch, and runs pretty much the same apps that the iPod and iPhone run. If Bob already has an iPhone or an Ipod, he'll feel right at home with the iPad. While the iPad apps are far more expansive than the iPhone offers, the iPad still isn't a computer in the normal sense. One of the best descriptions I've read of it is that it's a appliance for media consumers, and not really a computer. You can get things done, work with it, play with it, consume content with it, but one of the more common comments even from die hard fanboys is that, at times, it feels like a computer for beginners. That may be just the thing for Bob, tho, I dunno.
It's really good for pictures and movies (except there's no 16:9 widescreen support). There's no multitasking, and some argue that the lack of multitasking will mean nothing to most users. Right up until they want to use a chat program while surfing the Web. But, multitasking is supposed to be available with a software update in the fall of 2010. The iPad will also only run software from the App Store, where both apps and content are under the strict control and censorship of Apple. That may or may not be an issue with you. The other lacking feature is the lack of wireless sync with other portable devices. Again, might not be an issue for you.
One thing to keep in mind about using an Apple mobile device (iPhone or iPad) for surfing the Web is, no Adobe Flash, because Steve Jobs doesn't like it. It also doesn't have a USB port or an SD card reader, only Apple's famous 30-pin dock port so you can dock it and
then use a USB device or a card reader. It's meant to be a brain-dead easy-to-use appliance, and being able to hook up a printer or a scanner to the USB port would mean that people would have to install printer and scanner drivers (the horror).
If you already have a Mac or an iPhone, then an iPad may be the way to go. Otherwise, something like a netbook is probably what you want.
I will check on the mifi when at home. What would be best do you think Sprint store or Best Buy for the mifi?
Whichever is cheaper. You'll probably need to start a new 2-year contract with it, so that may make a difference. But by and large, Best Buy tends to be cheaper than the carriers for this stuff. I don't think that Best Buy has the Sierra
Overdrive™ 3G/4G hotspot yet, tho, and Sprint has a really good price on it ($50 with a new contract).
