[NTLK] Opinions sought regarding MP2x00s/first-gen iPads and clumsy people

[James Fraser]

Hello,

I would be interested in hearing from people who own (or have owned) both a 
first-generation iPad and an MP2x00.  Without going too far into the sordid 
details, I have been tasked (read: directed at gunpoint) to try and select a 
suitable PDA* for someone.

The catch?  Well, at the risk of sounding unkind (and since they are quite 
unlikely ever to read this, I think I can say what I'm going to say next without 
risking any hurt feelings), they are all thumbs.  Further, in the interests of 
accuracy and painting any necessary pictures, it would not be entirely incorrect 
to say that, for all practical purposes, they pretty much have feet rather than 
hands at the ends of their wrists.  Flippers, really.

Where I'm trying to go with this  is that, ideally, I would end up handing them 
a device that is relatively friendly to a flipper-handed sort of person.  At the 
same time, I'm trying to make an earnest effort not to let too much pro-Newton 
bias on my part creep into the decision.  That said, the choices pretty much 
come down to an MP2x00 and a first-generation iPad due to budgetary contraints 
(and other considerations).

If you have handled both devices for an extended period, I would love to hear 
from you as to which device you think might work best in this sort of situation 
(and why).  Also, if you happen to have been pricing first gen Wi-Fi (i.e. bare 
bones) iPads lately, I wouldn't be too upset if you were to mention the price 
range you've encountered, seeing as how I've just been handed all this.

My guess is that with the recent introduction of the third generation model, 
first generation iPads, being two year old devices (positively ancient in tech 
terms), can be had comparatively inexpensively.  However, my guessing ability 
doesn't seem to be getting any better as time goes on, so please do not be timid 
about setting me straight.

I'm sure this is going to be one of those Learning Experiences we all know (and 
love). ¬_¬


Best,

James Fraser

*Yes, the iPad is much more of an "information appliance" than a device true to 
the PDA concept, but you can't have everything, can you?