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Macworld, on 10 July 2012 - 05:31 AM, said:

I'm still using my old iPad as an iPad.

You could sell your iPad for several hundred bucks on ebay and then buy an E Reader.

iPads are good for reading indoors and that's about it.

buzglyd, on 10 July 2012 - 06:02 AM, said:

I totally agree with this. I recently sold a first generation iPad, and with the money I got for it, I could buy three eReaders. Or I could just buy one and have a bunch of money left over. The point is, a first generation iPad is worth more than just being an eReader.

Standzfree is the only stand I have found that can place the iPad several inches over my chest and angle it slightly downward so I can read while I lie on my back. That's how I go to sleep at night. I don't like having to prop up my upper body because that makes it harder to fall asleep and the extra pillows get in the way. http://www.standzout.com/

For a lap/table stand, I like the Wedge-e. It's cheap, light, and very comfortable. It also fits into any pillow sham, so it's very easy to keep clean. http://wedge-e.net/

Unfortunately, I have no control over my iPad anymore as the granddaughter and my wife have both claimed it: the grandkid has it early-evening leading up to her bedtime and then the wife has it until she takes pity on me. The only purpose my original iPad will serve (for me) is as an excuse to buy the latest model. My wife thinks a cheaper option would be to just buy a clip-on light for the Sony eReader (which she will then tell me to turn OFF when she wants to sleep).

I can't stop reading: on the computer, print books & magazines, on the iPad and my Sony eReader -- I read anywhere and everywhere, including at the dining table, in bed and the bathroom.

The only device I will use whilst sitting on the bog-seat is the Sony eReader, so all my stuff is installed on that and the iPad. My wife doesn't let me leave any lamps ON when she's trying to sleep, so I switch to iPad with brightness settings set to minimum.

How timely your article is since I have been odering what to do with my original iPad, give to one of my kids, sell it or whatever. Your article has made think about an option I hadn't thought of, since I do a lot of reading also on my iPad 3. Your comments on getting distracted are spot on, but grouping apps in a folder may not stop me from wandering, since I already use folders to organize my many apps. The Airplane Mode idea is the one "pearl" that I took away from your article.
Thanks for the article and my original iPad thanks you also, since it hasn't seen the light of day as it sits in drawer of my nightstand since Mr. 3 took over. I believe you have solved my pondering of what to do with it. We will both be happier now since you have a good reason that I hadn't thought of to hang on to my old pal and put it back in use. RUDYRX

I am also using mine as an ipad there is still a lot of life in the first gen. ipad I've had mine for 2 years and there are days I still can't put down.

Ha! I feel old since I'm using my old iPad as my current iPad. Looking to upgrade later this year though. Then again, I've got an "old" 2nd generation MacBook Air which needs to be upgraded to a i-something processor.

Federalist, on 10 July 2012 - 07:52 AM, said:

Thanks for the lead on Standzfree. I will check it out. I have yet to find one that works well for me. There are so many of them out there now to choose from, it is helpful to hear about one from someone that has found it useful while reading in bed. I welcome anyone else's input on stands that actually work well while reading in bed.

RUDYRX, on 10 July 2012 - 08:01 AM, said:

I thought about leaving the iPad 1 plugged in as a picture frame in the family room, because I'm sure that one of us will grab it when we want to look up a recipe or find a movie. I'll probably set up email and calendar with my wife's account, since she is in charge of the asylum.

The iPad will get much more use than the old core duo white MacBook.

You should also install the OverDrive media Console. Then you can check eBooks out for free from most public libraries using your library card. Most libraries have eBooks available in EPUB, PDF and Kindle formats.

Another consideration. We rewarded our 14-year-old with an overpriced Nook Simpletouch with Glowlight for his awesome work in school this past year. We purposefully chose not to purchase an iPad, Kindle, Nook with access to things other than books, since he likes to read in bed before he sleeps.

Terrible article. You know what a good use is for an old iPad? As an iPad. Or as someone else mentioned, sell it on eBay. Get $200 for it, easily, buy a Nook for $139, and $61 worth of ebooks.

If you have an iPad, you have a freakin' iPad.