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Brah
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Total Apple noob

Post by Brah » Mon, 07 Jul 2014 7:36 pm

As I understand it, Apple is not big on USB for iPad connectivity, if if one has a lot of offboard data like on an external hard drive, how best to connect that to an iPad?

Is there additional hardware required for the Apple version of a NAS, like an Airport (the Apple kind)?

For a lightweight user, could an iPad serve as that person's main PC?

I'm wondering about iTunes data, currently on a PC, how t make that available on an iPad with limited onboard storage.

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Re: Total Apple noob

Post by zzm9980 » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 7:45 am

Brah wrote:As I understand it, Apple is not big on USB for iPad connectivity, if if one has a lot of offboard data like on an external hard drive, how best to connect that to an iPad?

Is there additional hardware required for the Apple version of a NAS, like an Airport (the Apple kind)?

For a lightweight user, could an iPad serve as that person's main PC?

I'm wondering about iTunes data, currently on a PC, how t make that available on an iPad with limited onboard storage.
I'll try answer as best as I can.

1) What kind of data is it? Apple's model for iOS devices isn't to just dump data onto, you do it on a per-application basis depending on what data you're manipulating. For office type documents and such, I recommend DropBox. Sync and manipulate the files that way. Or Google Drive if you use google docs, or Office360, etc.

2) No. But I'm not quite sure what you're asking - What are you trying to do?

3) Easily, depending on your definition of lightweight and the applications you normally use.

4) How much data? Movies or Music? Did you purchase it through iTunes? If not, you can pay $25 a year for "iTunes Match" and it will all magically sync to the "cloud". Even if you pirated it. In fact, they even give you upgraded copies later on your PC. Think of it as "laundering music".

Otherwise, yes you can sync everything to your iPad from itunes via USB or Wifi. You do need the USB cable the very first time to set it up though.

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Post by the lynx » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 8:50 am

I think it would be difficult to use iPad as the main PC. To support your storage and your needs for a PC, I suggest getting a Mac Mini. It functions "like" a CPU and is compatible to most models of computer monitors and keyboards. It has good storage size and processor and you can carry it anywhere you go. And you can use it with iPad.

I've been reading up on this. I might get one sooner or later and that would be my first Apple.

https://www.apple.com/sg/mac-mini/

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Post by nakatago » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 8:58 am

You need to wirelessly connect to the iPad; ssh, I think. For just videos, VLC will run a server for you and then you connect to this via a PC browser and just drag and drop files into the browser window to copy into the iPad.

For other files, things would be more involved. Also, I think there are accessories sold that let you plug in USB drives.
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Post by zzm9980 » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:20 pm

nakatago wrote:You need to wirelessly connect to the iPad; ssh, I think. For just videos, VLC will run a server for you and then you connect to this via a PC browser and just drag and drop files into the browser window to copy into the iPad.
This is probably too complicated for what Brah is trying to do.

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Post by x9200 » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:47 pm

Ipad can be mounted via usb under linux and shows just as an external usb drive. I did not do it for some time but IIRC at least the camera images/videos are available this way.

Alternatively, I am pretty sure for a jail-broken iOS it should be no major problem to make it NAS over wifi (there is Samba package under Cydia).

Yet another option (also for the jail-break) is to run a small http server and download the files via web interface/browser.

Edited to add: there is even a dedicated application to turn iPad into a NAS. It's called xDrive and it's based on Samba.
http://www.idownloadblog.com/2011/01/18 ... ork-drive/

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Post by nakatago » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 1:24 pm

zzm9980 wrote:
nakatago wrote:You need to wirelessly connect to the iPad; ssh, I think. For just videos, VLC will run a server for you and then you connect to this via a PC browser and just drag and drop files into the browser window to copy into the iPad.
This is probably too complicated for what Brah is trying to do.
He can handle it :wink:
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Post by Tanuki » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 3:03 pm

the lynx wrote:I think it would be difficult to use iPad as the main PC. To support your storage and your needs for a PC, I suggest getting a Mac Mini. It functions "like" a CPU and is compatible to most models of computer monitors and keyboards. It has good storage size and processor and you can carry it anywhere you go. And you can use it with iPad.

I've been reading up on this. I might get one sooner or later and that would be my first Apple.

https://www.apple.com/sg/mac-mini/
There is a pretty slick app called iFile, which lets you view documents on the iPad itself. You can sort them as you like, create folders and it's quite similar to what you'd do with a laptop/desktop. Also you can use iCloud or Dropbox with this, so you can keep things on the cloud and edit them on the iPad when you like. I also have Google Drive for locations to store files and I can open them directly on the iPad.

So with a bluetooth keyboard and a nice stand, it can be very workable. Now if they'd just let flash video on them.... :mad:

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Post by Brah » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 7:52 pm

Thanks for all the replies so far all.

First off, this is not for me, so it has to be something the very technically-challenged can do and use without help after the initial set up.

Also, as I don't know how things work with Apple and am not really interested in learning as I'm a PC person, I don't want to find myself getting frustrated trying to make the PC-to-Apple jump when things don't work.

For that reason I would not ever consider jailbreaking it.

This purchase would be a replacement for a dying PC, and the user has little to no files except iTunes music, and the primary uses would be for Yahoo email, YouTube, and iTunes.

In considering this iPad as a PC replacement option, as it would kill two birds with one stone (replacement and a mobile device) I also do not want to introduce a lot more peripherals with Apple-specific hardware.

Ideally for home use it could access the wireless internet for all files, either locally or on the cloud, have a sturdy cradle and a Bluetooth keyboard, and I think this much is easy and without anything extra (except those two parts of course). I also don't want to pay for things not currently paying for (cloud storage) just to do things currently done without those costs.

I wonder if the iTunes library, which I think is about 8gb, could be stored on Dropbox. The iFile app looks interesting, if it doesn't require jailbreaking.

I'm glad Tanuki mentioned flash - what does that mean for YouTube on an iPad? YT is not used solely for entertainment.

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Post by Brah » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 7:54 pm

nakatago wrote:
zzm9980 wrote:This is probably too complicated for what Brah is trying to do.
He can handle it :wink:
Thanks for the vote of confidence - I agree with it except up to the point of what x9200 was suggesting....

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Re: Total Apple noob

Post by Brah » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 8:10 pm

Thanks for this, replies in blue, some I also answered in the earlier post
zzm9980 wrote: I'll try answer as best as I can.

As I understand it, Apple is not big on USB for iPad connectivity, if if one has a lot of offboard data like on an external hard drive, how best to connect that to an iPad?
1) What kind of data is it?
Primarily iTunes, with maybe some downloads from Yahoo email. PDFs.

Apple's model for iOS devices isn't to just dump data onto, you do it on a per-application basis depending on what data you're manipulating.
ok good to know

For office type documents and such, I recommend DropBox. Sync and manipulate the files that way. Or Google Drive if you use google docs, or Office360, etc.
There are occasionally audio/video files shared from another Dropbox user, but no Office docs

Is there additional hardware required for the Apple version of a NAS, like an Airport (the Apple kind)?
2) No. But I'm not quite sure what you're asking - What are you trying to do?
Same as above - access iTunes files which are currently onboard

For a lightweight user, could an iPad serve as that person's main PC?
3) Easily, depending on your definition of lightweight and the applications you normally use.
Yahoo email, YouTube (extensively for news back home, educational stuff), but no movies or entertainment, though that would be a added bonus as I'm sure that comes easily with an iPad

I'm wondering about iTunes data, currently on a PC, how to make that available on an iPad with limited onboard storage.
4) How much data?
iTunes about 8-10gb
Movies or Music?
Only music
Did you purchase it through iTunes?
no, but ripped via iTunes

If not, you can pay $25 a year for "iTunes Match" and it will all magically sync to the "cloud". Even if you pirated it. In fact, they even give you upgraded copies later on your PC. Think of it as "laundering music".
Interesting, but is there not a free amount of storage with Dropbox or other cloud services? Like in the other post, I don't want to start paying for things that don't cost me money now

Otherwise, yes you can sync everything to your iPad from iTunes via USB or WiFi. You do need the USB cable the very first time to set it up though.
Glad to hear as I always though iPads didn't have any USB, but I guess there are SUB-Lightening converter cables (see one more thing I need to buy....)

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Post by Strong Eagle » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 8:33 pm

Brah - Get a Microsoft Surface... your friend will have the familiar Windows feel, it's got a decent keyboard and unlike Apple, easy USB connectivity to plug in devices.

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Post by x9200 » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 9:19 pm

RE: jail breaking: you connect your ipad to a pc, you run the jailbreaking software, click "ok", wait, ipad restarts 2 or 3 times, voilà , you are done. Once you have it, it is completely transparent.

A new application will appear: Cydia. This is a package manager similar in functionality to the Apple store. You search Cydia for "Samba", click install, wait for the spring board to restart, go to the iPad settings, find Samba settings, define password for the user (root), click "enable". You are done and have access to the whole directory tree.

Complicated?

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Post by Strong Eagle » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 9:43 pm

x9200 wrote:RE: jail breaking: you connect your ipad to a pc, you run the jailbreaking software, click "ok", wait, ipad restarts 2 or 3 times, voilà, you are done. Once you have it, it is completely transparent.

A new application will appear: Cydia. This is a package manager similar in functionality to the Apple store. You search Cydia for "Samba", click install, wait for the spring board to restart, go to the iPad settings, find Samba settings, define password for the user (root), click "enable". You are done and have access to the whole directory tree.

Complicated?
Please note that the untethered jailbreak for IOS 7.1.x was only released on July 1. There is absolutely no guarantee that future versions of IOS will be breakable because Apple constantly patches exploits.

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Post by x9200 » Tue, 08 Jul 2014 9:56 pm

Yes, that's true and there is a hardware dependance. I also agree with your other post in that sense that iOS is not particularly a nice platform to get anything customized even with full access to the services. For what Brah seems to want I would indeed chose one of these tablets running a regular windows 7/8.

http://techblog.tv/best-windows-8-table ... 2-2013-vs/

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