Technology

Does Tarleton Support the iPad?

Many members of the campus community have been seeking advice from Information Technology Services regarding the purchase of Apple’s new iPad.

IT Services is currently developing standards for management of the iPad and iPad 2. Departments are encouraged to contact Stephen Wilson or Russel Thompson in IT Services for guidance on purchasing in iPad.

Individuals who chose to make a personal purchase of Apple’s iPad may contact the Computer Help Desk (254.968.9885,helpdesk@Tarleton.edu) for assistance configuring your Tarleton Exchange account. 

Please note that there is no support to interface the iPad to Tarleton’s classroom resources such as projectors.

What is an iPad?

The iPad is a touch-screen tablet computer and media player that is positioned in between a smart phone (e.g. iPhone) and laptop computer in size and capabilities. Several models will be sold with varying storage capacity, some of which support wireless Internet access over "3G" cell phone networks. (All models support Wi-Fi connections to local wireless networks.)

Can I use my personal iPad to access Tarleton email?

Similar to support for personal smartphones, the Computer Help desk can assist you to configure access to wireless, email, calendar and contacts from your Tarleton Exchange account and configure the appropriate security policies. You can also use Outlook Web Access via the Safari web browser on the iPad to access your email and calendar as an alternative.

What kind of software can be installed on an ipad?

The iPad currently runs the iPhone OS 4. This OS is significantly different from the standard Mac OS X platform. Standard Mac applications like MS Word and Excel cannot be installed on the iPad, although iWork is available to produce presentations, document and spreadsheets. The iPad comes with a standard suite of applications and additional apps can be purchased at the iTunes Apps store.

General strengths and limitations

Note:  Not meant to be inclusive or representative of all opinions.

Strengths

• eBooks - presentation of books on the iPad is very good.
• Multimedia – The iPad is an extra large iPod Touch that can be used to watch movies, listen to music and view pictures.
• Internet – With a strong wifi or 3G connection, Internet use is very fast and easy to use.
• Thin, lightweight, easy to carry and use
• Thousands of applications available via iTunes store
• iPad 2 supports FaceTime video conferencing

Limitations

• It lacks the ability to run Flash, a video plug-in supported by popular online video sites such as Hulu.com.
• No direct support for the Microsoft Office solutions (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint,etc.)
• The iPad has no USB connector (for input from a USB thumb drive, or output to a printer)