page 2 of 10
Rip CDs and DVDs
A lot of people still own CDs and DVDs. I own so many CDs, I still have not been able to import them all into iTunes. If you have a large library of optical media, you will need a computer to import them into iTunes or other media libraries. This cannot be done on an iPad. There are no optical drives or apps that can accomplish this.
At best, one can get an audio converter for the iPad and connect it to a CD player. This isn’t really ripping, but more like dubbing. If the CD is 40 minutes long, it will take 40 minutes to copy it onto the iPad. From there, you will need to manually configure the tracks, but there is no way to get them into the Music app or iTunes ecosystem. Furthermore, the sound quality will be inferior, due to the unnecessary analog-to-digital conversions.
Once you have ripped your CDs into iTunes or other libraries, you can then sync them over to your iPad. Even iTunes Match cannot match your library until you import the CDs. If you have a vast library of CDs and DVDs, owning a computer is still a necessity.
Can’t Upgrade iPad Hardware
Just about anyone can upgrade a personal computer. It doesn’t take a lot of skill. You can upgrade RAM, hard drives and graphics capabilities by simply removing the cover and snapping a part into place. At most, you may need to plug in some cables and use a screwdriver.
You can save a lot of money by buying an inexpensive computer and upgrading it. I have even upgraded my Mac Pro. I added a new 2 TB hard drive and quadrupled the memory for a fraction of the price Apple would charge. Even compact notebook computers can be upgraded. Users can easily add new drives and increase memory. Doing it yourself will save a bundle.
Unfortunately, if you own an iPad, there is no easy way to open it up and upgrade it. I wouldn’t say it is impossible, but it is not easy because the iPad is glued together. You would risk damaging the device. It just isn’t user-serviceable.
When you buy an iPad, it’s hard to settle for the cheapest model with the smallest solid state drive (SSD). As iOS gets bigger, the operating system takes up more room on your iPad. This means there’s less room for apps and content. Apple’s solution is for consumers to just buy a new iPad. I purchased an iPad 2 with 64 GB of storage for $699 and it was practically obsolete within three years, thanks to iOS 8. If I bought the base model, it would have been obsolete after two years. It’s the last iPad I will buy.
Download iTunes Digital Booklet
Digital music downloads have taken the world by storm. For those who have shelves of CDs, they are a blessing. One can grow their music collection without taking up more shelf space. The lack of packaging also means that booklets accompanying CDs are no longer present. Some iTunes albums come with a digital booklet, allowing customers to read the liner notes. Unfortunately, if you want to download these digital booklets, you must use a Mac or PC. At this time, it is not possible to download an iTunes digital booklet directly onto an iOS device. Instead, users must download the booklet on a computer, using iTunes, and sync it to their iOS device. This is a basic task that most consumers want to do, but it cannot be done on an iPad.
Change Video Resolution for iTunes Downloads
iTunes provides content for every device in the Apple ecosystem. Different devices offer different capabilities. For example, if you own an Apple TV 2, it only supports 720p HD. Similarly, the iPad 2 features 1024 x 768 resolution, which is comparable to 720p. iTunes allows users to change video resolution, however, this is done best on a computer with iTunes. iOS only allows users to switch between SD and HD. If you want to choose between 720p and 1080p, you will have to use iTunes on a Mac or PC. For more information on changing iTunes video quality, please read this article.
Change Audio Quality for iTunes Music
iTunes offers music in 256 kbps AAC format. For some, this level of audio quality leaves much to be desired. New products such as Neil Young’s Pono Player and Sony’s reinvented Walkman are aimed at audiophiles. You can actually get CD-quality audio from iTunes, but you have to use your computer to accomplish this task. You also need to import the music from CD or from a download service that offers CD-quality audio files. On a computer, iTunes offers many choices for audio quality. These options are not available for iOS.
Schedule iTunes Downloads and Automate Tasks
Broadband providers often leave much to be desired. In the United States, most broadband providers offer unlimited network access, however, broadband speeds slow dramatically during peak hours. ISPs in other nations cap data usage and charge for overages, but allow unlimited access at off-peak hours. Wouldn’t it be great if you could schedule iTunes downloads?
Using the Automator on Mac OS X, it is possible to schedule iTunes downloads and automate virtually any task. This tool allows non-programmers to generate scripts that can be repeated and scheduled. iOS really has nothing like this. There are some iOS tools, such as Launchpad Pro, that can automate basic tasks. However, if you really need powerful automation, nothing beats a Mac. Automation is not just for geeks. Scheduling iTunes downloads for off-peak hours is useful for non-technical people. (continue…)
