For limited use, one can do lots of mundane tasks with an iPad.
For computing? Not even close.
No it wouldn't. Words have meanings for a reason.
You would be incorrect to call the iMac a laptop computer just because *you* might like to rest it on your lap whilst using it. You would be just as incorrect to call a Volvo station wagon a "muscle car" just because you think it's a total beast to drive.
The iPad is NOT a gaming rig in any sense of the word. Any assertion that it is is absolutely laughable.
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Arguing that a super nintendo emulator is a "solution" for gaming in the year 2012 is the height of ignorance.
Don't get me wrong. I'm glad you enjoy your little toy tablet. OP better find some better examples than a super nintendo emulator to back up his claim that the iPad is good for gaming.
As others have said, the ipad is simply a toy. It can't even begin to compete with laptops or desktops at this time.
Everything Apple is Magic don't ya know....ha..ha..ha..Strange. I know lots of people that do non-mundane computing with an iPad. They must be magical.
My 2 cents....
I'm currently on a flight (thanks to gogoair) from lga to atl. I left atl this morning at 8:30 Am... with only my cell phone and ipad. I've watched a movie and a half on my flights... emailed... read forums... use facebook, instagram and twitter.... as well as used the ipad for navigation in new york. It's midnight.... 14 hours later and I still have 28% battery left. Something that my macbook air can't provide for me. I'm using a logitech ultrathin keyboard... and have no problems at all today. My flight was delayed 6 hours (frigging laguardia) and i was able to facetime the wife and kid. My cell phone died around 7 pm... and that didn't matter.... I used google voice on the ipad to make my calls. I'm not a gamer... so I guess I can't speak to that.... I did play Madden 12 during my down time as well as Plague..... so maybe that counts? All I know is I really appreciate the ipad for what it does.... and the battery life, and will using it as my only travelling computer.
Now I think I'll finish Hunger Games.
As others have said, the ipad is simply a toy. It can't even begin to compete with laptops or desktops at this time.
This is exactly it.
In UG school, I used a $300 Acer laptop which was almost wore out once school was over with. I wiped it clean and practically donated it to a high school student.
This past Christmas my wife purchased me an iPad. When I started Grad school, I thought I would give using my iPad as a sole device a chance. It has proven to be ok with a blue tooth keyboard but it just isn't practical. Actually, writing a paper was horrible for the reasons described above. (multi-tasking, copy/paste, and no mouse)
It's great if I want to read something via an app or review a document or web site but a MBA is in the near future for me.
The short of it is that if someone uses their computer solely as a consumer of content, then an iPad can replace a computer. Without a doubt. If one uses their computer for work -- content creation -- then there may be some snags.
This.
I had a similar experience on my flights and to Kong Kong and back to Boston last week. My mom and I used the iPad pretty heavily between the two of us and we still had over 40% when we landed each time.
It's just good to know that the iPad can handle this sort of use. Again, for the truly mobile traveller, battery life can NOT be underestimated as a factor. Extra functionality means nothing when the juice runs out.
The 11" MacBook Air would be a perfect compromise in that case. It's small and light like the iPad but having OSX over iOS is in itself worth it. I'm typing on an MBA now. I was using my dad's iPad the other day and found typing on it really hurt my arm. I don't have that problem with the MBA or MBP. I guess I'm "old school" - I prefer keyboard and mouse and desktop OSes with proper software, not "apps". Does the iPad even do multitasking or do all apps run in a sandbox environment?
As others have said, the ipad is simply a toy. It can't even begin to compete with laptops or desktops at this time.
No way iPad can replace an actual computer.
I might have agreed with you before my family moved and stored our computers for nearly six months. We used an iPad for all our computing needs - no MS Office, no scanner, no printer, docusigning on the touch screen. This included real estate, legal and financial tasks for starters, in addition to all our email and Internet browsing. No desktop. No laptop. The iPad worked brilliantly.
I still use a desktop for media production, but for every person like me who produces content, there are perhaps dozens who consume content and have no need for a traditional workstation.
I'm sure in specific and unique circumstances, it works but generally...
For productivity, PCs can multitask a lot better, writing a research paper, writing an article, photo editing, playing games, etc.