iPad as primary computer

celo48 · Mar 22, 2011, 10:57 PM

Do you use your iPad as your primary computer?

Shasta McNasty · Mar 22, 2011, 10:58 PM

Nope.

Jackintosh · Mar 22, 2011, 11:00 PM

Practically yes.

i0Nic · Mar 22, 2011, 11:01 PM

You could use it a primary computer - if you have something like a mini as your secondary computer to be your media server.

I have a Macbook Pro which I consider my primary computer, but my iPad gets just as much use if not more so it's hard to say which is 'Primary'.

yourtoys7 · Mar 22, 2011, 11:10 PM

No, but I do use it alot. Win' pc does some things, but browsing, email etc. done on iPad.

Meever · Mar 22, 2011, 11:14 PM

Primary access to the internet? YES. For general computing? NO.

vi2867 · Mar 22, 2011, 11:22 PM

That is my intention when I get it. I want to make it my main computer. I plan to use my other computer only when I need to add media or sync my media.

I think we are getting closer everyday in being capable of doing this. As more apps become available they will make it a smoother transition.

Maaz · Mar 22, 2011, 11:35 PM

If by primary, you mean use more than my iMac. Then hell yes.

AppleScruff1 · Mar 22, 2011, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meever

Primary access to the internet? YES. For general computing? NO.

Don't you find it slow for internet use compared to a computer?

X2468 · Mar 22, 2011, 11:41 PM

As an entertainment device - yes.

If you can use it as your primary computer, you didn't need a computer in the first place.

mikethebigo · Mar 22, 2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleScruff1

Don't you find it slow for internet use compared to a computer?

The iPad 2 loads pages pretty damn quick.

However, it's pretty much impossible for anyone that likes to use their computers to the fullest to have an iPad as the primary. I am considering having a setup as listed above though, where there's an always connected home system that you can access from anywhere with the iPad/iPhone. My question is, why have two devices (iPad and home PC/Mac) when you can just have one that's both portable and capable of full computing (MacBook)?

andyblila · Mar 22, 2011, 11:45 PM

I use it primarily, but not as my primary.

AppleScruff1 · Mar 23, 2011, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikethebigo

The iPad 2 loads pages pretty damn quick.

However, it's pretty much impossible for anyone that likes to use their computers to the fullest to have an iPad as the primary. I am considering having a setup as listed above though, where there's an always connected home system that you can access from anywhere with the iPad/iPhone. My question is, why have two devices (iPad and home PC/Mac) when you can just have one that's both portable and capable of full computing (MacBook)?

Personally I don't think the iPad 2 is very quick for browsing on wifi, and 3g is even slower. It doesn't make it a bad device, but in my opinion you wait a lot for pages to load.

mikethebigo · Mar 23, 2011, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleScruff1

Personally I don't think the iPad 2 is very quick for browsing on wifi, and 3g is even slower. It doesn't make it a bad device, but in my opinion you wait a lot for pages to load.

I'll definitely agree it's not as fast as an intel-based system, but still I'm impressed with its speed. You are right though, you will ultimately be waiting longer for some pages on the iPad. I actually saw a post recently where someone said try out www.msnbc.com, and compared to my mac, it loaded significantly slower on the iPad.

drenline · Mar 23, 2011, 12:11 AM

internet browsing, mp3, youtubing, apps/games, yes.

everything else, no.

AppleScruff1 · Mar 23, 2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikethebigo

I'll definitely agree it's not as fast as an intel-based system, but still I'm impressed with its speed. You are right though, you will ultimately be waiting longer for some pages on the iPad. I actually saw a post recently where someone said try out www.msnbc.com, and compared to my mac, it loaded significantly slower on the iPad.

That was probably me. I actually had an iPad 2 completely freeze up loading that at the Apple store last night. I tested loading that site on several iPads and almost every Macbook in the store. The Air was much faster than the iPad, and the Macbook Pros were somewhat faster than the Airs. I thought it was a good comparison to try since all machines were on the same wifi network. Less complex pages loaded much quicker on the iPad.

dmaul1114 · Mar 23, 2011, 12:21 AM

Nope. It is just a content consumption, wev surfing etc device for me.

I need a full PC to do my work on.

212rikanmofo · Mar 23, 2011, 12:23 AM

Pretty much so, after I got my iPad i haven't even touched my MacBook pro. I love this thing.

yodaxl7 · Mar 23, 2011, 12:24 AM

I use the iPad almost exclusively daily!! Browse, gaming, reading, viewing,emailing, chatting on forums, etc. I rarely use my macbook pro.

yodaxl7 · Mar 23, 2011, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Nope. It is just a content consumption, wev surfing etc device for me.

I need a full PC to do my work on.

You know, people do consume on the laptops as well??

yodaxl7 · Mar 23, 2011, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleScruff1

That was probably me. I actually had an iPad 2 completely freeze up loading that at the Apple store last night. I tested loading that site on several iPads and almost every Macbook in the store. The Air was much faster than the iPad, and the Macbook Pros were somewhat faster than the Airs. I thought it was a good comparison to try since all machines were on the same wifi network. Less complex pages loaded much quicker on the iPad.

It should be faster on the macbook pro which are going at 2 ghz with either dual core or quad. The Air is going at a higher speed, too. Duh! Bandwidth!! Word!

yodaxl7 · Mar 23, 2011, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maaz

If by primary, you mean use more than my iMac. Then hell yes.

Same here!!

dmaul1114 · Mar 23, 2011, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yodaxl7

You know, people do consume on the laptops as well??

Sure. I just find tablets superior for things like reading the news, surfing the net on the couch etc.

But laptops are far superior for doing real work as I need full software options, a file system, ability to get files onto jump drives etc that you can't do on a Tablet currently. maybe if there is full Mac or Windows tablet someday that doesn't suck like the ones of the past....

But for now a tablet and a full PC/Mac are complementary devices. Something like the IPad can't be main PC for someone who uses a computer for work. Maybe if it's just straight writing. But not for someone like me who has to use a wide array of software packages to carry out my research etc.

I work on my PCs and play on my iPad mainly. :-)

Don Kosak · Mar 23, 2011, 12:52 AM

I use it for everything but writing code.

I expected it to be much more of an "accessory" device that I'd check mail on etc. However, I'm finding that my original assumption was wrong. I do a lot of writing, spreadsheets, proposals, and draft specs on the iPad. I save almost everything directly to the cloud (using iWork.com, iDisk, or DropBox.)

If it "docked" to a big screen and ran XCode, I'd sell my iMac.

asleep · Mar 23, 2011, 01:33 AM

No way, no how.

I prefer a mouse.

View Poll Results: Is your iPad your primary computer?
Yes	73	20.92%
No	276	79.08%
Voters: 349. You may not vote on this poll

Mar 22, 2011, 10:57 PM	#1
celo48 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2010	iPad as primary computer Do you use your iPad as your primary computer?
	0

Mar 22, 2011, 10:58 PM	#2
Shasta McNasty macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern Cali	Nope. __________________ Disclaimer: The views expressed by Shasta McNasty are those of his own and not necessarily the shared views of any other person, party, or affiliates.
	0

Mar 22, 2011, 11:01 PM	#4
i0Nic macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia	You could use it a primary computer - if you have something like a mini as your secondary computer to be your media server. I have a Macbook Pro which I consider my primary computer, but my iPad gets just as much use if not more so it's hard to say which is 'Primary'. __________________ peterpetrovski.com - technology, media and strategy.
	0

Mar 22, 2011, 11:22 PM	#7
vi2867 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eastvale, CA	That is my intention when I get it. I want to make it my main computer. I plan to use my other computer only when I need to add media or sync my media. I think we are getting closer everyday in being capable of doing this. As more apps become available they will make it a smoother transition. __________________ 13" MacBook Pro, New iPad AT&T LTE 32GB, iPhone 4s AT&T 16GB
	0

Mar 22, 2011, 11:00 PM	#3
Jackintosh macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Blue State Illinois	Practically yes.
	0

Mar 22, 2011, 11:10 PM	#5
yourtoys7 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2007	No, but I do use it alot. Win' pc does some things, but browsing, email etc. done on iPad.
	0

Mar 22, 2011, 11:14 PM	#6
Meever macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2009	Primary access to the internet? YES. For general computing? NO.
	0

Mar 22, 2011, 11:35 PM	#8
Maaz macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2010	If by primary, you mean use more than my iMac. Then hell yes.
	0

Mar 22, 2011, 11:41 PM	#10
X2468 macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2011	As an entertainment device - yes. If you can use it as your primary computer, you didn't need a computer in the first place.
	0

Mar 22, 2011, 11:45 PM	#12
andyblila macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: On My iPhone, or my iPad?	I use it primarily, but not as my primary. __________________ iMac; MacBook Pro; 8GB iPhone 16GB White iPhone 3G S⃣ 32GB iPhone 4; 32GB iPhone 4S⃣, 32GB iPhone 5 16GB iPad; 32 GB iPad 2; 32GB "The New" iPad
	0

Mar 23, 2011, 12:11 AM	#15
drenline macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2010	internet browsing, mp3, youtubing, apps/games, yes. everything else, no.
	0

Mar 23, 2011, 12:21 AM	#17
dmaul1114 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2011	Nope. It is just a content consumption, wev surfing etc device for me. I need a full PC to do my work on.
	0

Mar 23, 2011, 12:23 AM	#18
212rikanmofo macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003	Pretty much so, after I got my iPad i haven't even touched my MacBook pro. I love this thing.
	0

Mar 23, 2011, 12:24 AM	#19
yodaxl7 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2010	most of the time I use the iPad almost exclusively daily!! Browse, gaming, reading, viewing,emailing, chatting on forums, etc. I rarely use my macbook pro. __________________ iPhone 4s 64gb, new iPad 64 gb att, MacBook Pro Retina, iPhone 5 att black 64gb pre-ordered
	0

Mar 23, 2011, 12:52 AM	#24
Don Kosak macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hilo, Hawaii	I use it for everything but writing code. I expected it to be much more of an "accessory" device that I'd check mail on etc. However, I'm finding that my original assumption was wrong. I do a lot of writing, spreadsheets, proposals, and draft specs on the iPad. I save almost everything directly to the cloud (using iWork.com, iDisk, or DropBox.) If it "docked" to a big screen and ran XCode, I'd sell my iMac. __________________ iMac, MacBook, MacMini, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, AppleTV Developer of Wiki Edit - the MediaWiki Editor for iPad
	0

Mar 23, 2011, 01:33 AM	#25
asleep Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007	No way, no how. I prefer a mouse.
	0

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