Replacing my iPad with a Macbook Air 11"

[petvas]

I just ordered a Macbook Air 11" with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, as a replacement to my iPad 4. Of course I understand that an iPad is more of a consumption device, but I always felt limited by it, especially its browser that doesn't always work as I would like or even expect to.
I have been using my iPad mostly when on the road, to surf the internet, take notes, do some calendaring, reading, Facebook, twitter, and watch videos. All these things I can do on my Macbook Air and most of them better than on the iPad. Of course the iPad is more mobile and has a better battery life, but the new MBA has an impressive battery life also.
I am more of a power user, so I can't say I will miss my iPad. OS X is much more suited to me and I like to have the feeling that whenever I want to do sth, I can do it on my Macbook Air.
I plan to install Mavericks when I get my MBA and I am interested to see the battery life on the new OS.
For those of you that feel happy with the iPad, it is a great choice. I remember almost being in love with it when it first came out, but as the years went by, I realized that the iPad (and every other tablet out there), is frustrating for me, because of its limitations.
At home I will be using my Retina Macbook Pro. My MBA will mostly get used when I am on business trips or generally on the road.
Since it is a custom order I have to wait till next week to get it...

 

[ZBoater]

Ummmmm, ok. You selling your iPad I presume?

 

[petvas]

Ummmmm, ok. You selling your iPad I presume?

Yes, the reason is of course that I don't use it as much as I should have been. Of course I am financing 1/3 of the price of the MBA with it also...

 

[ZBoater]

Well good for you. Of course each person is different, but obviously a MBA can do a lot more than an iPad. I think having both is good because there are time all I want to do is check email and do light browsing. I have the iPad mini, which is lighter and easier to use while laying in bed. But if I could only have one device, I would do the same as you, although I would have picked a 13".

 

[OdT22]

You're definitely not alone. I bought an iPad mini (on release day) to accompany my 2011 MBA (13"), and liked it well enough to try an iPad4 the following month. The battery life is king, IMHO. Sold the MBA and gave the iPads (trading both models alternately with my son) a good college try up until this past month. They worked as advertised. Can't really complain.

But a few weeks ago, the novelty must have worn off. I gave my son the pick of which iPad he wanted to keep (he chose the mini, FWIW), and we sold the other. New MBA battery life is what I wanted all along.

The new 2013 MBA is the real deal. No more limits, no more tablets. Woohoo!

 

[petvas]

Some people might say that it doesn't make sense to have a rMBP and a MBA.
For me the Retina Macbook Pro is my home machine, and I use it everywhere, in all rooms at home. I never take it with me, mostly because I had my iPad with me all the time, and because I didn't want to carry a 15" laptop.
The 11" MBA though is perfect as an iPad replacement for me. It does everything exactly like I want it to.

And yes, the iPad Mini is certainly an option when it gets a Retina display, but I think I will skip it this year, since I see absolutely no usage for me. Even reading books will be done on the MBA using iBooks on Mavericks

 

[ZBoater]

Yeah, I don't think I could live with an iPad alone. It is just too limiting. I need to be able to run Quicken for Windows. I haven't found a decent Mac (or iOS) alternative. I need to be able to update the firmware on my Escort Radar detector and my Garmin devices. Heck, I need to be able to attach a file to an email reply!!! The iPad has a ways to go in many respects. But what it does it does very well. I rarely if ever check email on mu computers anymore. And 99% of my web browsing is on the iPad. I am also able to sign PDFs and do all sorts of other things. Each device has its merits, but I could not live with an iPad alone.

 

[Mrbobb]

Of course the iPad is more mobile and has a better battery life, but the new MBA has an impressive battery life

^This, makes the choice for the new users even harder.

I know a guy who walks around with his iPad and he's completely happy. He's basically a consumer and shows me this collection of movies he signed on to, and how he has a library of movies he can watch anytime, anywhere.

Me, I want a REAL KEYBOARD to type on like am doing right now. Virtual keyboard OK for the occasional text but...

 

[ntrigue]

I read your entire post and am certain that an iPad mini and a MacBook Air 11" is your ideal setup. Use Gazelle for your iPad 4 and choose the Amazon credit then get an iPad mini with those funds.

 

[flowrider]

Ordered the MacBook Air Saturday from B&H. 2012 model with the 11.6" screen and 64GB SSD. It will be replacing an iPad that I've used for the last 3 years. I guess I'm not a tablet person, as I really hated the limitations of the iPad. I used it with a ZaggMate cover and keyboard, 2 of them failed. I'm now using the ZaggMate as a cover only and using a Logitech keyboard. My home computer is a souped up Mac Pro. The iPad was used only on trips. I use my Motorola Droid 3 as a HotSpot.

I can't wait to have a real computer again when I travel

Lou

My post from another thread. I now have my new Mac Air, I have coupled it with an external Seagate Hybrid (Fusion) 500GB SSHD which I will use in Hotel Rooms. I will use the internal SSD when at Airports and etc. I luv the little guy. I cleaned of all my info on the iPad and it's for sale.

I used the Air while watching TV last night (from the internal drive) just web surfing, and what a pleasure having a real computer again

Lou

 

[OdT22]

Yeah, I don't think I could live with an iPad alone. It is just too limiting. I need to be able to run Quicken for Windows. <snip>

(in case you were replying to me..)

Agreed much. I didn't want to type a long post qualifying my summary above, but I shouldn't have omitted that I'm surrounded by desktops at home and at work. The iPad was a fill-in at best. Whenever it was time to 'create', the iPad always took a nap.

+1 for Quicken. It's the main reason I use Parallels... now on the new MBA too.

 

[yourtoys7]

I have gone through this some time ago, ended up getting Air 11" and very happy with it. No regrets at all.

 

[petvas]

It is interesting to see that most of you people here that answered have no other laptop. It was either the MBA or the iPad for you.
The MBA will be for me my companion when I travel, nothing else. At home I will continue using the rMBP, which offers so much more.

 

[DisplacedMic]

It is interesting to see that most of you people here that answered have no other laptop. It was either the MBA or the iPad for you.
The MBA will be for me my companion when I travel, nothing else. At home I will continue using the rMBP, which offers so much more.

well, there's a price concern there i think. it sounds like you are using the air as most people are using their iPad... and at less than half the price I think the reason why is fairly obvious.

The way i see it is that while the iPad is certainly a useful tool, it is really just a "toy" in the sense that it's not a fully functioning computer by a long shot (and i say that with no intention of disparaging it or those that use it effectively for work)

but if you have a device that is, and all you need is something that you can travel with for email, browsing, youtube etc then yes the ipad is perfect.

obviously a retina pro and a small air would be "better" in terms of computing power but maybe some people A - don't want to spend that much B - really like the touchscreen or C - can't convince their wives that they need two laptops

 

[petvas]

well, there's a price concern there i think. it sounds like you are using the air as most people are using their iPad... and at less than half the price I think the reason why is fairly obvious.

The way i see it is that while the iPad is certainly a useful tool, it is really just a "toy" in the sense that it's not a fully functioning computer by a long shot (and i say that with no intention of disparaging it or those that use it effectively for work)

but if you have a device that is, and all you need is something that you can travel with for email, browsing, youtube etc then yes the ipad is perfect.

obviously a retina pro and a small air would be "better" in terms of computing power but maybe some people A - don't want to spend that much B - really like the touchscreen or C - can't convince their wives that they need two laptops

Yes, of course. Money does play a big role. I would also love to keep my iPad but I can't afford all devices..I wish I could
I decided to go with the Air because having a full blown desktop OS makes me feel that I have a device with me that has no functional limitations. Many times when I use the iPad I get frustrated by its limitations. Websites that don't work as intended, no real multitasking (iOS 7 will change that though), having to use a touch keyboard instead of a real one, and mainly the limitations in accessing files. This is my biggest complain actually. When I use OS X I know everything I do will also work as intended. This is not the case with my iPad. Sometimes I start using it for basic stuff, only to realize a couple of minutes later that I do need more than that. iOS is not for power users, but is great for normal consumers.

 

[flowrider]

It is interesting to see that most of you people here that answered have no other laptop. It was either the MBA or the iPad for you.
The MBA will be for me my companion when I travel, nothing else. At home I will continue using the rMBP, which offers so much more.

I guess I'm different that most of the members who post on this forum. My home computer is a souped-up Mac Pro. Of course, my new Air is no substitute for that machine. But, for what I will be using it for, Traveling, it will far outshine my iPad that will be up for sale soon. The Air is a computer, the iPad simply is not.

Lou

 

[DisplacedMic]

yes - i agree with you both (flowrider and petvas). like i said - the iPad is still a very useful tool for millions of people but just look at the geekbench scores: even the first gen macbook air has higher benchmarks than the iPad 4...

now obviously i'm not suggesting you should out and get a 1st gen MBA instead of an ipad but i think this does a nice job illustrating the differences between the two devices in regards to their intended purpose.

 

[stockcerts]

My new MacBook (I love it) has the same specs as yours, but I still enjoy using my iPad. I wasn't sure if I would, but in night while I'm watching TV and relaxing, it's still really nice to use the iPad for reading the news, checking Facebook, etc.

 

[petvas]

My new MacBook (I love it) has the same specs as yours, but I still enjoy using my iPad. I wasn't sure if I would, but in night while I'm watching TV and relaxing, it's still really nice to use the iPad for reading the news, checking Facebook, etc.

Of course it is nice and I might miss it too, but I just have to see. If I miss it a lot, then I will get an iPad Mini with Retina display when it comes out. I have my Macbook Pro near my couch all the time, so checking something is really easy and fast...

 

[DisplacedMic]

Of course it is nice and I might miss it too, but I just have to see. If I miss it a lot, then I will get an iPad Mini with Retina display when it comes out. I have my Macbook Pro near my couch all the time, so checking something is really easy and fast...

there is some argument as to whether mini 2 wii be retina just fyi

 

[petvas]

there is some argument as to whether mini 2 wii be retina just fyi

Yes, but I believe it will be. I guess we will all find out in October.

 

[petvas]

So, October came and now we know what the new iPad generation will be. I am tempted to buy an iPad Air, but I still feel the same about my computing setup, as when I started this thread.
The only thing I don't like on my MBA is the lack of a Retina display, but I got used to it.
An iPad is a great gadget but I still don't really need it. Only for reading books I could find a usage, so I don't know. I am certainly not giving up my MBA, so the thing is, how many devices should I have?
When on the road I have my iPhone, my business laptop (a Windows device from my company), and my Macbook Air with me. If I get an iPad Air, then I would bring it also with me...That is simply too much and doesn't make any sense. I guess I love gadgets so maybe it makes sense to have my iPhone and an iPad with me when I also have my business windows laptop with me, and when I am privately on the road, I could still have three devices with me, but instead of the windows laptop I would have my MBA...+
1st world problems I guess...
The truth is I don't need the iPad, I just like having one.
Something else I noticed these weeks without an iPad is, that I use my iPhone much more. Maybe this is how things should be: With no iPad...
You see, I am still undecided about the whole thing, and the more I think about it the less I want to get an iPad...
I just don't want to miss on the development of the iPad and would love to have it just for this reason. Luxury problems...

 

[Boyd01]

Maybe this is how things should be: With no iPad...

That has always worked for me. It's strange, but I've never had the slightest interest in the iPad. I got one for my daughter's family when they first came out, and this summer I upgraded them to a Retina iPad. My 3 year old granddaugnter loves it.

I think a touchscreen is great on a little device like an iPhone. But I sure don't want to type anything serious on one. Very happy with my 11" MBA and old iPhone 4. There just isn't any need in my life for an iPad. Maybe it's because "apps" and games just don't interest me? I can use "real" software on my MBA - Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, VectorWorks, Photoshop, Filemaker Pro - and the 512gb SSD gives me enough room for all my stuff.

 

[petvas]

That has always worked for me. It's strange, but I've never had the slightest interest in the iPad. I got one for my daughter's family when they first came out, and this summer I upgraded them to a Retina iPad. My 3 year old granddaugnter loves it.

I think a touchscreen is great on a little device like an iPhone. But I sure don't want to type anything serious on one. Very happy with my 11" MBA and old iPhone 4. There just isn't any need in my life for an iPad. Maybe it's because "apps" and games just don't interest me? I can use "real" software on my MBA - Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, VectorWorks, Photoshop, Filemaker Pro - and the 512gb SSD gives me enough room for all my stuff.

I think you are right. Imagine what would happen if the iPhone had a 4,7" display. People would have even less reasons for using an iPad..

Of course I love having one, but I can't justify it financially... I know I would use the iPad an hour/week, not more than that. On the other hand I use my two laptops and my iPhone for many hours every day...

 

[Meister]

Get the ipad mini with LTE! Its perfect for on the go. Just carry it in your coatpocket.
Large ipads are slightly too heavy and big.
Get the mba 11" for everything else. perfect combo.
I got the iPad1, 2 and mini. A mac mini as storage and media center and im gonna get myself the mba 11" for on the go more serios work