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Air vs. iPad and 11" vs 13": Some Thoughts
- Thread starter $MacUser$
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Great post!
When I bought my late 2010 MBA 11" twelve months ago that was pretty much the end of my iPad1.
Now, mainly due to a few new iPad apps - most important my daily paper and Facebook - the situation has completely changed. My main portable device is the iPad, for webbrowsing and reading on the couch, and reading the paper at home or on the train.
The 11" sits on the desk, plugged into a 24" ACD. Together with the wireless keyboard and trackpad it has turned into a desktop. But I also still use the 11 as a portable device when I prefer a real keyboard and do things the iPad isn't as good at.
The two compliment each other perfectly, for me, and for now.
When I bought my late 2010 MBA 11" twelve months ago that was pretty much the end of my iPad1.
Now, mainly due to a few new iPad apps - most important my daily paper and Facebook - the situation has completely changed. My main portable device is the iPad, for webbrowsing and reading on the couch, and reading the paper at home or on the train.
The 11" sits on the desk, plugged into a 24" ACD. Together with the wireless keyboard and trackpad it has turned into a desktop. But I also still use the 11 as a portable device when I prefer a real keyboard and do things the iPad isn't as good at.
The two compliment each other perfectly, for me, and for now.
...
I like the air better than the iPad, I have owned the iPad 1 and the iPad 2 and the air is better for most things however for casual games and battery life the iPad is far better. I wish I could get some more casual games for my air
I like the air better than the iPad, I have owned the iPad 1 and the iPad 2 and the air is better for most things however for casual games and battery life the iPad is far better. I wish I could get some more casual games for my air
KnightWRX
macrumors Pentium
Abazigal
Contributor
I would rather use an iphone when walking. I would use the ipad when seated in a bus or train (and iphone when standing, because I will probably want 1 hand to hold on to a railing).
Unless they allow for the MBA's lid to be pushed back 180 degrees, I will probably never get used to using it on a bed. But then again, I typically recline with my knees propped up, so I am fine with the ipad resting at a near right angle on my thighs. 🙂
I agree. The only two situations I've come across where I prefer browsing on an iPad is if I'm laying down in bed or if I'm standing up and have no place to put my MBA other than holding it with one hand and typing on the other. If I have a desk, table, shelve, or my lap, my MBA wins.
If I was doing foreign travels and doing a lot of sight seeing, particularly on foot, I'm sure the iPad would be an indispensable piece of technology, sadly I rarely find myself in such a position.
That said, I'm still getting the iPad3 if it has a "retina" display.
Caliber26
macrumors 68020
By far, one of the best posts I've read in a long time. As an owner of both, an iPad and MBA, I can attest to everything you've said. I wish I would've come across a post as good as this one, when I was doing my pre-purchase research. Luckily, I went with my instinct. 🙂
Bye Bye Baby
macrumors 65816
I concur with the post. I have been holding off on an iPad waiting for the iPad for this motive- to have the best media consumption device out there.
I am looking for even tighter integration between my ATV, iPad HTPC (mac mini) and my iMac desktop.
I am looking into Lion server for this motive.
I am looking for even tighter integration between my ATV, iPad HTPC (mac mini) and my iMac desktop.
I am looking into Lion server for this motive.
Glad the post helped.
Regarding the Air vs. iPad in casual situations, I suppose that's a matter of personal preference. With the case I have it makes it easy to balance in awkward situations. YMMV, as always.
Happy New Year!
Regarding the Air vs. iPad in casual situations, I suppose that's a matter of personal preference. With the case I have it makes it easy to balance in awkward situations. YMMV, as always.
Happy New Year!
I've almost stopped using my iPad all together since I got my 11" Air. iPad Safari crashes WAY too much, it can't hold more than one page in memory, so clicking on links is a REAL pain. My MBA does EVERYTHING....the only advantage to the iPad is the battery life...but I am never far from an outlet. And the time I need to be unplugged I have never run out of juice on my MBA. If you had to make a choice between the 3 I would say 11" MBA.
convergent
macrumors 68040
Very thorough post and good info, but I have to say that it comes across a lot like justifying what you have bought... which is fine. That said, I have the 13" MBA and an iPhone 4s and like that combo as much as you like the combo you have. I'm sure I could make a compelling case why my combo is better, but this is all quite personal. Neither is better than the other since everyone's needs are different. Given the MBA 13" and iPhone, I don't think I'd be able to justify adding an iPad to the mix.
kazmac
macrumors G4
thanks
Yours was an excellent informative post.
I just got rid of my iPad 2 and bought an MBA 11" to work with my iMac. I needed a full blown computer for class, but in hindsight, I probably goofed in ditching the iPad 2 (could have watched required films on that while writing on my MBA 11"). That said I am glad I went with the MBA 11", for what I am doing the screen real estate isn't as big a deal as I thought early last year and the weight difference is huge for me.
I really do not know what is right for me until I get it home and/or test in the real world. I believe I made the right choice but perhaps I will go with iPad/MBAs in the future as my set up. It all depends on what my needs will be and if the tech and the software/apps I use will be cross compatible.
As you said so eloquently, the choice is really up to the individual.
Thanks for posting
Yours was an excellent informative post.
I just got rid of my iPad 2 and bought an MBA 11" to work with my iMac. I needed a full blown computer for class, but in hindsight, I probably goofed in ditching the iPad 2 (could have watched required films on that while writing on my MBA 11"). That said I am glad I went with the MBA 11", for what I am doing the screen real estate isn't as big a deal as I thought early last year and the weight difference is huge for me.
I really do not know what is right for me until I get it home and/or test in the real world. I believe I made the right choice but perhaps I will go with iPad/MBAs in the future as my set up. It all depends on what my needs will be and if the tech and the software/apps I use will be cross compatible.
As you said so eloquently, the choice is really up to the individual.
Thanks for posting
57004
Cancelled
I have to agree with everything in the topicstart. I've been in the same position recently, got a MBA 11" and I thought it would make my old iPad (1) redundant.
But it turns out, I still use them both a lot. I mainly got the MBA to do some development after hours at work (I wait for the traffic to die down, I prefer spending my time doing something useful than to sit in traffic). I got the cheapest-possible 11" refurb (2010) as it's purely for on the road, at home I have a much more powerful mini.
I recently travelled internationally with the MBA and for the actual travel it was horrible. It didn't fit on the narrow train seatback tables (it was wobbling on the thick ridges of the table). It was nearly out of battery after 3 hours of movie watching (20% left or so). I had to use tethering to my iPhone to get internet as opposed to the built-in 3G of my iPad. And on the plane it was too tight to watch at a decent viewing angle when the guy in front of me put his seat back (I couldn't put mine back, being in the back row). All in all much less ideal than the iPad, I hadn't expected it to be that much of a difference.
The iPad is amazing for travelling. I love the way that even when it's off (standby) in my bag it's retrieving my latest emails, that I can watch movies for 10 hours and that there's no screen standing upright (I always use it in landscape mode, slightly tilted in the official iPad 1 case). I do have to to say though, I never attempt to do any serious typing when I'm travelling, just watching/reading/surfing.
However, this time I was going home for 2 weeks and I couldn't do without a computer at my destination so I brought the air, plugged it into a big screen and had a decent computer available there for the duration. Brilliant way to get my personal stuff done and light enough to carry along with my work laptop. The iPad wouldn't have suited at all.
So I agree with what you said about the iPad. It's a brilliant content consumption device but not much good for creation. There's no Xcode, and no good productivity tools that don't frustrate me within a few minutes. I also don't like the onscreen keyboard enough for serious work (and a damn-you-autocorrect situation is not fun in a serious document)
The MacBook Air is just the opposite for me. It's great to get some work done, quick enough to keep up but I really miss the directness of the touch input and the great apps of the iPad, when I want to sit back and just consume. Other than the form factor I don't even see any similarities really 🙂
Next time I'd consider bringing both, but I'm usually stuck with my clunky Dell work laptop and I don't like bringing more than 2 large devices 🙂
But it turns out, I still use them both a lot. I mainly got the MBA to do some development after hours at work (I wait for the traffic to die down, I prefer spending my time doing something useful than to sit in traffic). I got the cheapest-possible 11" refurb (2010) as it's purely for on the road, at home I have a much more powerful mini.
I recently travelled internationally with the MBA and for the actual travel it was horrible. It didn't fit on the narrow train seatback tables (it was wobbling on the thick ridges of the table). It was nearly out of battery after 3 hours of movie watching (20% left or so). I had to use tethering to my iPhone to get internet as opposed to the built-in 3G of my iPad. And on the plane it was too tight to watch at a decent viewing angle when the guy in front of me put his seat back (I couldn't put mine back, being in the back row). All in all much less ideal than the iPad, I hadn't expected it to be that much of a difference.
The iPad is amazing for travelling. I love the way that even when it's off (standby) in my bag it's retrieving my latest emails, that I can watch movies for 10 hours and that there's no screen standing upright (I always use it in landscape mode, slightly tilted in the official iPad 1 case). I do have to to say though, I never attempt to do any serious typing when I'm travelling, just watching/reading/surfing.
However, this time I was going home for 2 weeks and I couldn't do without a computer at my destination so I brought the air, plugged it into a big screen and had a decent computer available there for the duration. Brilliant way to get my personal stuff done and light enough to carry along with my work laptop. The iPad wouldn't have suited at all.
So I agree with what you said about the iPad. It's a brilliant content consumption device but not much good for creation. There's no Xcode, and no good productivity tools that don't frustrate me within a few minutes. I also don't like the onscreen keyboard enough for serious work (and a damn-you-autocorrect situation is not fun in a serious document)
The MacBook Air is just the opposite for me. It's great to get some work done, quick enough to keep up but I really miss the directness of the touch input and the great apps of the iPad, when I want to sit back and just consume. Other than the form factor I don't even see any similarities really 🙂
Next time I'd consider bringing both, but I'm usually stuck with my clunky Dell work laptop and I don't like bringing more than 2 large devices 🙂
You are using the two exactly like I do, the plane/terminal experience is much better with a pad, but when I get to the hotel, computing on the air is a better experience getting real work done. I suggest the Timbuk2 Commute 2.0 bag for traveling with both, it a killer road warrior bag. I even travel with a projector and it gets it all in...safe traveling!
Fantastic post, a few more thoughts to add...
Hello $MacUser$, marvelous post and just the type of fantastic information that is highly useful for folks as they research and contemplate purchase of technology for themselves. If you don't mind, I'll add a few more thoughts from my perspective that additionally help this great research piece.
Like you, I thought a new device would be the prefect "all-in-one" tool...while in fact, each new device I buy doesn't make an existing one obsolete...instead each gets better at their respective deliverables.
For Macs, I have a iPad 1, iphone4 and now the MacAir 2011 13". I am actually a late user of Macs since I've been in the PC world for 25 years. I still have and use my home i7 PC that I built last fall with dual monitors and my day job is all PC with a Lenova T500 laptop.
For me, the MacAir is the perfect combination of portability and creation. I like to do photography and do travel a lot... and this 13" Air is fantastic for that. I can use Lightroom 3 on the Air when I'm on the road for photo editing (the iPad could never approach this...although I tried for quite a while)... its fantastic to off load RAW files from my DSLR or easily read off the SD card, view and edit on the Air and if needed, easily copy the catalogue back with the home PC (for detailed photography, nothing really compares to dual monitors on the home PC). For me this is why I selected 13" over the 11"... my photography needs.
Interestingly, the Air has now become my travel PC even while on business. My Lenova laptop now stays in its docking station at my office. I can easily RDP into it via the MacAir and consume and create any work related activities. This ability has been a fantastic by-product I hadn't counted on...the T500 is a brick compared to the Air.
So as I compose this response on my Air (I couldn't consider doing this creation on the iPad, even with the external keypad I have for it), I marvel at the ease and "complete package" it provides. I still take the iPad with me on the road, buy like you said, its geared for consuming content.
Thanks for your original post...while it looks at time that a device can do everything, in the end, these devices naturally regress to what they are best at. As folks look at purchasing new devices, its best to have a list at what their core needs are... and not be afraid of using a few different devices to achieve what they need.
Hello $MacUser$, marvelous post and just the type of fantastic information that is highly useful for folks as they research and contemplate purchase of technology for themselves. If you don't mind, I'll add a few more thoughts from my perspective that additionally help this great research piece.
Like you, I thought a new device would be the prefect "all-in-one" tool...while in fact, each new device I buy doesn't make an existing one obsolete...instead each gets better at their respective deliverables.
For Macs, I have a iPad 1, iphone4 and now the MacAir 2011 13". I am actually a late user of Macs since I've been in the PC world for 25 years. I still have and use my home i7 PC that I built last fall with dual monitors and my day job is all PC with a Lenova T500 laptop.
For me, the MacAir is the perfect combination of portability and creation. I like to do photography and do travel a lot... and this 13" Air is fantastic for that. I can use Lightroom 3 on the Air when I'm on the road for photo editing (the iPad could never approach this...although I tried for quite a while)... its fantastic to off load RAW files from my DSLR or easily read off the SD card, view and edit on the Air and if needed, easily copy the catalogue back with the home PC (for detailed photography, nothing really compares to dual monitors on the home PC). For me this is why I selected 13" over the 11"... my photography needs.
Interestingly, the Air has now become my travel PC even while on business. My Lenova laptop now stays in its docking station at my office. I can easily RDP into it via the MacAir and consume and create any work related activities. This ability has been a fantastic by-product I hadn't counted on...the T500 is a brick compared to the Air.
So as I compose this response on my Air (I couldn't consider doing this creation on the iPad, even with the external keypad I have for it), I marvel at the ease and "complete package" it provides. I still take the iPad with me on the road, buy like you said, its geared for consuming content.
Thanks for your original post...while it looks at time that a device can do everything, in the end, these devices naturally regress to what they are best at. As folks look at purchasing new devices, its best to have a list at what their core needs are... and not be afraid of using a few different devices to achieve what they need.
To convergence, not a justification at all. Just a reflection on my experience with these various products, having lived with them a little while now. I wouldn't go back and get the 13" even if given the option. In the relatively short period I've owned the 11" there've been too many times I've *just* be able to squeeze it in a given spot/bag/etc and thought "if I went with the 13 I wouldn't be able to use the machine right now." From a mobility standpoint it's in another league. You wouldn't think so given the modest size increase, but the fact remains.
In that same vein, I'm finding I can transport both my MBA 11" AND my iPad together while taking up about as much space as the 13" MBP. The obvious advantage is the bulk is split between two products that can be positioned and finagled at will.
This has proven a boon for me, as for work I do quite a bit of PDF reading, the iPad much better for this when compared to a laptop. And by doing [hours] of reading on the iPad I'm taking that burden off my MBA's battery, thus giving me more time for OSX when it's needed.
This combo, for me, is continually proving itself a win-win-win.
In that same vein, I'm finding I can transport both my MBA 11" AND my iPad together while taking up about as much space as the 13" MBP. The obvious advantage is the bulk is split between two products that can be positioned and finagled at will.
This has proven a boon for me, as for work I do quite a bit of PDF reading, the iPad much better for this when compared to a laptop. And by doing [hours] of reading on the iPad I'm taking that burden off my MBA's battery, thus giving me more time for OSX when it's needed.
This combo, for me, is continually proving itself a win-win-win.
A few days ago i was asking myself the same question on the ipad2 vs the MBA 13". After much research on these forums and talking too few mates i ended up picking up a MBA 13" and i LOVE IT!!
I have my imac at home for any high end needs and the mba for the couch/bed and when i am traveling ect. The mba is so light and has such a small footprint that i really don't know why you would want to downgrade to an ipad2 and hamper what you can do on the move. I work in the graphics arts industry and work on 4,1 Mac pro's everyday, the thing is the SSD in the mba makes it quicker then the mac pro for many everyday tasks lol.
I have my imac at home for any high end needs and the mba for the couch/bed and when i am traveling ect. The mba is so light and has such a small footprint that i really don't know why you would want to downgrade to an ipad2 and hamper what you can do on the move. I work in the graphics arts industry and work on 4,1 Mac pro's everyday, the thing is the SSD in the mba makes it quicker then the mac pro for many everyday tasks lol.
roland.g
Suspended
First, thanks for the informative and well written post. It's exactly what I came looking for, though I don't know that it answers my question yet, so please OP or others, weigh in.
Currently I have a 27" iMac (May 2011 2.7 Quad-Core 12GB RAM) with Lion. I also have an iPad 2 (upgraded from the original). I find that my iPad is great as said for consumption, and I hated trying to use the smart cover as any sort of stand whether on a slight incline or standing straighter (not to mention it was useless for trying to FaceTime or Skype - kids to grandparents - at the breakfast table), so I recently got an X Stand from Brookstone. It is useful in the kitchen and great for getting the right angle on video chats.
I am a fair power user on my iMac, not in gaming or intensive graphics, which is why I went with the base 27" and didn't mind the GPU, as I also got the reduced heat and power of the 65W. But I encode video and run a lot of apps, asking for some significant multitasking. I simply don't like a machine that can't keep up with me.
Lastly, I have a 2008 collector's edition Aluminum MacBook. For those who know, it is the only release of the aluminum MacBook as the 13" went Pro in June of 2009 and Firewire came back. So this thing is screwed by the fact it has no FW port, and consequently no Target Disk Mode. And it has the accessible shorter life battery. However, having sold my 2007 Rev. A 24" Aluminum iMac when I got the new one, and having my MacBook to sell I am thinking of getting an Air.
I am looking at going back to school, for an MBA 🙂 or MS and in addition to that I intend to do a lot of writing (Mariner Software's Contour, Montage, and MacJournal). I think the 11" would suit my needs more than the 13" but I am worried about the screen size. But more than that I wonder if the 2GB RAM in the base 11" is sufficient for my expected light use, or if Lion will be too much for it, and require that I have more. I house my iTunes and iPhoto media libraries on my iMac, so storage is neither a concern, nor is accessing those sorts of files. But I don't want to get 2GB and find out I should have gotten 4.
I do like the idea that I can bring it home and connect it with a Thunderbolt cable to the 27" iMac and make that my 2nd screen without having to move files over to the iMac, etc. That's one advantage over my current MacBook, weight obviously being the other.
Currently I have a 27" iMac (May 2011 2.7 Quad-Core 12GB RAM) with Lion. I also have an iPad 2 (upgraded from the original). I find that my iPad is great as said for consumption, and I hated trying to use the smart cover as any sort of stand whether on a slight incline or standing straighter (not to mention it was useless for trying to FaceTime or Skype - kids to grandparents - at the breakfast table), so I recently got an X Stand from Brookstone. It is useful in the kitchen and great for getting the right angle on video chats.
I am a fair power user on my iMac, not in gaming or intensive graphics, which is why I went with the base 27" and didn't mind the GPU, as I also got the reduced heat and power of the 65W. But I encode video and run a lot of apps, asking for some significant multitasking. I simply don't like a machine that can't keep up with me.
Lastly, I have a 2008 collector's edition Aluminum MacBook. For those who know, it is the only release of the aluminum MacBook as the 13" went Pro in June of 2009 and Firewire came back. So this thing is screwed by the fact it has no FW port, and consequently no Target Disk Mode. And it has the accessible shorter life battery. However, having sold my 2007 Rev. A 24" Aluminum iMac when I got the new one, and having my MacBook to sell I am thinking of getting an Air.
I am looking at going back to school, for an MBA 🙂 or MS and in addition to that I intend to do a lot of writing (Mariner Software's Contour, Montage, and MacJournal). I think the 11" would suit my needs more than the 13" but I am worried about the screen size. But more than that I wonder if the 2GB RAM in the base 11" is sufficient for my expected light use, or if Lion will be too much for it, and require that I have more. I house my iTunes and iPhoto media libraries on my iMac, so storage is neither a concern, nor is accessing those sorts of files. But I don't want to get 2GB and find out I should have gotten 4.
I do like the idea that I can bring it home and connect it with a Thunderbolt cable to the 27" iMac and make that my 2nd screen without having to move files over to the iMac, etc. That's one advantage over my current MacBook, weight obviously being the other.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
As much as I like my iPad, it does not and cannot replace my laptop. The browser is too limited, the touch interface is also an impediment at times as well.
For light work, I use the iPad and reading but for web surfing and content creation a laptop is better.
Hey Jude
macrumors 6502a
I initially thought that my 11" MBA made my iPad redundant but after owning both for the past several months, I have arrived at the conclusion that each has a place in my computing needs. I posted in another thread that for certain tasks, I prefer my iPad: reading, crossword puzzles, games, email, movies and Internet --- the latter two when space is an issue.
When I need a computer for light uses, the 11" is still considerably smaller than my 13" MBA, or 15" MBP, and therefore is my go-to computer for when I need true portability. I am glad that I didn't sell my iPad, and waited to see how my needs would unfold.
When I need a computer for light uses, the 11" is still considerably smaller than my 13" MBA, or 15" MBP, and therefore is my go-to computer for when I need true portability. I am glad that I didn't sell my iPad, and waited to see how my needs would unfold.
For me the MBA 11 air is king for two reasons.
1. Touchpad, I cant stand sitting there finger pecking at a screen.
2. The limitations of the ipad are very evident after using the MBA around the house. However, my wife loves the ipad. If she didnt it would be sold, I would never get another one.
1. Touchpad, I cant stand sitting there finger pecking at a screen.
2. The limitations of the ipad are very evident after using the MBA around the house. However, my wife loves the ipad. If she didnt it would be sold, I would never get another one.
Cheffy Dave
macrumors 68030
First I want to thank you, for a wonderful review, of the issues I was facing.Based on "If, however, you're using it in conjunction with an iPad then battery life becomes a non-issue. Given I won't for the most part be using it in casual iPad-specific locations where I wouldn't want the burden of a charger, I can think of very few scenarios where I'd need more than five uninterrupted hours of battery power without using the A/C adapter."
I will keep our 3 2010 11" Airs, and add the new iPad 3, until such date Apple will release a touch screen Air, I will be good to go!
I would be remiss, if I neglected, that my Arithritis has at least 90% to do with my decision to stay with our MBA's and the new IPad 3, I need light and easy to carry, and should Apple make a touch screen MBA, I am In.
Thin and light is in!
I will keep our 3 2010 11" Airs, and add the new iPad 3, until such date Apple will release a touch screen Air, I will be good to go!
I would be remiss, if I neglected, that my Arithritis has at least 90% to do with my decision to stay with our MBA's and the new IPad 3, I need light and easy to carry, and should Apple make a touch screen MBA, I am In.
Thin and light is in!
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Jaro65
macrumors 68040
I also have an MBA 13 and an iPhone, but I still find quite a bit of use for my iPad, as that's what I read the books and periodicals on. It makes a great travel combo.
Yesterday was a great reason I use my ipad instead of my air. I took a trip from florida to NYC and back for a meeting. So yesterday I started out with the ipad making presentations all day in areas where I could not be plugged in, then at 530 pm to Laguardia where the whole airport was delayed 5 hours due to weather. All the power stations were full and I surfed the web for 5 hours, no problem. All on 3G, their Boingo wifi was overloaded, laptop people pissed...I then got on the plane and watched a movie on the pad I had rented. Got home after 9 hours use with 27% left.
I could not have done that at all with an MBA...In fact, it was interesting to watch all the people at the airport with ipads reading and surfing away, while the laptop people walked up and down the terminal with their power cords in their hands, frantically searching for a power connection.
I use both. Today I did all all my recap reports on the air which would have been tedious on the ipad. I have no idea why people keep making this an "us vs them" thing, they are different, per my siganture...
I could not have done that at all with an MBA...In fact, it was interesting to watch all the people at the airport with ipads reading and surfing away, while the laptop people walked up and down the terminal with their power cords in their hands, frantically searching for a power connection.
I use both. Today I did all all my recap reports on the air which would have been tedious on the ipad. I have no idea why people keep making this an "us vs them" thing, they are different, per my siganture...