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iPad Anyone rocking an MBA and an iPad Air 2?

Cnasty

Cnasty

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jul 2, 2008
3,336
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I have a 2014 11inch MBA that I absolutely love and can get a ton of work done on versus when I owned an original iPad.

BUT I have been intrigued by the Air 2 and want to grab one for putzing around on the porch or laying on the couch to get my internet browsing done or emails.

I am trying to justify owning both and if I really need both.

Anyone using both and find they use their iPad for a lot of things vs the MBA and justifying owning both as different devices and functions?

I appreciate any dialogue.
 
Hi

I use my MBA and iPad Air for different reasons.

I primarily use the iPad for general surfing while in my lounge etc

My MBA I use for creating back ups to iTunes and arranging my playlists and updating my music to my iPod Touch and iPhone 6 Plus. Along with more intensive things such as creating documents etc.

I also use my MBA to use ChromeCast via Google Chrome etc.
 
Good feedback, thank you.

I am about to get the Air 2 and was wondering what else I could be missing in having both and what people were using each for.
 
I have an 11" air, and an iPad Air 2. I use the iPad for reading, document creation/editing, web browsing, email/messages and some games. I use the air for web development mainly.

When I picked up the air a few years ago I downsized from an iPad 3(original retina) to a mini. Then I got a 6 plus last year and moved from the mini to the air 2.
 
swordfish5736 said:
I have an 11" air, and an iPad Air 2. I use the iPad for reading, document creation/editing, web browsing, email/messages and some games. I use the air for web development mainly.

When I picked up the air a few years ago I downsized from an iPad 3(original retina) to a mini. Then I got a 6 plus last year and moved from the mini to the air 2.
Click to expand...

It seems this would be the same reason I would utilize both for each instance, very cool to see.

I just hope one device doesnt canibalize the other and the wife gets pissed one isnt being used and my tech ADD strikes again. :)
 
It seems redundant to have a MBA and an iPad Air. Similar in size and weight but the MBA totally trumps the iPad in functionality.
 
I have a late 2011 MBA and an iPad Air 2. I use them differently my MBA is my main computer and use it when need to do a lot of typing. The Air2 is mainly for content consumption. So,yes the two can coexist.
 
I have an iPad air 2 and 11 inch MBA 2014. I use my MacBook for typing and managing my Media, ripping DVDs etc.

The air is purely for consumption, web browsing, watching videos etc.
 
Contrary to what some people seem to be writing, I don't find the iPad and MBA to really compete with each other at all, even though even in my own use case, they do overlap a lot.

I have the mid 2011 11" MBA maxed out BTO in my sig. It is my work computer, and I'm a finance and accounting professional, so office productivity software, email, DropBox for business, web and remote server based finance, banking and accounting apps, and web based CRM apps mostly, with light Adobe CC thrown into the mix on occasion.

My iPad Air 2 is my personal computing device. It has replaced my need for a personal laptop. I do my personal banking and finances, word processing and spreadsheets, gaming, email, social media, web browsing, and access my music, movies and TV shows from it.

To complement this, I also have a Mac mini that serves as my home and my family's media hub and server, which all 4 iPads in the house as well as the two Apple TV's use to access the family media library. For back-ups I've got two 2TB Airport extremes that house back-ups of all the iDevices we've got and Time Machine back-ups of my MBA and the Mac mini.

My iPhone 6+ is the pocket version of my iPad, so in essence the pocket version of my personal computer. Like another poster, I too had the iPad min Retina before I got my iPhone 6+, then I went back up to the iPad Air 2.

If you are only going to have one device, and it is for personal use, you could easily get by with the iPad Air 2. It is an awesome little computer device, but it really comes into its element when it has the supporting infrastructure behind it like in my home setup. Then it just feels so natural and obvious as the go to device for all my personal needs.

Looks like you've got an iMac that could do the job my Mac mini does, so your setup could be pretty similar to mine if you go ahead and add the iPad to the mix.
 
Good discussion in here and I made the plunge as I got a 64GB silver Air 2 on the way for $400. Great deal and a great person to deal with on the website as well.

Sorry for the rocking comment as that was just staying consistent with what was going on in here. No big deal man.

I think I will use it for gaming on the couch, some web browsing out on the deck,and when I am too lazy to plug in my MBA and do work emails.
 
I have an air 2 and a macbook air 13" from 2012. In some ways they perform the same function, though the iPad is more portable and easier to use while lying down in bed. I often don't take the iPad anywhere with me so it's cool but certainly not necessary whereas the computer is (for work and classwork). I also tend to travel with my computer a lot more and if I bring my iPad it's because I think I should to justify having it. It ends up taking more space (though granted it's small so it doesn't take much space) because I take it in addition to, and not instead of, my computer.

I'm thinking about selling both of these and getting a retina macbook pro. I want the high resolution and the retina pro's seem awesome from trying them in the store. I also need more storage, when I bought the air I thought 128GB would be enough storage with an external drive but external drives are cumbersome (and the one I bought is so slow - I'm spoiled from having an SSD on my computer) so I'd like to have more on board storage on the computer itself.

For being in bed I'm thinking I'll just get a bigger iPhone once my contract expires next year to replace using my iPad. I sometimes read on my iPad but I think a 5.5" screen is plenty big for that.

So yeah just my 2 cents.
 
i have a 2011 MBA, a 2015 rMBP, and the Air. I rarely use the iPad.. The only place I find it more convenient to use is when I'm on the pot. Otherwise the form factor is a non factor. Even when I'm in my bed I just prop up the MB's on my chest/belly and works fine. A ton easier to use with real multi-tasking and input is ton faster.
 
I have a 2011 13" MacBook Air and an iPad Air 2.

Use the MacBook Air for browsing at my college library, in my bed, and at my desk. Use the iPad Air 2 for browsing in class (probably shouldn't) and in my living room, watching TV shows, and reading PDFs.

I bought my MacBook Air when I still had an iPad one and the use cases were different because the iPad was sort of crippled without flash. Now they overlap quite a bit and the form factor is the only real difference. My next computer will probably be 13" or 15" rMBP.
 
Sitting on my couch browsing the internet with my 6+. It's great for that of course but would much prefer to do it with my iPad air 2 I just ordered. :)
 
Cnasty said:
Sitting on my couch browsing the internet with my 6+. It's great for that of course but would much prefer to do it with my iPad air 2 I just ordered. :)
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Yes, the Air 2 is a breath of fresh air after solely using the 6+. I have a Mac Pro stuff that iOS isn't capable of and iPad Air 2 for everything else.
 
Devyn89 said:
I have an air 2 and a macbook air 13" from 2012. In some ways they perform the same function, though the iPad is more portable and easier to use while lying down in bed. I often don't take the iPad anywhere with me so it's cool but certainly not necessary whereas the computer is (for work and classwork). I also tend to travel with my computer a lot more and if I bring my iPad it's because I think I should to justify having it. It ends up taking more space (though granted it's small so it doesn't take much space) because I take it in addition to, and not instead of, my computer.

I'm thinking about selling both of these and getting a retina macbook pro. I want the high resolution and the retina pro's seem awesome from trying them in the store. I also need more storage, when I bought the air I thought 128GB would be enough storage with an external drive but external drives are cumbersome (and the one I bought is so slow - I'm spoiled from having an SSD on my computer) so I'd like to have more on board storage on the computer itself.

For being in bed I'm thinking I'll just get a bigger iPhone once my contract expires next year to replace using my iPad. I sometimes read on my iPad but I think a 5.5" screen is plenty big for that.

So yeah just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

That's exactly where I'm at. I have a 13-inch, Mid 2011 Macbook Air that i hope to sell, and I just sold my iPad Air.

I'm going to buy the new Retina Macbook or the 2015 Retina Macbook Pro - I haven't decided yet.

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Tzuten said:
i have a 2011 MBA, a 2015 rMBP, and the Air. I rarely use the iPad.. The only place I find it more convenient to use is when I'm on the pot. Otherwise the form factor is a non factor. Even when I'm in my bed I just prop up the MB's on my chest/belly and works fine. A ton easier to use with real multi-tasking and input is ton faster.
Click to expand...

I just sold my iPad Air, and I would like to sell my 2011 MBA so i can buy the new retina Macbook or the refreshed 2015 rMPB. I've had 4 iPads and sold them all, I love buying new apple products but I've come to realize that the iPad just doesn't quite fit my needs.

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appleguy123 said:
I have a 2011 13" MacBook Air and an iPad Air 2.

Use the MacBook Air for browsing at my college library, in my bed, and at my desk. Use the iPad Air 2 for browsing in class (probably shouldn't) and in my living room, watching TV shows, and reading PDFs.

I bought my MacBook Air when I still had an iPad one and the use cases were different because the iPad was sort of crippled without flash. Now they overlap quite a bit and the form factor is the only real difference. My next computer will probably be 13" or 15" rMBP.
Click to expand...

Are you going to sell the iPad Air 2? I was wanting one for awhile, but have decided to get a new laptop instead.
 
Cnasty said:
I have a 2014 11inch MBA that I absolutely love and can get a ton of work done on versus when I owned an original iPad.

BUT I have been intrigued by the Air 2 and want to grab one for putzing around on the porch or laying on the couch to get my internet browsing done or emails.

I am trying to justify owning both and if I really need both.

Anyone using both and find they use their iPad for a lot of things vs the MBA and justifying owning both as different devices and functions?

I appreciate any dialogue.
Click to expand...

Having an iPad is a luxury to most and it could never replace a MBAir/computer.

If you got the money . . . . . .
 
Plain and simple, one is a laptop, that allows me to perform and computer related tasks , the iPad i pick up to consume media, read or relax on the couch etc. Two very different experiences
 
I *just* got an iPad Air 2 that joins my 13" MBA and iPhone 5S. Totally didn't NEED it, but WANTED it. It is my first table, and I like it. (Except for the fact that there is no stock Calculator/Weather/Stock apps - what gives????)

For me, I'm using the iPad 2 Air with a 53 Pencil Stylus and it works great with the NotesPlus app. I tried several stylus and apps and this combo seems the best.

I know Mr. jobs said stylus was not something I'm supposed to want, but I love note taking with my set up. Plus, lounge surfing, etc. If you have the financial means, then go for it!

-Weber



Cnasty said:
I have a 2014 11inch MBA that I absolutely love and can get a ton of work done on versus when I owned an original iPad.

BUT I have been intrigued by the Air 2 and want to grab one for putzing around on the porch or laying on the couch to get my internet browsing done or emails.

I am trying to justify owning both and if I really need both.

Anyone using both and find they use their iPad for a lot of things vs the MBA and justifying owning both as different devices and functions?

I appreciate any dialogue.
Click to expand...
 
An 11" Air and Air2 does have some redundancy. The Air2's greatest strength is that it is very portable, but so is the 11" MBA.

I don't think I'd recommend it, but if you're happy then that is all that matters.
 
webwbr said:
I *just* got an iPad Air 2 that joins my 13" MBA and iPhone 5S. Totally didn't NEED it, but WANTED it.r
Click to expand...



This is where I was too. The Air2 will be more conducive for lounging and wanting to explore the internet and social media and such versus my IP6+ and MBA. Especially in bed at night.

I didnt neeeeeeeeed it but have heard such amazing things about it and my tech ADD got the best of me to give it a whirl at the $400 price tag I got it at.
 
I have a 14' Macbook Air and an iPad Air 2. The Macbook is great for productive work - I use it to create reports, write papers, etc. I use the Air to read documents, use it to store my sheetmusic, watch youtube videos and browse sites in bed. They both are just a joy to use!
 
I have both a 2014 11" MBA and iPad 2 and I use both heavily every day. They serve different purposes and neither currently does what the other one does very well.
 
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