Ditching your laptop (MBA) for an iPad

Balty · Apr 12, 2010

gwsat · Apr 12, 2010

Balty said:
Wow. I suggest you people read some of these articles. They sum up the iPad quite nicely. Mind you, these were written before the iPhone OS 4 announcement.

http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/01/31/ten-myth-of-apples-ipad-1-its-just-a-big-ipod-touch/
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/02/01/ten-myth-of-apples-ipad-2-ipad-needs-adobe-flash/
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/02/01/ten-myths-of-apples-ipad-3-its-ad-evil/
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/02/03/ten-myths-of-apples-ipad-4-it-was-over-hyped-and-under-delivered/
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/02/04/ten-myths-of-apples-ipad-5-its-just-a-tablet-pc-or-kindle/
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/02/08/ten-myths-of-apples-ipad-6-it-needs-hdmi-for-hd-video-output/
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/02/09/ten-myths-of-apples-ipad-7-it-needs-cameras/
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/02/11/ten-myths-of-apples-ipad-8-its-a-curse-for-mobile-developers/
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/02/17/ten-myths-of-apples-ipad-9-it-cant-multitask/
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/02/26/ten-myths-of-apples-ipad-10-it-needs-mac-os-x/
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/02/20/an-adobe-flash-developer-on-why-the-ipad-cant-use-flash/

http://daringfireball.net/2010/02/flash_saga
http://daringfireball.net/2010/04/the_ipad
http://daringfireball.net/linked/2010/01/29/porno-flash

Goodnight.

I have read many iPad reviews. Like reviews everywhere, their credibility varies. I had never heard of either of the sites upon which the articles to which you linked were published. Further, all of them were published some time before actual shipping iPads were in the hands of actual buyers. I have found, over the course of many years of buying computers, peripherals, and other electronic devices, that I prefer feedback from actual users who are able to address my specific questions. Thus, I hope that you were not being judgmentally critical of my questions about the actual shipping iPad and the responses of other posters to them.

tigres · Apr 12, 2010

The MBA is a computer, running OSX with zero working limitations. Not to harp on battery life; or the lack of Ram. Blah Blah Blah...

I use my MBA as my primary machine; office, road, home. I own many iMacs at my office, 2 MB's at home etc, but the MBA is my goto in all cases.

I utilize everything to work, mail, office, VMware, iDisk, SMB, terminal, maintaing my SBS server... etc.

How on earth can an iPad replace my working machine as this tread is intending? Simple, it cannot; and I find it absurd to even entertain the idea.

It can surf the net- Great, so can my MBA/ and iPhone
It can play movies- So can my MBA/ and iPhone
It can do SOME iwork- and crippled iWork at that, look up the reviews of getting any document to another machine- iTunes only, and destroyed by the time it is transferred to or from.

Simply put I am dumbfounded how an iPad can replace a MBA? This is simply nonsense; and not even plausible.

There is absolutely nothing this iPad can do at all to replace my machine I use daily. It is intended to be an in-between filler of a iPhone/Computer, but I see it as a glorified toy.

If you do nothing but play games, surf the net, and check some email (without saving attachments of course- read only), then enjoy it.

This machine has ZERO productivity possibilities other than seeing the content, not working with content. If you need to work at all, your going to your computer.

So, anyone replacing an MBA/MB/iMac/MBP, with an iPad, did not use the computer for it's intended purposes to begin with. Moreover; they bought more of a machine then they ever needed in the first place.

0098386 · Apr 12, 2010

tigres said:
Simply put I am dumbfounded how an iPad can replace a MBA? This is simply nonsense; and not even plausible.

Hole in one.
I put it down to excitement over a new toy/gadget. Lord knows we all go through that at some point. I did this a couple of years ago when I bought a Macbook. I stopped using my desktop (even though it was more powerful etc). But once the novelty wore off I went back to my desktop as my main machine. It's just what gadgeteers do.
Personally I could never replace a fully functional computer with a toy.

gwsat · Apr 12, 2010

Dagless said:
Hole in one.
I put it down to excitement over a new toy/gadget. Lord knows we all go through that at some point. I did this a couple of years ago when I bought a Macbook. I stopped using my desktop (even though it was more powerful etc). But once the novelty wore off I went back to my desktop as my main machine. It's just what gadgeteers do.
Personally I could never replace a fully functional computer with a toy.

I agree, the iPad apologists who insist that the iPad is the functional equivalent of a real laptop computer are in denial. The iPad, despite its many, many impressive features, has too many shortcomings to be compared with the MBA. That said, I may still buy an iPad, depending on what Apple does about upgrading the MBA.

netdog · Apr 12, 2010

I have both.

If you do a lot of writing and content creation, the iPad won't cut it.

drummerlondonw3 · Apr 12, 2010

tigres said:
This machine has ZERO productivity possibilities other than seeing the content, not working with content. If you need to work at all, your going to your computer.

So, anyone replacing an MBA/MB/iMac/MBP, with an iPad, did not use the computer for it's intended purposes to begin with. Moreover; they bought more of a machine then they ever needed in the first place.

I dont think this is true at all. How can you say it has zero possibilities? Hell I write many things on the train on my iphone which are then later expanded on for articles to publish. This isnt what its meant for but it doesnt mean that it has no use for it.

I agree that replacing your SOLE computer is silly and technically impossible but to say that it is useless is very short-sighted.

The iPad is a watershed consumption device. Thats the main reason I have wanted one and will get one. Does that mean I couldnt use it for some basic writing and work when I am from my 2 MBPs or MBA? No. Its a companion device. I certainly wont be trying to do anything crazy on it but for basic tasks it may well yet replace my Air for working on the move.

Personally the next revision of the Air os key to me. If it cannot match the battery life of the current MBPs then I will not be buying any Rev of this.

tigres · Apr 12, 2010

drummerlondonw3 said:
I dont think this is true at all. How can you say it has zero possibilities? Hell I write many things on the train on my iphone which are then later expanded on for articles to publish. This isnt what its meant for but it doesnt mean that it has no use for it.

I agree that replacing your SOLE computer is silly and technically impossible but to say that it is useless is very short-sighted.

In it's current form, I find it to have extremely limited capabilities- and none even close approaching a MBA/(computer).

If I may ask, how do you intend to work a single file for instance? I.E. edit it, save it, and upload/transfer/email it/ or whatever. Can the iPad do this at all??? Can you type a document from scratch, save it as .doc/.rtf, email it, and be done? (I ask of .doc/.rtf/PDF, as few of my clients can open different formats).

IMO, the above is the simplest productive task I can think of.

I am just curious, as I have not bought obviously, just read about (at length) and played at the store; so the above question is not meant to be condescending.

iSee · Apr 12, 2010

Scottsdale said:
Pretty much any avid reader, like myself, will prefer e-ink over the iPad. My point was again that the iPad isn't a GREAT book reader.

As an avid book reader myself, I can say from first hand experience the iPad blows the Kindle device out of the water. Yes, it is a GREAT book reader.

Much better display, better controls, page-turning that isn't annoying, nicer physical device. The Kindle device has its good points (much better for reading out doors, cheaper, whisper-net) but overall it is a much more limited device.

Gaelic2 · Apr 12, 2010

I have an iMac 24" desktop that does most of my computing. I use my MBA as an adjunct when I travel. Had there been an iPad when I bought my MBA, I would probably have opted for the iPad. I do like to load my photos into iPhoto, edit them and pass them along in my e-mails while away but I am sure there is, or will be a way around all that. I will hang on to my MBA for another year and see how the new iterations are with the iPad before buying. I don't want to be the first on the block to buy an iPad, only to find the price dropped with a better system running ala iPhone 1st Generation.

calderone · Apr 12, 2010

tigres said:
*snip* Blah Blah Blah, explaining how I depend on my Air *snip*

How on earth can an iPad replace my working machine as this tread is intending? Simple, it cannot; and I find it absurd to even entertain the idea.

Look at the difference here. "Your working machine." This thread isn't telling you to replace your working machine, nor is it saying you most. And it is definitely not saying anyone should! You clearly did not read the thread.

It can surf the net- Great, so can my MBA/ and iPhone
It can play movies- So can my MBA/ and iPhone
It can do SOME iwork- and crippled iWork at that, look up the reviews of getting any document to another machine- iTunes only, and destroyed by the time it is transferred to or from.

Simply put I am dumbfounded how an iPad can replace a MBA? This is simply nonsense; and not even plausible for my particular situation.

Fixed that for you.

There is absolutely nothing this iPad can do at all to replace my machine I use daily. It is intended to be an in-between filler of a iPhone/Computer, but I see it as a glorified toy.

Did anyone say it had to? What is with this inability to understand someone else's perspective? I can understand that some may not be able to replace an Air with an iPad, it makes sense. Why? Because chances are they use it more than I do. Easy right? But if I say, I am going to replace my Air with an iPad your brain explodes and you seem to be incapable of understanding.

If you do nothing but play games, surf the net, and check some email (without saving attachments of course- read only), then enjoy it.

This is what I do with my Air more or less. My Air is rarely used for work, rarely. This could change in the future, but at this moment I simply don't need the Air and it is being wasted. It makes more sense to sell it off and put the money into an investment, rather than keep it.

This machine has ZERO productivity possibilities other than seeing the content, not working with content. If you need to work at all, your going to your computer.

Well that isn't really true now is it? But, whatever helps your pointless rant. And guess what, I have a computer, that I do most of my work on. *Hint* It isn't the Air*

So, anyone replacing an MBA/MB/iMac/MBP, with an iPad, did not use the computer for it's intended purposes to begin with. Moreover; they bought more of a machine then they ever needed in the first place.

What is the point of stating this? That is exactly the reason some are replacing their computers with an iPad. Is that a problem? Is it wrong for them to be aware of what they need? Is it wrong for them to change their opinion of what they need based on a new product?

Hell yeah the Air was more than I needed in the first place, but it was the only option at the time (ignoring netbooks) if I wanted a portable product.

You toss this B.S. around as if it means I am not in the same "club," or as if I don't do any work on my computers. Get off your high horse and quite making assumptions. Can't replace your Air? Great, this thread isn't for you, head back over to the circle jerk threads with Scotsdale.

tigres · Apr 12, 2010

calderone said:
Look at the difference here. "Your working machine." This thread isn't telling you to replace your working machine, nor is it saying you most. And it is definitely not saying anyone should! You clearly did not read the thread.

What is the title of this thread... Oh yes, I can read and understand it's meaning.

"Ditching your laptop (MBA) for an iPad."

Does not get any simpler than digesting the meaning of this thread on what the OP had in mind.

I'll ignore the rest of your sarcasm.

kthx.

calderone · Apr 12, 2010

tigres said:
What is the title of this thread... Oh yes, I can read and understand it's meaning.

"Ditching your laptop (MBA) for an iPad."

Does not get any simpler than digesting the meaning of this thread on what the OP had in mind.

I'll ignore the rest of your sarcasm.

kthx.

Reading is funadamental. I know it is tough to get past the title before you embark on your meaningless rant.

"Any MBA owners here who bought iPads and feel the same way?"

I don't think the OP has in mind: "Come bash people who can replace their Air with an iPad, and do so even if you didn't buy one."

Even so, quoting the title does not change in any way change the force of what I stated.

This thread is *not* telling you to do a damn thing. Nor did anyone in the thread tell you to do anything. The title does not change this nor does the title give the "intention" of the thread as telling you to replace your Air, which is what you clearly stated.

And how does reading the title the same thing as reading the thread?

Want to try again?

RaZaK · Apr 12, 2010

entatlrg said:
There's a lot of people over in the iPad section saying since they received their iPad they haven't touched their laptops.

Some have even sold their MBP's already because they're so blown away with their iPads.

Any MBA owners here who bought iPads and feel the same way?

I'm guessing there isn't as many

blown away by the iPad? these people need some counseling.

If they seriously sold an MBP for an iPad, they didn't need an MBP in the first place. Glad they were able to recoup a portion of their wasted investment.

People who fully utilize their MBP's (and even MB's for that matter) will not be blown away by the iPad.

Yes, I've seen it in action, and no, i'm not hating on the new product. I would just prefer for my iPod Touch to fit in my pocket.

RaZaK · Apr 12, 2010

calderone said:
Hell yeah the Air was more than I needed in the first place, but it was the only option at the time (ignoring netbooks) if I wanted a portable product.

The MB wasn't portable enough that you had to spend an extra $500 for the "thinness" of the Air?

RaZaK · Apr 12, 2010

Gaelic2 said:
I have an iMac 24" desktop that does most of my computing. I use my MBA as an adjunct when I travel. Had there been an iPad when I bought my MBA, I would probably have opted for the iPad. I do like to load my photos into iPhoto, edit them and pass them along in my e-mails while away but I am sure there is, or will be a way around all that. I will hang on to my MBA for another year and see how the new iterations are with the iPad before buying. I don't want to be the first on the block to buy an iPad, only to find the price dropped with a better system running ala iPhone 1st Generation.

Seeing how the iPad is just a giant iPod Touch, it's release cycle should be the same amount of time as the rest of the iPod family.

So, you'll have an opportunity to be the coolest kid on the block with the newest tech for at least a year.

gwsat · Apr 12, 2010

iSee said:
As an avid book reader myself, I can say from first hand experience the iPad blows the Kindle device out of the water. Yes, it is a GREAT book reader.

Much better display, better controls, page-turning that isn't annoying, nicer physical device. The Kindle device has its good points (much better for reading out doors, cheaper, whisper-net) but overall it is a much more limited device.

I agree, the iPad's capabilities are far superior to those of the Kindle reader and the 16Gb iPad costs only $10 more than the comparably sized 9.7 inch Kindle reader. When one cranks the smaller 6 inch Kindle into the equation, though, the choice is tougher because, at $259 delivered, the 6 inch version goes for only about half of what a 16Gb iPad costs.

calderone · Apr 12, 2010

RaZaK said:
The MB wasn't portable enough that you had to spend an extra $500 for the "thinness" of the Air?

I liked the form factor of the Air more. Is there a problem with that?

drjsway · Apr 12, 2010

RaZaK said:
The MB wasn't portable enough that you had to spend an extra $500 for the "thinness" of the Air?

The Air is much more portable than a MB. There is no debate here. I can use my wife's MB for no more than 10 minutes before I want to chuck it against a wall. So big and clunky.

The iPad much more portable than a MBA. Leo Laporte said yesterday on TWIT that he believes the iPad will replace consumer computers and the mac platform will exclusively be used by professionals (graphic designers, software developers, and video editors).

Nilay Patel (or that other guy from Engadget, I don't remember) says the Kindle is dead. For the money, he doesn't see why anyone would choose a Kindle over an iPad that does much more. He also said he read a whole book on a flight and thinks the experience is much better, e-ink is overrated, and that he doesn't get eye strain. He also said he wouldn't buy a Nook for ANY amount of money.

I don't agree or disagree. Just stating what tech personalities in the media are saying.

And yes, you can start a document from stratch and e-mail it on the iPad.

drjsway · Apr 12, 2010

wescravn said:
For those saying they can't use their ipad for writing, just pair it with a apple wireless keyboard (duh) and it is like writing on a laptop. It makes it simple for stuff like pages, etc. WHY DO YOU NEED A LAPTOP? let me know.

The wireless keyboard is completely unnecessary. Check the ipad forums. People are getting 80WPM with the on-screen keyboard. I am writing my new screenplay on the iPad (if the Final Draft app comes out in time). I am a professional writer with deadlines so I wouldn't even consider it if I thought it would slow me down.

Scottsdale · Apr 12, 2010

iSee said:
As an avid book reader myself, I can say from first hand experience the iPad blows the Kindle device out of the water. Yes, it is a GREAT book reader.

Much better display, better controls, page-turning that isn't annoying, nicer physical device. The Kindle device has its good points (much better for reading out doors, cheaper, whisper-net) but overall it is a much more limited device.

Well, I went from Kindle to Nook, and the Nook is incredible.

The page turning isn't a good point... it doesn't add anything to the user's ability to READ! For color picture books, the iPad is better... but I don't read a lot of color picture books unless to my kids. That's why my iPad is going to my daughter, LOL.

In truth, I plan to replace it with a 3G iPad for myself. I am disappointed with the iPad, but that doesn't mean I am not going to use it. And it is true that one device that does everything half-assed is still better than five devices that does everything great. I have realized that is the iPad's advantage. It may do those things half-assed, but it does them without carrying multiple other devices.

Imperil · Apr 12, 2010

I might actually sell the Air I bought about 5 weeks ago once I get my iPad and try it out. I'm pretty sure it will be able to replace the Air because anything it can't do I'll use Wormhole Remote on the iPad to run everything on my Mac Pro.

Scottsdale · Apr 12, 2010

Imperil said:
I might actually sell the Air I bought about 5 weeks ago once I get my iPad and try it out. I'm pretty sure it will be able to replace the Air because anything it can't do I'll use Wormhole Remote on the iPad to run everything on my Mac Pro.

Good idea. Someone pointed out this capability to me which I didn't realize. As I have always said, the Apps are what drive demand and capabilities for products with the iPhone OS.

As long as people have another Mac, I guess the iPad can replace SOME of the features needed while portable. However, no iPad is going to replace an MBA for those who use the MBA as their primary Mac. The iPad is still about observation and not creation... and the MBA shines in both uses.

AppliedMicro · Apr 12, 2010

I am not an iPad fan. I didn't even want to like it, despising the talk how (supposedly) "revolutionary" the thing is.
Yet I am currently contemplating about ditching my MacBook Air for an iPad.
First, let me give you an idea about what gadgets I have and what it might replace:

- I absolutely love my MacBook Air. It's by far the best computer I have ever owned. I take it with me almost when- and wherever I can. I do heavy web browsing, a little content creation (web design, writing papers). It serves to keep my photo and music collection around.
- I have an iPhone, which I don't use for much else than making calls. Even though I don't really like the phone part of it. My 8 year "dumb" cell phone has way better call quality. Basically, it's a small internet machine as a "backup" for when I don't have my Air around.
- I try to live paperless, scanning all loose paperwork into OCR'ed PDFs (searchable) with my Fujitsu Scansnap. This includes some 100+ page lecture notes and textbooks.
- I have a dedicated eBook reader (Sony PRS-505) which I absolutely love for reading novels and the like.

My first thoughts on the iPad were:
"It's just a bigger iPhone. Especially to me… the iPad's a 'tweener' gadget that I don't need, do I?
It's bigger than my iPhone, so it's not as portable, right?
Reading longer texts on backlit screens is more tiring than on e-Ink, so it's worse for reading than my Sony Reader, right?
It's not as good for typing and file managing as my MacBook is, right?"

Scottsdale said:
As I stated elsewhere, the iPad isn't great at anything other than nice battery life and being extremely portable. It simply fails in comparison at any one thing like using it as a book, to watch movies, check email, type a book, surf the web, play games, compute, listen to music, or run Mac OS X applications.

The iPad's advantage is it does everything half-assed! That's the truth.

That's your opinion - yet not necessarily a universal "truth".

I will probably go back to university in the fall.
And this is where I believe the iPad might replace my current MacBook Air.
I mean… what would I need it for?

- portability: it weighs less than the Air, has longer battery life, I don't have to take the power adapter with me.
- taking short notes during lectures and in classes: a tie between the two? I don't think one is really better than the other. The mechanical keyboard on the Air is of course better. But then, I suppose navigation with the mouse / cursor position will be slightly more tedious. I don't intend to type longer texts or entire paper on the iPad. But even if I did, I would just carry my BT keyboard with me. The formatting need not be done on the iPad. I am a believer in the Scrivener way of writing (an app that I am going to purchase with the next major release).
- making simple sketches and diagrams: Possible, though not great to do on a small trackpad. A good drawing app could simply rock with multitouch input, and allow me to get stuff done faster.
- web browsing: You get multitouch scrolling, you can click on links with your fingertip, I can get a vertical 1024 pixels, whereas my MacBook doesn't have a pivot mode. Advantage iPad!
- reading eBooks: Mind you, I plan to scan almost everything I need, to keep it in PDF / eBook format. Lecture notes, even books - almost anything printed where I can cut the binding off. And this is where I think the iPad might just shine. I can simply turn the screen by 90 degrees whereas I don't have a pivot mode on the Air. And while my Sony Reader is great at displaying continuous text, diagrams, current ebook devices just don't cut it for fixed-width content, diagrams, graphs and charts. They should render so much better and larger on an iPad.
- I can still drop a quick mail, make a Skype call (which I need for international calls), listen to music on the iPad...

Yes, the iPad will probably have a few shortcomings (printing? syncing files?).
But I suppose it could be so much better for the things I need a portable to do.
I am eager to find out on wednesday (as you will have guessed from my English by now, I don't live in the states. So I have not had a chance to play around with it yet)

Scottsdale said:
Watch movies - too small and annoying to hold in the right position.

I watch movies in my bed and on the occasional train ride. The MacBook Air is no less annoying to position, as you have to make sure nothing interferes with the ventilation slots. Also, don't talk about the fan noises and heat the thing develops when it's not standing on a flat surface. And don't get started on the screen. I have had the screen replaced once due to a broken hinge. It's not the best idea to place the Air on one's lap (as a "laptop").

drummerlondonw3 · Apr 12, 2010

tigres said:
In it's current form, I find it to have extremely limited capabilities- and none even close approaching a MBA/(computer).

If I may ask, how do you intend to work a single file for instance? I.E. edit it, save it, and upload/transfer/email it/ or whatever. Can the iPad do this at all??? Can you type a document from scratch, save it as .doc/.rtf, email it, and be done? (I ask of .doc/.rtf/PDF, as few of my clients can open different formats).

IMO, the above is the simplest productive task I can think of.

I am just curious, as I have not bought obviously, just read about (at length) and played at the store; so the above question is not meant to be condescending.

well thanks first for having a decent debate rather than a flame.

I think it comes down to expectations. I use my air as a second computer. I have a MBP as my main computer and another running as a server. So for me the air was just for out and about or while I'm doing something on the pros. I mainly write on it.

Yes the functionality is limited compared to an air but I think I wil be able to do 90% of my air work on the ipad. I don't need it for authoring work from conception but as an addition much like my moleskin pad!

So no it can't do any of things that you have mentioned but I don't need it to if that makes sense. I need something for when I don't have to bring my 17" pro with me and that has a great battery like the pro. Right now the air doesn't fill this but if the next rev has a much better battery it could complete
my needs.

Hope this makes sense just trying to provide another insight from someone who has an air and uses computers fully (whatever that means)

written on my iPhone

Ditching your laptop (MBA) for an iPad

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