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iPad Does anyone use the iPad as their sole computer
- Thread starter Sandwich Jumper
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Maybe those of a "certain age" have left the computer behind...
I say this very carefully because (hate, hate to admit it) I am classified as being of a "certain age"... OK I'm a baby boomer. My 88 year old mother, my 78 year old aunt and a few of the couples we hang out with use an iPad exclusively these days.
My husband and I use an iPad, but we always have our MBA's near by... and before we had the Air's we had MBP's. We still have a 2007 iMac that has Mavericks and Windows 7. I needed Windows for work. I do a lot with my music, and like a lot of the other posts, we're always downloading/streaming music and movies. Stuff is always getting manipulated or moved between Macs. My husband is an author and loves typing on the Air.
I couldn't do all the things we do on an iPad Air alone.
I say this very carefully because (hate, hate to admit it) I am classified as being of a "certain age"... OK I'm a baby boomer. My 88 year old mother, my 78 year old aunt and a few of the couples we hang out with use an iPad exclusively these days.
My husband and I use an iPad, but we always have our MBA's near by... and before we had the Air's we had MBP's. We still have a 2007 iMac that has Mavericks and Windows 7. I needed Windows for work. I do a lot with my music, and like a lot of the other posts, we're always downloading/streaming music and movies. Stuff is always getting manipulated or moved between Macs. My husband is an author and loves typing on the Air.
I couldn't do all the things we do on an iPad Air alone.
I think it's interesting and a little strange that people want to do this. I see people working so hard to make the iPad their main computer - just today in a coffee shop I saw a guy with an iPad on a big stand with an external keyboard. Why try to make a tablet back into a laptop? if a laptop would get the job done faster/easier/more elegantly, you don't get a prize for using a tablet instead just because it's technically possible.
While I have a 13 inch MBA myself, I could think of few reasons off the top of my head why someone would try to make an 10 inch iPad Air + Logitech ultrathin keyboard work for them over something comparable like a 11 inch MacBook Air:
1) Extremely portable, and I mean EXTREMELY.
2) 1.3 lbs vs 2.3lbs
3) Much better IPS screen with higher 'retina' resolution
4) Over $400 less
5) Able to watch movies while on the treadmill
6) No moving parts to worry about (i.e. fan)
7) Cellular model for internet wherever you go
8) Cellular model for GPS turn-by-turn directions
9) Touchscreen (for those who like it)
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Not a main computer because memory wise an ipad cannot compete with my MBP. I do however use them as companions to the computer and I did buy an external Bluetooth keyboard if I wanted to travel light and not take the laptop with me.
I do but I have a Mac
My iPad is my main "computer", but I also own other Macs around the house, I however only use them when my needs call for them. I don't sit at a computer anymore, rather, I just use my ipad wherever I'm comfortable, even if it's out in public and I want to get some work done, why not do it at the park?
My iPad is my main "computer", but I also own other Macs around the house, I however only use them when my needs call for them. I don't sit at a computer anymore, rather, I just use my ipad wherever I'm comfortable, even if it's out in public and I want to get some work done, why not do it at the park?
There are plenty of people that are basic users and can get by with just an ipad. We have a MBA and it gets used MAYBE once a month. It might be weird to u, but I'm sure u lugging around a laptop everywhere is weird to someone else.
I'm not saying the iPad has no advantages over a small notebook. I'm saying it's strange that someone would deliberately try to make it their sole computer even when a laptop is clearly a better choice, as if it were somehow a victory to prove that a tablet CAN replace a laptop.
There are plenty of people that are basic users and can get by with just an ipad. We have a MBA and it gets used MAYBE once a month. It might be weird to u, but I'm sure u lugging around a laptop everywhere is weird to someone else.
Well, first, I don't lug around a laptop OR an iPad - iphone is fine for me on the go (unless we're talking an out of town trip). Second, as I wrote above, I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from using an iPad IF it's the best choice for what they're trying to do. I'm saying I'm confused as to why some people seem bound and determined to use an iPad in situations where a laptop is clearly the better choice, as if just to prove that it can be done.
IMO each device class has its own strengths, and it doesn't make sense to try to force one to replace another. You can carry around a cellular iPad and use Skype/facetime to make all your calls; you can set up your iMac to read in bed; you can balance a laptop on a treadmill to watch Netflix; you can write a novel in Pages on an iphone. The key word being "can" - my question is why would you (unless your budget doesn't allow for multiple devices, which I totally understand), rather than using each device for what it's good at?
For people with very simple computer uses - like email, Facebook, internet, ebooks, photo viewing, etc., then maybe an iPad is a sensible choice as a sole computer. Beyond that, I think you're forcing it into things that it CAN do but for which it isn't really the best choice.
I don't know how big your iMac is but I'd have a heck of a time trying to get it into bed to read on!
True
I paid $120 for Office on my MBA as it was a requirement in my college program. Yet the non-techies who don't have to write college papers anymore and just basic needs could probably get by just fine with iWork (free for new devices), or even Quickoffice (free).
exactly my point. Though it's not impossible to set up a 21" iMac on a nightstand, for instance.
I think we've seen variations of this thread over the past few years, but I actually enjoy seeing his topic crop up from time to time. To echo what has been said several times now: it depends. My Mom, honestly, could probably get by with just her iPad, but clings to her MacBook out of habit more than anything else. Same with my Dad, who has an iPad Air, but is mostly in front of his iMac. Both of my parents are BNRs (Boomers Nearing Retirement), and should be ideal use cases to go iPad-only, but have so acclimated to using a traditional computer that they don't make the final jump. Mind you, I'm not saying they should... just that they could.
As for myself? I use my iPad 4 (which I love) for email, web surfing, banking, light gaming, reading, taking notes at work and at conferences, and watching movies/TV shows. Until my iPad can replace my MacBook for moderate to heavy-duty image processing, however, it won't be an 'only' option. And good luck playing Starcraft II and League of Legends on an iPad.
As for myself? I use my iPad 4 (which I love) for email, web surfing, banking, light gaming, reading, taking notes at work and at conferences, and watching movies/TV shows. Until my iPad can replace my MacBook for moderate to heavy-duty image processing, however, it won't be an 'only' option. And good luck playing Starcraft II and League of Legends on an iPad.
Maybe it is not as universally "clear" as you are claiming. As for somehow "claiming victory" that sounds more like you projecting a motive on those folks than anything they themselves had said.
Repeating something doesn't make it true.
Without knowing a person's work flow it is a bit presumptuous to assume what is "really the best choice".
Rather than pass judgment on those folks, I prefer to understand some of the creative and innovative ways they're using their iPads. One of the things that I admired about Steve Jobs is that he wanted to create platforms/canvas for individual creativity. I think this is one way people are expressing their creativity.
Not sure how you can say I did that, as I never "assumed" anything about any particular person or their work flow. I'm speaking in generalities. And I quite clearly said an ipad might be a sensible choice as a sole computer for *some* basic-needs users. But as a long term owner of both iPads and macs, my opinion is that ipad-only has few advantages and many limitations as compared to using each device for it's strengths.
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Repeating something doesn't make it true.
Or untrue, either.
For YOUR needs...
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But that's what is great about being able to decide what one does in their life lol. If they wanna use an ipad as their sole machine why can't they?
Why do they need an iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, iPhone etc?
And saying you can set up an iMac to read in bed is a little far fetched. The reason people want ipad as sole machine is the size
They can. It doesn't make sense to me, but I don't really care. I was just curious why someone would want to.
Yes, but you certainly COULD do it. It's just impractical - which, again, was my point.
Thank you - that's what I was wondering.
You couldn't deduce that on your own?
Size isn't the ONLY reason why people want to use the iPad as their sole computer. It certainly is a big one though. Another is flexibility. The ability to use the iPad as a tablet when what is being done is best done as a tablet and then switch to "netbook" mode for those tasks where a keyboard is useful.
A single device, central data, two modes of use.