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Downgrading from Macbook Pro to Ipad?
- Thread starter dndandrea
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Absolutely not. The iPad is great for what it does but it's very limited and should be looked upon as a luxury device, something that you should get AFTER you already have an adequate laptop or desktop computer.
It's great for consuming data; watching videos, surfing the web, etc. but it isn't that good at creating data. There are keyboards and stands that you can get to allow document composition on the go, however the programs aren't as powerful or detailed as Office or another equal program on a computer.
You won't be able to view flash websites which is going to be a big hit depending on what sites you visit; for me it didn't impact me THAT much but I couldn't watch a third of the videos on line that I wanted to along with the fact that I couldn't readily "save" information on the device and access it.
It's great for consuming data; watching videos, surfing the web, etc. but it isn't that good at creating data. There are keyboards and stands that you can get to allow document composition on the go, however the programs aren't as powerful or detailed as Office or another equal program on a computer.
You won't be able to view flash websites which is going to be a big hit depending on what sites you visit; for me it didn't impact me THAT much but I couldn't watch a third of the videos on line that I wanted to along with the fact that I couldn't readily "save" information on the device and access it.
Get an ASUS laptop for about 600$ american. ASUS has the best quality Laptops on the market and the company is really underrated. As for getting a iPad. You can't really use it as your primary device. You will be missing a lot of things. The only new generation tablet that can actually replace a computer is the ASUS eee slate. 1000$ american gets you a windows seven tablet with an i5. To be honest if asus sold it for a bit cheaper that tablet would completely shaft on the iPad.
Ohhh and yeah if ASUS spread their damn name around the US so they are recognized more.
Ohhh and yeah if ASUS spread their damn name around the US so they are recognized more.
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in the process of trading my MBP for black macbook + $500. i'll use that $500 and probably get the $599 ipad. im starting to realize though that the ipad might not really be all that great as i want to think it is. looks like a pain in the ass to type on.
Typing is really easy and comfortable once you get used to it, it's like walking on silk. Alternatively, you can buy Apple's Bluetooth keyboard and the iPad 2 dock and make it a typing machine, easy!
I have just made the switch from a top-spec 15" 2010 MacBook Pro (8GB RAM, Intel SSD etc.) to a 16GB WiFi iPad 2 rather than buying a top-spec 2011 MBP.
I consider it an upgrade.
But the iPad is not my only computer, the purchase of it also coincided with the purchase of a new desktop PC. For less than half the price of a top-spec 2011 MacBook Pro, I have a desktop PC that is more than twice as powerful (quad-core Sandy Bridge running at 4.5GHz) and the cost of both devices combined was less than the base spec 15" MBP.
I do prefer OSX as a desktop OS compared to Windows 7, but the applications that I use which require this kind of processing power are all cross-platform (Lightroom, Photoshop etc.) and Apple is out of date and far too expensive for desktop hardware. I have no need (or desire to pay for) the server-grade CPUs and RAM they put into the Mac Pros and the iMacs are not flexible enough for my needs.
There's actually not a lot that I miss on the desktop side of things now. Over the years I had been moving towards more multi-platform toolsnot for this reason, simply because they were the tools I wanted to use/needed. It also gives me the option of playing PC games as well. Sure you can install Boot Camp on a Mac, but the hardware isn't really suited to it.
The iPad is far more suitable for my needs as a portable device as well. Even the 13" MacBook Pro is not a very portable machine and they get quite hot/loud. The iPad is a much better device for reading articles on the web, (while Reeder for Mac is pretty good, I much prefer using it on the iPad) ebooks etc.
The battery life is much better than the MacBook Pros, it never even gets warm, and there are some things you can do with a large multitouch screen that you can't do on a desktop. (or at least not as easily)
So I now have a desktop creation device, and a portable consumption device, which fits my needs much better than trying to have one device doing everything. A top spec MacBook Pro isn't nearly as quick as a desktop machine, and you will end up paying a lot more for it. It's also nowhere nearly as good as a portable device either when it comes to size, weight and form-factor.
The funny thing is though, while my iPad was bought as a consumption device, I am actually finding the it is not solely being used for that, with things like the Korg iMS-20 inspiring me.
I will say though, while i typed this on my iPad, I don't really like it for typing a lot of text on. Th problem is that the touchscreen doesn't seem to keep up sometimes when typing very quickly, often missing letters or skipping spaces. I'm not sure why that is, it seems like it maybe confuses the taps as two keys being pressed at once. (they are flashing as if being hit) You then also have autocorrect to deal withI find it seems to mostly 'correct' words that were what I intended to write, and not correct obvious mistakes. Having pretty much all the symbols and numbers on a second or even third screen of keys slows things down considerably as well, as does having to re-read everything you type to check for mistakes that wouldn't have happened with a real keyboard.
I don't think I could ever get away with just using an iPad as my only 'computer' but I can certainly see it as being an upgrade to a MacBook Pro in a number of situations.
I consider it an upgrade.
But the iPad is not my only computer, the purchase of it also coincided with the purchase of a new desktop PC. For less than half the price of a top-spec 2011 MacBook Pro, I have a desktop PC that is more than twice as powerful (quad-core Sandy Bridge running at 4.5GHz) and the cost of both devices combined was less than the base spec 15" MBP.
I do prefer OSX as a desktop OS compared to Windows 7, but the applications that I use which require this kind of processing power are all cross-platform (Lightroom, Photoshop etc.) and Apple is out of date and far too expensive for desktop hardware. I have no need (or desire to pay for) the server-grade CPUs and RAM they put into the Mac Pros and the iMacs are not flexible enough for my needs.
There's actually not a lot that I miss on the desktop side of things now. Over the years I had been moving towards more multi-platform toolsnot for this reason, simply because they were the tools I wanted to use/needed. It also gives me the option of playing PC games as well. Sure you can install Boot Camp on a Mac, but the hardware isn't really suited to it.
The iPad is far more suitable for my needs as a portable device as well. Even the 13" MacBook Pro is not a very portable machine and they get quite hot/loud. The iPad is a much better device for reading articles on the web, (while Reeder for Mac is pretty good, I much prefer using it on the iPad) ebooks etc.
The battery life is much better than the MacBook Pros, it never even gets warm, and there are some things you can do with a large multitouch screen that you can't do on a desktop. (or at least not as easily)
So I now have a desktop creation device, and a portable consumption device, which fits my needs much better than trying to have one device doing everything. A top spec MacBook Pro isn't nearly as quick as a desktop machine, and you will end up paying a lot more for it. It's also nowhere nearly as good as a portable device either when it comes to size, weight and form-factor.
The funny thing is though, while my iPad was bought as a consumption device, I am actually finding the it is not solely being used for that, with things like the Korg iMS-20 inspiring me.
I will say though, while i typed this on my iPad, I don't really like it for typing a lot of text on. Th problem is that the touchscreen doesn't seem to keep up sometimes when typing very quickly, often missing letters or skipping spaces. I'm not sure why that is, it seems like it maybe confuses the taps as two keys being pressed at once. (they are flashing as if being hit) You then also have autocorrect to deal withI find it seems to mostly 'correct' words that were what I intended to write, and not correct obvious mistakes. Having pretty much all the symbols and numbers on a second or even third screen of keys slows things down considerably as well, as does having to re-read everything you type to check for mistakes that wouldn't have happened with a real keyboard.
I don't think I could ever get away with just using an iPad as my only 'computer' but I can certainly see it as being an upgrade to a MacBook Pro in a number of situations.
Not a fan of buying used. Does it really have to be a Mac? Just get a normal PC for like $400
...that's a good deal for the guy getting rid of his old BMB, its what a ~2007 if its the very last model and it only has intel GMA 3100 intergrated GPU = not a good deal for you.
No applecare, no thanks.
Take my whitebook in my signature, it can take and is upgraded to 4Gb RAM, has a 1066 Mhz FSB, has the Nvidia 9400m which was a huge upgrade to any intel GPU of the time and it still has ~1.5+ yrs of applecare on it so its a much faster machine than that BMB you're looking at.
My friend recently 'upgraded' from an iPad to an 11" MacBook Air. 
I personally think that an iPad is not enough to serve as a main computer, whether it be for travelling only or not. I have an iMac and a MacBook Pro, plus and iPad. Although the iPad is awesome for casual use, e.g. in bed, I find that it's far too limiting for me as a 'power user'. It's a great content consumption device (which is what it's always been marketed as), but the iPad kinda sucks at productivity. I do have iWork on it, by the way, before anyone asks. I tried writing an essay on it and it was horrible.
I use my iPad for travelling holidays, reading eBooks in bed, checking the news or playing games on the bus. I take my MacBook Pro along whenever I need to do anything more than that.
I personally think that an iPad is not enough to serve as a main computer, whether it be for travelling only or not. I have an iMac and a MacBook Pro, plus and iPad. Although the iPad is awesome for casual use, e.g. in bed, I find that it's far too limiting for me as a 'power user'. It's a great content consumption device (which is what it's always been marketed as), but the iPad kinda sucks at productivity. I do have iWork on it, by the way, before anyone asks. I tried writing an essay on it and it was horrible.
I use my iPad for travelling holidays, reading eBooks in bed, checking the news or playing games on the bus. I take my MacBook Pro along whenever I need to do anything more than that.
You're getting the short end of the stick on that deal. Sell outright and buy a black macbook and you may end up with an extra $100-200.
I have the EP121 and you are right. It's a sweet machine. I use it as my main computer. Having said that I also use my iPad2 for simple surfing, etc. Because it is lighter and easier to carry.
But as a laptop replacement the EP121 slate is well worth the $$$s.
If you need to make some money sell the MBP and buy a basic Macbook for $999 (or perhaps a refurb 13" MBP or MBA?). I'm not sure how much your MBP will fetch because you didn't give the spec, but you should make a few hundred on the deal.
EDIT: Oh and don't forget that you'll need a computer if you want to activate and maintain an iPad (updates etc.). You'll also need a computer of some sort to sync and update your iP4.
EDIT: Oh and don't forget that you'll need a computer if you want to activate and maintain an iPad (updates etc.). You'll also need a computer of some sort to sync and update your iP4.
the black macbook is used but it's my brothers and he bought it new. it still has applecare until the end of this year. he treats his stuff like its a baby and i know nothing is wrong with it. im looking at it as the macbook + ipad 2 for Macbook Pro + $100. i'll just have the macbook as my main computer if i need to run any important apps and just use the tablet for everything else.
im gonna run up to the apple store tomorrow and get a full feel of the ipad 2. i remember playing around with the first one and thought it was alright but that was a long time ago. i might just keep this MBP even though all i do is use the internet on it... kind of a waste.
im gonna run up to the apple store tomorrow and get a full feel of the ipad 2. i remember playing around with the first one and thought it was alright but that was a long time ago. i might just keep this MBP even though all i do is use the internet on it... kind of a waste.
Hard call..
I would say if the way your computer involves switching between apps often (i.e. if you do a lot of browsing while IMing) then it's not really appropriate.
I got an iPad to replace most of what I do on my computer and yet I find myself typing this on my Mac.. only had the iPad for a short while though, I keep forgetting to use it.
I was surprised by the typing on it, it isn't at all bad.
I would say if the way your computer involves switching between apps often (i.e. if you do a lot of browsing while IMing) then it's not really appropriate.
I got an iPad to replace most of what I do on my computer and yet I find myself typing this on my Mac.. only had the iPad for a short while though, I keep forgetting to use it.
I was surprised by the typing on it, it isn't at all bad.
I am old enough to remember the times when people were saying that no one was going to be able to type large documents on computer keyboards and that typewriters would be here for ever. I remember a time when people were saying that laptops would never be powerful enough to replace desktops for most people. While we still have a desktop and a couple of laptops at home I think it is inevitable that tables will replace most of these.
There is just too many things they have going for them, the three most important being the size, the instant on and the long battery life. I think it is best that we not fight this and try and adapt to it!
To me the iPad is already able to do most things people do with their computers. The way I see it really only programmers and people who do a lot of video editing will not be served by it.
And remember Steve Jobs has almost always been right!
There is just too many things they have going for them, the three most important being the size, the instant on and the long battery life. I think it is best that we not fight this and try and adapt to it!
To me the iPad is already able to do most things people do with their computers. The way I see it really only programmers and people who do a lot of video editing will not be served by it.
And remember Steve Jobs has almost always been right!
It "sounds" like a good idea as I have a blackbook and love it, however what are the specs on the BB and what are the specs on your MBP? And keep in mind that you're downgrading your more important piece of technology to help fund for one that's ultimately inferior in terms of what it can do. I dont' think the iPad is THAT good to warrant you losing your MBP.
I have an upgraded BB now and would ONLY upgrade to a MBP if it also had 4gb of RAM; even then I'm hard pressed because although the battery life isn't as good on these you do have removable batteries and I have a spare, enabling me to get just as long, if not longer life out of my computer.
You think so? In terms of power you're right, as time progresses we are able to cram more into smaller spaces, ie smartphones having dual core 1ghz processors and a gig of ram (that's netbook and better specs lol) but you're still limited by the actual object. For many, desktops will not be going away for a while because of how versatile they are. Yes you can hook up a large screen to both a laptop and desktop, however a laptop cannot have removable bays for multiple HDDs, it also can't have the "same" specs (currently) as a desktop, because there just isn't the space. Yes space will increase but you're still ultimately restrained by the size. You also have to worry about battery life, something desktop computers don't really have to have.
In terms of tablets, I think tablets will take off eventually, but right now the operating systems that they are running on are just too basic to really replace laptops. In the future as they progress they will get better, but actual operating systems (windows and OS X) will STILL be advancing, and advancing just as fast if not faster than tablets, largely because of the bigger user base AND the fact that it's much more practical to use them.
I feel that if tablets don't die off (I honestly can't see a "real" use for them at this point) they will fit in between the laptop and the smartphone, which is what seems to be the case here. For most users however, a good , powerful laptop and a great smartphone will suffice for getting "real" work done between day to day activities and the tablet will be used for "off" tasks that don't really require the power and sophistication of other machines.
The cloud has infinite storage! Certainly the days of hard drives at home are numbered. Also services like and hulu make DVDs obsolete. pandora makes even ripping CDs unnecessary.
What are these advanced os features? Apps startup apps run! Its all in the apps right? I do web, mail, games and various news apps and they work wonderfully.
It looks to me like you have not experienced the magic of the iPad yet - it is the best!
Lol on the contrary, I had the iPad and ended up selling it because I felt it wasn't fufilling and nowhere near worth the price it's currently at. The lack of flash extremely limites what the tablet can do on top of a very bland iOS.
A grid of apps? That's the best Apple can do for the revolutionary tablet? The first generation iPod Touch had that and I got that the first christmas it came out, at 400 dollars. On the computer side, Apple is great, however their portable devices could use a lot of work.
And concerning the "cloud", the cloud, at least at this point in time, isn't free and IMO will never be free, because at some point we are not going to have wifi around us. There used to be rumors about a new iPhone without storage, which would pull in all data in the cloud. I have no idea how this would be practical if you work in a hospital, a deeply rooted building, or something like that where you don't have a signal or if you do, it's very weak.
The concept of the cloud is great and is also great in certain circumstances, such as backing up wirelessly when at home, the internet (of course), and light usage (like what Google did with the CR48), however, it is nowhere near ready to be the sole backbone of ANY portable device.