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All iPads Getting rid of MBP, just use iPad (with Mac mini on TV). Doable?

M

MikeinJapan

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 23, 2010
205
0
Tokyo
Hey guys

I am thinking about getting rid of my MBP and just using my iPad and mini connect to my TV for things on the TV now and then. Has anyone dumped their computer for an iPad only set up?

I don't print and just surf the internet and the odd document here and there for school. I am a teacher. I need to scan so I need a real computer.

It seems a little early but I really do prefer the iPad.
 
The mini as mentioned in the title of the thread and then again in the body of the thread? Did you read the post or scan it?
 
Very doable.

I have a MacMini at home to act as my iPad's window into the wider world of computing. VNC is a wonderful thing. :)
 
colmaclean said:
Very doable.

I have a MacMini at home to act as my iPad's window into the wider world of computing. VNC is a wonderful thing. :)
Click to expand...

Have you found any problems or irritations. I think I may sell the mini and move the laptop to the TV as I plan on moving in the future to another country.
 
MikeinJapan said:
Have you found any problems or irritations. I think I may sell the mini and move the laptop to the TV as I plan on moving in the future to another country.
Click to expand...

No great problems. Maybe yearning for a real keyboard every now and then, but if you keep your MBP you won't have that problem...
 
I did it, though not by choice. The logic board on my '07 MBP died, leaving me with my iPad and headless Mac mini in the living room. So far, my day-to-day hasn't changed one bit. I use iTeleport to VNC into the mini when I need to, and I use a bluetooth keyboard with the iPad for heavier typing duties. Also, Dropbox is great for keeping certain files in sync.
 
Besides the odd thing I don't do too often I am finding it difficult to see why not to do it.

Which VNC app are you guys using?
 
but isn't VNC slower then using the RDP protocol (depending on the platform you're trying to access).

While a bit pricey, logmein ignition is faster then VNC, and there's a number of RDP compliant apps available as well.
 
maflynn said:
but isn't VNC slower then using the RDP protocol (depending on the platform you're trying to access).
Click to expand...

There's no native support for RDP in OSX, but there is for VNC.

I should qualify this by saying that I haven't tried any RDP clients myself - they're bloody expensive and the devs don't seem interested in offering a free time-limited demo version to try out...
 
I have used logmein for the iPhone and it worked very well and was much quicker then vnc.

As for the platform, that's why I mentioned RDP is a good choice depending on the platform. Macs are not one of those.

Still I think the OP has options to investigate.
 
I did it, happily and successful (see my signature...)

Continued improvements to iOS and apps has rendered the use of "anything else" less and less necessary over time, a trend I am sure will continue.

That said, I would wait for the iPad2 since you're situation isn't pressing...
 
I already have an iPad and wont be buying another. I will skip iPad 2 and wait for 3. I may want ipad2 but I don't need it at all.
 
anthonymoody said:
I did it, happily and successful (see my signature...)

Continued improvements to iOS and apps has rendered the use of "anything else" less and less necessary over time, a trend I am sure will continue.

That said, I would wait for the iPad2 since you're situation isn't pressing...
Click to expand...

Interesting that so many posters here didn't bother to fully read the OP. He clearly states that he has an iPad and a Mac mini already, and was asking if it was possible to forgo his MBP and rely soley on his iPad/Mac mini tandem.
 
I think its his wording
" and mini connect to my TV for things"

That does not communicate that he has a Mac Mini, to be honest, I didn't know what he meant by that but owning a Mac Mini was not one of those things
 
maflynn said:
I think its his wording
" and mini connect to my TV for things"

That does not communicate that he has a Mac Mini, to be honest, I didn't know what he meant by that but owning a Mac Mini was not one of those things
Click to expand...

Again, goes back to reading and comprehension. Plus it's listed in his signature.
 
maflynn said:
I think its his wording
" and mini connect to my TV for things"

That does not communicate that he has a Mac Mini, to be honest, I didn't know what he meant by that but owning a Mac Mini was not one of those things
Click to expand...

In your defense, it took me reading the title and the post a few times before it clicked that he was talking about a Mac mini.
 
Probably not a good idea at all it is still much better to have he MBP than the iPad alone but if you have another computer to use then you can sell your MBP, having computer has a big difference in having an iPad alone.
 
baummer said:
Again, goes back to reading and comprehension. Plus it's listed in his signature.
Click to expand...

I also didn't realize the OP meant a Mac mini. He didn't mention it very clearly in his post, I don't think it's a problem with reading comprehension.


Anyway, VNC is quite slow, but if your Mac Mini is connected to your TV, there are alternatives. Check out RowMote Pro. It turns your iPad into a large wireless Apple trackpad. Speeds are better than VNC as you're not streaming the screen to your iPad, which may not be necessary in your position.
 
EssentialParado said:
I also didn't realize the OP meant a Mac mini. He didn't mention it very clearly in his post, I don't think it's a problem with reading comprehension.


Anyway, VNC is quite slow, but if your Mac Mini is connected to your TV, there are alternatives. Check out RowMote Pro. It turns your iPad into a large wireless Apple trackpad. Speeds are better than VNC as you're not streaming the screen to your iPad, which may not be necessary in your position.
Click to expand...

+1. I love your sig btw, haha it's so true.

To the OP, I have been thinking of doing the same thing but right when the thoughts start coming, I realize that there are plenty of emails (videos) that I get that I couldn't play on an iDevice. Also, a real keyboard is much better for typing long things even just on forums. But if you have a Mac Mini, if you needed use for a computer you have it. So realistically you could get rid of the MBP or Mini, whichever you prefer. I'd probably go with the Mini just because the MBP is powerful enough, and portable.
 
As others pointed out, your implementation is very doable. Why not continue to use the MBP, put it in clamshell mode and hooked up to the TV? I think the miniDisplayPort cable is alot cheaper solution than buying a mac mini. Maybe I'm missing something.
 
colmaclean said:
There's no native support for RDP in OSX, but there is for VNC.

I should qualify this by saying that I haven't tried any RDP clients myself - they're bloody expensive and the devs don't seem interested in offering a free time-limited demo version to try out...
Click to expand...

iRAPP let's you do a trial with it... just tried it out when I was trying to figure out a solution to connect to a clam shell MBA (charging in a base station) with my Windows PC. It's a pretty nifty program, but didn't work for me as the computer has to be awake.
 
MikeinJapan said:
I need to scan so I need a real computer.
Click to expand...

I use a handheld "wand" scanner with my iPad. Can use it anywhere anytime without a computer, it stores data on a micro-SD card, and I use the iPad Camera Connection Kit (and a micro-SD to SD adapter, or a USB cable) to read the images. Use the PS Express app for image adjustment.

 
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