If the ipad could multi-task as well as a laptop, had flash, and didnt need an external keyboard to be brought around sure I could use it only. But the touch keyboard, no flash/bad flash apps, and lack of real multitasking makes it a crippled device for me. Not to mention that on my air I can finish an essay for school much faster then I ever would be able to on an ipad.
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I barely use my MBA now :(
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The more I use my iPad and MBA without flash the more I see se really don't need it anymore with HTML5. And it's eating à lot of battery too, so why use it ?
I solved the keyboard "issue" with an external Zagg Keyboard Case
Well, I actually need it. I just barely use it.
Second of all, you may have not noticed but this is the Macbook Air forum, where people who own a macbook air or are interested in the laptop itself come to talk about it.
So how you came to some insane conclusion like I'm here complaining about how horrible my life is or something I have no idea.
Next time, just don't even post.
Because some sites I frequent only use flash, not to mention my experience with school portals and getting the work I need off them is a no go with the ipad. No use in having one when I need a real computer to access information for school.
So now you have a dumbed down laptop.
I get it, it works for you, but to me that's still a handicapped device. Mine is going back tomorrow. Waiting for new MBA.
I also prefer reading on the kindle. I can read much more in a given span of time with less eye strain.
I have all three devices (aka Kindle DX, iPad and MBA) and I don't use them for the same things.
I still use and need my MBA for lots of things, but only for web browsing, pdf reading and to take some notes, the iPad does the job better than my MBA because it's light and fast.
Yea, PDF viewing on the Kindle(3) is near impossible. But I just can't justify having an iPad so I can read PDFs better... I'll just use the MBA. I rarely have a need to read PDFs anyway. Unless I have the unfortunate task of trying to figure out a new IBM product.
Similar story: I don't use my 11-inch Air anymore, I'm selling it today, and I'm getting an iPad 3.
I loved my air for a while, but after the initial fun-factor went away, I didn't like it too much. If I were to buy a laptop again, I'd likely be considering a 13 inch laptop; and I'd only look at the Air if its screen is improved a fair bit. I actually at this point, despite the bulk, prefer the Pro (but I won't be getting that either; not this year).
All-in-all, my Macbook Air was a really nice product and beat the competition out at the time of purchase in terms of price-to-performance, but I never ended up using it much. Personal preference I guess.
I had an iPad for a while, cool device. Sold it to guy an Android tablet, as I wanted to see what I was missing.
Wasn't impressed, so I went without for a while. Now I'm on the Kindle Fire just for consuming media(Hulu/Netflix on a bigger screen in bed)
I think I could use an iPad as my only computer, but honestly, the desktop I have in my dorm offers me a lot more visual space then the iPad does.
I love the idea of docking an iPad and it launching into a full blown desktop, which I think we're getting closer and closer to(Moto's Webtop was a step in the right direction, it just wasn't quite polished enough, hopefully Ubuntu on Android pushes us into a world where smartphone can do 95% of personal computing regardless of the devices that are being used to control the set up.
Sure some people will always need the heavy hitters, but I think we're nearing an age where my smartphones and tablets have the processing power to hook up keyboard/mouse and mirror out to a larger screen with a different UI then what you'd get on the touch device itself.
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The screen on the Air 13" is WAY better then the 13" MBP, at least from a resolution point of view. I'm sure some images look cleaner on the MBP, but for me, after a few days of using a new machines, the colors on it are the color's I expect(as I don't do any major projects which depend heavily on color)
So the few things the MBP has coming for it in my mind is the ability to have more storage(although you give up speed, but which you value is a personal call) and the optical disk. For some people, those might be deal breakers, but I'll take a better resolution plus SSD storage any day of the week.
Wasn't impressed, so I went without for a while. Now I'm on the Kindle Fire just for consuming media(Hulu/Netflix on a bigger screen in bed)
I think I could use an iPad as my only computer, but honestly, the desktop I have in my dorm offers me a lot more visual space then the iPad does.
I love the idea of docking an iPad and it launching into a full blown desktop, which I think we're getting closer and closer to(Moto's Webtop was a step in the right direction, it just wasn't quite polished enough, hopefully Ubuntu on Android pushes us into a world where smartphone can do 95% of personal computing regardless of the devices that are being used to control the set up.
Sure some people will always need the heavy hitters, but I think we're nearing an age where my smartphones and tablets have the processing power to hook up keyboard/mouse and mirror out to a larger screen with a different UI then what you'd get on the touch device itself.
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The screen on the Air 13" is WAY better then the 13" MBP, at least from a resolution point of view. I'm sure some images look cleaner on the MBP, but for me, after a few days of using a new machines, the colors on it are the color's I expect(as I don't do any major projects which depend heavily on color)
So the few things the MBP has coming for it in my mind is the ability to have more storage(although you give up speed, but which you value is a personal call) and the optical disk. For some people, those might be deal breakers, but I'll take a better resolution plus SSD storage any day of the week.
You will get over it. Remember, an iPad can't do everything a computer can. You will from time to time go back to your MBA. The iPad is great though...
Oh I know. I've been going. Ack to my MacBook air for various things very often lately. Go figure I make a thread how I haven't used it in awhile, and then I start using it again....
I understand where you're coming from sort of......
If you don't use your laptop for professional use or university/school - AND you have a desktop computer at home, then I can see your problem
The iPad is the perfect device for YouTube videos, calendar work and just browsing the inet and forums (TapaTalk)
But when I need to actually work in Pages/Word and Excel/Numbers and maybe do some light photo editing, I need my MacBook Air when on the fly. The iPad would be almost worthless for these types of jobs IMHO
If you don't use your laptop for professional use or university/school - AND you have a desktop computer at home, then I can see your problem
The iPad is the perfect device for YouTube videos, calendar work and just browsing the inet and forums (TapaTalk)
But when I need to actually work in Pages/Word and Excel/Numbers and maybe do some light photo editing, I need my MacBook Air when on the fly. The iPad would be almost worthless for these types of jobs IMHO
There's no way on earth I could use my iPad for work. I need to write and present occasional presentations at the drop of a hat and that requires a mouse pointer and keyboard! Simple. With the need for long emails, heavy keyboard use and ports, my MBA can not be beaten at work. I guess a lot of people are similar.
If you're just using it at home though, then that's different.
If you're just using it at home though, then that's different.
And also way better than on most 13" Windows laptops.
It's not my main home computer - that's a Mac Mini - but for now my MBA is indispensable for work and travel. Doesn't get a lot of use nights and weekends, but it probably gets more use than any of my devices.
Still, I'll almost certainly be replacing it with a 15" Air or MBP when the next generation comes out, depending on size and specs.
Luckily returned to my MBA today
Has not gotten much love the last 6 weeks, but today i sold both of my iPads (2&3) and ruefully returned to the 11" MBA,... what a "pain relief" that was!!!!
... iPad is a fun device to use,... but IMHO it does not even compare to any kind of a modern Mac,.... simply put, the lack of so many things like a filesystem and such does not justify a price tag that high for a device made for browsing, email, gaming with an awkward way of entering information on an onscreen keyboard,...
MBA 11" & iPhone 4s is my personal win!!!
just my 2cents
Has not gotten much love the last 6 weeks, but today i sold both of my iPads (2&3) and ruefully returned to the 11" MBA,... what a "pain relief" that was!!!!
... iPad is a fun device to use,... but IMHO it does not even compare to any kind of a modern Mac,.... simply put, the lack of so many things like a filesystem and such does not justify a price tag that high for a device made for browsing, email, gaming with an awkward way of entering information on an onscreen keyboard,...
MBA 11" & iPhone 4s is my personal win!!!
just my 2cents
I'm not surprised.
For web access and E-mail my iPad is far ahead in usage compared to my MBP.
Well somewhat similar. Frankly I'm seriously thinking about a desktop for my next Mac. That is if Apple will make one that I will buy. I went from a first generation iPad to a third and frankly the third generation is far more usable and does have a far greater potential at replacing the laptop for many people.
Actually I look at generation one iPad as sort of a proof of concept machine. IPad 3 is where iPad comes into its own and starts to realize the dreams of many. There is still much that could be improved of course but usability is no longer a problem.
For web access and E-mail my iPad is far ahead in usage compared to my MBP.
Well I don't have a dust problem. I still use my MBP a lot and frankly when I do use it I'm often wishing for far more power.
I don't know about the term "general use", but my iPad is certainly my portable of choice.
Well somewhat similar. Frankly I'm seriously thinking about a desktop for my next Mac. That is if Apple will make one that I will buy. I went from a first generation iPad to a third and frankly the third generation is far more usable and does have a far greater potential at replacing the laptop for many people.
Actually I look at generation one iPad as sort of a proof of concept machine. IPad 3 is where iPad comes into its own and starts to realize the dreams of many. There is still much that could be improved of course but usability is no longer a problem.
It's normal (in your case).
It's all about bringing your ICT needs in chart before buying the hardware.
Probably you are a "content user" (surf the web, watch some movies, email, some music, from time to time creating a little document and spreadsheet) instead of a "content creator" (programming, long documents, heavy spreadsheet usage, creating presentations, some photography)
in combination that you don't travel a lot for business (planes, trains, not so much automobiles
) will make that an iPad will cannabalize the 11" MBA for about 80 to 90% of the tasks.While the 11" MBA falls through it's hardware configuration in the category of ultrabooks, in reality its 11" size places it in the category of netbooks.
Where it's the most robust, powerfull and beatifull...and expensive.
The primairly tasks of a netbook are the same as an iPad, the secundary tasks of a netbook are the same ones as the ultrabooks.
The reason why ultrabook tasks are considered secundary on a netbook is because of the size of netbooks, which makes "content creation" hard if it's for several hours a day.
The benefit of netbooks over tablets is in its durability when you do a lot of traveling. It can take a lot more of punishment when it's in your handluggage, normal luggage or backpack compared to an iPad.
I would suggest that when you get a new MBA later, you should look at the 13" model (or maybe by then at the 15" one) and you will see that your usage between iPad and MBA will balance more out compared to iPad and 11" MBA.
I've got the problem that my iPhone, iMac and company car cannabilize my iPad usage.
Now that I don't use the train anymore I can't watch movies when travelling to work. At work I have my iPhone and my MBP, at home I have my iMac.
Doesn't mean that my iPad became useless, I still use it from time to time, but more in the weekend nowadays.
I'm exactly the opposite. I've had an iPad for over a year now, and I've tried desperately to "make it work" since tablets are "the future," but I've now come to terms with the fact that I need a MacBook Air. As a student I simply require flash. I've been doing alright using my college's computer labs, but I'm sick of having to rely on those and would like to just have my own laptop. Not to mention how much easier it will be to take notes. I've been doing alright with an Apple Bluetooth Keyboard and an Incase Origami case, but my school's desks are a bit too small for that and typing is still uncomfortable. It'll be nice to just rest a notebook on my legs (the Origami can kind of rest on legs, but you better be careful not to move your legs too much).
So yeah, I need a MBA. The iPad is convenient to browse in bed, but I barely even use it for that since I'm usually reading my Kindle. To be honest I'm not quite sure what the iPad's purpose is now! I doubt that I'll buy the next refresh.
So yeah, I need a MBA. The iPad is convenient to browse in bed, but I barely even use it for that since I'm usually reading my Kindle. To be honest I'm not quite sure what the iPad's purpose is now! I doubt that I'll buy the next refresh.
I was in the same boat. My MBA sat unused as well. I use my iMac at home and grabbed the iPad on the way out of the house. I originally got the MBA to use at meetings and working out of the house, but using Splashtop on the iPad to remote into my iMac + a bluetooth keyboard solved that problem so I sold the MBA and am happy so far. Given my infrequent use of the MBA, I would always find myself with limited battery left when I did go to use it. This has never happened with the iPad!
I still use my MBA for a lot of real computing when I don't want to sit at my desktop
However, I do find since I got my Playbook (DONT SHUN ME!!!), My need to use the MBA has decreased. One of my biggest uses of the MBA was while watchign TV or laying in bed browsing.
I do all of that perfectly fine now on the playbook. Of course, I don't like typing on a virtual keyboard, so a lot of things I still use the MBA for (I IRC for example).
Now for basic browsing, I reach for the tablet before the laptop. the only time the MBA gets priority is when i'm using the playbook with my TV to watch a movie / stream a tv show (HDMI out + BB remote = ultimate HTPC)
would I sell my MBA? not likely. While i wish i went the 13" model with 4gb ram, it's still a great machine that gets it's use. however, I leave the big heavy worload tasks for my home desktop / server machine and use RDP on the tablet to it when I need to.
However, I do find since I got my Playbook (DONT SHUN ME!!!), My need to use the MBA has decreased. One of my biggest uses of the MBA was while watchign TV or laying in bed browsing.
I do all of that perfectly fine now on the playbook. Of course, I don't like typing on a virtual keyboard, so a lot of things I still use the MBA for (I IRC for example).
Now for basic browsing, I reach for the tablet before the laptop. the only time the MBA gets priority is when i'm using the playbook with my TV to watch a movie / stream a tv show (HDMI out + BB remote = ultimate HTPC)
would I sell my MBA? not likely. While i wish i went the 13" model with 4gb ram, it's still a great machine that gets it's use. however, I leave the big heavy worload tasks for my home desktop / server machine and use RDP on the tablet to it when I need to.
I got the first gen iPad when it came out...and I used it and only it for a while....but the more I used it the more I realized I was using Splashtop Remote to log in to my desktop more and more and other apps less and less...which said to me, I just wanted a laptop. So I bought a MBA and barely look at my iPad now.
I definitely use my MBA to its full potential..Thought i use a external drive to store my music and movies and etc running thru from there..Also A 1st Gen iPad for what I call "Lazy Browsing" when im to lazy to use my mba lol but I love my MBA use it a lot.
I do all these things except coding everyday on my iPad . I recently sold my 2010 Mac mini for an iPad 3 4g with an apple keyboard. On a daily basis I type papers, shoot and edit pics/videos for YouTube,email, produce music in GB/FL Studios, and run my tech web site from my iPad. It about replaced my iPhone 4 too LOL. And with AirPlay mirroring, I have it hooked up to my 42" led tv using Apple tv. This device is totally revolutionary and I hope the OP loves this combo like I have(in my Tim Cook voice)