I haven't used my iPad once since getting my rMB - anyone else?

[unixunderground]

Since getting my new rMB a few days ago, coming from a rMBP 13", I have practically never put it down.

My iPad Air 2, which I used to use every day for casual couch browsing and such, has been idly abandoned by the charger for the past week.

Somehow the rMB feels like an iPad on which I can do much more and type more comfortably, whilst still being extremely portable. So much so, that I am debating wether I should sell the iPad.

Is it just me, or has anyone else's experience been similar?

 

[ahostmadsen]

Since getting my new rMB a few days ago, coming from a rMBP 13", I have practically never put it down.

My iPad Air 2, which I used to use every day for casual couch browsing and such, has been idly abandoned by the charger for the past week.

Somehow the rMB feels like an iPad on which I can do much more and type more comfortably, whilst still being extremely portable. So much so, that I am debating wether I should sell the iPad.

Is it just me, or has anyone else's experience been similar?

Not at all. I don't get it, all the people comparing the MacBook and the iPad. Except for typing, the tablet form factor is just so much more comfortable. If the only advantage of the iPad were portability, then Apple's strategy has completely failed. Instead of producing a better alternative to netbooks with the iPad (which was the way Steve Jobs put it), they produced a worse netbook, one that cannot even run ordinary programs and does not have a keyboard.

 

[tbirdparis]

I thought that I'd be likely to never really use my iPad Air anymore since I got my rMB, but I still find it useful for some things. But it's early days yet. I'm definitely relieved to have a real computer that does really well all the things I tried to do with the iPad that were never great. But so far I've found some niche things I still do with the iPad, such as reading or watching something in bed. Somehow it feels less intrusive for that, more like having a book on the bedside table, so it's better for relaxing and not being tempted to stay in "work mode" when I should be switching off to sleep. But absolutely, I'm using it way way less, and I think actually it's better because I'm liking it again for what it's good at and being annoyed at it less for what it's bad at.

 

[zhenya]

I felt that way for the first couple of weeks, but it's in part New Toy Syndrome. After a couple of weeks, I found myself reaching for my iPad in a number of situations where it's just more comfortable to use (sitting on the couch, on the plane, etc.) or just a better tool (quick reference on the kitchen counter, streaming to my ATV or Airport Express, etc.)

The rMB has taken over a lot of its use, but by no means has it replaced it.

 

[ahostmadsen]

I felt that way for the first couple of weeks, but it's in part New Toy Syndrome. After a couple of weeks, I found myself reaching for my iPad in a number of situations where it's just more comfortable to use (sitting on the couch, on the plane, etc.) or just a better tool (quick reference on the kitchen counter, streaming to my ATV or Airport Express, etc.)

The rMB has taken over a lot of its use, but by no means has it replaced it.

Exactly. There are things a tablet is good for, and things a laptop is good for. In some sense I like the Microsoft surface philosophy where a single device can be both, and have been tempted to go that route, but there is just too much I like better in the Apple World.

 

[Sean.Something]

Since getting my new rMB a few days ago, coming from a rMBP 13", I have practically never put it down.

My iPad Air 2, which I used to use every day for casual couch browsing and such, has been idly abandoned by the charger for the past week.

Somehow the rMB feels like an iPad on which I can do much more and type more comfortably, whilst still being extremely portable. So much so, that I am debating wether I should sell the iPad.

Is it just me, or has anyone else's experience been similar?

When I purchased my Macbook I sold my iPad Air 2 and now use an iPhone 6+ and the Macbook as my two devices. I used the iPad Air 2 for watching movies/tv/Netflix, reading, and playing Vainglory ( and a few other games too). It did all of those things extremely well. However, I simply didn't use the device often enough to personally justify having it. The rMB sits in a nice spot on the spectrum of portability and computer power and the 6+ covers my hopeless Vainglory addiction. So for my use cases - yes I find myself in a similar situation where I have not felt myself needing my old iPad. However, I read some of the other posts in your thread and I can definitely see where some folks would be very happy with having an iPad along with an rMB.

 

[w0rd3r]

When I purchased my Macbook I sold my iPad Air 2 and now use an iPhone 6+ and the Macbook as my two devices.

Same here. But interestingly enough, the guy I sold my iPad Air 2 to sold his rMB 3 weeks later LOL.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I hardly use my MBPro 15 after getting my iPad Air2!

 

[Aneef]

I hardly use my iPad mini after getting the rMBP 15. The new toy syndrome, maybe.

 

[ctyrider]

A combination of iPhone 6 and rMB 12" has completely eliminated iPad from my life. Large-screen iPhone is suitable for nearly all consumption tasks that iPad is good at. For anything that involves typing and "work" - rMB is the perfect tool. Sold my iPad while ago and never missed a thing.

I also prefer the simplicity of having as few devices as possible, and not having to worry about charging or syncing data.

I think a lot of people are settling in on smartphone+ultraportable laptop combo, which may explain declining sales numbers in the tablet market..

 

[tbirdparis]

A combination of iPhone 6 and rMB 12" has completely eliminated iPad from my life. Large-screen iPhone is suitable for nearly all consumption tasks that iPad is good at. For anything that involves typing and "work" - rMB is the perfect tool. Sold my iPad while ago and never missed a thing.

I also prefer the simplicity of having as few devices as possible, and not having to worry about charging or syncing data.

I think a lot of people are settling in on smartphone+ultraportable laptop combo, which may explain declining sales numbers in the tablet market..

I think you might be right there. I'm sure the tablet category still has legs, but I can definitely see myself headed that way. Even having gone for the iPhone 6 instead of the Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up getting used to the phone+rMB combo and just hang on to the Air I have now for quite some time. I have 128GB of storage on my phone (got a very good upgrade price through my operator so it was a no-brainer) and only half that on the iPad (because getting 128 on the iPad seemed way too expensive at the time)... so I can be more relaxed about loading up the phone with tons of music and media than I am with the iPad, and it cost way less. Who knows, maybe later on I'll come around to the idea of a bigger phone and the tablet will get edged out of use, for my needs anyway. And here's the thing - this talk about an iPad Pro doesn't make me want one more, feels like it's the opposite of what would draw me to upgrading. I mean sure, if they do one we'll see what it's like. But right now it feels like the rMB is everything that an iPad Pro could be, only better. For me, a future iPad would need to be more about being a better consumption device than trying to be a production device to make me want to stay on the bandwagon. However there are lots of different people out there - who knows, an iPad Pro at a price point around the same as PC ultrabooks might be a great choice for parents wanting something for their kids too young for a phone nor as expensive as a proper computer. At 13, I would have loved an iPad with garageband and iMovie...

 

[Mac 128]

A combination of iPhone 6 and rMB 12" has completely eliminated iPad from my life. Large-screen iPhone is suitable for nearly all consumption tasks that iPad is good at. For anything that involves typing and "work" - rMB is the perfect tool. Sold my iPad while ago and never missed a thing.

I also prefer the simplicity of having as few devices as possible, and not having to worry about charging or syncing data.

I couldn't disagree more. I detest having to do too much internet browsing on the iPhone 6 or the Plus. The mini is almost too small for me. And the biggest annoyance with the iPhone is being forced into mobile websites, because they display better on such a small display, but generally aren't as well designed and more difficult to navigate. If I'm planning to do anything on the Internet, I grab for the iPad first. If I plan on doing a lot of typing, I grab the rMBP. I even prefer both for text messages over using the iPhone. As Steve Jobs once put it, they should sell sandpaper to people who use their phones this way so their fingers can actually navigate the touch screen.

But to each his own. The fact you sold your iPad suggests to me you never used it much to begin with, or you just didn't get it. The synchronization issue is a strawman, because if you're doing it right with iCloud, you don't have to worry about it. And charging is the least of it. If the iPad isn't charged, then you've got your phone and MacBook as backups, and vice versa. My rMBP charges at work, my phone in the car, so the iPad is the only device I have to worry about in my house, unless I decide to get an Watch.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I actually enjoy using the iPad Air along side the rMB to watch video/sports, etc and/or keep tabs on mail or twitter at times.

I am enjoying the 12" rMB, but the rMB I really want is a 14-15" version I think.

 

[tbirdparis]

Yep I'm still liking the combo at home too. Works pretty well to have the Air either playing a podcast or streaming an episode or something or a movie while I work on something else on the rMB. Also I still much prefer the iPad if I want to read or watch something in bed because as I said earlier, at least psychologically it feels less like taking work to bed with you, so you disconnect better. We'll see how it evolves over the next year or 18 months or so. At this stage though it feels like I won't be rushing to get a new iPad for a while because as an appliance, it has pretty much found its place in my routine and I'm not pushing it hard for any serious use... so until it gets super old and can't hold a charge anymore, I'll be one of those people contributing to the drop in iPad sales for the time being I guess.

 

[ctyrider]

I couldn't disagree more. I detest having to do too much internet browsing on the iPhone 6 or the Plus.

Meh.. 12" rMB is just as portable as iPad Air, so any time iPhone 6 isn't up to a task - rMB is always within my easy reach. There basically is nothing that iPad is better at than rMB.. So I really didn't see any purpose for it, as it was just sitting around idle.

Tablets made sense 3-4 years ago when most laptops were either 5lbs or had 3-4 hour battery life. A laptop like 12" rMB is nearly identical in portability and battery life to a tablet, but is inifinitley more useful as a computing device. That's why I don't see any point of a tablet, at least for me.

 

[Macalway]

It's slowly taking over. The others are getting dusty.

Just so nice. (6 weeks+)

It's really just an improved Air. I sold my various Airs do to their old tech, which dragged on.

 

[riviera74]

I simply do not get the attraction of the rMB. If I want that kind of portability, then an iPad Air 2 is great. There are fewer restrictions given the number the apps that can actually RUN on an Air 2 (or a iPhone 6s/6s+) compared to a rather weak rMB. No ports to do actual notebook things seems crazy. The only thing going for the 12" rMB is the size & weight combo. It may well end up replacing the MBA, but the rMB is not better than the MBA.

 

[ctyrider]

There are fewer restrictions given the number the apps that can actually RUN on an Air 2 (or a iPhone 6s/6s+) compared to a rather weak rMB.

Complete and utter rubbish. Have you actually USED a rMB?

 

[riviera74]

Complete and utter rubbish. Have you actually USED a rMB?

No. I have seen them, and all I have are questions. How is it better than the MBA (other than the Retina screen)? Why is ONE USB-C port better than separate ports for separate functions? Is it better to type on a rMB than an MBA? Why would anyone want to buy one and use it?

 

[ahostmadsen]

Meh.. 12" rMB is just as portable as iPad Air, so any time iPhone 6 isn't up to a task - rMB is always within my easy reach. There basically is nothing that iPad is better at than rMB.. So I really didn't see any purpose for it, as it was just sitting around idle.

Tablets made sense 3-4 years ago when most laptops were either 5lbs or had 3-4 hour battery life. A laptop like 12" rMB is nearly identical in portability and battery life to a tablet, but is inifinitley more useful as a computing device. That's why I don't see any point of a tablet, at least for me.

I don't get it. So, what you're saying is that Apple made a lousy netbook 4 years ago, one that couldn't even run ordinary programs, so actually worse than PC netbooks. The only point being, like netbooks, to have something small and cheap.

Of course, the iPad cannot do anything that a computer cannot do. But it can do a lot of things better. Sure, you can read a book on a computer, but do you really like that? You can hold a computer and watch the screen while you walk around, but do you really like that. You can watch a movie on a computer, but what's the purpose of the keyboard then? Etc Etc.

 

[doug in albq]

I think the rMB is a cool device, but i do not think it is an iPad Air replacement. It is a laptop and it is not even a touchscreen laptop.

Comparing a rMB to and iPad is what I would call "The Irrelevant Comparison." The two devices are not even in the same category.

They are both small and lightweight, but i think the comparisons end there.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I think the rMB is a cool device, but i do not think it is an iPad Air replacement. It is a laptop and it is not even a touchscreen laptop.

Comparing a rMB to and iPad is what I would call "The Irrelevant Comparison." The two devices are not even in the same category.

They are both small and lightweight, but i think the comparisons end there.

Precisely. If you are going to type a lot and/or do lots of things that normal browsers + full blown desktop style apps are great at, the rMB is excellent and much more appropriate than an iPad (which I also love).

I do a ton of Excel stuff on the go and frequently have to reply to emails is a longer form style and my iPad is just horrible for that. Conversely, I love to browse around and check out YouTube stuff, consumption, etc mainly on the iPad.

Just different tools with a market for both.

(it's just basically the long ago hashed out "consumption vs creation" device debate)

 

[turbineseaplane]

One random situation where I do actually watch video mainly on a laptop is on an airline flight. In that scenario, having a freestanding and super stable laptop doing the video display duty is superb.

 

[ctyrider]

I don't get it. So, what you're saying is that Apple made a lousy netbook 4 years ago, one that couldn't even run ordinary programs, so actually worse than PC netbooks. The only point being, like netbooks, to have something small and cheap.

No, what I am saying is - when iPad first came out, it was a unique computing device, unsurpassed in mobility, portability and battery life. PC netbooks were slow, had crappy screens and unusable keyboards/trackpads. MacBook Pros were in a completely different weight category. MacBook Air was underpowered, had mediocre screen and short battery life.

Fast forward to 2015 - an ultraportable like rMB has most of the "selling" attributes of an iPad - beautiful retina screen, comparable battery life, comparable weight and portability. Combine it with an iPhone 6 on a "pocketable" end of the spectrum - and iPad has been relegated to a mostly unnecessary device (for people liike myself). Apple has effectively cannibalized iPad with their other products.

Of course, the iPad cannot do anything that a computer cannot do. But it can do a lot of things better. Sure, you can read a book on a computer, but do you really like that? You can hold a computer and watch the screen while you walk around, but do you really like that. You can watch a movie on a computer, but what's the purpose of the keyboard then? Etc Etc.

Reading is probably the only true advantage that a tablet brings to the table, but I have been perfectly happy reading on large screen iPhone.. I never found myself walking around with my iPad, and I prefer watching movies on a rMB (mainly because of its clamshell form factor vs having to prop up an iPad).

Again, not suggesting that my preferences are universal, but that's what works for me. But probably not just me, as evident from this thread and an overall decline in tablet/iPad market.

 

[unixunderground]

Exactly. There are things a tablet is good for, and things a laptop is good for. In some sense I like the Microsoft surface philosophy where a single device can be both, and have been tempted to go that route, but there is just too much I like better in the Apple World.

So much this.

I am still unsure of wether to pull the trigger and put it up for sale.
I am waiting for the "new gadget honeymoon phase" to end, where I will then start to use it again, but it still hasn't.

What's kept me from selling it so far, is that I fear I'll regret it after some time, though so far I really haven't used it at all.

For watching videos, something I often used it for, I now much prefer the built in "stand" of the rMB, not having to fiddle around with the smart cover. Also much better audio.
For browsing the web, the rMB has uBlock,Ghostery and F.lux, which all make my experience so much better.
For typing, a full size keyboard vs touch is no comparison.

So really, I don't know what I am keeping it for.

---

For me, the real dream device, which I would easily pay twice as much than the for the rMB, would be an  rMB Surface.

Basically an rMB, but with a detachable/flippable screen, that when in flipped/detached mode, boots up iOS 9. Also LTE support. (sure the hotspot with continuity works, but not nearly well enough as just having it built in)

I'd buy that in a split second. Too bad it's probably not/never going to happen anytime soon...