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iPad 3 or Android Tablet
- Thread starter marty1990
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you've stepped into an old and tired debate about whether tablets are good for content creation. i've been doing most of my work on the ipad for about a year now, so i am quite comfortable saying that it can be done, and i am enjoying it a lot. but, i don't do image editing, and judging by the kind of processing power my mbp needs to do it well, i don't have high expectations for the ipad.
Well a tablet won't do what you need (it won't do it well or efficiently).
You asked for advice and you got it. Sounds like you were looking for a confirmation or blessing, not advice.
Tablets don't replace laptops. I have the iPad, a netbook, a laptop and a desktop, and I wouldn't consider doing image editing on my iPad or netbook. The lack of performance (netbook) or features (iPad) would be frustrating and counter-productive.
Going away for a weekend, and bringing the iPad + power supply + stylus + bluetooth keyboard... ends up being merely slightly less than bringing my laptop in its bag. I just end up bringing the laptop and I slip the iPad along in the same bag.
The iPad (and other tablets) is well suited for web browsing, reading e-books and playing small games. Add some Skype, GPS navigation and slingboxing. Anything else I'll wait until I get back to my laptop or desktop and do it there (Microsoft Office apps, playing large games, image editing, movie editing, etc).
Image editing is your primary purpose/need for your device, and it sounds like you *must* do image editing during weekends, hence it's likely to be for professional purposes (otherwise you'd wait until you get home and do it then).
Image editing being your primary need/purpose, and you have a professional image editing software at home on your Macbook Pro (hopefully with a large 24-30inch color calibrated monitor), no tablet image editing software (combined with a small non-calibrated screen) with limited features (compared to a desktop/laptop version) will give you the results you are looking for.
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Troll lately? The OP was specifically asking about Android or iPad 3. If you're going to state how the iPad 2 will save time please explain, I'd like to hear. In terms of saving money yes, they'd be saving $100 on a tablet that's well over 1 year old.
Save time by not having to return several new ipads due to defects.
Calling a forum member a troll is against forum policy.
I have reported you.
He didn't call you a troll, he asked if you troll lately.
I have an iPad 3 with no heat, screen of wifi issue.
First, I've had all three iPad generations and your post about the iPad is simply incorrect. Best iPad yet.
Second, your reporting someone for calling you a troll is again incorrect and uninformed.
If you can't play nice maybe you should leave?
The iPad struggles a bit with iPhoto. The program is very CPU intensive and the A5X approaches 100% utilization according to the review at AnandTech.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5688/apple-ipad-2012-review/9
"...Using iPhoto, its easily possible to peg both cores at near-100% CPU utilization, particularly when applying a brush. This is one of the very few times Ive felt like the iPad is CPU-limited, but a quad-core SoC would likely have been very helpful in making the iPhoto experience smoother and faster."
You won't go wrong with either iPad or a Transformer. I love both to death and both have plenty of things over the other. Wirelessly side loading with the prime is amazing as far as drag and dropping apps, epub files, movies without having to convert like avi files and tons more. I also added a 64 GB micro SD card for extra space. With the iPad you can't beat the fluidity and ecosystem of iOS. The browser on the iPad is a split second quicker. The app market on the iPad if really nice to compared to Android and you'll most likely see an app first for iOS then Android.
Edit: oh yea one more thing the iPad feels good in the hand especially in portrait mode, but for watching movies the transformer is better.
Edit: oh yea one more thing the iPad feels good in the hand especially in portrait mode, but for watching movies the transformer is better.
Tablets are not designed to replace laptops. If you want to purchase a tablet, I recommend that you get an iPad. Apple is more expierences in the tablet industry and offer great support with their products. You already have an android device so why not try an iPad ? If you don't like it, you have 14 days to return your item to an Apple store.
These issues are not widespread. They only seem that way to people who come to forums or read tech blogs. In the "real world", the new iPad is a solid piece of tech.
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I used iPhoto to edit and organize all of our vacation pictures from a couple of weeks ago. I noticed no performance problems. The CPU may have been at 100%, but I noticed nothing being slow.
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You and 99.99% of all iPad owners. You can't base anything on what people say on the internet.
For what you claim you want to use it for the computer you already have is the best way to do it, touch screens aren't that great for typing and for photo editing a mouse is more precise than the average person's finger.
As a user of a Kindle Fire, Xoom and iPad 2 I have a personal preference towards the Xoom and sometimes fire because the 7" is much easier to hold and type on.
My mother on the other hand loves the iPad, it really comes down to preference.
Main reason I didn't get an iPad for myself was because I already have an iPod Touch and really couldn't justify paying that amount for something thats pretty much a larger screen with a better processor.
Which is more important to you?
- if its how many apps then I think the iPad will be the better choice as Apple does have more tablet optimized products than the android market (or google play as they call it now).
- if you're a power user you'll likely like the android operating system better but quite frankly I don't understand the whole "android is for power users" claim because its very much like iOS with a few more customization features.
- if you are interested in having the most space available to you, no question its an android tablet for the simple fact many of them support EXTERNAL memory, something you'll never find on an iPad.
I think you can't go wrong with either one.
As a user of a Kindle Fire, Xoom and iPad 2 I have a personal preference towards the Xoom and sometimes fire because the 7" is much easier to hold and type on.
My mother on the other hand loves the iPad, it really comes down to preference.
Main reason I didn't get an iPad for myself was because I already have an iPod Touch and really couldn't justify paying that amount for something thats pretty much a larger screen with a better processor.
Which is more important to you?
- if its how many apps then I think the iPad will be the better choice as Apple does have more tablet optimized products than the android market (or google play as they call it now).
- if you're a power user you'll likely like the android operating system better but quite frankly I don't understand the whole "android is for power users" claim because its very much like iOS with a few more customization features.
- if you are interested in having the most space available to you, no question its an android tablet for the simple fact many of them support EXTERNAL memory, something you'll never find on an iPad.
I think you can't go wrong with either one.
I am a huge supporter of Android phones. However, the tablets are an entirely different story. I bought the Acer Iconia back when it was first released last year and what a mistake that was. The iPad, especially the new one, is leaps and bounds ahead of any Android tablet as far as I am concerned. Now I understand why Apple is killing it in the tablet arena.
It seems the thread has taken a turn towards laptop or tablet.
But to answer your question about which is better here is my take. I'm a die hard android guy and love all things Android. I will never use anything but an android phone for the foreseeable future. With that said the debate of android vs iPad is quite a different story for me at least. My iPad is one of the best devices I've used in a long time. The app support on the iPad is well beyond anything android has to offer. The retina display is amazing and build quality is top notch. Accessories are abundant for the iPad as well.
On the other hand Android tablets are good in their own merit. It's kinda like the old iPhone vs WinMo6.5 argument. Before android came along and showed the world that you can have a device that's open, efficient and looks great it was a fairly easy choice. iOS was smooth and pretty, but closed and most desktop users miss the file management and such. But WinMo was antiquated and ugly. Didn't work so well, but it had its group who used it anyways.
So for me it was a no-brainer. Games and apps for iPad work on iPad. Android still has fragmentation even amongst devices running the same OS version and form factor. (HTCs new flagship the one X on android 4.0 can't run Instagram???? Wow) word processing is good, keyboards work on it. Android features out of the box mouse support, iOS doesn't..... The list is forever long.
I'd say stick with the iPad. The closedness kinda sucks and takes a little getting used too, but it is better I'm the long run. If you want a tablet/laptop, but a Transformer Prime with the keyboard dock. It's an amazing device and the ability to detach makes it a dual device IMO. And no Bluetooth keyboard can match it.
But to answer your question about which is better here is my take. I'm a die hard android guy and love all things Android. I will never use anything but an android phone for the foreseeable future. With that said the debate of android vs iPad is quite a different story for me at least. My iPad is one of the best devices I've used in a long time. The app support on the iPad is well beyond anything android has to offer. The retina display is amazing and build quality is top notch. Accessories are abundant for the iPad as well.
On the other hand Android tablets are good in their own merit. It's kinda like the old iPhone vs WinMo6.5 argument. Before android came along and showed the world that you can have a device that's open, efficient and looks great it was a fairly easy choice. iOS was smooth and pretty, but closed and most desktop users miss the file management and such. But WinMo was antiquated and ugly. Didn't work so well, but it had its group who used it anyways.
So for me it was a no-brainer. Games and apps for iPad work on iPad. Android still has fragmentation even amongst devices running the same OS version and form factor. (HTCs new flagship the one X on android 4.0 can't run Instagram???? Wow) word processing is good, keyboards work on it. Android features out of the box mouse support, iOS doesn't..... The list is forever long.
I'd say stick with the iPad. The closedness kinda sucks and takes a little getting used too, but it is better I'm the long run. If you want a tablet/laptop, but a Transformer Prime with the keyboard dock. It's an amazing device and the ability to detach makes it a dual device IMO. And no Bluetooth keyboard can match it.
I've got an Acer Iconia A100, which is a great tablet - fantastic hardware. The problem, as others point out many, many times in many places, is that Android apps SUCK. I really regret getting this thing now and it's purely for the crappy app experience, not the hardware. It's just like using a large phone, making it feel compromised in most senses. I really miss the tablet-exclusive experience that iPad apps offer. So that's my take - my advice is go with the iPad because the apps are terrible on Android tablets.
Yes, a netbook with a HD screen, 9-hour battery life, inbuilt internet access, flash storage, touch screen, full access to the apple app store, and the versatility of being able to detach the keyboard and leave it behind when you need just a tablet.
Any run-of-the-mill laptop would be hard-pressed to compete against some of these features.
The MBA (or any other full-blown laptop) is clearly more suited for "serious work", and while I am not saying the ipad makes an excellent word-processing device, under the right circumstances, it can still do a respectable job. In the very least, you can type out the barebones content on your ipad, then add in the heavy-duty formatting on your imac at home.
However, since you are using office, there will inevitably be compatibility issues and loss of formatting when you open those in pages for ios, not to mention that without icloud, getting them into your ipad and back to your pc is quite troublesome (have to resort to either dropbox or email, so good luck in a place with no internet connection.
I have no experience with android tablets, so my opinion might sound a tad biased. However, I have included for you, a link to an article about a tech editor who did just that - try out an ios-style laptop. Hopefully, this can help you make a more informed decision.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-33200_3-57363530-290/what-the-world-needs-now-an-ios-laptop/
http://technologizer.com/2011/12/05/how-the-ipad-2-became-my-favorite-computer/
Honestly, why not just give them both a shot? Apple and Amazon both have no questions asked return policies. The time investment is well worth it for a $500 product.
That is what I did last year with the original Transformer and the iPad2. I think Android's OS and hardware are more productive/capable but I found that the Apps are really what make the tablet experience and the difference between the App Store and the Android Tablet Marketplace is massive...
That is what I did last year with the original Transformer and the iPad2. I think Android's OS and hardware are more productive/capable but I found that the Apps are really what make the tablet experience and the difference between the App Store and the Android Tablet Marketplace is massive...
As a follow Android phone user I was feeling your pain. But I strongly believe the iPad offers the best tablet experience overall. A decent Android tablet will offer a better movie viewing experience with it's 16:9 screen ratio and cheap removable memory but iPad's apps are clearly defined. And because I already have a 4.65 inch Nexus I did not want to duplicate the same apps I all ready use.
Android tablets are not real threats until Google releases a Nexus tablet that is the benchmark for all tablets to follow. Second, the phone apps work too well on current tablets. Google must force developers to want to create tablet optimized apps. Otherwise it's just a big phone with wasted screen space.
So as of today I would go iPad.
Android tablets are not real threats until Google releases a Nexus tablet that is the benchmark for all tablets to follow. Second, the phone apps work too well on current tablets. Google must force developers to want to create tablet optimized apps. Otherwise it's just a big phone with wasted screen space.
So as of today I would go iPad.
Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I'm going to go for the iPad 3. I know what you've all said regarding word processing and Photoshop Touch etc., but I feel the iPad would be really useful to me in University. I never do 'full' work there, I take notes, and then write them up into full essays and reports when am at home. Using Pages or something, I'd easily be able to take the notes, and then upload them to the cloud, or even email them to myself or something to then produce the full document on my Mac. Same with PS Touch and Ideas. My thinking is that I can come up with ideas, sketches, logo's etc, upload the PSD to the Adobe Creative Cloud, get them on my Mac to then refine them or use those ideas to produce my final piece of work. And since I'm in university, I get wifi throughout the whole of campus, so internet wouldn't ever be a problem.
The only final question I have regarding the internet on the iPad, is tethering. My provider for my Android phone includes free tethering, so I enabled it as a wireless hotspot, and connected my Mac to it last night, and it worked perfectly. I then today attempted to connect a friends iPad 2 to it, and it wouldn't connect. It was running iOS 5. When I got home, I tried it with my Dad's second gen iPod Touch also running iOS 5, and that connected to my phone perfectly.
So what am wondering is if I got the wifi iPad 3, would I be able to connect to my phone, or is it disabled on the iPad or something? Since it wouldn't work with my friends... or is it likely to have just been her iPad at the time?
Thanks.
The only final question I have regarding the internet on the iPad, is tethering. My provider for my Android phone includes free tethering, so I enabled it as a wireless hotspot, and connected my Mac to it last night, and it worked perfectly. I then today attempted to connect a friends iPad 2 to it, and it wouldn't connect. It was running iOS 5. When I got home, I tried it with my Dad's second gen iPod Touch also running iOS 5, and that connected to my phone perfectly.
So what am wondering is if I got the wifi iPad 3, would I be able to connect to my phone, or is it disabled on the iPad or something? Since it wouldn't work with my friends... or is it likely to have just been her iPad at the time?
Thanks.
I'm an avid fan of android on smart phones (galaxy nexus with ice cream sandwich) but I will say there is no better tablet platform than iOS. iOS is meant to be on the iPad and is far better realized. With tablets, there is no equal. Go iPad.
for a not pro consumer like my sister that is a 2nd year college student. i think its okay to work with an ipad. it's user friendly. more portable than macbooks or laptops. writing and editing picture is so easy and not that bad . doing simple stuff does not required high end device.
. doing simple stuff does not required high end device.
If those are the things you want to do with the tablet, then I would suggest that iPad 3 is the only way to go as a tablet solution. I do however suspect that you will end up getting a little frustrated and may regret the purchase. I went through a similar thought process a year ago and decided that an MBA was the best way to go - specifically an 11". The difference between a low end MBA and the 64GB iPad 3 (which is probably what you'd need if you were using it for a lot of photo work taking up all the capacity) is not that much by the time you pay for a decent keyboard, camera connection kit, case etc. Size and weight aren't that much different if you do need to get a keyboard for word processing. No need to sell your MBP, just use the MBA when needing to be more mobile and use the MBP as your main machine at home or when size and weight isn't an issue.
Will you be able to access the Cloud with your iPad whenever you're using it? Word processing without a file system on an iPad for more than a few documents may become difficult.
If you're talking about light word processing and occasional photo editing, then iPad will probably be enough.. any more and I suggest you'd be better saving your money.
The reason I don't want a MacBook Air, is because I already have a Pro. It's the 13" model, and I feel that if I wanted to do more intensive stuff at university, then I could easily take in my Pro. I tested out an iPad 2 today, specifically the keyboard on Pages, and feel that would suffice with note taking. I wouldn't be doing full on word processing, it would just be notes and then using them to build up a final document. Same with images and graphics. I'd use the tablet to come up with ideas and then finalise them/build on them through my Mac. An Air is also way out of my price range, especially since I couldn't justify the purchase when I have a 5 month old Pro. Well, when in university, I would have full access to the internet via wifi, so I'd have access to the cloud. I would also be able to tether from my Android phone which would give me internet access when out and about.
The only thing that put's me off the iPad slightly is the lack of Flash support... however, I have my Android phone and Mac for that, at least.
The only thing that put's me off the iPad slightly is the lack of Flash support... however, I have my Android phone and Mac for that, at least.