Huh?
Two different devices for two different uses. Yes there may be some overlap but no, the iPad is nowhere near close to an MBA running OS X. Not even in the same league.
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iPad 3 or MacBook Air?
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Huh?
Two different devices for two different uses. Yes there may be some overlap but no, the iPad is nowhere near close to an MBA running OS X. Not even in the same league.
OK, I didn't see this reply. So your current laptop is crap IMHO. I would get the Macbook Air in that case.
I would...
I would prob buy a iPad 3 and a wireless keyboard to go with it (for the "busy" days)
For school that would be ideal, unless you need to do very advanced things like programming, photoshop (For real) or things like that...
But maybe get a 32gb wifi only and a keyboard - thats 668$ and thats if you buy an expensive wireless keyboard direct from apple (could be alot cheaper) ... Thats still about 330$ (or 30%) cheaper than the MBA...
that would be my choice
I would prob buy a iPad 3 and a wireless keyboard to go with it (for the "busy" days)
For school that would be ideal, unless you need to do very advanced things like programming, photoshop (For real) or things like that...
But maybe get a 32gb wifi only and a keyboard - thats 668$ and thats if you buy an expensive wireless keyboard direct from apple (could be alot cheaper) ... Thats still about 330$ (or 30%) cheaper than the MBA...
that would be my choice
hmm.. i think the sensible thing for me to do is to go into an apple store and look at both before deciding, however i do think it'll probably be the macbook air. hmm.
Yes, most sensible! Both the iPad and Air need to be touched to feel how incredible they are. The drawback will be that you'll end up wanting them both even more than you do now.
If I were you - and I had some self control - I would just hold onto your money right now.
You don't need an iPad, but of course it would be nice to have one. You already have a laptop and iMac you can work on.
Hold your money and see what the new MBAs look like this summer (or even next summer since it sounds like your laptop is fine)
OR
if you just want something, buy an iPad if you like and feel good knowing it will hold much of it's resale value if you take good cafe of it
You don't need an iPad, but of course it would be nice to have one. You already have a laptop and iMac you can work on.
Hold your money and see what the new MBAs look like this summer (or even next summer since it sounds like your laptop is fine)
OR
if you just want something, buy an iPad if you like and feel good knowing it will hold much of it's resale value if you take good cafe of it
hmm. this is true.. as the buyer's guide does suggest that the macs will be due for an update soon, so.. i might just buy an ipad in the summer and save the money for a new laptop in the next or so, best of both then. Thanks everyone
Get the air. I am also a student and got the air before school started. I even liked it more than my MBP that I eventually sold. And I am getting the new iPad, but I don't plan or hope to replace my MBA with it.
I basically agree with everything said in here
If you don't have a iMac or another computer, you need a mba. Solely the iPad will not cut it as a computer.
If you don't have a iMac or another computer, you need a mba. Solely the iPad will not cut it as a computer.
Yes, most sensible! Both the iPad and Air need to be touched to feel how incredible they are. The drawback will be that you'll end up wanting them both even more than you do now.
I know how that works...
I bought an 11 inch 256GB MBA on Black Friday and I literally haven't touched my 64GB iPad 2 since. The MBA is just so much more functional. I really cannot give up having multiple windows open and complete multitasking. In fact, comparing these 2 devices is like comparing a car to a motorcycle. They both are forms of transport, but the car is much more practicle and useful. Plus, I think I prefer the trackpad to the touch screen.
okay. i have decided, (almost)
definitely going for the macbook air, however should i get 2GB RAM or 4GB?
definitely going for the macbook air, however should i get 2GB RAM or 4GB?
4GB. Definitely. And i7 if you can swing it. No one ever complained about their computer having too much RAM or being too fast...
Check this out
A No Brainer
That does not imply you not possessing a brain
Anyways, you have a netbook. Thats nowhere close to a full fledged laptop. If you were thinking between a netbook and an iPad, maybe then, yes, the iPad would have been the better choice. But as many have said here, you are an art student. Doesnt in involve content creation and creative designing? Just an example, but say you had to use a Wacom tablet, neither your netbook or iPad would allow you to do that efficiently.
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This is such a misleading statement--and a really tired argument. People use the iPad for content creation every day. Is it ideal for all kinds of content creation? Of course not. No tool is perfect for every job. Last year during NaNoWriMo I knew many people who wrote their entire novels on iPad+external keyboard (and even sometimes w/out the keyboard, to add quick things on the go). 50,000 words of prose hammered out in a month seems like content creation to me.
And one of the things they loved about the experience? The lack of true multitasking. When they wrote, they wrote. End of story. Pun intended.
Many of the people who claim you can't create content on an iPad just haven't explored all the available apps, so they don't know that exactly what they want to do is possible. Others are wanting a specific type of content creation that just isn't particularly feasible on tablet computers in general.
Just because you can't create content on an iPad doesn't mean others don't. They do. Some even prefer it.
So, can we please retire this dated discussion?
-->iDv.
We arent debating if the iPad can create content or not. We are comparing it to a Macbook Air. Yeah, there are people who have used an etch-a-sketch to create mind blowing art, so if someone were to ask if he/she should get a canvas or an etch-a-sketch, should I recommend the latter?
If you're word-processing, doing simple spreadsheets, and basic presentations, the iPad is faster than the Macbook Air in those departments using the same iWork software. It's just because you can touch and edit the content faster on the iPad versions. Don't ask me why it's faster because I can't even explain it other than you have faster basic processing via finger edits. The iPad however is a pain to print off of unless you have a network printer, ePrint, or Airprint available. Also sketching on an iPad is more natural compared to using the trackpad on the MBA. Sketchbook is just that awesome. You won't however be able to use Photoshop, any programming apps, or even have access to a file system via the iPad. We're just not there yet.
Actually, you're right--we weren't debating that. Until you said that an iPad has an inability to create content, that is. Try to keep up...with your own contribution to the discussion.
Your analogy completely fails, btw. MBA:iPad =/= Canvas:etch-a-sketch. Sure, someone might be able to create art on an etch-a-sketch, but it will be a proof of concept experience--a, look at my talent, I have created this amazing thing in a very difficult medium. There are people who prefer and in fact do greater creative work on the iPad.
Just because YOU don't find that to be true doesn't make it false for everyone who does.
TBH, I don't know if it will be true for me, either. The new iPad will be my first tablet. I have a feeling that I will adore it for writing (especially once L&L release the Scrivener app). However, while I can certainly imagine ways that it will interface with my photography workflow, I doubt that I'll be able to do anything other than simple post on the iPad. The hardware and software just isn't there yet.
Of course, the MBA isn't quite powerful enough for what I throw out in a typical editing session either. That's why I have my Mac Pro and MBP.
-->iDv.
reading, great. writing, great. art and design? yes, but it won't be efficient or able to do heavy work.
writing on the ipad and writing on the mba are pretty much the same thing, especially if you separate form (all of the bold, italics, and footnotes) from content (all of the text). i write with multimarkdown, sync with Dropbox, and open Scrivener on my MBP to mess around with formatting. this means my iPad pretty much does everything for me--I just need the computer a few hours a week at the most.
but, art? well, the iPad is pretty impressive, and apps to do it exist. but, let's face it, it lacks the RAM, processor, or software to do serious work. I'd be leaning towards an MBA with 4GB RAM if I were you, just because of this need.
writing on the ipad and writing on the mba are pretty much the same thing, especially if you separate form (all of the bold, italics, and footnotes) from content (all of the text). i write with multimarkdown, sync with Dropbox, and open Scrivener on my MBP to mess around with formatting. this means my iPad pretty much does everything for me--I just need the computer a few hours a week at the most.
but, art? well, the iPad is pretty impressive, and apps to do it exist. but, let's face it, it lacks the RAM, processor, or software to do serious work. I'd be leaning towards an MBA with 4GB RAM if I were you, just because of this need.
Actually, you're right--we weren't debating that. Until you said that an iPad has an inability to create content, that is. Try to keep up...with your own contribution to the discussion.
Your analogy completely fails, btw. MBA:iPad =/= Canvas:etch-a-sketch. Sure, someone might be able to create art on an etch-a-sketch, but it will be a proof of concept experience--a, look at my talent, I have created this amazing thing in a very difficult medium. There are people who prefer and in fact do greater creative work on the iPad.
Just because YOU don't find that to be true doesn't make it false for everyone who does.
TBH, I don't know if it will be true for me, either. The new iPad will be my first tablet. I have a feeling that I will adore it for writing (especially once L&L release the Scrivener app). However, while I can certainly imagine ways that it will interface with my photography workflow, I doubt that I'll be able to do anything other than simple post on the iPad. The hardware and software just isn't there yet.
Of course, the MBA isn't quite powerful enough for what I throw out in a typical editing session either. That's why I have my Mac Pro and MBP.
-->iDv.
So you came up with all this without ever owning an iPad or any other tablet i.e. no personal experience and basing your argument on what a few others have said? WOW! I have nothing else to say. Congratulations on your purchase. Use the iPad for an year, come back and we can talk then. Cheers
Actually, I've used both an iPad 1 and 2 pretty extensively for the last four months--I'm temporarily serving as caretaker for my 96 year old grandmother (after her heart attack), mother (after rotator cuff surgery), and step-dad (carotid artery surgery). My grandmother has an iPad 1, my mother has a 2. And I don't need anything other than observational skills to see friends creating great things on iPads, both in the visual and literary arts. You said "inability to create content." I have experienced otherwise, and spoke to that.
Have you ever gone through National Novel Writing Month? People taking part in NaNoWriMo need to churn out a 50,000 word novel in 30 days--often while working full-time jobs, raising children, etc. If writing on an iPad wasn't working for them, and wasn't something they enjoyed, they would quickly switch to another method. They wouldn't NEED to come back and talk to you in a year.
Anyway, I guess I have nothing further to say, either. For me, this discussion boils down to...
So, I guess I'm done hijacking this poor OP's thread any further.
-->iDv.
In general, you should get as much memory as you can afford. Also, if you have to choose between a better processor or more memory, go for the memory. In school, having a slower processor is not the end of the world, but not having enough memory when you need it is going to suck. I don't know if you'll be doing anything that needs 4GB, though.
However, note that Macbook Air memory is NOT user-upgradeable, unlike other laptops. You're basically stuck with whatever you get.
Try to keep up...with your own contribution to the discussion.
TBH, I don't know if it will be true for me, either. The new iPad will be my first tablet.
-->iDv.
Seems like you need to keep up too.. with your own contribution to the discussion.
Ok, wrong choice of words on my part. Let me rephrase - Compared to the MB Air the iPad is nowhere as efficient for content creation. There, is that fine now?
Those two aren't mutually exclusive. This will be my first iPad--the others belonged to family members. I have used them quite a bit, but I haven't had one to put my own apps on and set up for my needs--so I can't say as of yet how well it will fit into my workflow. So, I've kept up just fine.
Ok, wrong choice of words on my part. Let me rephrase - Compared to the MB Air the iPad is nowhere as efficient for content creation. There, is that fine now?
This! Well done, sir/madam!
-->iDv.
Those two aren't mutually exclusive. This will be my first iPad--the others belonged to family members. I have used them quite a bit, but I haven't had one to put my own apps on and set up for my needs--so I can't say as of yet how well it will fit into my workflow. So, I've kept up just fine.
This! Well done, sir/madam!
-->iDv.
Gasp!! Ever seen a madam correcting herself??? Sir, definitely
BTW, you are a sir, right? Coz otherwise, I have just put myself in a very awkward situation
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Don't even CONSIDER 2GB RAM. Seriously. You can never upgrade it. RAM is the best bang for your buck on any setup, and for 100 bucks more, just max it out. And it WILL come into play for future OS upgrades.
Also, the moment you walk out of the door with new consumer tech, the value begins dropping. The computer is a tool. Consider the reason you need this tool. Is it school? Then make the purchase as one of the last things you do. If you can wait until after they refresh the MBA (not sure when you start), you are going to pay the same price for improved specs. I know how tempting it is to get it now, but that's just a practical thought.