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You can do that in many ways. Dropbox app lets you mark files as favorites, which stores a copy of the file on the iPad. There's an app called File Browser that lets you browse shared network folders and copy the files to your iPad. From there, if you have an app that opens that file type, you can open them.

Al these apps are really workarounds to a problem that can be very easily fixed. A user accessible File System!
 
You're joking right?
Try saving files to your iPad and opening them again. Nope, you can't.
Is cloud computing the answer? Well, what if there is not internet access? Exactly.

Sorry guys the iPad is awesome, but it lacks too many features to get rid of any other Apple device.

The iPad is just used as a tablet computer, and it will never replace laptops.. unless it becomes a laptop in the future by allowing it to boot Mac OS X, and has an SD slot and USB ports. I don't see that happening, but if anything then we might see an iPad 6 competing with a future MacBook, or they might even combine the two. Who knows?

If your iPad can replace your MacBook Pro with an i5 processor, then i don't think you needed a MacBook Pro in the first place.

It might never replace a laptop for you but I guarantee it will for a lot of people.

I barely use my MacBook Pro anymore, it never leaves my desk and I have never had one problem with downloading/saving/accessing files from the iPad. All the files I need are on my Dropbox account and I can favorite the ones I may need when I don't have internet (and let's face it, how often is that these days if you have the 3G model). Even if you are overseas wifi hotspots are ubiquitous.

It's obviously not perfect and I'm hoping to see some form of integrated cloud based file system in the OS soon.

BTW if youre interested to know how I download files, I use iCab Mobile (a web browser) which allows you to download a file from the Internet to it's downloads manager. From here you can upload it straight to Dropbox which syncs with the cloud and with my computer. Amazing stuff...:cool:
 
Having to download sth first and then uploading to Dropbox just to have access to the file indirectly from other apps works but it is obscure. There is no denying that iOS needs a user and app accessible file system.
 
There is no denying that iOS needs a user and app accessible file system.

Can't agree with that. Sure would be nice to have a file system, but the currently existing workarounds work well, at least for my purposes. Not that I use the iPad as my main computer, but I can see it serving that function for some users, even with its current lack of a conventional file system.

BTW, using File Browser or Goodreader, you can download a file from the internet and have it immediately available to other apps that handle that file type, no need to upload it again to Dropbox.
 
Having to download sth first and then uploading to Dropbox just to have access to the file indirectly from other apps works but it is obscure. There is no denying that iOS needs a user and app accessible file system.

You can also open files directly from the download manager into any compatible external app (and obviously upload it to Dropbox as well if you want).

The problem is people going around saying "you can't do this", "you can't do that" when really they have no idea.

(Not having a go at you personally). ;)
 
If your iPad can replace your MacBook Pro with an i5 processor, then i don't think you needed a MacBook Pro in the first place.

Indeed. :)

I don't think Apple will make the iPad so it's a replacement for your main computer because they really want you to own a Mac and an iPad.
 
You can also open files directly from the download manager into any compatible external app (and obviously upload it to Dropbox as well if you want).

The problem is people going around saying "you can't do this", "you can't do that" when really they have no idea.

(Not having a go at you personally). ;)

Yes, you can do that. Now please just compare it with having a common file system for all apps.
 
I have always thought that for the undergrad humanities student, who is not into video, audio editing, and gaming, the iPad with BT Keyboard is probably the perfect 'academic computer'.

I'm a graduate student I use only about 70 GB on my MBP. I'm eyeing the Air as my next purchase, and I think I will be happy with that as my academic computer. So I think for the undergrad that does not need special software as in the sciences or architecture or something--the iPad is about right.
 
These days there is no such thing as a "main" computer. They are so cheap that you now have multiple computers/devices to cater for different needs.
 
I had a MacBook Pro and an iPad. I had both for 5 months, and then realized that since I got my iPad, the MacBook Pro hadn't left my desk. When the new iMacs came out last July, I realized that I could sell my MacBook Pro. I sold the MacBook Pro for $750, got an iMac for $1100 (education discount) The iMac also came with a free iPod touch that I sold for $150. I ended up paying about $200 for the iMac. My iPad replaced my laptop, but not my Mac. :)
I have to say when I got my iPad, I thought it would primarily be an entertainment device, but now I see the iPad as so much more. I use my iPad to take notes at school in almost every class; I don't use paper anymore. I can't wait to see where the iPad goes in education because I think it has huge potential. :)
 
You can do that in many ways. Dropbox app lets you mark files as favorites, which stores a copy of the file on the iPad. There's an app called File Browser that lets you browse shared network folders and copy the files to your iPad. From there, if you have an app that opens that file type, you can open them.

Yes, i know that. I actually use Dropbox for my iPhone.
You didn't quote the next line of my post, which talks about the lack of internet connection.
I don't think cloud is the answer.

It might never replace a laptop for you but I guarantee it will for a lot of people.

I barely use my MacBook Pro anymore, it never leaves my desk and I have never had one problem with downloading/saving/accessing files from the iPad. All the files I need are on my Dropbox account and I can favorite the ones I may need when I don't have internet (and let's face it, how often is that these days if you have the 3G model). Even if you are overseas wifi hotspots are ubiquitous.

It's obviously not perfect and I'm hoping to see some form of integrated cloud based file system in the OS soon.

BTW if youre interested to know how I download files, I use iCab Mobile (a web browser) which allows you to download a file from the Internet to it's downloads manager. From here you can upload it straight to Dropbox which syncs with the cloud and with my computer. Amazing stuff...

I agree, for a lot of people it did replace laptops. Which is good!

Again, i don't think cloud computing is the answer, but it'll do for now. I use Dropbox for my iPhone too.
But, what happens when you're in a location without internet? What if you're in the subway and you realized that you need to transfer your powerpoint cue card from your MacBook into your iPad?
As much as we'd like to think that the whole world has at least 3G network everywhere you go, that's not really the case.

Btw, thanks for the tip for iCab Mobile, i just bought it! ;)

Having to download sth first and then uploading to Dropbox just to have access to the file indirectly from other apps works but it is obscure. There is no denying that iOS needs a user and app accessible file system.

A file system for the iDevices? This would render MacBooks even more useless to consumers. I don't think Apple would want that. As OllyW stated, they want you to use both Mac and iPad.

Would i like a file system for iDevices? Of course. Is it going to happen? Probably not.
 
Again, i don't think cloud computing is the answer, but it'll do for now. I use Dropbox for my iPhone too.
But, what happens when you're in a location without internet? What if you're in the subway and you realized that you need to transfer your powerpoint cue card from your MacBook into your iPad?
As much as we'd like to think that the whole world has at least 3G network everywhere you go, that's not really the case.

You're just making up extreme situations to try to make a point. But if you have a MacBook, you can hook up your iPad with the USB cable to transfer a file. If you don't have a USB cable on you, you can set up a wifi network on your MacBook and connect the iPad to that, and use FileBrowser to grab the file. No 3G network necessary.

I mean, sure, getting files into and out of the iPad isn't always easy, but in a pinch, there are usually ways to get it done. Just make sure you have GoodReader, FileBrowser, and Dropbox. And I always keep a USB cable in my bag, too.
 
Al these apps are really workarounds to a problem that can be very easily fixed. A user accessible File System!

This is what really stops iPad from being a true laptop replacement for a lot of people.
It`s a media consumption device above all else, a damn good one but still...
 
This is what really stops iPad from being a true laptop replacement for a lot of people.

For me, the restrictions placed by the lack of file system are inconvenient, but not unworkable. What is currently keeping me from getting rid of my laptop are:

(1) Lack of an app that is 100% compatible with Microsoft Office. Pages keeps messing up the formatting, and other Office suits don't work with Japanese input last time I checked.
(2) Screen size. The screen is just too small to see enough of a document at once.
 
For me, the restrictions placed by the lack of file system are inconvenient, but not unworkable. What is currently keeping me from getting rid of my laptop are:

(1) Lack of an app that is 100% compatible with Microsoft Office. Pages keeps messing up the formatting, and other Office suits don't work with Japanese input last time I checked.
(2) Screen size. The screen is just too small to see enough of a document at once.

Good point.
To be fair to Apple, it has never been marketed as being a replacement for anything really.
It would be nice if it could but at the moment iPad is just icing on my "computer cake" if you see what I mean.
 
I had a MacBook Pro and an iPad. I had both for 5 months, and then realized that since I got my iPad, the MacBook Pro hadn't left my desk. When the new iMacs came out last July, I realized that I could sell my MacBook Pro. I sold the MacBook Pro for $750, got an iMac for $1100 (education discount) The iMac also came with a free iPod touch that I sold for $150. I ended up paying about $200 for the iMac. My iPad replaced my laptop, but not my Mac. :)
The stories people make up to reduce the amount of money they claim to have lost on their rushed hardware purchases is ridiculous, forgetting to include the initial purchase price. You did not pay $200 for the iMac at all - you will have lost several hundred dollars at least depending on which Macbook Pro you bought, and on top of that you paid several hundred dollars for an iPad. So, all you have really done is made mistakes and lost money.
 
The stories people make up to reduce the amount of money they claim to have lost on their rushed hardware purchases is ridiculous, forgetting to include the initial purchase price. You did not pay $200 for the iMac at all - you will have lost several hundred dollars at least depending on which Macbook Pro you bought, and on top of that you paid several hundred dollars for an iPad. So, all you have really done is made mistakes and lost money.

I agree that most people that do buy a lot of gadgets tend to try to justify their purchases. I know, I do it too :)
The only thing that is somehow good is that Apples products have a relatively good resale value.
 
I find it amazing and sad that so many people try to tell others what their ipad is capable of or what it should be used for. I have a desktop for phototshop work, etc. The ipad is perfect for replacing my macbook pro. Perfect for me in my usage.

I never have to carry around the mbp anymore. Lighter weight and a better form factor are great. It's a great mobile computer

It's very rude to acuuse others of wasting their money. If it doesn't suit your needs, so be it. Just don't try to dictate to others based on your usage
 
I find it amazing and sad that so many people try to tell others what their ipad is capable of or what it should be used for.

Ditto. I don't understand why it bothers some folks so much if I can use my iPad for almost everything I used to use my Mac for. I wonder if it is because they can't afford to buy an iPad and they kind of validate their non-purchase by slamming the iPad, saying it's just a toy or big iPod Touch, etc. Why else would they care? Either that or some folks just love to argue and it makes them feel superior when they slam others.

The bottom line is I absolutely love my iPad and will always have one from now on. I can't imagine my daily life without one. If that makes me a fanboy, so be it - but at my age, I'm more of a fanoldman.
 
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