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All iPads iPad as your only computer? Seems easy to do and in many ways better than a laptop.

Big.Mac.Daddy said:
I love the idea of using an iPad as my only computing device, there are lots of benefits that make it just as good or even BETTER than a laptop:

- Retina display

- 10 hour battery life

- Extremely thin and light

- When I go to the gym I can watch a movie while I'm doing cardio on the elliptical

- Voice dictation built in

- Bluetooth mouse & keyboard support (mouse support requires jailbreak)

- No viruses / trojans to worry about

- Thousands of apps

- Apple store customer service if anything goes wrong

- Gaming emulators (Snes9x Ex, NES.emu, GBA.emu, GBC.emu) with bluetooth controller support

- Only $500 (compared to more expensive ultrabooks)



The only problem?

- How the **** do I get my music / movies on my iPad without a computer? :confused:

I mean I want it ON my iPad, not just streaming from iCloud using cellular data.

If I purchase songs / movies / tv shows via the iTunes app on an iPad, does that mean they are automatically in the cloud and I can download them again later on? (without having to stream them)



Btw does anyone else feel the same way about using the iPad as their main computer?

Of course, you'll have the types that say "no way I can't do that!" because they need hard drives instead of cloud storage, or programs that only work on PC's or Mac's, etc... but that's not me.
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Downloaded content from the App/iTunes store is not stored in the cloud, but can be re-downloaded for free if deleted. All Music/Books/Movies/Apps/Contacts/Calenders/Notes/etc.... are synced with all other devices in the cloud (your devices). (You can choose not to sync).
 
yeah said:
Downloaded content from the App/iTunes store is not stored in the cloud, but can be re-downloaded for free if deleted. All Music/Books/Movies/Apps/Contacts/Calenders/Notes/etc.... are synced with all other devices in the cloud (your devices). (You can choose not to sync).
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Assuming the app hasn't been pulled from the app store. Then you can only recover if you have the IPA file backed up on your local pc.
 
The iPad is an excellent content consumption device. While there are productivity apps available for the iPad, computers are superior when it comes to content creation.

My mother's iPad replaced her laptop almost completely. Her computing needs consist mostly of web browsing, music streaming, and email. The iPad handles all of those with ease. On the other hand, I do a lot of video and photo editing, work with large Excel files, watch videos that aren't available through the iTunes Music Store, and so on. The iPad can handle some of those tasks decently well enough, but it can't replace my computer.

Car analogy? The iPad is like a commuter vehicle, whereas a computer is like a SUV. The computer can go where roads don't extend, it can tow things... it's very versatile. The iTunes Music Store and other such services are wonderful "roads" for media consumption, but there's still a lot of "unpaved" ground. For those who wouldn't traverse that ground anyway and who can stick to the roads, the iPad is a fine choice for a primary device. The rest of us still need the versatility...
 
I updated the OP to make it easier to read now that I figured out how to work around more of the 'limitations'.
 
Until Apple allows simultaneous use of an external Bluetooth keyboard and mouse I don't think the iPad makes a plausible laptop replacement for even basic users. Lots of people speculated that the iPad would replace laptops for some users when it was released but i don't know anyone that has actually done it (almost doesn't count in my book.) I have to wonder if Apple imposes some of these limits on purpose so the iPad isn't competing with its MacBooks.
 
Fruit Cake said:
Assuming the app hasn't been pulled from the app store. Then you can only recover if you have the IPA file backed up on your local pc.
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im not sure, i know it's still possible to still download them from the purchased section of your iCloud. A separate entity from iTunes.

I have this old version of Tetris, which is not available on iTunes, cause a newer application superseded it. But I can still download it from the purchased section.

----------
Dunbar said:
I have to wonder if Apple imposes some of these limits on purpose so the iPad isn't competing with its MacBooks.
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Apple always quotes that iPad do not significantly cannibalize sales of MacBook, that much than PC.
 
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I'm retired now but I can say that I couldn't have used my iPad as my only computer.

I managed IT projects. This required that I keep documents together for each project. Not having access to a file system to keep things organized would have resulted in chaos and probably sunk a project.

Plus I emailed files to project staff and upper management all the time. I usually had to send several documents at once (word docs, a spreadsheet, sometimes a PowerPoint, and usually a Microsoft project plan among others). I can see it now, 'hers's the last set of meeting notes, spreadsheet in the next email', and then 'here's the spreadsheet, PP coming up', ...yeah, THAT would go over really well with the Executive Director!

I think it would depend on the type of work you do, how much you have to share with others, what software you need. A whole host of issues arise. Bit I can also see where some people have a job that doesn't require these things or as a student it might work.

As usual, the answer is 'it depends'.
 
I use my iPad as my main computer when traveling.

I have no trouble maintaining folders for all of my various projects and clients. I use both iCloud and Dropbox. Both allow folders (although iCloud is only 1 deep) and both keep files "Off Line" for when you're on an airplane. (Living on a remote island, I fly many times a month.)

The great thing with the cloud is that my work is always instantly available on my iMac, iPhone, and iPad without having to do anything. It's also double/triple backed up as offline copies are on the devices and those copies of copies are backed up by Timemachine/iTunes. Plus they're backed up by Apple and Dropbox too -- and both do "versioning" so I can go back to any point in time.

As far as mailing files... Do people still do that? Attachment sizes are generally pretty limited, and it really bogs down people's inboxes. Plus email isn't very secure, has no versioning, no collaboration, etc.

I use a secure cloud service that delivers encrypted documents over bank-grade SSL for confidential materials, contracts, IP etc. For everything else I just use Dropbox Links. (Dropbox is secured and encrypted also, but they've had bad press so...)

The iPad is a real work-horse, and much easier to travel with than a laptop. You don't even need to pull it out of your bag to get through security in the USA. It's totally changed the way I work on the road.

I confess though, when I get home and want to get some coding done, I'm in front of my iMac with the iPad open to my reference books or specs/drawings.
 
Im in the same boat, I have a laptop right now but I'm not really using it for anything but web browsing, I just bought the laptop for school but do to money I won't be attending school until 2nd semester. So I'm thinking of selling my laptop and picking up the new iPad, im not sure if I should do it or not. I know by the time 2nd semester comes around I'll have enough $ for a new laptop, but I'm not sure if I'll need the laptop or not.
 
Don Kosak said:
I use my iPad as my main computer when traveling.

I have no trouble maintaining folders for all of my various projects and clients. I use both iCloud and Dropbox. Both allow folders (although iCloud is only 1 deep) and both keep files "Off Line" for when you're on an airplane. (Living on a remote island, I fly many times a month.)

The great thing with the cloud is that my work is always instantly available on my iMac, iPhone, and iPad without having to do anything. It's also double/triple backed up as offline copies are on the devices and those copies of copies are backed up by Timemachine/iTunes. Plus they're backed up by Apple and Dropbox too -- and both do "versioning" so I can go back to any point in time.

As far as mailing files... Do people still do that? Attachment sizes are generally pretty limited, and it really bogs down people's inboxes. Plus email isn't very secure, has no versioning, no collaboration, etc.

I use a secure cloud service that delivers encrypted documents over bank-grade SSL for confidential materials, contracts, IP etc. For everything else I just use Dropbox Links. (Dropbox is secured and encrypted also, but they've had bad press so...)

The iPad is a real work-horse, and much easier to travel with than a laptop. You don't even need to pull it out of your bag to get through security in the USA. It's totally changed the way I work on the road.

I confess though, when I get home and want to get some coding done, I'm in front of my iMac with the iPad open to my reference books or specs/drawings.
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Interesting. What apps are you using that allow for folders on iCloud?

And what secure cloud service are you referring to for delivering confidential materials?
 
If I did not have to work with MS Office so much, I could do it.

I use QuckOffice, in Powerpoint its only good for light editing, Excel forget it, and Word for only lightly formatted documents.

Yes, some other apps might be better but still its a big loss of productivity.
 
The Logitech ultrathin keyboard cover has been the best purchase I've made for my iPad. It transforms the device into a writing machine.

If Apple aren't already planning on a similar product, they should be looking very closely at this.
 
Dunbar said:
Until Apple allows simultaneous use of an external Bluetooth keyboard and mouse I don't think the iPad makes a plausible laptop replacement for even basic users. Lots of people speculated that the iPad would replace laptops for some users when it was released but i don't know anyone that has actually done it (almost doesn't count in my book.) I have to wonder if Apple imposes some of these limits on purpose so the iPad isn't competing with its MacBooks.
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Huh? I guess I am one of those rare few who actually prefer the touchscreen to a mouse or trackpad. When I am creating keynote slideshows (just did one today to show a before-after math model in action), dragging boxes around with a finger somehow feels more "right" than using a mouse. :)
 
Big.Mac.Daddy said:
For myself both iFile or Dropbox work as visible file systems for the iPad.
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this is 100% wrong.

i challenge you (or anyone) to go to careerbuilder.com and try to upload your resume.

you can't do it.

go to yahoo.com and go to your mail account and try to change your avatar by uploading a photo.

you can't do it.

the primary flaw with the iPad is you can't upload files to a website. when XYZ website presents you with an "upload" button, the button is always grayed out since the website can't "browse" a file system on the ipad.

dropbox, ifile, etc, do NOT work.
 
the primary flaw with the iPad is you can't upload files to a website. when XYZ website presents you with an "upload" button, the button is always grayed out since the website can't "browse" a file system on the ipad.
Click to expand...

Waits for IOS6. :p
 
I haven't read the replies, but to your original topic:

Jailbreaking should never be a solution for a problem like those. It will work for now, but it's not permanent and can't be guaranteed to be there in the future.
 
WhySoSerious said:
would you please clarify? is it confirmed a file system will be available on iOS 6 and we can now upload? if you have any information or source links, please let me know because i'm very interested in Apple solving this current flaw.
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Honestly, I have always viewed the existing file system as more of a hindrance, and am not sorry that ios devices are evidently doing away with it. Is there some reason I would want to deal with tons of files scattered across multiple folders, as opposed to the files being sorted by app on my iphone or ipad? :confused:

IOS6 will allow you to upload photos and videos; no to other file types, though to date, I do not yet have a need for said feature. Sorry if I got your hopes up too high... :eek:

http://www.everythingicafe.com/ios-6-supports-file-uploads-via-safari/2012/06/15/
 
Abazigal said:
Honestly, I have always viewed the existing file system as more of a hindrance, and am not sorry that ios devices are evidently doing away with it. Is there some reason I would want to deal with tons of files scattered across multiple folders, as opposed to the files being sorted by app on my iphone or ipad? :confused:

IOS6 will allow you to upload photos and videos; no to other file types, though to date, I do not yet have a need for said feature. Sorry if I got your hopes up too high... :eek:

http://www.everythingicafe.com/ios-6-supports-file-uploads-via-safari/2012/06/15/
Click to expand...

yeah, i was looking to upload documents, such as a resume, to job sites/company sites and similar document situations. i don't really care about uploding pic/vids.
 
All these devices/computers perform tasks. For your core tasks, the iPad can handle them all. I'm into photography and an iPad has no way to handle 21 MP RAW files. Nevermind the couple hundred gig worth of those files. Nor a couple hundred gig worth of videos take on my DSLR. Perhaps iMovie can handle these, but without the ability to attach to a local drive storing those files, my internet is not fast enough to make any cloud service to these volumes of data feasible.
 
Too many limitations.

Lack of storage. Poor copy paste. Lack of true muti tasking. File format limitations.

It's a fantastic secondary device but I would never use it as my primary workhorse.
 
Until the iPad can handle full versions of photoshop, final cut, and real gaming (not emulators with touch buttons/game pads) I don't think I could use an iPad as a primary computer. It needs more storage and a descrete graphics as well. Its great for checking email, playing random apps, light photo editing, and watching movies/tv shows. Beyond that, there is a lot to be desired. The ipad just isnt designed to be a complete replacement.
 
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