Hi everyone!
About two months ago, I posted a thread about the Mac Mini but unfortunately the supplier was unable to supply it and therefore I couldn't purchase it. Then I decided to wait for the next MBP upgrade since my current notebook is still working just fine. But recently, after giving a bit of a thought about "What would be the best device for me?", I kind of decided to go with iPad, instead of MBP.
I'm in my sophomore year at the university and studying Computer Technology and Information Systems. As I develop several web-based projects, I also do a lot of coding and that sort of stuff so at first, I thought getting a 13" MBP would be more portable than my current 1-year-old 15" notebook which I would also be able to carry around with me everyday at school and work on my projects.
Then I thought about the amount of coding I did outside my house so far, which equals to zero. Since all my projects are stored on my server, I can pretty much use any computer for coding and naturally that includes the open lab in our department as well. So I finally decided that getting a MBP would be a want-over-need in this situation as I have access to a computer at any time and if I need one when I'm not at the university, I can use my current notebook.
However, there still a few things I'm not comfortable with doing with a notebook/desktop or things I want to do on a more portable device than a notebook. To list some of them:
- Checking Emails: Sometimes I need to check my emails before I go out for school but booting my notebook takes some time so I have to leave my computer on during the night to be able to check my email accounts.
- Reading PDF Files & Browsing the Web: Sitting in front of a computer just to read is probably the most uncomfortable thing in the world. I have lots of PDF files waiting for me to read them but I always give up after reading about 10 pages, as it is really uncomfortable. I would prefer doing the occasional web browsing on my couch while watching TV, rather than on a chair. I also follow the news regularly and newspapers' applications look great.
- Working on Documents: Being a student, most of the times I need to have some lecture notes with me or make small changes on my papers.
- Watching Videos: I enjoy watching talks at TED.com or browsing YouTube.
- Micro-blogging: I use Twitter extensively.
- Developing Mobile Apps: Some of the projects I'm working on are actually services for mobile users. Having a device to test the UX would be great.
- Using iOS Apps: I have a 2nd generation iPod Touch and there are many apps I enjoy using. But since it's no longer supported software-wise, I need a new iDevice to keep using their new versions. Also, there are many iPad-specific apps that look truly amazing and I would love to use them.
I can actually extend this list further but I don't think it is needed. 98% of the tasks I perform daily on my notebook are easier, more comfortable and/or a lot more fun to perform on the iPad. By the way, for the money I would spend to get the base model 13" MBP, I can buy an iPad 2, an SSD for my notebook (to increase its performance) and a Mac Mini
Also, I already have a 3G-capable Android phone which is pretty sufficient for basic tasks and I'm planning to use it as a hotspot for the iPad when there are no wireless networks available so I'm planning to get the 16GB Wi-Fi version.
Now, here are my questions:
1) Do you think it is a good decision to go with the iPad instead of a smaller notebook for the given tasks?
2) Should I wait for iPad 3?
Thanks in advance!
About two months ago, I posted a thread about the Mac Mini but unfortunately the supplier was unable to supply it and therefore I couldn't purchase it. Then I decided to wait for the next MBP upgrade since my current notebook is still working just fine. But recently, after giving a bit of a thought about "What would be the best device for me?", I kind of decided to go with iPad, instead of MBP.
I'm in my sophomore year at the university and studying Computer Technology and Information Systems. As I develop several web-based projects, I also do a lot of coding and that sort of stuff so at first, I thought getting a 13" MBP would be more portable than my current 1-year-old 15" notebook which I would also be able to carry around with me everyday at school and work on my projects.
Then I thought about the amount of coding I did outside my house so far, which equals to zero. Since all my projects are stored on my server, I can pretty much use any computer for coding and naturally that includes the open lab in our department as well. So I finally decided that getting a MBP would be a want-over-need in this situation as I have access to a computer at any time and if I need one when I'm not at the university, I can use my current notebook.
However, there still a few things I'm not comfortable with doing with a notebook/desktop or things I want to do on a more portable device than a notebook. To list some of them:
- Checking Emails: Sometimes I need to check my emails before I go out for school but booting my notebook takes some time so I have to leave my computer on during the night to be able to check my email accounts.
- Reading PDF Files & Browsing the Web: Sitting in front of a computer just to read is probably the most uncomfortable thing in the world. I have lots of PDF files waiting for me to read them but I always give up after reading about 10 pages, as it is really uncomfortable. I would prefer doing the occasional web browsing on my couch while watching TV, rather than on a chair. I also follow the news regularly and newspapers' applications look great.
- Working on Documents: Being a student, most of the times I need to have some lecture notes with me or make small changes on my papers.
- Watching Videos: I enjoy watching talks at TED.com or browsing YouTube.
- Micro-blogging: I use Twitter extensively.
- Developing Mobile Apps: Some of the projects I'm working on are actually services for mobile users. Having a device to test the UX would be great.
- Using iOS Apps: I have a 2nd generation iPod Touch and there are many apps I enjoy using. But since it's no longer supported software-wise, I need a new iDevice to keep using their new versions. Also, there are many iPad-specific apps that look truly amazing and I would love to use them.
I can actually extend this list further but I don't think it is needed. 98% of the tasks I perform daily on my notebook are easier, more comfortable and/or a lot more fun to perform on the iPad. By the way, for the money I would spend to get the base model 13" MBP, I can buy an iPad 2, an SSD for my notebook (to increase its performance) and a Mac Mini
Also, I already have a 3G-capable Android phone which is pretty sufficient for basic tasks and I'm planning to use it as a hotspot for the iPad when there are no wireless networks available so I'm planning to get the 16GB Wi-Fi version.
Now, here are my questions:
1) Do you think it is a good decision to go with the iPad instead of a smaller notebook for the given tasks?
2) Should I wait for iPad 3?
Thanks in advance!
