ipad or macbook

[ravinja]

i'm doubting between buying an ipad or a macbook. My use is mainly just media consumption

- netflix
- youtube
- spotify
- mail
- facebook
- instagram

i sometimes also download a torrent for that one show that is not on netflix, however, i think this possible on an ipad.

I just cannot make i right in my mind to pay so much more just to download the torrent. Has anyone made the same choice?

 

[kupkakez]

iPad. That’s what I use mine for, I do not torrent though.

 

[Mahasamatman]

To be honest, nothing on your list screams MacBook to me. If you’re really sure you don’t need anything more at all - not you don’t need need it on a regular basis, that you don’t need it at all - then i would go for an iPad.

 

[Volusia]

Go for the iPad and get a Bluetooth keyboard. I use the Zagg and love it. Makes my iPad a laptop for when I have a lot of typing to do...

 

[dogslobber]

An iPad is pretty useless for anything except content consumption. Some claim that you can do it but if you watch them then they struggle as everything can be done faster using a real computer. So that would be my only caveat, if you needed to do some real work on it then get a real computer instead.

 

[thisismyusername]

An iPad is pretty useless for anything except content consumption. Some claim that you can do it but if you watch them then they struggle as everything can be done faster using a real computer.

Those of us who do real work on our iPads assure you it is not only possible but that we don't struggle at all. I'm not saying it's a solution for everyone but to say an iPad is only good for content consumption is absolutely false.

 

[dogslobber]

Those of us who do real work on our iPads assure you it is not only possible but that we don't struggle at all. I'm not saying it's a solution for everyone but to say an iPad is only good for content consumption is absolutely false.

Sounds like you're an outlier. The iPad is poor for creating content as it doesn't have have the requisite interface and feedback loop to make efficient use of people's time.

 

[subjonas]

Besides torrenting, both devices are very capable for your uses, but I’d have to say that the iPad is additionally more intuitive, a bit lighter weight, and offers more flexibility in how you want to use it—holding, on a mount, as well as resting on a surface (with a stand). The macbook’s strengths don’t seem to be advantageous to you, except for torrenting.

In that regard, no one can really tell you how important torrenting is to you versus the extra cost of the MacBook. Maybe someone can chime in about a way to torrent on an iPad (I don’t know of any personally), but otherwise, it’s just a choice you have to figure out for yourself. Just ask, assuming torrenting on ipad is not possible: would getting the iPad and maybe ending up paying for some shows (either purchasing, renting, or maybe a temporary subscription), borrowing some shows from other people, and not watching some shows (edit- or torrenting on another device and transferring the shows to your iPad)—collectively be better or worse than paying the higher price of the MacBook?

 

[The Game 161]

Sounds like iPad fits your needs more

 

[ericwn]

I don’t see much mentioned here that would require a MacBook per se. A lot can be done on iOS devices these days - and Apple gives you two weeks to try them out in most countries too so there is plenty opportunity to make your own experience.

 

[tagumcity]

For my use I've chose iOS, iPhone & iPad, these are the forward edge of computer type devices. I have an inexpensive linux laptop to handle my torrents. Having an attached hinged portion (conventional laptop) is bulky. I don't sit in a designated place to use software. Of course this is where I am at on the matter.

 

[prospervic]

Sounds like you're an outlier. The iPad is poor for creating content as it doesn't have have the requisite interface and feedback loop to make efficient use of people's time.

So tired of closed-minded people who keep preaching the iPad is “useless for anything except content consumption.” Use of that phrase reveals someone who never really tried to think beyond the Mac/PC paradigm, or who is woefully unaware of what retailers, artists, musicians, graphic designers, photographers, real estate agents, doctors, scientists, business owners and more are ACTUALLY doing on their iPads.

I compose music all the time with the on-screen piano keyboard (try THAT on a Mac!), and I just built a pretty substantial website on my iPad Pro 12.9, which was actually easier than with the same app on my MacBook, due to the direct-touch input.

But people who think like you won’t bother learning about these uses because they’d rather be right, than informed.
If you prefer the Mac (or PC), great! Good for you. But stop poo-pooing other people’s computing choice, because doing so indicates that you aren’t so sure about yours.

 

[NUTNDUN]

OP, for your use case the iPad would be hard to beat. I have a MBP and an iPad 10.5 and haven't touched my laptop other than one day when I needed to have multiple windows open on multiple screens.

 

[Retsiem]

For mere media consumption the iPad seems like a no brainer.