Macbook Air or iPad?

[gwsat]

I have a MBAir and am very pleased with it. When the iPad was announced I immediately wanted one. But as I let the want wane and the need prevail, I realized that the Air does everything that the iPad can do and more. If you don't need to Skype or iChat, print, or plug in peripherals on the go like a memory stick then go for the iPad. It's cheaper and very cool. But if you're looking for something that is ultra portable with full functionality and you're going to keep the MBPro stationary, then go for the MBAir. I bought mine open box at Best Buy for $999 and it's been great.

Your opinion is similar to mine. I have wanted an ultra lightweight laptop for some time. My research has convinced me that the MBA is still the best bet for that purpose and will be an even better bet if Apple upgrades its RAM. I quickly eliminated the iPad from consideration after i test drove it. Not only does it not multitask, its virtual keyboard, even with a generously sized screen, is a poor substitute for a real computer's keyboard. The iPad is sexy and a lot of folks are buying them but it's not cut out for real computer work.

 

[southnc]

The MBA maybe 2-3 times the price of an iPad, depending on options. However, in reality, the MBA is at least 10 times better - maybe a 100 times better. 😉

 

[Scottsdale]

The MBA maybe 2-3 times the price of an iPad, depending on options. However, in reality, the MBA is at least 10 times better - maybe a 100 times better. 😉

It depends on the purpose. In terms of traditional computing, the MBA is certainly a 100 times better. Can one imagine the time commitment of typing out a book on the iPad? How about managing financial spreadsheets on the iPad? How about making a website on the iPad? How about CAD on the iPad? What about advanced mathematical modeling on the iPad? How about editing a movie on the iPad (like feature film)? Certainly, the MBA is capable for computing whereas the iPad is not.

Think about the original target market of the MBA. It's the business user, consultant, executive, grad student, professor, teacher, and etc. Anyone on the go, traveling to a class room or across the country on an airplane. All of these users use the MBA as a computer. For most of these people, an iPad would never do the job. Now, many bought the MBA as a secondary, travel, and entertainment device (similar to the purpose of a netbook), and they became an unintended market because Apple had to dump the original MBAs for $999. That however is not the intended market for the MBA. Some of these unintended MBA buyers will buy the iPad because they didn't really need a computer.

What is the iPad. It's an entertainment device that allows observation not input into the thing as a computer provides excellence for. The average iPad buyer will be those who buy MacBooks for entertainment purposes. Those who work for a company and have a PC at the office... and at home all they really want/need to do is surf the Internet, check their email, and watch lots of videos and manage lots of family photos. These traditional MB users will, over time, migrate to the iPad. It's inevitable. The iPad will become more and more capable, and eventually most MB users who buy them for entertainment will prefer an iPad. In addition, the app store will provide excessive demand for the iPad just as the iPod Touch and iPhone. In addition, those who would otherwise buy an iPhone if it didn't use AT&T or if they weren't already happy with their phone will buy an iPad.

The iPad is setup for success and it will not fail. The model is proven. The MBA is a niche product and will never sell as many MBAs as iPads. However, the MBA offers exceptional margin for Apple and targets the right market customer that Apple loves to focus on. We build the Apple/Mac brand for them. It's cool to own a Mac and even cooler to own a MacBook AIR. This talk of MBA or iPad is nonsense. Any real MBA buyer (the intended market buyer) will buy an iPad in addition to the MBA not an iPad instead of the MBA. The MBA competes less with the iPad than the MB does. Apple knows this very well. It also knows it can dominate and sell a heck of a lot more iPads than MBs in the long run because the iPad is changing entertainment/observation computing forever. I still expect the MBA to be around a long time. When the MBA form factor makes its way to the MBs and MBPs, the MBA will transform into something even more amazing. Apple knows us better than we know ourselves, and it will bring something that has more advantages for the user that needs a computer but also needs extreme portability.

No more talk of MBA or iPad... how about MB or iPad?

 

[Mindinversion]

Magic 8 ball says "Ask again after refresh"

 

[duky]

The MBA maybe 2-3 times the price of an iPad, depending on options. However, in reality, the MBA is at least 10 times better - maybe a 100 times better. 😉

Couldn't agree more. I love my MBA and the iPad couldn't think of replacing it. On a side note, typing on my iPhone seems easier than the iPads at the store. Maybe I'll get used to it at home but that was my impression there. As for the MBA vs iPad. I will soon have both and they will have diff uses. When I need to do web dev on the go or video chat with friends when not at my desk the MBA is the ultimate companion but if I'm just casually browsing the web while watching a show on tv or on the bus/train the iPad will be the best bet. I intend to also add a 15" MBP to the mix down the line to replace my old iMac (want SSD in my primary comp and don't necessarily need all the power of the iMac but I do want/need more than the MBA offers). Basically, all three are diff devices and if you can afford to, then get all of them and cover all your bases

 

[lucifiel]

So do you think oranges are better than apples?

I mean they're both fruit so you know the comparison sticks!

 

[entatlrg]

Couldn't agree more. I love my MBA and the iPad couldn't think of replacing it. On a side note, typing on my iPhone seems easier than the iPads at the store. Maybe I'll get used to it at home but that was my impression there. As for the MBA vs iPad. I will soon have both and they will have diff uses. When I need to do web dev on the go or video chat with friends when not at my desk the MBA is the ultimate companion but if I'm just casually browsing the web while watching a show on tv or on the bus/train the iPad will be the best bet. I intend to also add a 15" MBP to the mix down the line to replace my old iMac (want SSD in my primary comp and don't necessarily need all the power of the iMac but I do want/need more than the MBA offers). Basically, all three are diff devices and if you can afford to, then get all of them and cover all your bases

That's similar to how my set up is going to be shortly.

I'm hoping the iPad does what I want and more. Can it replace my MBA I'm doubtful but I'll be happy if it does.

If I could do everything via the iPad I would, including hooking up to a 24" ACD, BT Keyboard etc.

Having ONE device, a nice/handy size like that to handle everything - WOW.

We'll be there someday ... in the meantime laptop manufacturers have a LOT of laptops they want to sell now and far into the future, I wonder how the iPad is going to effect all this. Same with the netbook market ... some manufacturers heads must be spinning.

 

[jns2001]

Crazy comment related to the Ipad and Macbook Air

As crazy as it sounds, I wanted an Ipad so bad before its launch that I would sell a kidney to get one of those. After reading all the reviews about it, I do not want one anymore, I can use my MBA w/SSD to do everything it does, I can watch movies in bed, I can surf the net, I can skype and if fits in my briefcase together with a Dell E4300 that I was given at work. So I can still do all my personal things while on the road, without mixing it up with my work computer. For the first time in many months I am not craving for something that I don't have in terms of gadgets, I went to the Netherlands last week, and I could sightseeing in Amsterdam with my Iphone 3GS, which was very inconspicuous for looking at the gps, points of interest, a restaurant nearby...Etc...T-Mobile NL sells a chip for 9 euros, with 15 euros of credit, and they allow you to tap on their data for 4.95 a day, I have a motorola phone that I could transfer my original chip in case someone would call, and I kept strolling, the only drawback of the MBA was that on my way back it was a 12 hour flight during the day, and I drained the MBA and a small Hypermac battery watching House, Good Wife, The Office, etc... but I got a good 8 hours of battery time. I think that the only differences between the two are form factors, and the ability of one to do something whereas the other doesn't. If you have a MBA and an Iphone, why do you really need the Ipad. I see no reason.

 

[Scottsdale]

As crazy as it sounds, I wanted an Ipad so bad before its launch that I would sell a kidney to get one of those. After reading all the reviews about it, I do not want one anymore, I can use my MBA w/SSD to do everything it does, I can watch movies in bed, I can surf the net, I can skype and if fits in my briefcase together with a Dell E4300 that I was given at work. So I can still do all my personal things while on the road, without mixing it up with my work computer. For the first time in many months I am not craving for something that I don't have in terms of gadgets, I went to the Netherlands last week, and I could sightseeing in Amsterdam with my Iphone 3GS, which was very inconspicuous for looking at the gps, points of interest, a restaurant nearby...Etc...T-Mobile NL sells a chip for 9 euros, with 15 euros of credit, and they allow you to tap on their data for 4.95 a day, I have a motorola phone that I could transfer my original chip in case someone would call, and I kept strolling, the only drawback of the MBA was that on my way back it was a 12 hour flight during the day, and I drained the MBA and a small Hypermac battery watching House, Good Wife, The Office, etc... but I got a good 8 hours of battery time. I think that the only differences between the two are form factors, and the ability of one to do something whereas the other doesn't. If you have a MBA and an Iphone, why do you really need the Ipad. I see no reason.

I pre ordered mine, and I had to travel the day it was to be delivered. I didn't have to leave for the airport until after lunch, so I figured it was safe to go ahead and have it delivered where I was at instead of where I was traveling to (plus I wanted to use it on the plane). Unfortunately, lunch came and I had to go. I got a call half way to the airport that it had just been delivered. Now I am not even going to see it for another week. The funny thing I was just like you and wanted it really bad... now, I don't really even care about it. I think I am just desperately in need of a newer, better, faster, updated, cooler feeling, and more capable MBA. In addition, I am hopeful for a new 32" LED ACD. I love my 24" LED ACDs, but I would really love a 32" LED ACD.

I guess that is why Apple didn't update the Macs right before the iPads were released. It makes sense... this gives Apple some time to get sales from us suckers that just want something new rather than need or really even want an iPad itself. Either way the iPad will succeed, but the hype was greatened by our need for something new from Apple. At least that's the way I feel. Before the iPad was released, I thought Apple was stupid for not just releasing the Macs. Now, I think it was a good move on good old AAPL.

 

[smoked]

Having a bushel of macs at my disposal, the iPad has definitely become my go-to device for web browsing, playing games, reading books, watching videos, etc. It is just so easy to turn on, one tap to get the weather, news, a game, etc and then put back down. Battery lasts forever on it. Same cannot be said for the MBA. While light, now the keyboard seems in the way for the things I do on the iPad.

 

[aleni]

I pre ordered mine, and I had to travel the day it was to be delivered. I didn't have to leave for the airport until after lunch, so I figured it was safe to go ahead and have it delivered where I was at instead of where I was traveling to (plus I wanted to use it on the plane). Unfortunately, lunch came and I had to go. I got a call half way to the airport that it had just been delivered. Now I am not even going to see it for another week. The funny thing I was just like you and wanted it really bad... now, I don't really even care about it. I think I am just desperately in need of a newer, better, faster, updated, cooler feeling, and more capable MBA. In addition, I am hopeful for a new 32" LED ACD. I love my 24" LED ACDs, but I would really love a 32" LED ACD.

I guess that is why Apple didn't update the Macs right before the iPads were released. It makes sense... this gives Apple some time to get sales from us suckers that just want something new rather than need or really even want an iPad itself. Either way the iPad will succeed, but the hype was greatened by our need for something new from Apple. At least that's the way I feel. Before the iPad was released, I thought Apple was stupid for not just releasing the Macs. Now, I think it was a good move on good old AAPL.

i always find your post thoughtful, you are like einstein of the MBA. please give me your thought after you use the iPad. does it change your mind about only having the updated MBA is enough, or the iPad does everything your MBA does but more portable in any way.

 

[smoked]

I can already tell you, the iPad doesn't do anything as well as the MBA except run longer without being plugged in 😉 it's just more convenient to use for certain things, content creation definitely NOT being one of them.

 

[JasG]

When I can write on an iPad as comfortably as I can on an AIR I'll buy one. I want the lightest word processing with a first rate keyboard and a decent screen.

To that end, I will watch the development of the companion bluetooth keyboards. The Apple version weighs 21.5 ounces. The ipad, unless I am mistaken, is 24 ounces. That's to close to the AIR's three pounds to make it a practical replacement.

 

[Scottsdale]

i always find your post thoughtful, you are like einstein of the MBA. please give me your thought after you use the iPad. does it change your mind about only having the updated MBA is enough, or the iPad does everything your MBA does but more portable in any way.

Thanks. I will definitely include a link here to my iPad review (where I also plan to compare it vs. an MBA and MB). I have "Great Expectations" for the iPad, but I don't expect it to replace the MBA anytime soon.

 

[colourfastt]

Simple answer: why not both?

 

[gwsat]

Having a bushel of macs at my disposal, the iPad has definitely become my go-to device for web browsing, playing games, reading books, watching videos, etc. It is just so easy to turn on, one tap to get the weather, news, a game, etc and then put back down. Battery lasts forever on it. Same cannot be said for the MBA. While light, now the keyboard seems in the way for the things I do on the iPad.

Your comment that the weather or some other Web page is just a click away with the iPad caught my attention. Your comment reminded me of how I check the weather if my MBP is closed up. if I am watching TV but want to know the temperature, I will almost always use the Android weather app on my G1 phone to check it, rather than opening up the MBP. The iPad is still too immature and limited in most ways for my tastes but the time could certainly come when I changed my mind and got one. That will be the case with the MBA if Apple ups its RAM. If Apple does that, I will buy one.

 

[dwward]

Money aside,...

The Air is awesome and and highly portable—you can pick it up one-handed, and it’s enough power for me to do heavy work on.

However, the iPad is even MORE portable, probably more fun (certainly if you like cheap games!) and costs a ton less....

Let's put money aside for a moment and focus on portability and functionality.

Wouldn't the ideal portable device be the MacBook Air with iPad touch screen and the functionality the touch screen brings? This device would still be highly portable yet you would have keyboard and power of a MB while away from home.

I suppose this really is a very personal question about what one really wants. I use my MacBook as a second computer for travel. I use the Internet, email and chat mostly. But I also watch movies on long flights or train trips in Europe. I want light and portable. I would like to also read ebooks.

Finally, when on holiday, I take digital photos that I upload to my MacBook and edit in photoshop. I'm not sure that I can do this even on the Air.

I think Nagromme is right that the iPad would be more fun. But if I buy the iPad, I'm still taking my MacBook on all trips and I see that as a minus.

I am the least tech savvy person here so I'm earnestly interested in your thoughts.

PS: I realize that Apple can never put money aside in products they bring to market and an essential element in the iPad is cost.

 

[gwsat]

I think Nagromme is right that the iPad would be more fun. But if I buy the iPad, I'm still taking my MacBook on all trips and I see that as a minus.

I finally decided to buy an iPad and have been using it for several weeks. You have made a point that had occurred to me: the iPad's limitations make it imperative that when you travel you take a real computer, too, at least if you need to do more than Web surf, read, and light email. Thus, I don't see the iPad as a viable substitute for the MBA. My iPad is great around home or in an Internet cafe, library, or book store that has wifi but it wouldn't be a capable a substitute for my MBP when I travel.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Magic 8 ball says "Ask again after refresh"

LOVE IT, LOL, nice post!😎

 

[quietstorm]

the real question is

mba AND ipad?

being proud owner of MBAir 2.1 (the one with ssd128 and 2,13GHz cpu) i wonder.... do I need an iPad...

should also confess i am a "hybrid" computer user and "still" use PCs for desktops and heavy laptops....

lord, i also own an iphone 3gs 32gb white

so, do i need a silver ipad?
answer given already ( applies to many posts in this thread)

word NEED is out of context when it comes to products like mac book air, iphones and ipads... especially if you own ANY one of them already....

it boils down to whether you feel like dishing out yet another pocketful of moneypaper to own yet another gadget.

My MBAir does have drawbacks:
1. It does get very hot too easily
2. fan sometimes gets agitated though till now (8 months old) it does seem to "repair itself" after a while and for a while 🙂
3. battery is good but hey iPad's is better
4. don't talk to me about cheapo ipad games... being a PC user I alwayz loled at macs game experience.... being able to open up the PC and stick into it the newest G-Board, 31 cm long and so on.....

the MBAir is defo more powerful than the iPad but it still is a very weak computer compared to most PC laptops and i am sure heavier mac laptops...

verdict: iPad doesn't do what a true computer does but MBAir never was a true computer (unable to play even a 1080p mkv file properly, unless a special bunch of software for cpu / heat regulation and video playback is used, and even then u got to keep ur fingers crossed)....
and iPad doesn't overheat, battery lasts longer, is even thinner, lighter and smaller. It is also a lot cheaper.

Go for the iPad is my opinion. get the 64GB 3G model + a bluetooth keyboard and an ipad stand or the keyboard stand combo... whatever u prefer. keep keyboard, charger and stand to the place u mostly prefer to write and that is all u need.

PS. to be fair there is really one sector in which iPad is badly hindered, even for the everyday fun loving user's needs.... and that is transferring files.... MBAir will allow wifi/usb file transfers.. iPad needs to be synchroed and even then files are stored on the device under strict OS regulations, as there really is NO file system on iphones and ipads. ios4 does allow appz to access emails and i think this is already done by the iPad with its current OS... but, still, if u want to transfer/watch a movie from your home nas, u just can't with an iPad...

verdict remains the same however, get an iPad and learn to live with its various restrictions... and keep a computer with iTunes nearby to sync data... ROFL....

 

[gwsat]

quietstorm --You have obviously done your homework on the iPad. I love mine but have learned to live with its many and significant limitations. Let's talk about its strong points first, though.

The iPad is both sleek and lightweight. It also has a very long lived battery and a beautiful display. It is also remarkably stable. I have had my 16Gb WiFi iPad since shortly after they were released more that 2 months ago and have had to reboot it only 2 or 3 times since.

I use my iPad primarily to listen to audio books and to play Netflix streaming content. By using the iPad for these tasks, I can roam all over my house while carrying the iPad on one hand. The iPad is also handy for quick and dirty Web browsing when you don't want to take the time to open a laptop or sit down in front of a desktop.

Now to the not so strong points. As you noted, the iPad can't deal with Flash content, despite Flash long having been an Internet standard. That was an inexcusable omission in my judgment but that's a rant for another day. The iPad can't handle file transfers in the straightforward way we have come to take for granted with real computers. All of the Web browsers available for the iPad are crippled in one way or another and require me to work around them in ways that I find time consuming and tedious.

Bottom line, if I had a late model MBA and knew what I know now about the iPad, I wouldn't buy the wifi model. But you are considering the 3G model, which, if you are willing to spring for the AT&T data plan, is a feature not available on the MBA. That might be enough to swing the decision in favor of the iPad but keep its limitations in mind, nonetheless.

 

[Scottsdale]

No MBA and iPad select MBA and iPhone 4.

quietstorm - mba AND ipad?

My iPad was so limited for the purposes I wished it for, that it has become a very expensive paperweight. I honestly have no use for it, as it's so inferior for the Internet that it's absolutely worthless. I don't want to play games, and the truth is most apps are so inferior to those available on my MBA. The iPad is worthless for typing on also. And MOST IMPORTANTLY, my iPhone fits in my pocket. This is the most important feature when we think of why the iPhone is so amazing. I even thought maybe the iPad would be good for watching movies on an airplane, but even then I have to buy the movies from iTunes... and I cannot watch any free stuff on the iPad because it lacks any real capability that competes with Apple's PAYMENT FOR CONTENT model. I honestly have found that there's no need for a device in between an MBA and an iPhone. The truth is the MBA is the ultimate mobile Mac, and OS X is necessary for creation computing. The iPhone is absolute perfection at being extremely mobile and providing many capabilities that I want on the go... in my pocket ready at all times.

You are much better off with an MBA and an iPhone 4!

 

[gwsat]

For those who have a bunch of M4V movie files, getting them onto your iPad and watching them there is an easy matter with the addition of a (cheap) app from the App Store, Goodreader. Goodreader works extremely well. With it you can use iTunes as a client and transfer any file on your network to an iPad. I have used Goodreader to transfer both M4V movie files and aiff audio files to the iPad for playback. Highly recommended!

 

[Spacekatgal]

I completely reject that the iPad has no use as anything but a consumption device. So does Steve Jobs, who said as much a D8.

It depends on their workflow. I don't really know what other people's jobs are, but I work as a graphic designer. The iPad is a great compliment to that job. The MBA is totally inferior to the iPad in the following areas for my work.

1. Surfing on the go. The iPad has 3G internet access. If I need to find reference material, show my website to someone, or even just tether my Macbook pro to it, the iPad is the way to go. The MBA can't surf, and the iPhone is a poor cousin to the large screen experience.
2. Sketching out ideas. Adobe Ideas is excellent for sketching out quick layouts and compositions. Often, when working with other artists, I have grabbed my iPad and shown them visually what I mean. The MBA can't do this.
3. Showing my portfolio. In my line of work, you get jobs often by chance meetings. I used to show people a Quicktime movie of my work on my MBA. That's totally inferior to the interactive, fun experience of showing it to them on the iPad.
4. Responding to emails. Granted, anything substantive must be typed on a real keyboard - but a lot of my day is checking my work email account and staying on top of it. Quick responses are often sent from my iPad. You can do this from iPhone, but the iPad is better. The MBA completely lacks this ability.
5. Taking breaks. I will work in hour long bursts, and then will surf or play a game to relax. On the MBA, the best game I found was Peggle Nights. There are tons of great games already on iPad.

Scotsdale, you're fond of making blanket statements. I would ask you to consider the fact that not everyone's job is typing spreadsheets or whatever - which sounds like the most boring work on earth to me, by the way. The iPad is not totally a consumption device - it is also a tool. The 3G access, touch screen, and social factor of the iPad are all huge pluses.

Bri

 

[Scottsdale]

I completely reject that the iPad has no use as anything but a consumption device. So does Steve Jobs, who said as much a D8.

It depends on their workflow. I don't really know what other people's jobs are, but I work as a graphic designer. The iPad is a great compliment to that job. The MBA is totally inferior to the iPad in the following areas for my work.

1. Surfing on the go. The iPad has 3G internet access. If I need to find reference material, show my website to someone, or even just tether my Macbook pro to it, the iPad is the way to go. The MBA can't surf, and the iPhone is a poor cousin to the large screen experience.
2. Sketching out ideas. Adobe Ideas is excellent for sketching out quick layouts and compositions. Often, when working with other artists, I have grabbed my iPad and shown them visually what I mean. The MBA can't do this.
3. Showing my portfolio. In my line of work, you get jobs often by chance meetings. I used to show people a Quicktime movie of my work on my MBA. That's totally inferior to the interactive, fun experience of showing it to them on the iPad.
4. Responding to emails. Granted, anything substantive must be typed on a real keyboard - but a lot of my day is checking my work email account and staying on top of it. Quick responses are often sent from my iPad. You can do this from iPhone, but the iPad is better. The MBA completely lacks this ability.
5. Taking breaks. I will work in hour long bursts, and then will surf or play a game to relax. On the MBA, the best game I found was Peggle Nights. There are tons of great games already on iPad.

Scotsdale, you're fond of making blanket statements. I would ask you to consider the fact that not everyone's job is typing spreadsheets or whatever - which sounds like the most boring work on earth to me, by the way. The iPad is not totally a consumption device - it is also a tool. The 3G access, touch screen, and social factor of the iPad are all huge pluses.

Bri

Well, I think people shouldn't get so upset and take it personal when someone opposes them in a debate topic like this. You seem to take everything I say as a personal attack. That is far from the case. I never say anything about people here except the one time I said "ONETWO" where ONE equals Fan and TWO equals Boi. Funny that I have seen it several times since without anyone being banned.

People seem to think when anyone opposes anything Jobs says that it's a personal attack against them. This is a major problem all over these forums. People mistake my opposition to some of Apple's or Jobs positions as personal attacks. I mean to say that I am a terrible person for being so inconsiderate as to only want a 5-hour battery in the MBA, or I am so terrible for wanting the MacBook Air I want not considering others want a 10-hour battery or Intel GMA with their Arrandale CPU, or I am so terrible for opposing Jobs or not believing his every word... these are NOT personal attacks. These are MY VIEWS, MY OPINIONS, MY POSITIONS, and I am using them in a debate manner not as personal attacks.

I find the iPad completely worthless, you don't. Great, we can debate why, or people can take it as personal attacks and get defensive. I honestly don't understand a lot of people here. I mean to think that it's so wrong to want a 5-hour battery, or expect to BE ABLE TO INSTALL Flash ON MY OWN $600 iPad, or to have my own opinions... I am clueless for certain.