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Mba vs ipad
- Thread starter Samtb
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I have a selection because I have distinctly different requirements for the vast quantities of work I do, on different projects that are unique, each with their own set of requirements.
Furthermore I like variety, I prefer Apple products, and therefore I buy them all. That's what works quite well for me.
Furthermore I like variety, I prefer Apple products, and therefore I buy them all. That's what works quite well for me.
For me it was command line, being able to run VMs, being able to run Windows. I needed a full computer. And if you were wondering, yes, I had my old ipad setup with a bluetooth Apple keyboard and used it to RDP into Windows/Linux boxes at work. It wasn't enough.
MBAs allow you full access to a computer, running OS X software, installing windows and running windows apps. They keyboard is superior to the virtual keyboard on the iPAd, or even those that are available built into cases.
I think it boils down to selecting the right tool for the job. iPads have their place, but so doesn't laptops.
This kind of thread bewilders me. Do you really not know the difference between a computer and a tablet? If not, then I'd say you should just get an iPad because it's cheaper.
The iPad has never interested me. I have an iPhone 5s and that fills my need for a small device with good battery life that I can take wherever I go. I use my 11" MBA for everything else. It is exponentially more powerful than an iPad, with an i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD. It runs all my Macintosh software, like Photoshop, Vectorworks, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Filemaker Pro, etc.
The iPad has never interested me. I have an iPhone 5s and that fills my need for a small device with good battery life that I can take wherever I go. I use my 11" MBA for everything else. It is exponentially more powerful than an iPad, with an i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD. It runs all my Macintosh software, like Photoshop, Vectorworks, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Filemaker Pro, etc.
Because you can do ∞ more things than an iPad.
iOS devices are so limited. Very limited. A MacBook Air is a full computer. You can install whatever OS you want, you can use all your apps...
You have the Finder and a desktop. You can download and organize files. Can't really do that with an iPad.
You can connect it to a larger monitor and use it as a full desktop PC!
I never liked iOS devices vs. a computer. Obviously, they are so limited. iOS devices are only good for specific and basic things, while on the go. They are mobile devices and are meant to be used as mobile devices. They aren't meant for extended use in one place.
I have both. If I could only have one, the MBAir would have to be the choice as it is a full computer. The iPad is more a luxury item but I can not imagine not having it!
I have both. If I could only have one, the MBAir would have to be the choice as it is a full computer. The iPad is more a luxury item but I can not imagine not having it!
For me, its also what tool works the best. I can access my servers on my iPad, but I really don't want too. Its not all that easy to do my work on an iPad, where as a laptop it is
Agreed. There are some things that an iPad might be able to do but the computer can do so much better. Maybe some day but i do not think iPads will be replacing computers for people needing them anytime soon.
There are very few people who go completely without a computer and only use a tablet. So, I kind of assume you are looking for a secondary device, or you have a computer provided by your employer for work stuff and only need something simple for home. If you could share some background info about your computing needs and other devices, it would be helpful.
I have an MBA, and that works well for me. However, for a couple of years, I had a Mac Mini and iPad and that combo was also very effective. The iPad is extremely portable and easy to use, and I saved the heavy lifting for the desktop and kept my computing simply whilst away from my desk. This required some compromise, but it was manageable. BTW - the combined cost of base Mac Mini ($499) and iPad ($499) is comparable to the base MBA ($1,000). Of course, this math changes depending on the peripherals that you need to purchase (although most people have a monitor and keyboard already).
I moved to the MBA because I will be retiring in a few months and plan to do some consulting. I wanted a portable computer with more capability than an iPad. Also, now that I have a bigger screen on my iPhone 6, I don't miss the iPad as much.....but, I still miss it.
I have an MBA, and that works well for me. However, for a couple of years, I had a Mac Mini and iPad and that combo was also very effective. The iPad is extremely portable and easy to use, and I saved the heavy lifting for the desktop and kept my computing simply whilst away from my desk. This required some compromise, but it was manageable. BTW - the combined cost of base Mac Mini ($499) and iPad ($499) is comparable to the base MBA ($1,000). Of course, this math changes depending on the peripherals that you need to purchase (although most people have a monitor and keyboard already).
I moved to the MBA because I will be retiring in a few months and plan to do some consulting. I wanted a portable computer with more capability than an iPad. Also, now that I have a bigger screen on my iPhone 6, I don't miss the iPad as much.....but, I still miss it.
Technically (playing the devil's advocate here), the iPad is a full computer as well. It has a CPU, GPU, storage and can do everything you post. The question is, can it do it as well as a laptop - the answer is no.
I use an iMac and an iPad, with or without a keyboard, instead of a laptop. It is amazing how good the iPad apps are getting and if you approach it right, it can be a very productive tool. However, an iPad would be a poor choice for an only device, it is an companion device IMHO.
The new iPad Air 2 is as powerful as a MacBook Air, I opperate with just an iPad and iPhone, and it is fantastic!
It's Fast, simple yet complex, extremely portable, all the apps I need are available on iPad and are getting more and more powerful every day. I present off iPad, have meetings on face time, keep customer profiles and info, have a superb filing system between drop box and Google drive, air drop allows me to send files well over a gig in just minutes and whilst all this is happening I stay upto date with news and social all on one device.
I manage a company of 14 people and am more productive since using iPad than I ever have been,....everything I need all on 1 device!
It's Fast, simple yet complex, extremely portable, all the apps I need are available on iPad and are getting more and more powerful every day. I present off iPad, have meetings on face time, keep customer profiles and info, have a superb filing system between drop box and Google drive, air drop allows me to send files well over a gig in just minutes and whilst all this is happening I stay upto date with news and social all on one device.
I manage a company of 14 people and am more productive since using iPad than I ever have been,....everything I need all on 1 device!
It might be just as "useful" for you, but certainly not as "powerful". It has 2GB of RAM, my MBA has 8GB. It can have a maximum of 128GB SSD.My MBA has 512GB. It only has one proprietary port, my MBA has two USB ports and Thunderbolt. The iPad doesn't support external monitors like a Mac. iOS doesn't support full multitasking. The iPad can't read/write from the SSD at 700MB/sec like the MBA. The list goes on and on.
If the iPad meets your needs, that's fine. But it is nowhere near "as powerful as a MacBook Air".
That sounds to me like you are describing "functional" not "powerful", as Apple themselves describe it to being as powerful as most desk top Pc's.
Just look at the Geekbench scores http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench3/search?utf8=✓&q=2014+MacBook+Air
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As several other posters have observed, the MBA - while exceedingly portable and very light - especially the 11" - - is a full computer whereas the iPad is not. It is a tablet, albeit a very attractive and useful one, especially the mini.
I see the difference in terms of whether you seek to produce or consume online content.
For consuming content, - reading articles, surfing, viewing stuff - the iPad is brilliant. However, even with the onscreen touch keyboard (or an attached keyboard) trying to use it for any sort of serious writing is something that I found uncomfortable. I ended up giving my iPad to my brother.
On the other hand, the MBA is a full computer with a proper fully functional keyboard. If you have to generate content, if you have to write a lot, it is far better than the iPad.
I see the difference in terms of whether you seek to produce or consume online content.
For consuming content, - reading articles, surfing, viewing stuff - the iPad is brilliant. However, even with the onscreen touch keyboard (or an attached keyboard) trying to use it for any sort of serious writing is something that I found uncomfortable. I ended up giving my iPad to my brother.
On the other hand, the MBA is a full computer with a proper fully functional keyboard. If you have to generate content, if you have to write a lot, it is far better than the iPad.
I just looked. My i7 MBA scores 3259/6379 and the iPad Air 2 scores 1813/4603.
Doesn't Geekbench just measure processor and RAM performance? That is only small part of what makes a computer "powerful" in my book. I/O can be just as important, maybe more so, and the blazing fast SSD on the MBA makes a huge difference. It can also transfer data from external devices much faster with Thunderbolt and gigabit ethernet. And a Mac has a more advanced operating system with enough RAM to allow multiple programs to run at the same time. I can rip a DVD or render video at the same time I run a CAD program and copy big files at 100MB/s over ethernet for example. An iPad doesn't have enough "power" for that.
Really, there's nothing wrong with an iPad. And maybe we just define "powerful" differently. My Volkswagen gets me everywhere I need to go and can drive just as fast as a tractor trailer truck. But if I tried to haul a 10 ton load, I would quickly realize that it isn't as "powerful".
If Apple gave it a file system so I can store files it would be so much closer to what I would like the iPad to do. This is why I can not get excited about the iPad Pro rumors as I am betting that Apple will not let it work to it's full potential.
I just looked. My i7 MBA scores 3259/6379 and the iPad Air 2 scores 1813/4603.
Doesn't Geekbench just measure processor and RAM performance? That is only small part of what makes a computer "powerful" in my book. I/O can be just as important, maybe more so, and the blazing fast SSD on the MBA makes a huge difference. It can also transfer data from external devices much faster with Thunderbolt and gigabit ethernet. And a Mac has a more advanced operating system with enough RAM to allow multiple programs to run at the same time. I can rip a DVD or render video at the same time I run a CAD program and copy big files at 100MB/s over ethernet for example. An iPad doesn't have enough "power" for that.
Really, there's nothing wrong with an iPad. And maybe we just define "powerful" differently. My Volkswagen gets me everywhere I need to go and can drive just as fast as a tractor trailer truck. But if I tried to haul a 10 ton load, I would quickly realize that it isn't as "powerful".
Hahaha for sure, and I do agree with you the MBA is a great machine, I just prefer my Air 2, I think the bottom line is it depends what your requirements are, nice debate though
I've been using the iPad Air for a while and I love it. Just picked up a MacBook Air about a week ago and love that too! Right now I'm using them to complement each other. I'm reading ebooks on both... (Kindle on the MacBook and Nook on the iPad)... I'm browsing the web on both. I'm going to be doing my writing on my MacBook but I am using both for email, calendar, etc... Evernote- Both.
If I had to choose it would be difficult. Ever since my first tablet which was the original iPad, I have loved using tablets. But I'm also blown away by the MacBook Air! My last Mac was a PowerBook! LOL... I had forgotten how much I love Macs. So if I had to choose right now I guess I'd choose the MacBook Air. That way if I changed my mind down the road I could always sell it and buy two iPads.
If I had to choose it would be difficult. Ever since my first tablet which was the original iPad, I have loved using tablets. But I'm also blown away by the MacBook Air! My last Mac was a PowerBook! LOL... I had forgotten how much I love Macs. So if I had to choose right now I guess I'd choose the MacBook Air. That way if I changed my mind down the road I could always sell it and buy two iPads.
I suspect this subject will keep re-occuring particularly this year with the arrival of the A9 chip and the 12" MBA. The rumored 12" MBA is likely to be my first MBA and is what has brought me to this sub-forum.
Post-Script to my original post: I do love the functionality of adding a keyboard to the iPad along with the touchscreen. When talking about the iPad you need to talk about apps, the apps are what makes it special.
Post-Script to my original post: I do love the functionality of adding a keyboard to the iPad along with the touchscreen. When talking about the iPad you need to talk about apps, the apps are what makes it special.