But you can get an e-ink kindle now for $49. And it is MUCH better suited to reading than the iPad LCD screen. High res or not! Back light just sucks for reading!
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
MBAers, do you have an ipad, what do you use it for? MBA can do everything of an iPad
- Thread starter kulimer
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
But you can get an e-ink kindle now for $49. And it is MUCH better suited to reading than the iPad LCD screen. High res or not! Back light just sucks for reading!
I have the 4S and the 11.6 Air I5. I work in IT for a software company and having the Air is a godsend. I can log on and easily manage servers and do 100% of my job off of it. I had the ipad 1 when it came out and sold it after a few months. Got the ipad 2 after I got my Air and ended up returning it because I felt it was redundant to my 4S and Air. I ordered the 3 when it was released. The retina display and LTE alone may convince me to keep it. The problem is I can't replace my Air with an iPad because I use my Air so much for work. I use it in meetings and anytime I travel somewhere where I might need to remote in. Once I get the Air I will pretty much drag my air and Ipad with me. As far as non work is concerned I could pretty much use the ipad 3 for everything I do. The battery life is amazing.
More toys to play with, haha, just kidding. There are situations where the iPad comes in handy much better than the Air does. It's easier when commuting (Airplane, Train, Car(sometimes) ) Better gaming on the iPad and it's nice at night while lying in bed watching the TimeWarner Cable TV App or reading a book.
Last edited:
I really want an iPad...but can't because I have no $! 
But seriously, the only things holding me back from getting one:
1. Can't play PC games on them. I'm sure I would enjoy the games on the iPad, but I would miss my PC games much more.
2. Can't use it for programs I use in school, like Microsoft Access and Visio.
3. I love the keyboard and could no way live without it.
4. 10" isn't tiny, but not big enough for everything.
So the only way I would buy an iPad is when:
1. There is a larger size, like 13"
2. Can attach a keyboard easily if needed(are there such things now?).
3. Powerful enough to run at least older and smaller PC games.
4. More PC programs can run on it.
I think it would be awesome to use an iPad if it had 13" around the house. Then when I want to play a PC game or need a keyboard, just attach a keyboard.
Who knows, maybe in the next year or two, my insane dreams will be fulfilled.
But seriously, the only things holding me back from getting one:
1. Can't play PC games on them. I'm sure I would enjoy the games on the iPad, but I would miss my PC games much more.
2. Can't use it for programs I use in school, like Microsoft Access and Visio.
3. I love the keyboard and could no way live without it.
4. 10" isn't tiny, but not big enough for everything.
So the only way I would buy an iPad is when:
1. There is a larger size, like 13"
2. Can attach a keyboard easily if needed(are there such things now?).
3. Powerful enough to run at least older and smaller PC games.
4. More PC programs can run on it.
I think it would be awesome to use an iPad if it had 13" around the house. Then when I want to play a PC game or need a keyboard, just attach a keyboard.
Who knows, maybe in the next year or two, my insane dreams will be fulfilled.
I really want an iPad...but can't because I have no $!
the iPad 2 has come down in price significantly and seems to be readily available on refurb store
You can VNC into your computer and access all this, although it probably will be difficult to use or you could use the Parallels iPad app (it's really good actually). The iPad was never even intended for something like this so you can't really put it down for that
Who knows, maybe in the next year or two, my insane dreams will be fulfilled.
Pretty sure that's called the MBA 13"
I have an iPad and use it extensively for work. It excels over my MBA for certain tasks due to the combination of long battery life/ touch screen/ opportunity for stylus input/ hand writing and 3G.
I use my iPad to read and annotate academic articles, and for 80% of my note taking. The ability to use a stylus makes it superior to my MBA with respect to these two tasks. I also love that I don't have to worry about battery life. The iPad is my main portability device, but if I go away for more than a night or two I also bring my MBA.
I have two e-readers and love them but they just don't offer sufficient functionality for my work related reading. The extensive options for annotation, scrolling through large documents, etc that the iPad offers just doesn't compare to a Kindle.
I use my iPad to read and annotate academic articles, and for 80% of my note taking. The ability to use a stylus makes it superior to my MBA with respect to these two tasks. I also love that I don't have to worry about battery life. The iPad is my main portability device, but if I go away for more than a night or two I also bring my MBA.
I have two e-readers and love them but they just don't offer sufficient functionality for my work related reading. The extensive options for annotation, scrolling through large documents, etc that the iPad offers just doesn't compare to a Kindle.
I personally use both iPad2 and my laptop for studies in my university. To be honest, iPad has its own advantages and disadvantages.
I found out that iPad is good for group project such as doing presentation, showing your work among your team members, and sending quick emails. Many people said iPad can replace paper and pen. I think this is not true at all. I have many different note taking apps. Unfortunately, none of them are good enough. I still prefer using paper and pen to take notes. One of biggest problems with the iPad is that there is a delay when u write your notes. This delay is extremely annoying as you often need more time correcting your mistakes than taking note.
I treat my iPad as a supplement to help me out at school. For other tasks, I still prefer using my laptop
I found out that iPad is good for group project such as doing presentation, showing your work among your team members, and sending quick emails. Many people said iPad can replace paper and pen. I think this is not true at all. I have many different note taking apps. Unfortunately, none of them are good enough. I still prefer using paper and pen to take notes. One of biggest problems with the iPad is that there is a delay when u write your notes. This delay is extremely annoying as you often need more time correcting your mistakes than taking note.
I treat my iPad as a supplement to help me out at school. For other tasks, I still prefer using my laptop
Last edited:
AS previously mentioned, they serve two different purposes.
iPad = browser
MBA = content generator / better for data entry
the iPad has better battery life, is lighter, can be held in one hand or used on the go without somehere to sit.
the MBA needs you to sit down, or to sit the machine down so you can type. its battery life is not as good, but it is far better for data entry and has beefier cpu, etc.
Imho, plugging a keyboard in and attempting to run desktop apps on an ipad is missing the point. that's not what its for. it is for usage on the go, with apps that don't NEED you to do extensive typing. if you're doing a lot of typing, etc - you're better of with an MBA for those jobs.
iPad = browser
MBA = content generator / better for data entry
the iPad has better battery life, is lighter, can be held in one hand or used on the go without somehere to sit.
the MBA needs you to sit down, or to sit the machine down so you can type. its battery life is not as good, but it is far better for data entry and has beefier cpu, etc.
Imho, plugging a keyboard in and attempting to run desktop apps on an ipad is missing the point. that's not what its for. it is for usage on the go, with apps that don't NEED you to do extensive typing. if you're doing a lot of typing, etc - you're better of with an MBA for those jobs.
Yes, I have a Zagg one and it works amazingly. Bluetooth connection works with both my phone and iPad. Also works as protective case and stand for the iPad.
I obviously know the MBA and iPad serve 2 different purposes.
I'm just saying it would be nice to have 1 device to do EVERYTHING(while being super portable), and not have a desktop, laptop, iPad, etc.
For me right now, its not worth it.
However, like I said, maybe in a year or two it will be good enough for me.
Once again, this is for my purposes.
I have read several posts where people would rather have the iPad over the MBA, that's great.
I'm just saying it would be nice to have 1 device to do EVERYTHING(while being super portable), and not have a desktop, laptop, iPad, etc.
For me right now, its not worth it.
However, like I said, maybe in a year or two it will be good enough for me.
Once again, this is for my purposes.
I have read several posts where people would rather have the iPad over the MBA, that's great.