iPad Question for those with an iPad and MBA

[ihawkins01]

Hi there,

I was wondering, to those who own both, which out of the two do you find yourself picking up more often?

Reason why: My laptop has finally given up and wanted the MBA; however I decided to get an iPad to tie me over til the 2013 MBA (in hope of a retina screen!)

However, after a week I realize ultimately what I need is a new laptop, so I am in two minds, whether to sell the iPad and put the cash towards MBA or some how try an afford both!

I have really grown to the iPad, but I am beginning to wonder whether I would still make use of it with a MBA.

Do you find the MBA significantly less portable than the iPad?

 

[ctcampbell]

I have a 13" MBA and an iPad 1 and use both equally. The iPad is great for weekends away where a laptop is just too much to be lugging around. The MBA is great for taking to work as it's light but full size.

 

[ritmomundo]

I've had an MBA 11" for a couple years now, and use it everyday. I also have an iPhone 5, which I use everyday. I recently picked up an iPad mini, and I can't tell if I want to keep it yet. I use it because it's convenient due to the size, but sometimes I find myself reaching for my MBA instead because of the full OS, keyboard, etc. The iPad is good for light surfing on the couch and games, but I don't think it will take the position of a regular laptop.

But I find myself wondering if its worth keeping the iPad mini, since I can do most everything on my iPhone for when I'm on the go, and on my 11" air when I'm at home.

 

[shadowjeff]

A retina mba might or might not be released in July 2013, however do keep in mind if it does, it's gonna be more expensive than the none-retina mba.

I have the mba 13 and iphone 5 right now and i'm thinking of picking up a ipad 4/ipad mini for web browsing and watching movies. I've tried an ipad before and nothing beats it for web browsing since you can zoom really easily and navigate way better than through the trackpad.

 

[mellofello]

I have MBA 13. iPad 3, and iPad mini. The iPad cannot replace the MBA IMO. If I only had to choose 1 it would be MBA for sure. Even the top shelf iPad only has 64 gb and I need my photos, music etc. also surviving on iOS alone is not possible for me. For torrents, porn, Microsoft word and all other illicit things we all do the iPad won't cut it.

That being said the iPad, especially the mini. Is a great companion. Relaxing on the couch, sitting on the can, banging out a quick email at Starbucks the iPad is amazing.

 

[DollaTwentyFive]

I have an 11" MBA and the 3rd Gen iPad. I work from home, so the MBA is mostly on the desk hooked up to a display.

I don't do any video editing and photo editing is very light. I find myself going to the iPad more often. I've had an iPad since the 1st Gen launch day. I have found for what I do, which is a good amount of consumption, the iOS apps tend to be better and more efficient. I can usually get the same info through an iOS app without having to deal with a browser on the MBA.

If I'm writing or need to produce documents, etc - I can go either way. If it is a large project, the MBA gets the call. If its simple to moderate, I will often bang things out on the iPad.

Truthfully, I rarely take the MBA with me anywhere. It's nice to know that I can, but it doesn't happen much. But that's just what works for me. Everyone is going to have a different set of requirements from their technology. I would be hard pressed to pick one device.

 

[reputationZed]

I have a 13" MBA and just recently replaced my iPad2 with an iPad4. While I was pursuing my degree I used my MBA on a daily basis and picked up the iPad once a week or so. Prior to getting the MBA I'd tried using the iPad and a BT keyboard as a laptop replacement. While I was able to complete my course work using this set up it was not a very satisfying experience. The iPad wasn't bad at performing single tasks but came up short when typing a paper while switching back and forth between a couple of PDF's and a bunch of web pages. Since graduating however I find that I'm grabbing the iPad on a daily basis and rarely pick up the MBA. I guess the only two bits of advice I can really offer are.

1) the iPad is not a laptop replacement.
2) ask yourself if you really need a laptop.

I'd also agree that Retina may not happen for the MBA for quite a while. There just wouldn't be much differentiation between a MBAr and the recently released 13" MBPr. If and when the MBA gets a Retina I'd expect it to carry the same premium over a non retina MBA as the MBPr dose over the MBP. If I had to guess I'd say we have seen the last on the non retina MBP's and that the MBA will assume the role of Apples entry level notebooks.

 

[WilliamLondon]

Last month I bought an 11" MBA, and last week I bought a mini, which I knew would be the perfect complementary device to the 11" MBA. At home I've got an iMac, which I use more than the MBA (but the MBA is for away from home). The combination of these devices for me is perfect. Small away from home (both iPad and MBA) so I get two complementary devices without sacrificing bulk or weight.

In my opinion and MBA is a perfect complement to an iPad - both are used, both are functional and both are loved.

 

[wknapp0924]

Hi there,

I was wondering, to those who own both, which out of the two do you find yourself picking up more often?

Reason why: My laptop has finally given up and wanted the MBA; however I decided to get an iPad to tie me over til the 2013 MBA (in hope of a retina screen!)

However, after a week I realize ultimately what I need is a new laptop, so I am in two minds, whether to sell the iPad and put the cash towards MBA or some how try an afford both!

I have really grown to the iPad, but I am beginning to wonder whether I would still make use of it with a MBA.

Do you find the MBA significantly less portable than the iPad?

My opinion is you can live without an IPad alot easier than living without a computer. I use my computer for spreadsheets, writing emails, etc. I did get the ipad mini and I find myself grabbing it to do all my web browsing when laying on the couch. It streams to the AppleTV alot better than the MBA, but I would not return my mini for anything...well except a retina mini when it comes out.

 

[OdT22]

We have had 2 MBAs (13s) for the past year that we use for all personal computing/webstuff. She does email, games, eBay and facespace. I'm more in to discussion forums, finance news, etc..

After we got our minis on the release day, neither of us have much use for the MBAs anymore. The ipad seems to cover most of our needs, and being iPhone users, the learning curve hasn't been too steep.

At this point, I'm not too interested using two different operating systems anymore. Neither of us are, actually, (Well, 3, since everything at work is Windows). iOS is far simpler and less cumbersome to use, though our requirements are admittedly very limited as far as personal computing goes.

Long story short, we have decided to ditch the MBAs. No point in having that much dough tied up in something we obviously don't require. The ipad mini does what we do, far more comfortably.

We're also toying with the idea of using the funds to add a couple of ipad 4's with some keyboards, for the times when we actually need to be productive from home. All iOS seems pretty logical for our needs.

 

[shadowjeff]

I have MBA 13. iPad 3, and iPad mini. The iPad cannot replace the MBA IMO. If I only had to choose 1 it would be MBA for sure. Even the top shelf iPad only has 64 gb and I need my photos, music etc. also surviving on iOS alone is not possible for me. For torrents, porn, Microsoft word and all other illicit things we all do the iPad won't cut it.

That being said the iPad, especially the mini. Is a great companion. Relaxing on the couch, sitting on the can, banging out a quick email at Starbucks the iPad is amazing.

Do you find yourself using the iPad 3 or mini more? I'm contemplating whether to get the ipad 4 or mini to accompany my mba and iphone 5. Mainly gonna use it for web browsing and watching movies, use it on the bed before going to sleep.

 

[mellofello]

I'm planing on giving my mom the ipad3 for Xmas. The mini is everything I could ever want in a tablet (except for resolution). To be honest I hardly ever used my iPad 3. However me and my GF wrestle for the mini. The battery is phenomenal, and the size is juuuuust right.

 

[ihawkins01]

I have MBA 13. iPad 3, and iPad mini. The iPad cannot replace the MBA IMO. If I only had to choose 1 it would be MBA for sure. Even the top shelf iPad only has 64 gb and I need my photos, music etc. also surviving on iOS alone is not possible for me. For torrents, porn, Microsoft word and all other illicit things we all do the iPad won't cut it.

That being said the iPad, especially the mini. Is a great companion. Relaxing on the couch, sitting on the can, banging out a quick email at Starbucks the iPad is amazing.

Great response

 

[Hands Sandon]

I only have the iPhone 4s and an 11" MBA, so can't answer your question directly, but will say that I find the Air overall essential too. Put it this way, there are still too many things an iPad can't do for me that the MBA does do, and given the size and weight difference is relatively minor, I like knowing that carrying something that feels incredibly light to me already and will do everything I need it do without any fuss. The rest of the time my iPhone fills the gap. That said, I plan on getting the next lighter iPad 5 (IGZO display) or the next generation mini (IGZO display) and only if it has at least an A6X processor (mini)- I do iOS photo editing and the extra power is a huge plus there.

 

[nightlong]

I have both, as listed in my sig, and an ipad4 ordered. Not listed are 2 hoverbars ... Which are great for the iPad ... One by my bed, the other moves around for the many places I use iPad ... In the car for GPS, in the kitchen, for recipes etc, attached to iMacs in home office and another office. I use iPad more than anything, my other computers used only for things iPad can't do. I use the Air with a dell 2412 ultra sharp screen at desk. But one of the reasons I love iPad, and the Air, is I spend much less time sitting at a desk and I now have no back problems, which I did before.

The ipad4 will be my main writing/reading machine (in combination with Air through iCloud and Dropbox, and hoverbar and Bluetooth keyboard) .. The cheapest way to get a great retina screen for sharp text. The ipad2 will do the non-text based things.